Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Spriggs Farm park launch

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Spriggs Farm park launch

    Since the cold weather arrived, fewer of our members are out there fishing. There are only occasional posts. I had some errands to run in Arnold this morning and decided to visit the Spriggs Farm Park kayak launch. Here is what I found.

    This waterfront park (an old farm property surrounded by expensive homes) is located off of Bayberry Drive in Arnold, MD. It was opened to the public in October 2015. I launched there twice during the first month and caught fish trolling in the outer end of the Magothy River on both trips. But the water access was not easy. You could drive to the top of a steep cliff and unload. There was an uneven dirt trail down to the beach. Once there, you were in a wide section of the Magothy not far from Ulmstead Point and across from Dobbins Island.

    2022-11-21-004.jpg


    Because of the difficulty navigating that original trail, I never returned to launch there. The neighbors in this area were not happy about having outsiders coming into their neighborhood and created some issues. One of the responses the county made was to put a locking gate on the entrance road. You need to go online to get the code for the lock.

    Over time, the county has made some improvements but has not made beach access any easier. Here are a few photos I took this morning. The first photo shows the end of the road on top of the cliff. When I went there in 2015, you could park in this area. Now, it is clearly marked so that you can unload in this area but must park farther back. The top of the trail to the beach is next to the post on the right side of the photo.

    2022-11-21-001.jpg


    The next photo shows the top of the trail. I it is uneven with some twists and tree roots.

    2022-11-21-002.jpg

    The next two photos show the bottom end of the trail -- a steep set of steps. The first photo is the view from the top -- the second one is taken from the beach looking up.

    2022-11-21-003.jpg

    2022-11-21-005.jpg

    My reaction was that I am unlikely to ever use this facility because of the difficulty getting my kayak to the water. The steep steps at the bottom would be really tough to navigate with a cart. The most likely way to use this launch is to carry your kayak down the steps. It is a shame that access is not easier, as there are very few public access points on the Magothy.
    John Veil
    Annapolis
    Native Watercraft Manta Ray 11, Falcon 11

    Author - "Fishing in the Comfort Zone" , "Fishing Road Trip - 2019", "My Fishing Life: Two Years to Remember", and "The Way I Like to Fish -- A Kayak Angler's Guide to Shallow Water, Light Tackle Fishing"

  • #2
    It is disappointing there is not better public access to the Magothy. Isn't the launch at Beachwood similar to this? I have never been there because I've heard it's not great for the large sit-on-top fishing kayaks we typically use.
    Dave

    2021 Hobie Outback Camo
    2013 Native Slayer Hidden Oak

    Comment


    • #3
      The Beachwood launch is at the bottom of a long hill. But there are no steps or really steep sections. It is not fun, but is manageable. Also, there is no locked gate at Beachwood.
      John Veil
      Annapolis
      Native Watercraft Manta Ray 11, Falcon 11

      Author - "Fishing in the Comfort Zone" , "Fishing Road Trip - 2019", "My Fishing Life: Two Years to Remember", and "The Way I Like to Fish -- A Kayak Angler's Guide to Shallow Water, Light Tackle Fishing"

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by dsaavedra View Post
        It is disappointing there is not better public access to the Magothy. Isn't the launch at Beachwood similar to this? I have never been there because I've heard it's not great for the large sit-on-top fishing kayaks we typically use.
        I have a Hobie Compass, and have launched it at Beechwood a couple of times. Pulling it back up hill is a good work out that will get your heart pumping, but its doable. I find its easier to go downhill on these paths if you turn your kayak around backwards, and let gravity do its thing while you brake and steer from behind.
        - Cliff

        Hobie Compass
        Perception Pescador Pro 100

        Comment


        • #5
          That's good perspective, thanks guys. I may give Beachwood a shot in the next couple weeks just to try some new water.
          Dave

          2021 Hobie Outback Camo
          2013 Native Slayer Hidden Oak

          Comment


          • #6
            I find that the Beachwood hill requires a similar amount of effort as the Homeport Farms hill. Homeport is steeper but has some paved sections. The path at Beachwood is dirt with tree roots and is a bit uneven. As I am dragging my kayak and cart back up either hill, I usually switch hands several times as one side of the body gets tired.

            John Veil
            Annapolis
            Native Watercraft Manta Ray 11, Falcon 11

            Author - "Fishing in the Comfort Zone" , "Fishing Road Trip - 2019", "My Fishing Life: Two Years to Remember", and "The Way I Like to Fish -- A Kayak Angler's Guide to Shallow Water, Light Tackle Fishing"

            Comment


            • #7
              There is a path at Beachwood that meanders through the park and heads toward the launchsite. At the end of that path there is vertical drop of about 2 to 3 feet. While longer than the straight path, it is not as steep and presents an easier way to return to your vehicle providing you can can get your gear over that intitial drop point near the launch.

              Indeed it is unfortunate that both public kayak launch sites have hilly terrains. However, for those able to use them, the fishing opportunities are excellent. What I like the most about fishing the Magothy is its many creeks and tidal ponds, its generally clean waters and the variety of species to include largemouth bass and bluegills in additional to stripers, yellow perch, white perch, channel cats, pickerels and snakeheads.

              Mark
              Pasadena, MD


              Slate Hobie Revolution 13
              Hidden Oak Native Ultimate 12
              Lizard Lick Native Ultimate FX Pro

              Comment


              • #8
                John, the condition of Spriggs is a continuing disappointment. Those steps were supposed to be a temporary fix until park improvements began. It's been 3 years. At this time last year we were told that the project permits were stalled. If you want to send your photos to someone and ask what's going on, I recommend District 5 Councilwoman Amanda Fiedler. https://www.aacounty.org/departments...ers/district-5 She represents Spriggs and is good at constituent service.

                Lisa

                Comment

                Working...
                X