In 2012, things went very well most of the time when I was fishing. Once 2013 started, my fishing success took a nose dive. I think the past 8 days set a new standard for ineptitude, however.
Sat 3/23 - fished 4 hrs at CCNPP - one 16" rockfish
Tues 3/26 - kayak fished 2 hrs in Weems Creek - no bites, no catches
Wed 3/27 - fished at several road crossings near my home - 3 nibbles from small fish - no catches
Thurs 3/28 - fished a shoreline in College Creek for 1 hour - no bites, no catches
Sat 3/29 - kayak fished 2 hrs at a spot near Jonas Green that had been very productive for me all winter - no bites, no catches
To add additional insult, shortly after I had launched from Jonas Green yesterday, before I had passed the fishing pier, I knocked one of my nice light rods overboard. As soon as I heard the splash, I turned around -- it had already sunk. I had no heavy lures with me yesterday, and was in my Mini-X kayak with no fishfinder. I spent 15 minutes casting around the area hoping to snag the rod -- but I had no success.
I needed to get home because we had company coming. I was unable to get back to that area until 2:30 Sun afternoon. This time I had my Manta Ray with a color FF/GPS. I used the split screen function to watch the bottom and also follow my tracks on the mapping screen (see photos). I covered the area where I had dropped the rod thoroughly in both an E/W and a N/S direction, making a pretty comprehensive grid. I towed two heavy metal jigs with large treble hooks for 45 minutes. The water was mostly 4-6 ft deep.
001.jpg 002.jpg
Then I tried casting the heavy jig out and retrieving it back to the kayak for another 45 minutes. All I managed to snag in all that time were three lost bottom rigs and two sticks.
The rod is a 5'6" light action St Croix Premier rod. The reel is a Shimano Stradic 1000 that is only a year old. I gave the salvage effort a good try but came up empty. If anyone else wants to try, here is map of the area where it fell in.
jonas green 1.jpg
The area stretches from the last part of the bridge on solid land out to the second set of pilings. I had launched at the near end of the beach next to the small rock piles and was paddling in the direction of the white buoy just beyond the end of the pier. I have no way of knowing whether it is still there or if the currents have moved it somewhere else.
Regarding the salvage, if anyone is able to find the rod, you are welcome to keep it under salvage rules. However, if you are interested in compensation, I will offer a reward. Due to the damaging effect of salt water, the amount of the reward changes based on the date on which it is recovered. If found from April 1-5, I will pay $100. From April 6-10, I will pay $75. From April 11-30, I will pay $50. After April, I suspect that corrosion will have taken a toll, and I will no longer offer a reward.
Sat 3/23 - fished 4 hrs at CCNPP - one 16" rockfish
Tues 3/26 - kayak fished 2 hrs in Weems Creek - no bites, no catches
Wed 3/27 - fished at several road crossings near my home - 3 nibbles from small fish - no catches
Thurs 3/28 - fished a shoreline in College Creek for 1 hour - no bites, no catches
Sat 3/29 - kayak fished 2 hrs at a spot near Jonas Green that had been very productive for me all winter - no bites, no catches
To add additional insult, shortly after I had launched from Jonas Green yesterday, before I had passed the fishing pier, I knocked one of my nice light rods overboard. As soon as I heard the splash, I turned around -- it had already sunk. I had no heavy lures with me yesterday, and was in my Mini-X kayak with no fishfinder. I spent 15 minutes casting around the area hoping to snag the rod -- but I had no success.
I needed to get home because we had company coming. I was unable to get back to that area until 2:30 Sun afternoon. This time I had my Manta Ray with a color FF/GPS. I used the split screen function to watch the bottom and also follow my tracks on the mapping screen (see photos). I covered the area where I had dropped the rod thoroughly in both an E/W and a N/S direction, making a pretty comprehensive grid. I towed two heavy metal jigs with large treble hooks for 45 minutes. The water was mostly 4-6 ft deep.
001.jpg 002.jpg
Then I tried casting the heavy jig out and retrieving it back to the kayak for another 45 minutes. All I managed to snag in all that time were three lost bottom rigs and two sticks.
The rod is a 5'6" light action St Croix Premier rod. The reel is a Shimano Stradic 1000 that is only a year old. I gave the salvage effort a good try but came up empty. If anyone else wants to try, here is map of the area where it fell in.
jonas green 1.jpg
The area stretches from the last part of the bridge on solid land out to the second set of pilings. I had launched at the near end of the beach next to the small rock piles and was paddling in the direction of the white buoy just beyond the end of the pier. I have no way of knowing whether it is still there or if the currents have moved it somewhere else.
Regarding the salvage, if anyone is able to find the rod, you are welcome to keep it under salvage rules. However, if you are interested in compensation, I will offer a reward. Due to the damaging effect of salt water, the amount of the reward changes based on the date on which it is recovered. If found from April 1-5, I will pay $100. From April 6-10, I will pay $75. From April 11-30, I will pay $50. After April, I suspect that corrosion will have taken a toll, and I will no longer offer a reward.
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