Harford Co suggestions?

[mweber02]

Hi guys. I'm new to kayak fishing and looking for some recommendations for the Bush and Gunpowder areas. I have already checked out a few launch areas but don't know if the fishing is better or worse in certain areas. The closest launches for me that I know of are Otter Point Rd, the shoulder parking on NB Rt 40, Flying Point, and Mariner Point.


I have been reading a lot of the posts that focus on below the bridge and further north, but I am trying to stay a bit more local right now.

Any suggestions on where to start, what to target, and what types of lures to use would be really helpful. I have plenty of experience with freshwater for bass, but little tidal experience other than growing up fishing for perch. I'm sure I could break this out into a hundred questions, but anything to start me in the right direction would be helpful.


Thanks.

[sparky1423]

The northern section of Bush river and Otter Point Creek have not been productive for me. I have been able to catch a few perch and catfish under the RR bridge, but never really spent any quality time trying for bass around the docks near Flying Point Park. The Gunpowder will produce better fish, launching out of Mariner Point Park will put you on bass, perch, and crappie. The gunpowder railroad bridge have a few holes for catfish and an occasional striper (i have heard).

I would recommend the Lapidum Boat ramp and fish the Susquehanna. This has been my "go to" for local fishing. It's far enough away from the dam for the current to be very weak. Last week I did well trolling for smallies, but could not find any perch. Once you get a few trips under your belt the rockfish have been real active close to the damn. EARLY morning topwater fishing is the ticket, but the current can be strong and beware of shallow boulders...I learned the hard way. Once the weather cools the Susquehanna Flats will start up again with Rockfish.

When I first got my kayak I would launch at the Willoughby Boat ramp under the RR bidge...it's easy to get some quality time on the kayak and get to know how to rig and personalize. Perhaps throw a small rattletrap or 1/8oz jig head with curly tail near the piers. Unfortunately, us Harford County boys have to migrate to other areas till the water cools down.

[Darryl330]

I often fish out of Mariner Point. Most times I paddle out past the RR bridge and fan cast the coves. I picked up a very nice LMB and a huge carp that hit my rattletrap. Sometimes I go the other way into the gunpowder and little gunpowder. Picked up decent LMB there as well, and it's very scenic there.
I always devote some time to the bridge as well and pick up some perch there. Although there is a kayak/canoe launch there, I usually just put in at the regular boat ramp.
The other Harford county area that I fish is the susky below the conowingo. Early morning, before they do any water releases is best. The river is loaded with life. Perch, Lmb, SMB, Rock, channel cat. Just do some reseach before you go there, as it can be dangerous at times.

[dDreadnaught]

Here are a few links that I find helpful (I have a Galaxy S3 so the apps links are mostly for Android):

Harford County Launch Sites (DNR): http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/harford.asp
Paddling.net Launch Sites: http://www.paddling.net/launches/
Bay Surface Winds (I use this site to determine what winds will be like on the Flats): http://www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov...forecast.shtml

Launch Sites App:
- iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/app/launch-...505471592?mt=8
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...g.MainPagePack

ACK Kayak Launch Points
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...?id=com.ack.lp

Fishing Times Free (excellent app for very quickly getting tide info)
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...shingtimesfree

NOAA Smart Buoys
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...cbo.SmartBuoys

I typically don't kayak fish the Gunpowder or Bush. I fish the Gunpowder from shore sometimes over my lunch break and catch nice size largemouth and channel cats. I like to do a little kayak crabbing on the Bush River. Planning to do a little crabbing soon. I only use about four traps and bring in about a dozen a trip.

[mweber02]

Thanks guys. Although somewhat contrasting, all of the suggestions definitely help.

I am completely new to kayaking, so I will probably avoid any areas with a current like Lapidum. I will keep an eye out for threads about the flats, that area has always sounded pretty interesting but I have never been.

Thanks for the app links, but I unfortunately I've only got my BB through work that isn't good for much of anything recreational.

I hadn't given crabbing much thought until it was mentioned above. I should be able to get my hands on some hinge traps to try it out.

This definitely restored my faith in the local areas a bit after seeing how disappointingly shallow the depth charts show.

[gliebig]

I hit the flats for a bit today. Only had three bites. There is so much grass, I didn't know where the best place to fish is.

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