Susquehanna Flats April 15th-17th

[surfdog]

i see no problem in moving the M&G to that weekend, anybody else?

[Mullet Miller]

I can't do the weekend before, on call at work for the week.

Launches are within a short drive, Perryville Community Park and in Havre De Grace, at Jean Roberts Park and Tydings Park.

Going to make a run down to the State Park tomorrow or Thursday. I'll post as soon as I can.

[Mullet Miller]

OK, here's the poop on the swimming beach launch at Elk Neck State Park. The beach is open every day, from 9:00AM until official sunset time. I am going to try and contact the Park Director and see if we can get it opened earlier, but I'm not going to get my hopes up too high.

As I posted earlier, Havre De Grace is not too far of a drive and a 24 hour launch, Perryville park is a 7:00AM opening time, closed at sunset as well. I'm going to try and ride down this weekend and see if there are any other possible spots that we can use as a launch. I'll post more soon...

[BigYellowYak]

Does anyone know what the water temperature will be like in april on the flats. I just got a hobie and am low on funds to get a wet suit or some other cold weather waterproof gear. What kind of stuff are people wearing in april out on the flats?

[Yak Fish]

Does anyone know what the water temperature will be like in april on the flats. I just got a hobie and am low on funds to get a wet suit or some other cold weather waterproof gear. What kind of stuff are people wearing in april out on the flats?

The air will be warm but the water will be pretty cold...mid 40s - 50s. Last year I wore just Frogg Toggs, boots and jeans. I told you I took a swim after I dropped my rod in the water. It was cold, but not that bad. I'll let you borrow my Frogg Togg bibs, just wear a nylon jacket of some kind.

[ronaultmtd]

Just remember ......... use BIG lures ...... these fish are eating Herring and shad ........ a foot long lure is not too big .......... large BA'a, sluggo's, poppers, Knuckleheads, musky lures, hoagy's

Maybe a dumb question and I get laughed at- but since I don't know the answer I'll ask anyway- in the Potomac around Morgantown powerplant does the big lure thing still apply in the spring? Yourzi Crystal minnows in what size? I am having to completely change my terminal tackle and artificial lures as this is the first time fishing in the middle /upper bay from a kayak for me- don't have any idea what to expect- In the past I have mainly used bucktails, soft plastics and top water poppers. The stretch 25 hard bodies work well down south by the CBBT.

[Memory Maker]

Maybe a dumb question and I get laughed at- but since I don't know the answer I'll ask anyway- in the Potomac around Morgantown powerplant does the big lure thing still apply in the spring? Yourzi Crystal minnows in what size? I am having to completely change my terminal tackle and artificial lures as this is the first time fishing in the middle /upper bay from a kayak for me- don't have any idea what to expect- In the past I have mainly used bucktails, soft plastics and top water poppers. The stretch 25 hard bodies work well down south by the CBBT.

The ONLY dumb question is the one you don't ask ......... and the only dumbass is the one that laughs at anothers questions ........

Everybody is at a different level of experience in many different types of fishing and that "dumb" question might just be the 1 thing no one else thought of ........ so don't EVER be dumb ....... ask the question ......

Ok ........ I've never fished those areas ...... but rule 1 is to match the size of the hatch if not the hatch .......... the springtime Susky is chocked w/6-12 inch herring and even larger shad ....... and they have just had a long journey and a energetic spawning ..... in addition, the water is getting warmer so their metabolisn is going up ........ so ..... if you were a striper, would you spend energy chasing a small out of place lure when so much large natural prey is around?

....... and if the feed is small fish ......... would you chase something that is oversized and out of place?

In the upper bay the water is shallow on the flats usually less than 4 ft many places a foot. THere is a channel that goes around the flats but most of that is 10 ft or less. THe part of the channel that is by the Proving Grounds is the deepest if I remember correctly. THerefore heavy lures could be a concern. Many people just cast 1/2 shadheads w/6" BA's or 6" poppers or medium crystal minnows or rapalas and catch fish and sometimes the bigguns.

Others use BIG lures and sometimes catch the Bigguns .......... you wanna catch fish then use the smaller stuff .......... ya want just the bigguns then use the big stuff ........ just my opinion .........

[Mullet Miller]

OK, thought I would give you all a little update. ANdyS over at SOL did a little work for us all and sent off a great email to the State Park folks... He singlehandedly got the launch area opened earlier for us!

Check it out!

I think we all owe AndyS a big round of applause.....he sent a couple of emails out to the powers that be at Elk Neck........................(for your reading pleasure)

Andy's letter:

Mr. John R. Griffin
Secretary
Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Ms. Nita Settina
Superintendent
Maryland Park Service



Dear Mr. Griffin and Ms. Settina,

I am an avid outdoors-man, and over the past several years have developed a passion for a wonderful new hobby – fishing from my kayak. If you are not aware, kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing segments of the “outdoor sports” industry. Just a few short years ago, those of us interested in the sport were basically left to our own intuition and passion to develop the skills and tools needed to fish from a kayak. Thankfully, the kayak industry took notice, and now a whole new market has developed, providing all sorts of products that cater directly to the needs and wants of the “kayak fisherman.”

So why am I writing to you about this? Well, sadly, one area that has lagged behind is reasonable access for the kayak fisherman to launch our boats and pursue our passion. It is important to note that for a fisherman, reasonable access does not equate to “9AM to Dusk.” There is generally no better time on the water for fisherman than the hours just before dawn, or even dusk into dark. Sadly, most access points for kayaks to launch are only available in the heart of daylight hours.

I actually have a very specific ask, one that I believe can actually pay financial dividends to the Maryland Parks system. Within the past few years, the Elk Neck State Park has provided an access point to launch kayaks, adjacent to the swimming beach. This is a huge welcome to my kayak fishing brethren, as this location provides direct access to the wonderful fishing grounds known as the Susquehanna Flats. While the new location is great, access is limited to 9AM to dusk. The only other launch point within Elk Neck is at the boat ramp on the Elk River side. While this is a very convenient “power boat” launch location, it is a not so convenient 5 mile paddle for the kayak fisherman simply to reach the fishing grounds!

My ask is that the Maryland Park Service remove the 9AM restriction, and allow kayakers the ability to get on the water in the pre-dawn hours. It is my understanding the area is currently gated off until the beach area opens. Perhaps a reasonable solution would be to open the gates, but post a sign clearly stating access prior to a certain time is for the launching of kayaks only, and beach use is prohibited until 9AM?

So how might this pay dividends for the Park Service? As previously mentioned, there simply is little to no “reasonable” access for launching kayaks in this general area. Cases in point: Perryville Park has similar restrictions on launch times. Havre de Grace Millard Tydings Park provides non-restricted access, but it is a power boat ramp and frankly dangerous for launching kayaks and other “car top” boats. If the Elk Neck location was enhanced to provide better access times, there is no question this would drive increased traffic to the campsites. There is much chatter going on right now on various websites that confirms this. If we had reasonable access, it would make a decision to stay for a weekend and purchase campsites that much more desirable. Additionally, there is already a fee of $4 per vehicle to access the swim beach area. I can assure you kayak fisherman will gladly pay this fee especially if access times are expanded. The net is, better access will equate to increased revenue streams for the Park.

If you think about this, providing better access times for the kayak fisherman should be a very easy thing to do. Perhaps you would even consider “testing” this idea at the Elk Neck facility? Because of the deficiencies with current access, there is no doubt you will see a great reception from our community. I would welcome the chance to speak to you about this, and answer any questions you might have about the idea. If it would help, I am certain I could collect many signatures in support of the idea, to give you a good feel for the interest that exists.

I certainly look forward to your positive response. My sincere thanks for taking the time to review my note and consider this idea.

Very Truly Yours,


The response


Dear Mr. Smith,

Thank you for your email regarding expanded access hours for kayak fishing from Elk Neck State Park. I have copied the Park Manager, Wayne Suydam, who will be happy to follow-up with you on this issue and see what we might be able to work out.

Thank you, again, for your email and your patronage of Maryland's State Parks.

Best regards,
Nita Settina

(ps-I have fished from a kayak and agree that it is a lot of fun!)


Thanks Nita and ditto from me Mr. Smith. John







Mr. Smith, I have discussed your proposal with the Central Region Parks manager Major Daryl Anthony and we agree that we can open up the North East beach area to kayakers on an experimental basis earlier than the posted 9 AM time for small boat launchers. Staff generally begin their work day at 7AM and I will ask that the gates be opened at their earliest convenience when they start their operational shifts. The normal 9AM opening time allows the staff to clean the buildings, grounds and beach area. If you or your counterparts are in the area, please be aware that there may be heavy equipment on the beach and that the buildings may not be up to Maryland Park Service standards at early morning hours. Please also be aware that the normal service charges will apply. This process will continue through the summer months and we will evaluate this early opening procedure as the summer progresses.
In the event you might require an earlier launch time in that area, the last pull off on RT 272 prior to entering the Chesapeake Isles community is the “original” small craft launch point. It does require a carry down to the water, but the pull off is not gated. All areas will continue to close at sunset, with the exception of the Rogues Harbor boating facility, which remains open to boaters year round 24 hours/day. For even better access to the Flats, the Lapidum boat launch in Susquehanna State Park is open 24 hours a day, except in times of severe flooding and maintenance repairs.
Any other questions, please feel free to contact me or stop in the Elk Neck State Park office.

Captain Wayne S. Suydam Jr.
Manager, Elk Neck State Park/Fair Hill NRMA
410-287-5333

(And yes, I have also fished from a kayak. I highly recommend Mason Branch at Tuckahoe Lake)

[Redfish12]

This is great news!!! Great work AndyS!
I know it's not 5am - 12am or 24 hours, but it might get a few more early morning fish caught!!!

I'm unfortunately not going to be able to make this trip, I had an event the weekend after and now it's been rescheduled to the weekend of the 16th. I'm going to plan on going up the weekend before and prefishing for you all. I'll let you know what I can find out. I may make it out there during the week if I hear a good report.

I'm pissed I'm going to miss this!

[Yak Fish]

WOW! Awesome job!

[Mullet Miller]

Got a bit of good news yesterday. Things at work have turned in my favor, seems that the gentleman who is heading out for training, will be back at the plant on Friday due to a schedule change with the training course. SO as it stands, I'll be hitting the water early on Friday the 15th as well. With that being the case, I'm not going to take Monday the 18th off....need to save a few days for my sons baseball tournaments.

[mdfisherkid]

Well done AndyS.
Thanks!

[Mullet Miller]

OK....SJ Fishwhisperer and I checked out the State Park launch today.....It's a monster hill to get to the water, paved, but still a climb. Chris took pictures and we'll get them up a little later.

Has anyone made reservations at the campground yet? They are pretty strict with alcohol rules, and it's a long ride out to get Perryville and Hdg for launches from that side before dawn, if that is what you would prefer to do.

There is another campground near Carpenter's Point called Craft Haven Campground. They have a few sites up near the road. It's mostly made up of older campers with additions built on, but it's closer to the HdG area and Perryville. It's rough around the edges, no website for info. I can get some info over the phone and post it up if there is any interest.

[Mullet Miller]

OK, who's going to be heading up? Looks like I may be staying over at Craft Haven Campground and Marina.

[Yak Fish]

I'll actually be up there the 14th with BigYellowYak on a charter trip. Hopefully we learn something that we can apply to our own fishing. Depending on how it goes, I'll probably be up there the 15th as well in the yak, but I live much closer to Jean Roberts launch so I'd go from there rather than driving the extra half hour around the flats.

If we catch anything on the charter I'll put up a fishing report.