Annapolis kayak fishing

[benensor]

Hey fellas,

I recently moved to Annapolis from Aberdeen and I am not familiar with much tidal fishing. I mainly fished the susquehanna for smallies and freshwater for largemouth. I have been out to the Severn and launched from Jonas green park and caught about 6 perch with blood worms on jig heads about two weeks ago. I've fished the south river once but not sure where i launched would have to look at my gps. I only caught two perch. Would appreciate any advice. I will be on the water a lot this summer if anyone wants to go out.

Also, I see a lot about CNRs are those they same as skate?

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[WOOD YAK]

Unfortunately the tasty skate served in restaurants is not the same as Cow Nosed Ray. I have eaten a CNR once (it was actually purchased at Wegmans). It was not good in my opinion. I never saw it for sale again after my purchase. I have heard that they can be ok but it takes work such as soaking the meat in milk to remove the ammonia in the flesh and other tactics. Something about them excreting urine through their skin, tasty. I think the DNR and oyster farmers wish more people would eat them as I have heard they can reek havoc on oyster beds and light tackle!

As far as your new home fishing grounds you are in for a treat. You are in a great spot for fishing on the Chesapeake. A lot of snaggedliners light tackle troll the creeks with paddle tails in shallow water and you'd be amazed at what you can catch. I just caught a 26" Rock in 4' of water last weekend. Search the forum. Also think about buying John Veil's book Fishing in your Comfort Zone and Alans book Light Tackle Trolling the Chesapeake Bay. They are both very active members and dispense great advice frequently. You will gain a lot of knowledge from the books and I am sure other forum members will give you recommendations. Have fun this summer fishing your new home waters.

[benensor]

Unfortunately the tasty skate served in restaurants is not the same as Cow Nosed Ray. I have eaten a CNR once (it was actually purchased at Wegmans). It was not good in my opinion. I never saw it for sale again after my purchase. I have heard that they can be ok but it takes work such as soaking the meat in milk to remove the ammonia in the flesh and other tactics. Something about them excreting urine through their skin, tasty. I think the DNR and oyster farmers wish more people would eat them as I have heard they can reek havoc on oyster beds and light tackle!

As far as your new home fishing grounds you are in for a treat. You are in a great spot for fishing on the Chesapeake. A lot of snaggedliners light tackle troll the creeks with paddle tails in shallow water and you'd be amazed at what you can catch. I just caught a 26" Rock in 4' of water last weekend. Search the forum. Also think about buying John Veil's book Fishing in your Comfort Zone and Alans book Light Tackle Trolling the Chesapeake Bay. They are both very active members and dispense great advice frequently. You will gain a lot of knowledge from the books and I am sure other forum members will give you recommendations. Have fun this summer fishing your new home waters.

Awesome, thank you for your reply. I will definitely look into their books. I saw a few YouTube videos of people trolling with paddle tails. Did I see that they are using jig heads? Like 3/8 Oz or 1/2?

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[Mark]

Awesome, thank you for your reply. I will definitely look into their books. I saw a few YouTube videos of people trolling with paddle tails. Did I see that they are using jig heads? Like 3/8 Oz or 1/2?

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Those two jig sizes will work well for most Severn trolling sessions.

Your freshwater SM and LM experience will transfer nicely to Annapolis tidal waters. Generally the same tackle and lures used for both bass species will catch stripers and white perch -- downsized versions of spinners and crank baits and swim baits for the latter. The same tactics also often apply with structure and current being important factors in locating fish.

Welcome to the area and to Snaggedline.

[J.A. Veil]

There are multiple opportunities in the Severn now. You can troll paddletails or crankbaits to target stripers. Match the weight of the jighead or the diving depth of the crankbaits to the depths where you think the fish are hanging.

You can cast small spinners, spoons, or jigheads with plastics to shoreline structure for perch. You may find some small stripers too. In another few weeks, bluefish will be available in the river and creeks.

The rays are annoying at the moment but will thin out soon as they complete their mating cycle.

You can jig or fish bait over oyster bottoms. I have not posted this Severn map in a while, and there are many new members. If you want a larger copy in .jpg format, send me a pmail and provide your email address.

Severn Oyster Survey 2009.jpg

[eyedaddy]

I have a neighbor that takes CNR with a bow and he skins them ASAP to avoid the urine taste you spoke of, I have never tasted them but he swears by them made into fish cakes.

eyedaddy

[dasher]

I have eaten them & they can be very good.
All cartilaginous fish- sharks, skates & rays retain urea in their blood to osmoregulate.
To prepare CNR, cut the winds off & it will be very bloody & smell of ammonia.
The wings have a layer of cartilage and each wing will have a large triangular "fillet" when removed from the wing.
Skin each of the 4 fillets.
Cut each fillet into small 2" by 2" cubes and rinse in water repeatedly. I've used running water but it will take a while to remove all odor. (when the odor is gone the concentration of urea in the air is less than a few part per million.)

The meat will be white and layered.

I have then parboiled it for 2 minutes & frozen for later use.
To cook- I have mixed 2 parts old bay to 1 part flour & rolled the cubes in the old bay mix & pan fried.

they can be very good if all the urea (ammonia smell) is removed.

Bon Appetit!