Goodhands Creek - Aug 1

[J.A. Veil]

I have not fished from Goodhands Creek since last fall. I decided to take advantage of the low winds and launched there about noon. The parking lot was nearly empty today.

Low tide was about 11:30, so I had incoming tide for the trip. I trolled with my Native Slayer Propel 10 along my usual routes parallel to shoreline and structure staying in 2.5 to 5' water depth. I trolled 4 lines with paddletails (two were 3" and two were 4") on 1/2-oz jigheads. I found no strong hot spots, but managed to pick up a fish here and there over much of my route. I stopped after 2.5 hours. I caught 16 stripers (all but two were 12”-14”). The other two were 17” and 19”. I also caught a large perch while trolling. There was no breeze this afternoon making it mighty warm.

[Mark]

That's a good count on an abbreviated outing, John.

Let's hope the bigger ones are queuing to move into the area when the water cools as they normally do.

[Big Mike]

Nice to see some reports from mid bay, I was beginning to think no fishing was going on up there. 16 fish mid-day is outstanding in my book.

[J.A. Veil]

Nice to see some reports from mid bay, I was beginning to think no fishing was going on up there. 16 fish mid-day is outstanding in my book.

Mike - I have had good success at Goodhands for the past three years from mid-summer to mid-fall. Usually I get a higher percentage of fish in the upper teens -- yesterday was mostly little fish -- and several over 20". I have gotten as high as 27" there in Aug 2014. It should get better as the fall approaches. Plus having higher water levels than yesterday would make fishing near the shore more productive.

[ronaultmtd]

Sounds like a fun outing- I like fish here and there- keeps things interesting not knowing when or where...16-19 inch rockfish are frisky and a lot of fun on light spinning tackle...

[Big Mike]

Shallow water fish are fun. I like the fact that regular boats can't really target them.
Add in the random species that also haunt the skinny water and it's always a fun day.
Tight lines John.