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I launched today for the first time from the new cartop site at Downs Park in Pasadena. It’s on the west side of the park. It provides access to Bodkin Creek, the Patapsco and to the Bay itself if you’re really ambitious.
Note that Downs already offers direct access to the Chesapeake on the east side of the park. That's an extremely open launch area subject to winds and waves. But this new launch into Locust Cove grants access to waters that range from protected wooded shorelines, through densely populated areas, to open areas suitable for trolling.
Here’s a Google Earth view of the launch and surrounding waters:
Capture.DownsLaunch.jpg
There is ample parking and space for easy unloading and loading. I like sites where I can lower my kayak from the roof of my van onto grass, as opposed to pavement. This site allows that by backing into the parking spaces. Here’s my boat loaded and ready to go:
P1030557.jpg
There is an asphalt path to the water about 75 yards from parking. You’ll need a cart because you cannot drive to the water. But the path is largely level and the county has trimmed overhanging branches. It’s an easy walk.
P1030559.jpg
The launch itself is soft sand protected by riprap:
P1030561.jpg
This is much nicer than the natural shoreline which is quite muddy. I launched into the same cove last June and sunk knee-deep into the mud. Not today. The new site makes for a much nicer kayaking experience.
Near the launch, the shoreline is natural with lots of downed wood. It looks like text-book pickerel water:
P1030579.jpg
I spent almost an hour casting a Zara Puppy tight to the many downed trees to no avail. I couldn't help myself. It was so enticing! I caught no picks, but I snagged lots of holly tree leaves that had fallen into the water.
Afterward I paddled out to the mainstem of the Bodkin. It’s not far. Perhaps ½ a mile. I caught a few white perch on jig spinners in areas like this:
P1030572.jpg
I caught nothing over 8 inches and had no consecutive hookups that are so common in summer. Perch are present, but not in large numbers yet. Also, as you can see from the photos, the water remains very stained from our recent heavy rains. Fishing will improve when the turbidity lessens, I’m certain.
This is the main stem of the Bodkin:
P1030567.jpg
It’s a lot of open water suitable for trolling. The gap you see straight ahead is the Patapsco. I didn’t paddle that far today. But if I had, I would have been near the mouth of the Patapsco and the Bay itself.
One reason I didn’t venture far today was the appearance of these dark clouds:
P1030573.jpg
It threatened rain throughout the morning but it never came. It got a little breezy too in the open areas of the Bodkin. I opted for caution and headed back to the launch. On a non-threatening day, I will surely venture to the Patapsco.
I fished my way back to the launch working the many docks and riprap lined properties. There is an abundance of manmade structure that will attract white perch and stripers as the season progresses for those anglers who like to target cast.
Here’s the launch from the water:
P1030578.jpg
Again, you can see how stained the water was today.
Two bald eagles were alternately perching and flying near the launch. I took photos but none turned out well. At one point both were sitting on a dead branch and it broke under their weight. They flew off while the branch tumbled to the water.
So, the new launch is ready for use at Downs Park. It's another example of the good work of the Water Access Committee in Anne Arundel County and the county government's commitment to the cause. I thought I would give you a look at it today. I think it's well worth a visit and I encourage you to do so.
Note that Downs Park requires paid access. I believe it's $6 per car. There are also various options for annual passes including a lifetime pass if you're old guy like me.
Here's a link to the park's website:
http://www.aacounty.org/departments/...s/parks/downs/
Note that Downs already offers direct access to the Chesapeake on the east side of the park. That's an extremely open launch area subject to winds and waves. But this new launch into Locust Cove grants access to waters that range from protected wooded shorelines, through densely populated areas, to open areas suitable for trolling.
Here’s a Google Earth view of the launch and surrounding waters:
Capture.DownsLaunch.jpg
There is ample parking and space for easy unloading and loading. I like sites where I can lower my kayak from the roof of my van onto grass, as opposed to pavement. This site allows that by backing into the parking spaces. Here’s my boat loaded and ready to go:
P1030557.jpg
There is an asphalt path to the water about 75 yards from parking. You’ll need a cart because you cannot drive to the water. But the path is largely level and the county has trimmed overhanging branches. It’s an easy walk.
P1030559.jpg
The launch itself is soft sand protected by riprap:
P1030561.jpg
This is much nicer than the natural shoreline which is quite muddy. I launched into the same cove last June and sunk knee-deep into the mud. Not today. The new site makes for a much nicer kayaking experience.
Near the launch, the shoreline is natural with lots of downed wood. It looks like text-book pickerel water:
P1030579.jpg
I spent almost an hour casting a Zara Puppy tight to the many downed trees to no avail. I couldn't help myself. It was so enticing! I caught no picks, but I snagged lots of holly tree leaves that had fallen into the water.
Afterward I paddled out to the mainstem of the Bodkin. It’s not far. Perhaps ½ a mile. I caught a few white perch on jig spinners in areas like this:
P1030572.jpg
I caught nothing over 8 inches and had no consecutive hookups that are so common in summer. Perch are present, but not in large numbers yet. Also, as you can see from the photos, the water remains very stained from our recent heavy rains. Fishing will improve when the turbidity lessens, I’m certain.
This is the main stem of the Bodkin:
P1030567.jpg
It’s a lot of open water suitable for trolling. The gap you see straight ahead is the Patapsco. I didn’t paddle that far today. But if I had, I would have been near the mouth of the Patapsco and the Bay itself.
One reason I didn’t venture far today was the appearance of these dark clouds:
P1030573.jpg
It threatened rain throughout the morning but it never came. It got a little breezy too in the open areas of the Bodkin. I opted for caution and headed back to the launch. On a non-threatening day, I will surely venture to the Patapsco.
I fished my way back to the launch working the many docks and riprap lined properties. There is an abundance of manmade structure that will attract white perch and stripers as the season progresses for those anglers who like to target cast.
Here’s the launch from the water:
P1030578.jpg
Again, you can see how stained the water was today.
Two bald eagles were alternately perching and flying near the launch. I took photos but none turned out well. At one point both were sitting on a dead branch and it broke under their weight. They flew off while the branch tumbled to the water.
So, the new launch is ready for use at Downs Park. It's another example of the good work of the Water Access Committee in Anne Arundel County and the county government's commitment to the cause. I thought I would give you a look at it today. I think it's well worth a visit and I encourage you to do so.
Note that Downs Park requires paid access. I believe it's $6 per car. There are also various options for annual passes including a lifetime pass if you're old guy like me.
Here's a link to the park's website:
http://www.aacounty.org/departments/...s/parks/downs/
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