I was itchy to get some time on the water today, but did not want to face and thunderstorms or heavy showers. I watched the regional weather radar on weather.com. It appeared that the skies would be clear from about 1:30 to 3:30.
It was very sunny when I left home about 1:35. By the time I arrived at the Tucker St launch 10 mins later, the skies were sunny to the north but threatening to the south. I launched into very high water and began fishing nearby. A few minutes later, the skies opened up into a 5-min downpour. I was able to sit under the Ridgely Ave bridge during the rain and stay dry. After the shower, I proceeded upstream (water got murkier as I went). 15 mins later, I faced another shower. This time I was very near a tree with overhanging branches. I was able to stay underneath the branches and remain mostly dry.
Between 1:45 and 3:15, I caught 12 perch in water that looked pretty murky. I had a relatively small blade on my Bignose spinner. I suspect that if I had used a spinner with a larger blade (Stu makes them with blades of different size and color) or some other lure that put out a lot of vibration and noise, I might have attracted somewhat more interest. Out of curiosity, I made a few casts with a Gulp swimming mullet to see if the perch would react to scent -- they did not.
Just as I returned to the launch, the rain began again. I quickly slid my kayak into the back of the minivan, closed the hatch, and jumped into the driver's seat before getting very wet. It was pouring when I left Tucker St, but after less than a mile of driving, it was clear and sunny again.
I may try a few other quick-hitting perch trips during the week if I can find a 2-hour gap in harsh weather.
It was very sunny when I left home about 1:35. By the time I arrived at the Tucker St launch 10 mins later, the skies were sunny to the north but threatening to the south. I launched into very high water and began fishing nearby. A few minutes later, the skies opened up into a 5-min downpour. I was able to sit under the Ridgely Ave bridge during the rain and stay dry. After the shower, I proceeded upstream (water got murkier as I went). 15 mins later, I faced another shower. This time I was very near a tree with overhanging branches. I was able to stay underneath the branches and remain mostly dry.
Between 1:45 and 3:15, I caught 12 perch in water that looked pretty murky. I had a relatively small blade on my Bignose spinner. I suspect that if I had used a spinner with a larger blade (Stu makes them with blades of different size and color) or some other lure that put out a lot of vibration and noise, I might have attracted somewhat more interest. Out of curiosity, I made a few casts with a Gulp swimming mullet to see if the perch would react to scent -- they did not.
Just as I returned to the launch, the rain began again. I quickly slid my kayak into the back of the minivan, closed the hatch, and jumped into the driver's seat before getting very wet. It was pouring when I left Tucker St, but after less than a mile of driving, it was clear and sunny again.
I may try a few other quick-hitting perch trips during the week if I can find a 2-hour gap in harsh weather.
Comment