Strange year gets stranger

[Big Mike]

I was supposed to fish yesterday with Ron but Mother Nature had other ideas. I looked at Windfinder and wasn’t liking the forecast for the rest of the week, another week shot. Woke up this morning, saw a break in rain and low winds at Clark’s on the Patuxent. Got to the ramp at 6 and saw Yak67 (Gary) was already out. I hadn’t brought a radio so just headed out knowing I’d see him at his perch spot. I ran into him about 30 minutes later and he breathlessly told me he had caught 3 catfish on his perch lure. We’ve never caught catfish here, a reflection of how low salinity is this year. I tried for some but just got perch. Here’s Gary with a nice perch on this beautiful overcast day.



I went back looking for stripers as the tide was finally moving. As I approached a channel marker with an osprey nest on it I noticed the almost fully grown baby giving me an evil teenager eye. He then launched himself off the nest, flew 5’ and crashed into the water. He then proceeded to flap its wings in a swimming motion to fight the wind and current to get to shore. I felt horrible that somehow I’d caused this bird to leave too early. Here he is stuck on shore.



The parents buzzed me a couple times and all I could do was mouth sorry, I’ve never had one launch itself off the nest. The parents set up an overwatch in a nearby tree. Hope he makes it.

I then got into lots of schoolies but my big topped out around 16”. As we headed in Gary kept on perching. About 50’ from the ramp his rod doubled over and this nice keeper found his cooler. His perch pounder was pounding today, gold blade with chartreuse trailer.


All in all a great, albeit, strange day. Been a few this year.



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[Fishtank]

I posted the other day about catching a catfish at St. Clements Island. Fished there many times and never caught one. Although Kevin - Catfish - Fry probably has them dialed in by the island so it probably comes as no surprise.

[Mark]

Mike,

Great descriptive report.

Don't worry about the osprey. It wouldn't leave the nest if it couldn't fly. It will work its way back to the nest because that's where food courtesy of mom and dad is for the time being. The baby is just learning its aerial craft. Its technique is not polished yet, but ultimately instructive.

Gary -- congrats on your dinner catch.

[Yak67]

Thanks Big Mike for posting up. Thanks Mark. The first cat hit like a schoolie on the perch lure I was shocked when I reeled it in. The other too the same thing, I was actually trolling my perch lures so that made it even more interesting.....

On our way in I go the keeper rock on my Penn 2500, I thought in was a CNR until a couple of head shakes. So yes it was a very interesting day to say the least. Capt. Bert's Perch Pounders came thru.

Yak67
2017 Hobie PA-12 Camo
2016 Hobie Outback LE#217

[Kubishark]

Not too far from that location I caught a small flounder and a decent sized channel catfish within about 10 minutes of each other. It's safe to say the fish are confused this year.