MD February Fishing

[ronaultmtd]

Fresh water (brackish) takes over my February kayak fishing...crappie, blue catfish, and Rainbow trout are the target species, although many of my friends target pike and yellow perch as well. On balmy 45 degree days, it is the cabin fever of being a prisoner indoors during the snow and cold, windy days pushing us out on tranquil waters...as far as eating fish, it is hard to beat fried crappie filets...and small bluecatfish filets can be prepared any way you like fish...even more important than fishing for food is just getting that first good day on the water...getting the hull wet, getting fresh air and some vitamin D...(don’t forget sunscreen and a hat)...understand the dangers of cold water kayaking, never fish alone, especially in sub 40 degree water, and always observe the cardinal rule of kayaking...where the head goes, the body follows...keep your head in the centerline of your Kayak is as good advice as I know...leaning out and reaching behind you in the tankwell are the two main ways you end up “turtling” a kayak...big boat wakes, breaking waves in surf, broaching your boat on the face of waves is another...and once a kayak has been compromised and takes on water...it becomes unstable...you can minimize risks, but you can not completely eliminate them...the old Boy Scout motto is to “be prepared”...have a plan for emergencies, have buddies fishing with you, getting wet in warm summer waters does not prepare you for water that actually feels hot by being so cold...in eight years of kayaking under many different weather conditions...I have one turtling incident that was pure stupidity on my part...leaning out trying to land a fish that was barely hooked...a landing net would have prevented that incident as would have remembered rule number one...keeping my head in the centerline of my kayak...so plan ahead...if you don’t feel safe or equipped for February fishing, don’t go...for each targeted species, requires a different technique, different tackle...although I generally use the same UL spinning outfits for both crappie and Rainbow trout...mostly use Mepps spinners for trout fishing and a small bead swivel to prevent line twist tied directly to the main line and then attached to the monofilament leader...for crappie I do not use any swivels or snaps and for blue catfish, I use heavier, low profile baitcasting tackle and a Fishfinder rig with cut alewife for bait...you can get some real bruisers that can wreck light tackle...

[Mark]

Thank you Ron. Good safety points. I will be covering that issue during my presentation on 23 February at the Arundel Mills Bass Pro where my topic is "Fly Fishing Tidal Creeks and Freshwater Ponds from a Kayak." I will discuss that it can be a year-round activity in our area as long as you are mindful of cold water risks and prepare and behave as you have mentioned.

My February actually started in January with two excellent outings on Eastern Shore ponds. But this recent arctic blast has kept me grounded for weeks.

The forecast indicates warmer days immediately ahead but some of my favorite spots are still iced in. Looks like it may be a while before I get my fly lines wet again.