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John Rentch and I launched into Locust Cove at Downs Park in Pasadena this morning to look for white perch. The tide was rising and the winds were higher than projected. However, a great attribute of the Locust Cove launch is that regardless of the wind's direction you can find protected water.
Here's John heading out from the ramp:
P1040707 (2).jpg
When we reached the Bodkin we immediately headed for phragmites which experience tells us holds perch in these waters. You can see them straight ahead in this photo:
P1040709 (2).jpg
And this what I like to see when I reached them -- water lapping into the base of the plants:
P1040710 (2).jpg
Actually I would liked to have seen the water even higher. But the tide was still rising so I thought there was a good chance perch would be present. They weren't. Or if they were they ignored my offerings.
And here's what I was throwing:
P1040725 (2).jpg
I had 1/16 oz. jig spinner on the top rod and a 1/8 oz. jig spinner on the lower rod. I used the smaller jig almost exclusively on this outing.
Here's John fishing another area of phragmites:
P1040712 (2).jpg
He's parallel to the growth and retrieving his lure along the edge, a good tactic. John had a bump but no hookups.
At that point we headed into the larger Bodkin:
P1040714.jpg
I have a 'milk-run" I like to do in these waters hitting previously productive spots. John and I split company. I worked more phragmites. I got nary a tick of interest. Then I worked a long dock:
P1040718 (2).jpg
Again, nothing.
At this point John radios that he has three small perch.
I continued farther up the Bodkin toward the mouth of the Patapsco. John crossed the Bodkin and tucked into an adjoining creek.
Along the way, I fished this spot:
P1040720 (2).jpg
It looked like textbook perch water to me. Riprap and shade. And indeed I finally got some taps on my lure. I even raised a perch out of the water but never got my hands on it. So technically, I remained fishless.
I went all the way to the mouth of the Patapsco casting at likely spots along the way. I got nothing.
By now the holiday power boaters and jet skiers were out in full force. Their wakes were everywhere. it was a good reminder to me why I generally fish on weekdays.
John radioed that he was coming back across the Bodkin so I waited on the southern shore for him to appear. Then I watched him carefully snake through the boat traffic and speeding jet skis until he joined up with me to return to the launch.
The good news is that john found 3 more perch in the creek he visited -- that elusive species for me so far this year.
John with perch.jpg
In fact. I've been skunked on three tidal trips this year. Surely, better times are coming. I don't believe the perch have arrived in good numbers yet. Eventually they will and I'll be there to catch them.
Here's John heading out from the ramp:
P1040707 (2).jpg
When we reached the Bodkin we immediately headed for phragmites which experience tells us holds perch in these waters. You can see them straight ahead in this photo:
P1040709 (2).jpg
And this what I like to see when I reached them -- water lapping into the base of the plants:
P1040710 (2).jpg
Actually I would liked to have seen the water even higher. But the tide was still rising so I thought there was a good chance perch would be present. They weren't. Or if they were they ignored my offerings.
And here's what I was throwing:
P1040725 (2).jpg
I had 1/16 oz. jig spinner on the top rod and a 1/8 oz. jig spinner on the lower rod. I used the smaller jig almost exclusively on this outing.
Here's John fishing another area of phragmites:
P1040712 (2).jpg
He's parallel to the growth and retrieving his lure along the edge, a good tactic. John had a bump but no hookups.
At that point we headed into the larger Bodkin:
P1040714.jpg
I have a 'milk-run" I like to do in these waters hitting previously productive spots. John and I split company. I worked more phragmites. I got nary a tick of interest. Then I worked a long dock:
P1040718 (2).jpg
Again, nothing.
At this point John radios that he has three small perch.
I continued farther up the Bodkin toward the mouth of the Patapsco. John crossed the Bodkin and tucked into an adjoining creek.
Along the way, I fished this spot:
P1040720 (2).jpg
It looked like textbook perch water to me. Riprap and shade. And indeed I finally got some taps on my lure. I even raised a perch out of the water but never got my hands on it. So technically, I remained fishless.
I went all the way to the mouth of the Patapsco casting at likely spots along the way. I got nothing.
By now the holiday power boaters and jet skiers were out in full force. Their wakes were everywhere. it was a good reminder to me why I generally fish on weekdays.
John radioed that he was coming back across the Bodkin so I waited on the southern shore for him to appear. Then I watched him carefully snake through the boat traffic and speeding jet skis until he joined up with me to return to the launch.
The good news is that john found 3 more perch in the creek he visited -- that elusive species for me so far this year.
John with perch.jpg
In fact. I've been skunked on three tidal trips this year. Surely, better times are coming. I don't believe the perch have arrived in good numbers yet. Eventually they will and I'll be there to catch them.
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