St Jerome’s

[Big Mike]

After yesterday’s bust of a day weather wise the SMOG was happy to see a break in the wind that corresponded with high tide at St Jerome’s. Gary has become the pied piper so he brought Cliff And Tony along for a mini meet and greet. Here’s Cliff in his brand new PA 360. That baby turns on a dime.



Here’s Tony in his recreation of the Teddy Roosevelt.



The day started slow with scattered schoolies running 12” or so. As the tide began to rip the quantity increased but the size never got bigger than 16”. We were catching them on lime paddle tails, Zman Electric Chicken, and in my case a Gotcha twisty tail in cream. I ended up with close to 20 or so. Others had similar results but Cliff was having rookie kayak fishing issues that he will overcome.

Around the time the current was slowing I saw Gary fighting a fish that was up on the surface, very unusual for a rock. Turned out it wasn’t a rock, it was a rock lobster (or speckled trout if not a B-52’s fan). A nice 15” fish.



Where we were fishing had some crab pots and I hung up on the same pot twice, the second time I had to work hard to get my lure out of the rope. As I moved away I recognized I wasn’t going anywhere, somehow my yak was now attached to the crap pot at the rear but I couldn’t see how. Fortunately Cliff was nearby and said, the rope is clipped to your anchor trolley. One of those 1 in a thousand odds things that he freed me from and I was on my way. Don’t know what I would have done if solo.

Both Ron and I saw Cow Nose Rays (CNR). Thankfully we didn’t hook any. Listening to the radio chatter the fleet was having a bad day out in the bay so it felt good that we caught fish, even if schoolies.



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[J. Rentch]

Glad everyone had a good time, hopefully this weather will hold, ready for warmer weather.

[Cody]

Glad to see you found some fish. I launched out of Smith Creek this afternoon and nothing wanted to cooperate. I marked some bait in the main creek channel but didn’t find anything else. The wind kicked up shortly after and I decided to cut my losses.

[ronaultmtd]

It was good to get the SMOG crew back on the water...missed the comradrie and fellowship...the fish were finicky today...not in their usual haunts...lots of fast mover boat traffic may have had something to do with that...But still managed a bunch of schoolies..had one nice fish that ran the drag and jumped out of the water...yeah, it was a nice speckled trout that has that paper thin mouth...would have been nice but why be greedy...I got a good fight and got a good look at it...looking forward to next time...

[ski357]

Great report guys! I finally got out this week. Launched off a buddy's beach in the south end on the Potomac side and fished the incoming tide. I was trolling white buck tails with chartreuse shads and casting storms on poppers. This salinity has been good. Landed some rock in the schoolie range and a couple in the 20s, largest was a nice 24". Catch of the day is the 18" pictured, thought it was a fluke. Guess not. Heading back out to try and find more. Tight lines and stay safe out there Snaggedliners!IMG_0490.jpg

[Big Mike]

Great catch Viet, we thought ours was a fluke as well. Seems early for them but this end of the world has slowly been turning into a speck area. Not like eastern shore but no longer an oddity to catch them. Glad you’re getting out.

[Yak67]

Great catch Viet! I hope to catch you on the St Mary's River this year when the WP bite heats up.

It was fun being out with the guys yesterday , truly a relief to get out and fish. The bonus was actually catching fish!

Yak67
2017 Hobie PA-12 Camo
2019 Hobie Outback

[Mark]

Nice to see the SMOG back in action. Excellent report and photos as usual, Mike.

[Cliffs]

rookie is right

After yesterday’s bust of a day weather wise the SMOG was happy to see a break in the wind that corresponded with high tide at St Jerome’s. Gary has become the pied piper so he brought Cliff And Tony along for a mini meet and greet. Here’s Cliff in his brand new PA 360. That baby turns on a dime.



Here’s Tony in his recreation of the Teddy Roosevelt.



The day started slow with scattered schoolies running 12” or so. As the tide began to rip the quantity increased but the size never got bigger than 16”. We were catching them on lime paddle tails, Zman Electric Chicken, and in my case a Gotcha twisty tail in cream. I ended up with close to 20 or so. Others had similar results but Cliff was having rookie kayak fishing issues that he will overcome.

Around the time the current was slowing I saw Gary fighting a fish that was up on the surface, very unusual for a rock. Turned out it wasn’t a rock, it was a rock lobster (or speckled trout if not a B-52’s fan). A nice 15” fish.



Where we were fishing had some crab pots and I hung up on the same pot twice, the second time I had to work hard to get my lure out of the rope. As I moved away I recognized I wasn’t going anywhere, somehow my yak was now attached to the crap pot at the rear but I couldn’t see how. Fortunately Cliff was nearby and said, the rope is clipped to your anchor trolley. One of those 1 in a thousand odds things that he freed me from and I was on my way. Don’t know what I would have done if solo.

Both Ron and I saw Cow Nose Rays (CNR). Thankfully we didn’t hook any. Listening to the radio chatter the fleet was having a bad day out in the bay so it felt good that we caught fish, even if schoolies.



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Although I only got a couple of hits and no bites, I enjoyed being out on a kayak with Gary, Tony, Big Mike and Ron. I heard a lot about these guys from Gary and was glad I could meet them. I enjoyed just being on the water and pedaling the kayak around was great fun and exercise. Of course, I can't blame the kaya for my lousy fishing, i have the same bad luck on a fishing boat over the last four years as well. This is my last summer as a boat club member, hence why I bought the kayak, but will be going out as much as possible on the boat as well to hit the deeper Chesapeake spots. I look forward to a summer of great Kayak adventures and meeting great people.

[Yak67]

Hey Cliff, Welcome to SL!! Great folks on here who have helped me a "TON". You will find great stories and tips for kayak fishing here. Look forward to more outings.

Look you rescued Big Mike from the "Attack of the Killer Crab Buoy" yesterday.

Yak67
2017 Hobie PA-12 Camo
2019 Hobie Outback

[Cliffs]

I did check off some Kayak boxes. Had to retrieve my floating away paddle after launch without turning the yak over. Fell into the water near the shore when trying to step out. first time handling boat wakes and conducted a Kayak rescue from the crab pot for a fellow kayaker. All of which gave me more confidence in the kayak.

[ronaultmtd]

Could not believe that radio call..heard Big Mike say he was attached to the crab pot and needed help to get free...I was out in the Bay headed north a mile or so from the inlet, but would have loved to get some pictures of that! Welcome aboard Cliff and thanks for rescuing our SMOG leader from the attack of the crab pot.

[Fishtank]

Mike,

Enjoyed your post as always. I'm reading it here from the low country of South Carolina. (Johns Island a few miles outside Charleston) I've relocated down here. No doubt I'm spoiled and will miss the fishing in Southern MD. Working on dialing this area in as I navigate the differences. One being the ripping and huge tide drops, stained water, bugs, gators, snakes. A woman (rest her soul) was killed by a gator Friday afternoon down the road from me.

If the crappy video comes through you can see one of the many areas to fish for redfish, trout, flounder, bluefish, etc. this was last Saturday. Even with the ocean around the bend there still were not many boats.

Tim (Fishtank)

edi4.jpg

Video
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...wlnxD7Qm-4TUCa

[Big Mike]

Tim, how exciting for you. Certainly different water but you’ll have a much longer fishing season. Hopefully you’ll provide us some fishing reports from that neck of the woods. Didn’t have to move south for trout, they’re starting to become common around here.