Middle Patuxent 7/11

[Slackdaddy]

Launched at high tide (9:00AM), the girls were set up at the mouth of a tidal creek (80' wide where it meets the river) by 9:30,
I paddled 1 mile back up the creek until it got about 8' wide and 1-2' deep, I then let the outgoing tide slowly drift me out over the next 3 hours.

I had 4 rods rigged and threw everything I owned, not a single strike.
The girls fished for catfish with bait and caught 6-8 each.
Once again the Pax lives up to being the "Dead Sea" unless you are going for catfish or carp.

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[Archivist13]

I've been itching to launch and fish the area around Benedict and the bridge. I hunt the public Indian Creek WMA along there being it is only a couple minutes from my house. From what I have read lately here though, it doesn't sound like a very productive area.

[Slackdaddy]

I am 9 miles up river,
I have only fished Benedict once about 5 years ago, just white perch in the grasses.

[DanMarino]

Slackdaddy, that's a bummer.

[Slackdaddy]

I have not giving up on the Pax,, "Yet"
While I live less then 300 yards from a kayak launch on the Pax,, I have spent most of the last 15 years kayak fishing the Doah, South Branch, Upper James for Small Mouth,, Running overnighter trips.
We used to run 4-8 over night trips in VA and WV, now that my youngest Turned 18 (he was a river smallie fishing machine), and the floods of the last 3 years, I have turned my attention to home waters.
Another aspect is, My wife went on 1 over night river trip (the trough) and never again, she needs her creature comforts. That said,, her and her sister LOVE kayak fishing local 1/2 and 3/4 day outings 5 min from the house, and they are fully entertained catching catfish, drinking their coffee, watching the sun come up.

Over the last 3-4 years I have had a 1-2 good days on the Pax out of over 20 outings. On those good days I caught Yellow perch, SH, LMB, Catfish all on lures. But most days I get nothing.
I have not been able to reproduce the "good day",, so many variables,, I am now keeping a log of conditions and results.
3 weeks ago I went up one tidal creek and bumped 4-5 SH, and had a huge one on. since then I have fished 2 other creeks (4 times) within a mile, exact same habitat, with zero sign of life.

Like I said, have not given up, as the Wife and I are now "empty nesters", my fishing will be more local Pax river trips with her.

Slackdaddy, that's a bummer.

[dsaavedra]

It's reassuring to hear I'm not the only one who has terrible luck on the middle Patuxent. It's really a shame because the water looks so good with all the small feeder creeks, reeds, spatterdock, fallen trees - seemingly plenty of places for fish to hang out. It looks so good that it keeps me wanting to go back even though I know it's 95% going to be a skunk trip.

[Slackdaddy]

Yeah she keeps luring me back with her beauty, only to leave me unsatisfied
But I did have two great mornings, 3 years and 2 years ago.

Then there is this:
https://mfburchick.wordpress.com/201...er-at-jug-bay/

I am thinking he was confused and really down at Mattawoman ??

It's reassuring to hear I'm not the only one who has terrible luck on the middle Patuxent. It's really a shame because the water looks so good with all the small feeder creeks, reeds, spatterdock, fallen trees - seemingly plenty of places for fish to hang out. It looks so good that it keeps me wanting to go back even though I know it's 95% going to be a skunk trip.

[DanMarino]

It is a pretty looking river. That Jug Bay blog entry had some nice results.