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It's been a rough Autumn on the Magothy. I know my neighbor, MagothyMan, has been doing a bit better than I have, but still has been generally frustrated. We have discussed the lack of fish a few times. Last year was my first living and fishing this river, having spent the rest of my life on the Patapsco. I was pleasantly surprised last fall, but things have been decidedly quieter in 2020. I figure in the last 3 weeks I've spent about 20 hours trolling around (with some topwater & jigging thrown in here and there), with nothing but an 8" dink to show for it.
I certainly won't predict that today is a harbinger of things to come - especially so late in the year - but I finally had my first good day on this river in over a year (thanks to a friend with a boat, Rocktober was good overall - just not in the kayak!)
Launched at sunrise to incredibly calm waters, but unfortunately a dead low tide. Trolled uneventfully into Deep Creek where I found a 10" and then a 13" striper. Nothing to get excited about, but after a long string of skunks, it was nice to at least have a fish on board.
On my way back home, though there wasn't a bird to be found, I happened upon some schools of peanut bunker making their way out of the river near Ulmstead Point. Tried jigging into them and well...
Screen Shot 2020-11-07 at 9.01.34 PM.jpg
So at least there was that. Got some scent on my lure!
Trolled around a bit more and finally got a tug, and a 24" chunkster.
Screen Shot 2020-11-07 at 9.01.46 PM.jpg
A few minutes later, a 23" then a 20", and a 17" to end the day. The 24, 23, and 17 were caught on the jig you see on the bunker above (1/2 oz G-Eye, 5" chartreuse paddletail), which was trailing an Alabama Rig with silver spoons. The 20 was on a black crystal 3D minnow.
Nice to have my patience rewarded.
I certainly won't predict that today is a harbinger of things to come - especially so late in the year - but I finally had my first good day on this river in over a year (thanks to a friend with a boat, Rocktober was good overall - just not in the kayak!)
Launched at sunrise to incredibly calm waters, but unfortunately a dead low tide. Trolled uneventfully into Deep Creek where I found a 10" and then a 13" striper. Nothing to get excited about, but after a long string of skunks, it was nice to at least have a fish on board.
On my way back home, though there wasn't a bird to be found, I happened upon some schools of peanut bunker making their way out of the river near Ulmstead Point. Tried jigging into them and well...
Screen Shot 2020-11-07 at 9.01.34 PM.jpg
So at least there was that. Got some scent on my lure!
Trolled around a bit more and finally got a tug, and a 24" chunkster.
Screen Shot 2020-11-07 at 9.01.46 PM.jpg
A few minutes later, a 23" then a 20", and a 17" to end the day. The 24, 23, and 17 were caught on the jig you see on the bunker above (1/2 oz G-Eye, 5" chartreuse paddletail), which was trailing an Alabama Rig with silver spoons. The 20 was on a black crystal 3D minnow.
Nice to have my patience rewarded.
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