Is it worth it?

[Mflint1513]

Just curious if anyone is going out on their kayak this time of year.

I want to go out and stay in more shallow areas. I live in Annapolis and was thinking I could stay near Severn or Magothy rivers.

Would it be worth going out? What bites this time of year?

[clauver6]

Shallow water only, waders, wading belt. But what is biting in the shallows? I figure most active fish are deeper to avoid ice.

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[Mark]

It's always worth it. The question is can you get out?

My last outing was during the second week of January.

Ice and wind, mostly wind, have kept me grounded along with family obligations.

Pickerels have been active this winter in the creeks and coves in the upper portion of the Magothy reachable from the Beachwood Park launch. They may be a little deeper in this cold. The technique with lures and flies is to slow the retrieve and even pause on occasion. Let the artificial bait suspend or slowly sink. Hits often occur during the pause. Minnows, I don't know. I imagine a slow retrieve works for them too.

Try the shorelines of coves near downed wood, bulkheads and riprap. But often when it's cold for extended periods they'll move from the edges to the centers of coves and the ends of piers. Sunny days in winter are best in my opinion. Don't launch early. Wait until noon or later for the sun to rise high. An increase of a degree or two in water temperature caused by a bright sun can be key. Also, I prefer to fish a high tide simply because it provides more water to target.

I think your immediate concern is tomorrow's forecast of snow. Then we are having an arctic blast with low temperatures in 20s and teens for the next 9 days. Local fishing opportunities will be delayed by ice. Beachwood in particular freezes fast.

Be safe.

Is it too early to say, hurry up spring?





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