St Jeromes Friday---brutal but some nice fish

[kevinfry]

Well Ron and I knew it was going to be windy, but he and Bill had knocked 'em dead on a windy day so we went ahead. It was going to be a great day!
Well, when I got to the ramp, it was a lot windier than I had expected...sad to say, that was the best weather of the day! Ron Showed we launched and ron talked me into starting to troll much earlier than I ever had. I had always just took off for the mouth of the creek as fast as I could. WEll Ron's advice paid off with a quick 21 incher, a great fish. By the time I had him in I had blown all the way down the bay.

I caught a few more, one more keeper (19") and ron caught a bunch of nice fish including a great keeper at the end of the day. we were not able to fish much of the creek, though, due to the horrible wind....I'm sure Ron will tell about his harrowing trip out of the "jaws". here is a bad pic of Ron I took with my Cell phone and a photo from home with my keeper

[kevinfry]

here are the pics

[CB kayak 02]

Where did you guys launch from?

[kevinfry]

The public launch off fresh pond neck rd.

[ronaultmtd]

Met up with Kevin about 9 am at the public launch at St. Jerome's Creek- It was cold as a Mother-in-law's heart this morning. Launched in the absolute worst conditions I have ever fished- Thought we could find a protected cove or someplace to block some of the biting winds- wrong-We could not find any way to escape from the steady 30 gusting to 40 MPH North West winds- Bumpy, bumpy waters with white caps in the creek and the wind had blown the creek to abnormally low water- I ran aground several times-

I just had to try something really stupid today- not once, not twice but four times- Talk about a dumb ass! I took the Ugly Duckling out into the Bay surfing through the inlet... It was too rough to fish and was borderline dangerous in the inlet- we saw one power boat all day today but they were smart and didn't try running the inlet- We lured the guys on the 24 foot boat down where we were catching fish but they left after a half hour of getting their brains beat out- they did catch one striper in the mouth of the inlet, but they got cold and went back in.

I caught a lot of really nice fish today, but honestly, it wasn't worth it. We fought current, waves and a howling wind all day and when we got back to the ramp we were whipped. I welcomed Kevin's help lifting the Ugly Duckling up on top of my car- I was exhausted and know Kevin was too. I took an hour nap when I got home- Thanks Kevin for toughing it out with me today-

[camelbird]

wow, now thats dedication

[kevinfry]

6 ibuprofen and a hot shower later....I'm ready to go again. Seems a lot more fun reflecting on it now that my arms don't feel like they are going to fall off

[ronaultmtd]

6 ibuprofen and a hot shower later....I'm ready to go again. Seems a lot more fun reflecting on it now that my arms don't feel like they are going to fall off

I took a hot, hot shower and four- 200 MG gel caps- course I ate a banana to knock down the leg cramps-

[chimo]

I knocked a nice doe down around 0730 and then took a look at the white caps and decided I would keep on hunting instead of switching to fishing My hats off to you gentlemen!

Chimo

[kevinfry]

Chimo...good job. Maybe tomorrow!

[HokieDJ]

What public launch?

[kevinfry]

there is a small primative boat launch at the end of fresh pond neck rd. That is the first road past the entrance to Buzz's Marina. It is at the very end of the road.

[ronaultmtd]

there is a small primative boat launch at the end of fresh pond neck rd. That is the first road past the entrance to Buzz's Marina. It is at the very end of the road.

Pay very close attention to staying on Fresh Pond Neck Road- I got lost trying to find it the first time- even when I drove up, if Kevin had not been there I might not have thought I was at the right place- it is small and not marked- The water was very shallow yesterday (much more than usual) so Hobie Mirage Drives need to be stowed until you paddle out in two feet of water fifty yards out or so where you can install it without hitting bottom.

The attraction over Buzz's Marina (it is free and Buzz's charges $5.00 for Kayaks) is that it is a mile closer to the inlet and saves some energy for fishing-

PS- I weighed my keeper striper this morning- slightly over seven pounds-

[camelbird]

Anyone ever do some bartering? Venison for some striper / equivalent?

[Redfish12]

Anyone ever do some bartering? Venison for some striper / equivalent?

You have venison? I can provide rock...


Looks like a great trip gents. Those rough days can be rough and scary, looking back over the long winter I bet you will be glad you did it! At the very least it will give you some perspective on the snotty days to come, "well at least it's not as bad as that time in St. J's!"

Or at least that's the theory. Good to know about the public boat launch. Mike is a outstanding host but you said the magic words, closer to the inlet and free!