Patapsco, 11-26-11

[HJS]

Fished the HH area on the Middle Branch Patapsco, Saturday, 11-26-11, 11:30pm-3:00pm. Beautiful day for fishing, but crappie day for catching. I did managed one legal striper measuring in at 19.5” caught on a rattletrap, returned. Also caught a couple 15”ers and several smaller dink stripers plus a couple dink wperch. I found good marks at several areas, mostly in the 12’-16’ depths near the channel drop-offs. Never know what’s making the good marks though, carp, catfish or stripers. While over good marks I had a hard time getting anything to bite. Dunno, maybe it was the reduced visibility.

Water vis was not that great, 16”-18” at most areas. Dead or near-dead calm the whole time out. Water temp 54F-56F.

[Shady]

Well your catching was a heck of a lot better than mine. I spent 7-10 am on the Severn with nada. On the plus side I can't remember when I've seen the Severn as calm as it was today... Sounds like you had similar conditions on the P-taps.

[Old Cajun]

Good on you!

I fished the Key Bridge from 9 to 3:30. Lots of fish at 40 ft around marker 3 west of the bridge, but nobody seemed to be catching fish. Unfortunately, I didn't break the trend. Water visiable 3 ft. and calm.

Interesting on my return to the launch. Young guy sitting on bank smoking a bong and blowing a lot of smoke. Great day for being on the water and getting exercise. Don't think I got down wind from the guy!

Go Tigers!

[YaknBass]

HJS.... The key bridge and middle branch area's are an easy distance for me to fish.... not sure how familiar you are with the fishing in that area...??? how long will that area hold rock... harbor hospital... that have some reasonable size... i know water temps have the biggest influence.... but wondering... fished that area twice one 22" fish the rest were undersized i caught that fish casting spoons to pilings of the hanover street bridge.... my limited experience trolling has produced smaller fish. limited time and experience in that part of the river something has me thinking the key bridge around the structure of the bridge pilings may be better for big to bigger fish 20+" i have had ok results around the key bridge but wondering around harbor hospital. any input from your experience would be appreciated greatly. ""Bent Rods & Tight Lines Always My Freind"" Phil

[HJS]

YaknBass – I’ve been fishing the Middle Branch from my canoe for about the last 10 years. During this time I have launched on the river well over a 100 times. Like it is with you, the Patapsco is my closest access point to the C-Bay, but still it’s a 1.5 hour drive from Emmitsburg. After all these trips I still can’t predict if&when the stripers will be within my limited range. I launch at either HH, Boston Street or back in Curtis Creek. I’ve launched a few times at the Key Bridge but I’m not comfortable fishing water that’s that big and busy with boats going WOT. Perhaps 1/3 of my trips are skunks or near-skunks. On the other hand, maybe 6-8 of these have been banner days catching anywhere from 30-80 legal fish. So you never know what or when something will happen on the river.

As a rule for me, Thanksgiving marks the end of reliable action on the river. But you never know. On December 21, 2009, I caught 21 stripers between 15”-23” within 1/3 mile of the HH ramps… go figure… never know what you’re going to get.

There’s also a couple of WWDs (warm-water discharges) in the Patapsco that attract fish during the winter months. Generally guys don’t talk about locations for these WWDs because these are exact spots and do drawn a crowd (2-3 is a crowd) when there is action to be found. Just keep your eyes and ears open and you will find them. You have to put in your time. The one WWD that’s within range of the HH ramps is a feast or famine WWD, mostly famine. From my experienced, at least 4 outta 5 trips there during the winter (Jan. & Feb.) are complete skunks. I honestly don’t know why I subject myself to winter fishing these WWDs. Heck, you all know the answer… you just never know what’s going to happen ranging from a banner day to dying of hypothermia.

To sum it up, you never know whats going to happen on the Patapsco or when it’s going to happen. The fact that over the years I’ve launched there over 100 times indicates that enough happens to keep me coming back. And I don’t go there for exercise nor the nice scenery either.

[YaknBass]

HJS.... Thank you for your responce it is appreciated greatly. It does boil down to paying your dues.... i think as all of will fish as the time and weather allows. thanks for the info on the wwd's. best of luck always to ya ""Bent Rods & Tight Lines My Friend"" Phil