Time to switch to minnows

[J.A. Veil]

I took advantage of today's mild weather to slip out on the Severn in my kayak. I launched at Jonas Green park and fished at the same location that has been "Pickerel Central" on my previous several trips. Unfortunately, in the two weeks since I have fished, the bite changed for the worse. I cast steadily for 1.5 hours without any definite bites.

I may have had 2 or 3 bumps, but those could also have been temporary hang ups on grass. I had one visual confirmation of a fish following my lure to boatside, but it turned away without biting. I also saw at least half a dozen cases of pressure waves (V's) caused by fish swimming near the kayak.

I used two rods with different weight jigheads tipped with different sizes of Gulp baits. They have been quite popular earlier in the month -- but not today. The next time I head out, I will switch to live minnows.

I saw deer feeding along the edge of the tributary for at least the third time this fall. They checked me out but did not spook. I guess a person in a kayak does not have the same threat to them as a person standing or walking.

[ictalurus]

Either that or all the pickerel at your spot are wise to your tricks. Nice day for a trip. I wish I wasn't at work.

In December of 2006 and January of 2007, I was still able to catch pickerel in Spa Creek on artificials, and I think it was a good bit colder then. I remember breaking ice on the January trip. The key then was finding spots that had been in the sun for a few hours. I didn't have any hits at all in the shady spots. Casting to the same spot repeatedly also seemed to help. For what it's worth...

[Polar Rock]

Nice Effort John,,,, I drove over the Severn Today and wished I could have taken a couple of hours to drop the Hobie in. I have got to start planning better.

[J.A. Veil]

Nice Effort John,,,, I drove over the Severn Today and wished I could have taken a couple of hours to drop the Hobie in. I have got to start planning better.

Semi-retirement is great (I started a one-person consulting practice from my home when I retired last January.) I can load the kayak up on short notice if there are no clients asking for help. I can take advantage of short windows of good weather too.

[surfdog]

nice john,at least you get out there. im not a fan of cold water kayaking. i think anglers has minnows. a minni under a bobber can be deadly(to fish)

[J.A. Veil]

nice john,at least you get out there. im not a fan of cold water kayaking. i think anglers has minnows. a minni under a bobber can be deadly(to fish)

I stopped by Anglers today and got a pint of minnows (that sounds kind of like a variety of beer ). Watch out pickerel!

[surfdog]

put my kitchen cabinits back together today so i might get some sunday since the games at 830pm and hit greenbury or possum point. kayaks in dry dock for the winter but the rods keep calling my name