23JUL Lower Marlboro/New member

[paxmule]

Hi everyone! New to Maryland and to kayak fishing. Been catfishing otherwise for all my life. Moving to Southern Maryland recently has gotten me back into the sport. I recently picked up a Bonafide RS117 and I love it. I use my 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon to transport it to the water. It actually fits INSIDE the van with the seats folded down. I've taken trips so far to Breton Bay and NAS Pax without much luck to speak of. Research led me north to Lower Marlboro. That launch is a challenge to load and unload at, especially alone. This past saturday, i put in at about 730 right on the slack low tide. As the tide began to rise back up, i was marking lots of fish at mid depth on my Garmin striker 4 around and south of the launch, but no takers on cut bunker. ( I believe folks here call them alewife). Finally I decided to head up to a bend just north of the launch at 1030 and found lots of fish on bottom at 30-35 feet on a nice contour. The eddy there kept my kayak mostly in place without anchor. Got a good takedown and reeled in a 25" Blue followed by a 22", another 25" and 2 good takedowns that didn't hook up. Ill definitely be taking more trips up over the next few weeks. Ready for cooler weather!

[J.A. Veil]

Welcome to Snaggedline and congratulations on your catfish. I too carry my kayak completely inside my minivan. It makes loading and unloading fast and easy.

[dsaavedra]

Congrats on the successful catches. I always do very poorly when fishing that general stretch of the Patuxent - but I suspect I just don't have a knack for catfishing. The fish are definitely there, as you've found out.

There are 2 launches nearby that are more user-friendly than the one at Lower Marlboro. They are Clyde Watson Boating Area, and Kings Landing Park. Since you're new to the area, here is an amazingly helpful resource when you're looking for spots to launch your kayak. You will be surprised how many launches are available: https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/app...5f55ca6dcefc8a

Welcome to the forum.

[Mark]

Welcome to Maryland and to the forum paxmule.

Bonifide makes a nice kayak.

Congrats on your catches.

[paxmule]

Thanks, everyone, especially for the awesome launch map. Here's how the kayak loads up in the van. I get a lot of looks riding like this.

[Big Mike]

Welcome. I’m in St Mary’s and fish frequently (but only in mornings during the summer) in the county, both salt and at St Mary’s Lake. Although I have access to the base I don’t fish out of it, lots of other spots where I don’t have to hassle with getting on the base. Let me know if you’d like to go sometime. No guarantee of fish but I’ll show you where they theoretically should be.

[paxmule]

That would be awesome! Mornings are definitely a must this time of year. It was a real PITA loading up last Saturday at 12

[Jigsup]

Welcome.
I also fish for catfish on my kayak out of lower Marlboro. I agree, you have to perform a circus act to get a fishing kayak to the launch. Sometimes there are friendly people on the pier that are kind enough to give a helping hand loading and unloading.

There are plenty of catfish in that area. Sometimes it takes a bit of searching but they are there. Sounds like you had no problem finding them. I mainly fish for food so I don’t really target anything over 10-15lbs.

The current can really rip in that area so be mindful and careful. I normally try to catch the out going tide to help carry me to my honey hole then catch the incoming tide to bring me back to the launch.

The kings landing launch is a beach launch last I saw. Another great spot for catfish. Only thing that keeps me from fishing there is the time restraint. They close at a certain time and I like to fish as long as I can. Kings landing isn’t that far of a paddle/peddle from lower Marlboro. Catching the right tide will help get there easier. Once again welcome!

[paxmule]

There was a guy who helped me launch when I got there who said he lived there up the hill. Nice guy. The current wasn't much the day I was there. I was on an incoming tide for most of the morning. It was a bit tougher paddling back against it but not too bad. I imagine it gets stronger with a lot of rain drainage