My first Maryland redfish

[J.A. Veil]

I have been excited by the reports of small reds showing up in our local waters. Yet despite numerous trips during which I catch all the perch I want as well as our other local species, I had not been able to catch my first ever Maryland redfish. I fished in Weems this afternoon from my kayak. I cast dozens of times using one of Woody's feather spinner baits and a spinner arm with a Gulp swimming mullet on the other rod.

The perch were cooperative -- they really love Woody's lures. The Gulp bait rarely got touched though. After three hours of catching perch, I decided to try a few more casts in one of my regular spots. I used only the Gulp bait at this spot in the hopes that a red would like the larger scented bait. I caught a silvery fish that from a distance I assumed would be another perch. However when I got it boatside, it had a longer body profile and the telltale spot on its tail. This little redfish was just over 13" long. It did not really fight too hard either. But it allowed me to accomplish my goal. Thanks little redfish.

[OBX_RAT]

Awesome work John they are fun little guys to catch

[Redyak]

Nice work. I know from your previous posts that you have been targeting the reds. Glad you got one.

[Grady-Black]

WTG old buddy..
GB

[ronaultmtd]

When they are 40-70 pounds they will pull until you stop them- their first run is awesome- you think they are going to spool you-

[Shady]

Nice work! Maybe by next month we'll be seeing some keepers in the Severn!

[ictalurus]

Congrats on accomplishing your goal, John! I was going to suggest a visit to St. Mary's County if you couldn't find one up your way.

[Southerly]

x2 on WTG!

[kayak tony]

Congrats, Glad to see the reds coming north. We were fishing the potamac near Westmoreland State park a few weeks ago for croakers and caught a half dozen or so around 12 inches.

[J.A. Veil]

This time of year, nice-sized redfish can be found at Lynnhaven and other Virginia Beach waters. On my first trip there in 2008 with kayak fishing guide Corey Routh, I managed 7 redfish to 27" in a 4-hour trip. I had another even stronger one on the line, but it towed me toward a pier piling, wrapped the line around the barnacle-encrusted piling, and broke off before I could see how large it was.

I went again the following summer and caught 2 redfish in the first 10 minutes of the trip. Then the tide must have changed because the bite stopped cold for the next few hours.

[ronaultmtd]

Lynnhaven is similar to St. Jerome's Creek in size- lots of protected waters (like miles) inside Lynnhaven Inlet- The waters around the bridge can be dangerous with super swift strong tides and lots of boat traffic- back inside, you can fish boat docks, rock piles, rip rap...you name it it is there- great place to kayak fish-Lynnhaven is right at the mouth of the Bay and the Atlantic Ocean- no telling what species of fish you might catch-