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I had hoped to get out on Weems Creek by mid-afternoon. I had to wait for a contractor to finish. I had the van loaded, and minutes after he left at 3:40, I headed to the Tucker St ramp. My new Mini-X is quick to launch -- I was underway by 4:15. I carried my usual three ultralight rods -- one with a spinner, one with a jighead and Gulp. On the third rod I tied a metal spoon, with the intention of jigging an oyster bar in the river.
Now for the strange time period. I often follow the same route when I plan to fish the outer part of Weems. Today was no exception. I quickly reached an area that is very dependable with perch. My first fish of the day (and only fish for 45 mins) was a pickerel. That is not too unusual. Then I looked up, and on the shoreline nearby was a fox with very short fur (no fluffy tail) staring at me. A moment later I set two rods in the rear rod holders and began to paddle. About 30 seconds later I heard a clunk, then looked back to see no rod in the rear port rod holder. That rod was a great 6' Fenwick graphite rod that had one unusual feature -- it said "Carbon Veil" on the rod just above the grip. It is not often that you see a rod with your name on it, so I hated to lose it. The reel was a Shimano Stradic 1000 that was less than year old. Through my carelessness, I had just dumped $200 of gear overboard.
I don't normally have a rod rigged with a heavy jig, but by good fortune I had one today. I slowly paddled and drifted back and forth over the short path that I had traveled before losing the rod while dragging and jigging the metal lure. After 10 minutes, I was ready to give up. Then I felt some resistance. I slowly wound in my line until I saw monofilament caught in the jig's hook. I gingerly wound the line in hand-over hand. After 15 ft, the weight approached the surface. Instead of being my rod, it was a branch and a crab eating the Gulp on my original hook. I continued winding in until the rod tip came into view. With great relief, I brought the rod and reel on board. I quickly pulled out my water bottle and rinsed the reel. It had only been submerged 10 minutes, and after yesterday's rain, the water was probably less salty than it has been in a while.
To add to the surreal period, while I was searching for the sunken rod, I was only a few feet away from a dock. For several minutes I could see a pickerel sitting at the surface under the dock watching me move back and forth. He did not spook -- he seemed curious.
I decided to keep fishing. I did try jigging on the oyster bar, but could not find a fish there. I came back into Weems and trolled the ultralights for the next hour. Twice, the submerged rod went down hard with a 14.5" and a 15.5" rockfish. I was surprised to find only a few perch today.
Now for the strange time period. I often follow the same route when I plan to fish the outer part of Weems. Today was no exception. I quickly reached an area that is very dependable with perch. My first fish of the day (and only fish for 45 mins) was a pickerel. That is not too unusual. Then I looked up, and on the shoreline nearby was a fox with very short fur (no fluffy tail) staring at me. A moment later I set two rods in the rear rod holders and began to paddle. About 30 seconds later I heard a clunk, then looked back to see no rod in the rear port rod holder. That rod was a great 6' Fenwick graphite rod that had one unusual feature -- it said "Carbon Veil" on the rod just above the grip. It is not often that you see a rod with your name on it, so I hated to lose it. The reel was a Shimano Stradic 1000 that was less than year old. Through my carelessness, I had just dumped $200 of gear overboard.
I don't normally have a rod rigged with a heavy jig, but by good fortune I had one today. I slowly paddled and drifted back and forth over the short path that I had traveled before losing the rod while dragging and jigging the metal lure. After 10 minutes, I was ready to give up. Then I felt some resistance. I slowly wound in my line until I saw monofilament caught in the jig's hook. I gingerly wound the line in hand-over hand. After 15 ft, the weight approached the surface. Instead of being my rod, it was a branch and a crab eating the Gulp on my original hook. I continued winding in until the rod tip came into view. With great relief, I brought the rod and reel on board. I quickly pulled out my water bottle and rinsed the reel. It had only been submerged 10 minutes, and after yesterday's rain, the water was probably less salty than it has been in a while.
To add to the surreal period, while I was searching for the sunken rod, I was only a few feet away from a dock. For several minutes I could see a pickerel sitting at the surface under the dock watching me move back and forth. He did not spook -- he seemed curious.
I decided to keep fishing. I did try jigging on the oyster bar, but could not find a fish there. I came back into Weems and trolled the ultralights for the next hour. Twice, the submerged rod went down hard with a 14.5" and a 15.5" rockfish. I was surprised to find only a few perch today.
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