Susky Flats 4/6/2013

[sparky1423]

Yakkinfish18 and I launched out of Tidings Park in Havre de Grace this morning close to 7am. Yakfish made a surpise appeaerance and joined us on the water. It was great to see Alan again, he must have the most knowledge of anybody I know. He pointed us in the right direction and off we went.

Within 10 minutes of trolling, I managed to land my first kayak rockfish. A nice healthy 28" of off a X-rap, I was also trolling a 3/4oz white shad rattletrap at the same time. That was all the action I had, but it was enough! I was hootin and hollerin with excitement while it was ripping some drag. Around 8:30am the winds started to pick up and the whitecaps were in full motion. I was slapped around for a good while with 2ft waves. Without a Hobie, trolling became difficult so I called it a day around 11am.

I had a difficult time getting back since I was way south of the launch heading against the wind and current. At one point, I became a little nervous....that's just the novice in me. It was a good experience overall being introduced to the Susquehanna flats, I'll be back at it on Monday.

While packing up, the weather took a turn for the better and we got a call from Yakfish....still on the water. He landed to two rock and a 4lb largemouth so far. He had two break offs, telling me he must have had a few cows. Surely, but slowly the rockfish are coming.

[Goody]

Nice catch. Maybe I'll head out there on Monday to give it a try with you.

[ronaultmtd]

Good to see the fish are there

[Shady]

That's a really nice first Striper on the yak, I still can't break 28" as my best yak Striper. I plan to get out there next Saturday.

[ronaultmtd]

My best yak striper is a 29 incher caught off Piney Point- caught a 27 and a 29 that trip-I am shooting for a 40 incher this year

[camelbird]

Nice fish!! What size xrap is that in the pic?

[sparky1423]

5" body 1/2" lip. I won the lure at the march M&G....it was the lure chexone entered in the raffle. I owe him a McDouble!

I have a Bomber15A that looks just like it, but an inch longer. Also have a Luckycraft jerkbait that looks just like it with a chartreuse bottom. Too many lures, not enough time.

Nice fish!! What size xrap is that in the pic?

[Shady]

Too many lures, not enough time.

me too...

[Yak Fish]

The action was still slow up there. After Sparky got that one withing a few minutes, I thought we may be off the the races. The wind was pretty incredible out and without a Hobie the paddling could be difficult to get back in. The drift was very fast. I took a few minutes to retie and I was already 200 yards away.

I did mark fish but they were not cooperating as they would if the temp was warmer.

I lost two lures yesterday, expensive ones too. It was my own fault. I'd tied two rods with a leader and a clip so that I could switch lures quickly if I wanted. I hadn't done it this way in the past, but I wanted to try something new. That same rig failed on two fish after nice hits. Lesson learned...I'm not going to do it that way anymore.

Apparently largemouth is pretty hot up there right now. I happened to be packing up when the boats were coming in for a weigh in. I think they'd all had their limits and a 25 pound bag took it. The winner had a 7lb 3oz LM. I have never seen one that big. It looked like a goliath. I was happy about my accidental 4 pounder (just a couple of oz under) but this thing was almost twice the size.

Water temperature was 48F. Over near furnace creek it was the warmest water I could find and it was closer to 50. Water clarity was pretty good, but the wind was terrible making it difficult.
There were not very many boats out there looking for stripers. I wanted to see what was going on over at lapidum but I didn't feel like driving over after 15 miles in the yak. I'm still beat. I think I'll take off mid week and give it another shot if the conditions are right. I was planning on Friday but the weather is looking dicey so it may be a game time call.

[sparky1423]

Went to Dick's Sporting Goods to get a bilge pump since I took on 4" of water inside the yak yesterday from the waves (front hatch issues...trying to repair). Ended up buying another Xrap after I promised myself not to buy anymore tackle LOL!!

Between taking on 4" of water inside the yak and not removing my scupper plugs in the rear and flooding the back deck...I know why it took me 1.5 hours to paddle back to launch. Man, I was struggling.

me too...

[Yak Fish]

Ahahaha! I had a bit inside mine too. I think it got in from the front hatch because my shirt was wet inside the hobie hatch liner.
I got to use my bilge for the first time. It really made quick work of it and could get almost all of it out.

Went to Dick's Sporting Goods to get a bilge pump since I took on 4" of water inside the yak yesterday from the waves (front hatch issues...trying to repair). Ended up buying another Xrap after I promised myself not to buy anymore tackle LOL!!

Between taking on 4" of water inside the yak and not removing my scupper plugs in the rear and flooding the back deck...I know why it took me 1.5 hours to paddle back to launch. Man, I was struggling.

[yakkinfish18]

Jeremy, was all that water from the front hatch? did they have all rapala for 20% off when you went

[sparky1423]

I think it was the front hatch. I was troubleshooting with a garden hose for a long time. Seems like when I shut the hatch with the cord caught in between the hatch lid and the gasket, a lot of water could enter. Not so much when the hatch was seated correctly. At least that is what I am hoping it was, that was many gallons of water we emptied on the parking lot.

Definitely bringing my bilge pump with me tomorrow! I saw the signs for the 20%, but I did not pay attention to the receipt. I am like a crack addict, it doesn't matter about the price!

Check out this website, I have been studying the flats for a few nights via the internet:

http://walleyepete.com/advice/susque...hing-tutorial/

[yakkinfish18]

I think it was the front hatch. I was troubleshooting with a garden hose for a long time. Seems like when I shut the hatch with the cord caught in between the hatch lid and the gasket, a lot of water could enter. Not so much when the hatch was seated correctly. At least that is what I am hoping it was, that was many gallons of water we emptied on the parking lot.

Definitely bringing my bilge pump with me tomorrow! I saw the signs for the 20%, but I did not pay attention to the receipt. I am like a crack addict, it doesn't matter about the price!

Check out this website, I have been studying the flats for a few nights via the internet:

http://walleyepete.com/advice/susque...hing-tutorial/

yea we were busting threw some pretty good size waves. thanks for the site info

[J.A. Veil]

You probably already know where the water got in. But sometimes, you may find a crack in any area where you don't expect it that lets a small amount of water leak in continuously. If yesterday's experience was your first time taking on water, it probably was a loose hatch. However, if you experience a similar amount of water accumulating again, it may be worth setting your kayak upright on some supports, then filling it part way with water to see if any water leaks out. I did that last year and discovered some unexpected hairline cracks around a scupper hole.

I think it was the front hatch. I was troubleshooting with a garden hose for a long time. Seems like when I shut the hatch with the cord caught in between the hatch lid and the gasket, a lot of water could enter. Not so much when the hatch was seated correctly. At least that is what I am hoping it was, that was many gallons of water we emptied on the parking lot.

Definitely bringing my bilge pump with me tomorrow! I saw the signs for the 20%, but I did not pay attention to the receipt. I am like a crack addict, it doesn't matter about the price!

Check out this website, I have been studying the flats for a few nights via the internet:

http://walleyepete.com/advice/susque...hing-tutorial/