Susky Flats 5/27

[Shady]

Launched from Tydings on lake-like conditions on the Susky flats this morning. Started off trolling where they've been for the past week or so right out front but nobody was home. Cut across in front of the barge and re-deployed my spread at the mouth of Furnace Bay. A few minutes later, I had my first Striper of the morning, but he was only about 13". Kept trolling along the channel between Furnace Bay and Carpenter point and picked a couple more shorts, before I finally got a keeper at 20.25". Made it all the way over to the mouth of the Northeast River, turned around and came back. No other keepers, but one was all I needed anyway.

Ended up catching an even dozen; half 6"-8", some 12"-14", a couple 15"-17", and the one keeper. Most of the fish were caught on a Silver Blue Rapala Trolls-to Minnow 10, but also caught some on the Xrap Mag10 and also a few on a chrome and blue rattle trap. All were in 10-12 FOW.

Today, I trolled three lines at the same time for the first time (normally just troll two), and didn't have any significant messes. That was a minor victory on its own.

Met up with Rob (yakkinfish18), AbuMasgouf, and Toyomo back at the ramp. Nice to see you again Rob and nice to finally meet Mustafa and Toyomo. I'll let everyone else give their own report.

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[sparky1423]

Thanks for the report Ryan...looks like they are hanging on by a thread. Hoping to get out there one more time. Also wouldn't mind hitting lapidum for some perch before they move on.

[toyomo]

Nice job shady. It was nice meeting you as well. Seems like the bigger ones are leaving or gone already. I caught 2, a 17" and a 12" and hooked up with what felt like a much bigger one but lost him kayakside before I got a chance to land him. It was cool to meet so many snaggedline members over the course of the last 3 days, must have met 10 or so. Not seeing many new reports though so must have been mediocre fishing. I guess that's why on June 1st it opens up for 2 keepers, they must know you have little chance by then. Next time I go out I may have to have a backup plan for perch so its not a bust. Im still figuring out how to troll more than 2 lines myself. It seems easy in a straight line but when you make a turn seems to all wanna go into eachother.

[Shady]

Perch will be heading out of the susky very soon too, but should start to pick up in other rivers. When trolling, you have to make very wide gradual turns.

[gkreps]

Archeryrob and I made the trip down from Hagerstown this morning to fish the flats. We met Yakfish18, Abu, and Toyomo at the ramp when launching. While we were unpacking Rob's truck I realized that I had left my paddle and the seat to my ride135 back at my vehicle in Hagersippy. Rob had a spare PFD that I used as a seat and I borrowed his paddle because he had his inspector gadget trolling motor. We set out of the harbor into the inlet where we watch Toyomo land a 17" striper. We headed out to the flats to see if we could find some stripers for our selves.

I will have to say paddling the ride with out the elevated seat SUCKS BIG TIME ! My hip joints ached, we decided to do some drift fishing. That turned out uneventful and decided to head to shallow water. We met up with Yakfish18 and his 5 year old son and he had his keeper on a stringer.
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He told us that he was catching a fair amount of little ones but invited Rob and I to follow him. We deployed our lines and started trolling. We went about 100 yards and I watch Yakfish18 hookup with one and then my left rod went down. I caught my first 12". We paddled a little further and The left rod went down again and this time it was a 13". Yakfish18 decided to head out to get the little man back home. Rob and I continued trolling and I hooked into about an 8" striper. The boat traffic started to pick up and the waves were getting bigger. We decided to head back to the launch while trolling and then the right rod got hit and I pulled in a 17". Rob also got his first a 15" on a rattle trap also on they way in.

Well it was great to be back on the flats and we didn't get skunked. I learned a lesson,not to forget my seat or paddle next time

[DaveFX35]

managed about 10, most being 12-17" and a keeper 22". went up to lapidum around 1 once the boat traffic got insane. met up with echo5oscar and we caught some perch and cat.

perch were small with a couple nice ones mixed in but not worth keeping with only a few on the stringer. overall a good day fishing with some members.

[echo5oscar]

Those channel cats were fun on my ultra lite spooled with 2 pound test!

[reel-em-in]

I guess that's why on June 1st it opens up for 2 keepers, they must know you have little chance by then.

There's usually still some in the flats by that time, but the trick is finding them. Plus you can always catch them up at the dam if you want to cast from shore.

[Goody]

Looks like everyone got a little action. Stripers must be on their way out I take it.

[AbuMasgouf]

It was a beautiful day and a great time meeting all the members! I tell you kayak fishermen are some of the nicest people I've met!

I unfortunately got skunked and a lot has to do with loosing my blue sardine Xrap. It got snagged and when I held the spool the leader broke (I guess the leader did it's job). My only disappointment was not being able to bring home fish to mom!

All in all it was a great 3 days (by the way 2nd day I caught what looked to be 6-7" rock on my 4.75" blue sardine... Greedy little bugger). I look forward to heading up there again. Need some advice on other tasty fish to go after though since the rocks are leaving...
I can definitely see this as an annual tradition in the spring

[DaveFX35]

Here's a quick vid from yesterday morning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loPrPifYblI

[toyomo]

Here's a quick vid from yesterday morning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loPrPifYblI

Cool video Dave. I want to get a gopro for my yak once I get all the other necessities. Does the battery last long enough to leave it on record for a trip out? or are you having to turn it on once u hook up with a fish?

[Shady]

Here's a quick vid from yesterday morning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loPrPifYblI

Nice work, I always tell my fish to calm down too, but they don't ever listen...

[AbuMasgouf]

nice work, i always tell my fish to calm down too, but they don't ever listen...

lol!! +1

[echo5oscar]

Nice video Dave.

Did that underwater footage turn out any good?