Tweet
After not fishing on the Severn for over a week, I was ready to get back out there. The river challenged me with wind and waves, but generously gave up five species.
I launched in Weems Creek at 1:30. The water level was low and the wind was gusting. I quickly caught a few white perch then began trolling 4 light spinning rods. Once I reached the mouth of Weems I got the full force of the wind that was blowing directly down the river. There were whitecaps everywhere with waves of 1 to 1.5 ft. Nevertheless, I trolled across the river to work a shoreline that had held perch two weeks ago. Today, with the low water level, the perch were not there. I fished another sheltered tributary upstream from Weems and the fun began.
I caught a bunch of white perch, then had a stronger pull. It turned out to be a 12.5” yellow perch with bright coloration.
011.jpg 012.jpg
Shortly after that, I caught my first of three pickerel. I catch loads of Severn pickerel during the fall and winter, but had not caught one since April.
013.jpg
I moved out to a spot on the main river that was blocked from the wind. I cast out and caught my 4th species, a small bluefish.
014.jpg
As I trolled back downstream towards Weems, I caught a rockfish.
015.jpg
All fish were caught in water less than 5 ft depth and on small lures. I used two small spinnerbaits (a 1/8-oz spinner made by MKF member Bignose and a 1/16-oz Strike King Microking). On the other two rods, I used jigheads with a 3” Gulp swimming mullet on one and a 3” 12 Fathoms Fat Sam mullet in the other.
Shortly after catching the rockfish, I was untangling one of the lines and managed to turn beam-on to a 3-ft wake, which rolled over the side of the kayak. Fortunately it has fast-draining scupper holes, but I did have a wet butt for the rest of the trip. A moment later I heard a snapping sound. Apparently one of the lines either hooked up with a large fish or had gotten snagged. The snap was the arbor knot breaking lose as I was completely spooled.
I fished three hours, covered about 4 miles, and caught 5 species. As I pulled the kayak on the beach at the ramp, I saw a DNR police officer in his truck. He got out and walked over to talk with me. He asked me what I caught and what I had with me (no fish – all catch and release) and asked to see my license. Make sure you carry a copy of your license with you at all times on the water.
I launched in Weems Creek at 1:30. The water level was low and the wind was gusting. I quickly caught a few white perch then began trolling 4 light spinning rods. Once I reached the mouth of Weems I got the full force of the wind that was blowing directly down the river. There were whitecaps everywhere with waves of 1 to 1.5 ft. Nevertheless, I trolled across the river to work a shoreline that had held perch two weeks ago. Today, with the low water level, the perch were not there. I fished another sheltered tributary upstream from Weems and the fun began.
I caught a bunch of white perch, then had a stronger pull. It turned out to be a 12.5” yellow perch with bright coloration.
011.jpg 012.jpg
Shortly after that, I caught my first of three pickerel. I catch loads of Severn pickerel during the fall and winter, but had not caught one since April.
013.jpg
I moved out to a spot on the main river that was blocked from the wind. I cast out and caught my 4th species, a small bluefish.
014.jpg
As I trolled back downstream towards Weems, I caught a rockfish.
015.jpg
All fish were caught in water less than 5 ft depth and on small lures. I used two small spinnerbaits (a 1/8-oz spinner made by MKF member Bignose and a 1/16-oz Strike King Microking). On the other two rods, I used jigheads with a 3” Gulp swimming mullet on one and a 3” 12 Fathoms Fat Sam mullet in the other.
Shortly after catching the rockfish, I was untangling one of the lines and managed to turn beam-on to a 3-ft wake, which rolled over the side of the kayak. Fortunately it has fast-draining scupper holes, but I did have a wet butt for the rest of the trip. A moment later I heard a snapping sound. Apparently one of the lines either hooked up with a large fish or had gotten snagged. The snap was the arbor knot breaking lose as I was completely spooled.
I fished three hours, covered about 4 miles, and caught 5 species. As I pulled the kayak on the beach at the ramp, I saw a DNR police officer in his truck. He got out and walked over to talk with me. He asked me what I caught and what I had with me (no fish – all catch and release) and asked to see my license. Make sure you carry a copy of your license with you at all times on the water.
Comment