Yantz Cove - Hobie Ice Breaker Video

[Polar Rock]

My son, Robert and I got out this afternoon for a sunny 52 degree round on Yantz Cove. We were hoping to find some Winter Pickeral.

We were met at the launch with a coat of ice about 1/4" thick. Still worth a try to Launch the Kayaks. Ended up with some pretty cool video of the Hobie's breaking through about 75 yards of ice to get free.

We didn't have any luck with the Pickeral. This was my first attempt at cold water Pickeral. Used Mepps XD , Crankbait, and Woody's Spinners.... I really don't think I had the right stuff.
I could use some suggestions on an artificial lure for these Pickeral. I'm not a fan of going through the trouble of live baits.

Check out the Video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1jwHxkXQkM

[dsiekman]

Nice video! How did the fins hold up? Any damage?

[echo5oscar]

The fins shouldn't have any damage. Last winter, I was busting through some ice an inch thick, some places a little thicker. The front of the hull will do all of the breaking on thin ice like that. The thick stuff I went through last year took a little side to side rocking to get it to break. All in all, we turned around because it really got tiring!

[HJS]

Polar - Don't feel bad. I got skunked on the Magothy today and I also had to deal with some skim ice. You were using a decent assortment of lures that pickerel would usually hit. If pickerel were feeding you'da caught at least a few. I didn't use minnows either. Maybe minnows would have made a difference... dunno what went wrong today. I had high hopes as I was launching too.

[J.A. Veil]

Polar - Don't feel bad. I got skunked on the Magothy today and I also had to deal with some skim ice. You were using a decent assortment of lures that pickerel would usually hit. If pickerel were feeding you'da caught at least a few. I didn't use minnows either. Maybe minnows would have made a difference... dunno what went wrong today. I had high hopes as I was launching too.

Minnows were the ticket today. I fished in the Severn for two hours and caught 10 pickerel. All were caught on live minnows on a 1/8-oz jighead slowly retrieved. All fish were lip-hooked for easy hook removal and quick release. I managed my largest pickerel of this winter at 23.5".

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I had at least six more notable bumps or times when the fish took the minnow in its mouth but did not bite down hard. When I wound up the slack and put some bend in the rod, the pickerel opened its mouth and let the unscathed minnow go.

[Mark]

Good job, John.

Given the disparity in catches between live bait and artificials at the moment pickerel must be relying on more than just sight to locate food.

[jbrown]

Great to see folks going out in the cold water...some great fishing this time of year. My concern is no life jackets and no cold water dry suits. I would recommend watching some cold water educational videos to everyone- The Baltimore fire dept put out a youtube video showing when the water is in the 30's to low 40's, any meaning movements or thought processes after just a few seconds in the water is nearly impossible- this means getting back into a boat/ attempting to put on a PFD/ logically thinking out a plan/ or using a simple phone- At that temp, hypothermia will set in in under 20 minutes (the paddler would have to be out of his wet clothes and then warmed on dry land) and thats if a paddler is plucked out of the water immediately. Even on a warm winter day, the water temp is not going to warm up more that just a couple degrees- evidenced by the ice on the surface!. Remember, that water can kill you quickly- A full body dry suit with warm (not cotton) clothing layered underneath is what most paddlers employ...and of course a PFD being worn so someone can at least come by and pick you out of the water as you float there shivering making no meaningful movements and completely spaced out unable to process even the simplest of commands.

[ComeOnFish]

Polar Rock,
I fished for pickerel only once guided by John. I can suggest only one lure. I think inline spinner, crankbait and any lure with treble hooks catch too much debris in the water.

See my fishing log this year Jan 5. Since it is my fishing log I put tackle and lure info on the video.
I like 2" Berkley Power Bait "Fire Tiger" a lot. If there is 3" version I will try the 3". If 3" is too big then I will cut the head a bit so it becomes 2.5"
I also like 2.5" UlterBite by TriggerX. I thought this was the best lure that day. I caught 2 out of 4 cast. Since I convinced this was a good lure, I immediately tested other lure. I think small soft lures with bright noticeable color work.

--updates below---
I just went Dicks,a and bought a package of 3" fire tiger. It seems 2" tiger may be the better choice. But I need to test both
I couldn't find Gamakatsu 1/16oz jigs (longer shank and wider hook)
I didn't see any thing close to the 2.5" UlterBite by TriggerX
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Good Luck next time

Joe

[Polar Rock]

WOW Joe! Thanks for the Info and the REAL COOL Video! You got mind racing again.... I've got to get back out with some of your tips!