Wilson Bridge 11/2

[JohnE]

I got up this morning at 5 with plans of heading over to Sandy Point, but I find out that there is another small craft advisory going into effect later. So I sleep in for a while and decided to see if could get into a little action closer to home. I've been wanting to try the Wilson bridge for a while and also check out Jones Point-they supposedly have a kayak launch right next to the bridge. I get there and not only would you need cart, some bozos built the thing about 2 feet too high off the water. No other place to launch there unless you want to crawl over rocks. Too bad because the launch is right under the bridge and would be super convenient if it was usable.

I drive over to Belle Haven, which is a bit of a paddle to the bridge but a good launch for $5. Launched around high tide. Lots of debris and some trash as I'm paddling to the bridge. Impossible to troll without constantly snagging stuff unless you head out to middle of the river, which I plan to do next time. Approaching the Jones Point light house a freakin gar pokes its head out of the water. First time I've ever seen one of them--didn't get to see the whole thing, but it looked like it had some size to it.

Got out to the bridge and started paddling over to Maryland side. As I pass a set of pilings, I hooked into a small 14" striper. Paddled around the pilings a bit more, circled the same piling where I picked up the first fish and hooked into another striper. A little over 17" this time, but it fought like a bigger fish. Thought it was going to have some size to it.

Trolled around the bridge for while longer, but could not get any more action. A nice morning on the water, and it was pretty cool to get into some stripers so close to home even if they were on the small side. Would like to get out there again soon. Let me know if anybody wants to join.
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[MetroMan]

Yeah, you need a cart at jones point, but the launch is not bad. It looks intimidating, but it's not bad/difficult. I thought the same thing about the "g-dock", which used to be available to use on kent island. But anyways, I could show you how to launch there better than I could tell you.

[MetroMan]

http://youtu.be/wabT0ODi_7k?t=48s

[JohnE]

Thanks for posting the video. You make it look easy. It looked intimidating to me and seemed a lot higher than in your video, plus I didn't bring a cart--wanted to check it out and head to Belle Haven as a back up if it didn't work out. I was more worried about getting out. I guess it's not that bad after all and extremely convenient for fishing the bridge.

I didn't try for any cats this time, forgot to bring bait. I hear they will hit gulp sometimes. What do you use, chicken?

Some guy fly fishing at Belle Haven was really surprised when I told him I caught stripers. He said he has a bass boat and never catches anything out there. I didn't see the boats out there catching anything either. Seems like a good spot to me, I'm going to start going there more often.

[MetroMan]

To get out, slide your yak into the small opening between the floating dock and the bulkhead/wall. It's just wide enough for a kayak to fit in there. Once you're "docked" in there, you can support yourself on either side to stand up and get out.

My first time launching like this, I just KNEW I was gonna fall in, and kick my yak away from me. It's hard to see in the vid, but I actually used a rag/towel (that is attached to my seat) and tied it off to the dock cleat. Keeps the yak from floating away.

[snapper]

Thanks for the post I live in falls church and would like to try the bridge some time. What were you using for lures?

[JohnE]

Jig heads, gulp, bass assassins. Also tried xrap and redfish magic with paddle tails but no takers. Seems like stripers will hit a lot of things when hungry.

[snapper]

Jig heads, gulp, bass assassins. Also tried xrap and redfish magic with paddle tails but no takers. Seems like stripers will hit a lot of things when hungry.

Cool thanks

[JohnE]

Sure thing. There seemed to be a bunch of brush and other debris hung up on one of the pilings, I kept getting snagged and bringing up sticks and things. That is where they seemed to be hanging out. I thought I was snagged on the piling because I trolled so close, but it ended up being the larger of the two stripers who started running back around the piling before I pulled him away from it.

Let me know if you're looking for somebody to join when you head out there, I'm looking to go again soon. Might try for some cats as well next time.

[Runnin]

Belle Have is my favorite launch. I usually take the Bass Boat out there. That whole region's been in a funk this year. I don't know what's up. Bass have been very scarce.

[snapper]

Will do thanks

[Rockchaser]

I fish there a lot, been catching some more decent sized catfish now that the water temp is cooliing down. 20 to 38inchers right now but they will start to get bigger soon. My biggest catfish this year was right around 48 pounds, 42" long with over a 30" girth off of one of the pilings. Raw chicken breast has been working well. I have over 170 Blue catfish for kayak wars caught right there.

As far as for the dock, I have a 12 foot rope tied to the front of my Outback that allows me to slide the yak into the water and never let go. to get out I just pull up along side the dock tie off and stand up enough to climb onto the dock. It can get very sloppy right there when the wind and boat wakes start moving the dock around. Just be carefull, it is easy after the first time.

Let me know when you are going out again, I am trying to hit it at least once a week now.

[JohnE]

48 pound catfish...man, that is a monster.

I'm actually thinking about going tomorrow or Weds evening. The website say the park is open until 10 pm year round. Do you ever go in the evening over there?

[snapper]

I fish there a lot, been catching some more decent sized catfish now that the water temp is cooliing down. 20 to 38inchers right now but they will start to get bigger soon. My biggest catfish this year was right around 48 pounds, 42" long with over a 30" girth off of one of the pilings. Raw chicken breast has been working well. I have over 170 Blue catfish for kayak wars caught right there.

As far as for the dock, I have a 12 foot rope tied to the front of my Outback that allows me to slide the yak into the water and never let go. to get out I just pull up along side the dock tie off and stand up enough to climb onto the dock. It can get very sloppy right there when the wind and boat wakes start moving the dock around. Just be carefull, it is easy after the first time.

Let me know when you are going out again, I am trying to hit it at least once a week now.

Geez I'll be in trouble with light tackle

[Rockchaser]

Yes, I have been there many times after dark. You have to watch out for the water taxi. They run a lesser schedule in the evenings this time of year but they are out there.

I have been using some heavy stuff since I started finding the bigger cats. 50 pound braid and 60 to 80 pound leader. 7/0 to 10/0 circle hooks with 4 to 8 ounce woeght.

I may be able to make it Wedensday evening.