Not a good day 7/8/08

[5th Tuition]

I usually post successful trips. We have been doing pretty well at the mud flats between Balt. Light and Love Point. Mostly bait fishing with cut LY and some livelining. But today was tough. We left SP at about 6 am and headed to hacketts. Spot were hard to find. Lots of perch (we kept a few small ones) but only a couple spot. Now this was not a good sign. We spent over an hour drifting several areas to know avail. With low tide at 5:30 am and the wind out of the south; we figured we would have wind and tide same direction so a good day to anchor up on some rock. We ran to podickery and looked for fish; lots of bait but rock very scattered. Tried to anchor in a good looking place only to have the anchor drag across the bottom. Put out over 150 ft with chain in 27 ft of water and still couldn't hold. No problem; let's drift. Didn't pick up any fish. Moved to the mud flats and successfully anchored. Used both bait and perch/spot and never got a bite. Picked up and headed to the sewer pipe. Anchored and picked up one sick rock about 26 in on live spot and nothing else. Picked up and headed home at noon. Not the best day we've had, but you have to put your time in on the water. NEVER found a concentration of fish; tons of bait; we should have fat fish in the fall. I hope you have better success. 5th (Marty)

[night nurse]

Thanks for the report, at least you were not skunked!

TED

[fishleader]

Don't feel bad , every day is different in one way or another. Like they say the fish only bite twice a day . Before you get there and after you leave. :yes:

[5th Tuition]

George; I can't say I feel bad. Anytime I'm on the water; it's a good day. I'm only sorry that I couldn't post something that would help other anglers. It's no wonder so many charters are still trolling. The fish are so scattered and the bait is so thick, that constant moving helps locate them. We wanted to save some gas with bait fishing, but it just didn't work out. 5th (Marty)

[garlien]

I know this may sound like one heck of a dumb question but I have noticed the same trend lots of bait fish and not many good size fish around them (or at least taking my hooks).

Most of my fishing has been over in the Eastern Bay and Wye River areas in past years. This year I am doing most of it from the Key Bridge to the Bay Bridge. Anyone have any clues as to why we are seeing tons of bait fish and not getting good fish with them ? I know a number of really good bait balls I have seen this year have been trapped by skates but I have yet to really see some bigger rock or blues taking the bait fish. At least this is how it has seemed for the past 3 to 4 weeks....

Thanks !

[5th Tuition]

garlien; while it's true I haven't seen many fish breaking under the big bait balls, for the most part we have still been catching big fish (bigger than years past) while cut bait fishing. I have some nice spots between the bay bridge and the key bridge that I have fished for years. I usually motor around them looking for at least two big fish on the screen (three preferred) at the same time. This is an indication to me that I should swing upcurrent from them and anchor. This year, it is darn hard to find three big fish in the same spot. I find one on the screen then another after the first has gone off screen. They are more scattered because the bait is scattered. I just have to modify my thinking and not worry that they are not concentrated on either bait OR structure so far this year. I can't believe the mud flats (with no structure) have been as good to me as they have. It's time to start thinking about fishing in the evenings!!! One hour before dark (sun at treetops) until one hour after dark is best. If you can get the tide (last two hours/first two hours) and the wind same direction; it's golden!!!! 5th (Marty)

[garlien]

Marty,

Thanks....I think you nailed it on the head when you talked about fishing the evening....The best I have done is that hour before/hour after timeframe....

I will keep pluggin along....

Mike

[garlien]

Marty,

When you are in the "flats" are you just northwest of the the dumping ground area ? Are you closer to the channel or to the shore ?

Again, thank you.

Mike

[5th Tuition]

When I refer to the mud flats; I'm talking about the area between Belvedere Shoals and Love Point. Often I check out the shoals before heading toward love point. Often, I never make it to the love point area due to marking fish on the mud flats. It's 29 - 35 ft of water almost right in the middle of the bay. On good years, we often see boats run right past us as we are fighting fish as they head to love point.
Here is my USUAL yearly schedule.
April May - trailer south for trophy's June July- in slip run to Love point,Podickery,Mud Flats August-evening fishing belvedere,9 ft knoll September Oct-7 ft knoll,bodkin point Nov Dec- trailer south for trophy's
5th (Marty)

[garlien]

Marty,

Thank you very much....Next time I head out is tomorrow so I will be trying the new area...Will let ya know how I do....

Mike