Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Bryan · Aug-12-14 4:07PM

We set up camp on Gwynn's Island late Friday night, and Saturday morning I headed south for some flats fishing. This was my first saltwater trip since May, so I was pretty excited.

I launched at 6am and trolled a redfish magic spinnerbait as I paddled to my first spot. That quickly produced a schoolie striper in the 20" range. Not a bad start. Got to my spot on a grass flat and started throwing a topwater lure, and within 5 minutes had a 15" speck. I wasn't expecting much trout action on this trip so that was a pleasant surprise.

Stayed with the topwater for at least another hour and had a couple more more bites, but nothing connected except this guy. The birds were really obnoxious, they dive-bombed my lures constantly.

For the next several hours I played around with a popping cork and gulp combo. I used an 18" leader from the float, a 1/8oz jighead, and whatever gulp I pulled out of the tub first. Mullet, shrimp, minnow, didn't seem to matter. This caught more speckled trout up to 15", sand perch, croaker, and blowfish. Some of the trout were the smallest I've ever seen...made me wish I had a saltwater aquarium.

I threw the topwater some more too, but that only produced one small bluefish and a single missed trout strike. I was surprised not to see any reds. The weather was great all day, 80s with a mix of sun and overcast, and not too much wind. I pulled out at 4:30pm.

Sunday

Sunday I put in at the same spot at 5:30am. The water was flat calm and I was excited for some topwater action. Well, that never really happened. 2 hours of walking the dog only produced some half-hearted boils and no real bites. So I switched up to the popping cork setup and quickly caught two 15-16" trout and lost a couple more.

I took a long break to stand up in my yak and push around, scanning the flats for any sign of redfish, but they were nowhere to be found. Lots of life in the grass though; baitfish, crabs, terrapins, and stingrays were plentiful.

Went back to fishing and caught a bunch more trout. Most were the little aquarium-size specks but I also landed a few more keeper sized fish. I took my limit of 5.

Pulled out at 4pm on a very low tide. There were tiny marsh crabs all over the launch, some of them were so small you could barely see them. Very cool.

After dinner the GF and I hit the pier at the campground. It was a pretty nice pier and even has lights pointed at the water for night fishing. We did some crabbing and I jigged a little bit to see what fish were around. Had some little bluefish bite the tails off my lures but didn't hook anything. We did catch and release several blue crabs though, some of which were more than big enough to keep if we had wanted to.

It was a very nice weekend, I got to do plenty of fishing and couldn't have asked for better weather. Can't wait to go back!

captmikestarrett · Aug-12-14 5:11PM

Did you try the bridge ?

Capt Mike

Ernie · Aug-12-14 5:53PM

Excellent report and results!

drxfish · Aug-12-14 8:07PM

Good stuff!! Nice specks!

Bryan · Aug-13-14 6:49AM

captmikestarrett wrote:
Did you try the bridge ?

Capt Mike

Nah, the only fishing I did on the island was at the camp pier. There were boats fishing by the bridge every time we drove over though.

firemunkee · Aug-13-14 8:14AM

Wow looks like it was a great trip! Thanks for sharing.

HoleyRockofTX · Aug-14-14 2:56AM

Looks like you have a great trip. Thanks for sharing.

AbuMasgouf · Aug-21-14 8:21AM

Really nice report Bryan.

Speck action has been really slow lately so I'm really gald you got ito them. Knowing that there are a lot of little ones is good news for the future!

Two questions for ya:
1) What kind of kayak do you have? I'm looking for a paddle kayak that I can stand on for hunting Potomac Pike in the shallows.

2) What is the camp ground called that you stayed at? I'm looking into a nice place to take the family camping at the end of September or EArly October...

Thanks!

Bryan · Aug-21-14 9:38AM

AbuMasgouf wrote:
Really nice report Bryan.

Speck action has been really slow lately so I'm really gald you got ito them. Knowing that there are a lot of little ones is good news for the future!

Two questions for ya:
1) What kind of kayak do you have? I'm looking for a paddle kayak that I can stand on for hunting Potomac Pike in the shallows.

2) What is the camp ground called that you stayed at? I'm looking into a nice place to take the family camping at the end of September or EArly October...

Thanks!

I paddle a Wilderness Systems Ride 135.

We stayed at Gwynn's Island RV resort. It's definitely not a typical campground, it's 99% RVs and trailers. They only had one small area for actual camping.

AbuMasgouf · Aug-21-14 10:58AM

Yeah I did a quick search when I read your post and that what I saw. Would you recommend that or something else for first time campers?

So you can stand on the ride 135 with no trouble? I was looking at the OK Trident 13 since it seems lighter than the ride but I can't find a used on on Craigslist.

Hey Bob if your reading this, keep an eye out for a used OK Trident 13 for me. LOL I owe my used Revo all to you bro! You found that deal and posted it for me! Still can't thank you enough!

Bryan · Aug-21-14 12:35PM

AbuMasgouf wrote:
Yeah I did a quick search when I read your post and that what I saw. Would you recommend that or something else for first time campers?

So you can stand on the ride 135 with no trouble? I was looking at the OK Trident 13 since it seems lighter than the ride but I can't find a used on on Craigslist.

Hey Bob if your reading this, keep an eye out for a used OK Trident 13 for me. LOL I owe my used Revo all to you bro! You found that deal and posted it for me! Still can't thank you enough!

Gwynn's Island is kinda cool because it's just an isolated little community right on the bay. But as far as the campground itself, meh. It's not a "real" campground. There was a nice little pier, and a camp store (which I think might be the only store on the island), but the place definitely caters more to their RV/trailer occupants. I will probably be going back soon, just because I don't know anywhere else in the area.

If you're still considering other locations, my favorite place to camp has always been at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. It's very family friendly, there is tons to do in the area, and of course there's great fishing.

I'm 6' 205lbs and I can stand in the Ride fairly well if the water is calm, I wouldn't do it on a choppy day though. I did fall out once last time when I bent over to try to poke a stingray with my paddle.

AbuMasgouf · Aug-21-14 1:02PM

Bryan wrote:
AbuMasgouf wrote:
Yeah I did a quick search when I read your post and that what I saw. Would you recommend that or something else for first time campers?

So you can stand on the ride 135 with no trouble? I was looking at the OK Trident 13 since it seems lighter than the ride but I can't find a used on on Craigslist.

Hey Bob if your reading this, keep an eye out for a used OK Trident 13 for me. LOL I owe my used Revo all to you bro! You found that deal and posted it for me! Still can't thank you enough!
Gwynn's Island is kinda cool because it's just an isolated little community right on the bay. But as far as the campground itself, meh. It's not a "real" campground. There was a nice little pier, and a camp store (which I think might be the only store on the island), but the place definitely caters more to their RV/trailer occupants. I will probably be going back soon, just because I don't know anywhere else in the area.

If you're still considering other locations, my favorite place to camp has always been at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. It's very family friendly, there is tons to do in the area, and of course there's great fishing.

I'm 6' 205lbs and I can stand in the Ride fairly well if the water is calm, I wouldn't do it on a choppy day though. I did fall out once last time when I bent over to try to poke a stingray with my paddle.

I love CHSP! I was thinking south though to get a little warmer water... Maybe Kiptopeke...

I like the ride and all the accessory rails. My only concern is the weight (listed at 82lbs). I hunt for SH in the summer and the month of Ramadan (where Muslims fast) is going to fall in the summer for the next few years. I can tolerate carrying my Revo and car top it while I'm fasting, but any heavier and I'd have a rough time... the OK Trident 13 is listed at 62lbs which is a good weight...

Thanks for the thoughts bro!

hookup · Aug-22-14 5:51AM

Bryan wrote:
I paddle a Wilderness Systems Ride 135.

Abu FYI - I'm really kicking around the idea of getting a 135 & installing a trolling motor on it. If I can find a Torquedo for cheap ....

Ernie · Aug-22-14 6:54AM

hookup wrote:
Abu FYI - I'm really kicking around the idea of getting a 135 & installing a trolling motor on it. If I can find a Torquedo for cheap ....

And this will be boat (yak) number?????

GregF · Aug-22-14 12:30PM

If you looking to setup a torquedo you should talk to Chad Hoover. He is really doing amazing things with the Wilderness Systems yaks. Look at http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/

AbuMasgouf · Aug-22-14 5:21PM

A Torquedo on any Kayak is Awesome!

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Aug-12-14 4:07PM

Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#2 Aug-12-14 5:11PM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#3 Aug-12-14 5:53PM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#4 Aug-12-14 8:07PM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#5 Aug-13-14 6:49AM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

captmikestarrett wrote:

#6 Aug-13-14 8:14AM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#7 Aug-14-14 2:56AM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#8 Aug-21-14 8:21AM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#9 Aug-21-14 9:38AM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

AbuMasgouf wrote:

#10 Aug-21-14 10:58AM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#11 Aug-21-14 12:35PM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

AbuMasgouf wrote:

#12 Aug-21-14 1:02PM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

Bryan wrote:

AbuMasgouf wrote:

#13 Aug-22-14 5:51AM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

Bryan wrote:

#14 Aug-22-14 6:54AM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

hookup wrote:

#15 Aug-22-14 12:30PM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

#16 Aug-22-14 5:21PM

Re: Chesapeake Flats 8/9-8/10

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