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First striper of the year!

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  • First striper of the year!

    It was a nice day in Deale, MD with the temps getting into the low 60s so I decided to go for a paddle about an hour after high tide. I figured if I'm going to paddle I may as well throw a few lines in and troll. The skunk was out for the first mile and a half. Still, the wind was light, tide was still moving relatively well, and the waves were non existent. As I was approaching the fish net off the pier at Franklin Manor (about 200 ft from it in about 12' of water) I finally caught my first one of the year. A 17" schoolie looking striper that I got back swimming in seconds after removing the substitute single hooks on the glass ghost xr10. I stopped and casted 360 degrees around me as I normally would when I catch one trolling as there are usually more there but no dice. Once I got around the net, I saw that it had dilapidated over the winter and no one had been by to repair it yet. However there were lots of posts remaining and I thought a larger fish might be lurking by one of them waiting to ambush. Again no dice. Although it was nice to see the sonar light up a few times. Looks like they were suspended at about 5'.

    IMG_0287.jpg

    Really nice to get out on the water again even if the fishing was slow. Hey, I didn't get skunked and it's only going to get better from now until the Bay boils in mid July.
    Native Titan Propel 12
    Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA DI/SI

    Solo Skiff
    Mercury 6hp
    Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA DI/SI
    Minn Kota Riptide Powerdrive w/ Spot-Lock

  • #2
    Originally posted by Hawg View Post
    It was a nice day in Deale, MD with the temps getting into the low 60s so I decided to go for a paddle about an hour after high tide. I figured if I'm going to paddle I may as well throw a few lines in and troll. The skunk was out for the first mile and a half. Still, the wind was light, tide was still moving relatively well, and the waves were non existent. As I was approaching the fish net off the pier at Franklin Manor (about 200 ft from it in about 12' of water) I finally caught my first one of the year. A 17" schoolie looking striper that I got back swimming in seconds after removing the substitute single hooks on the glass ghost xr10. I stopped and casted 360 degrees around me as I normally would when I catch one trolling as there are usually more there but no dice. Once I got around the net, I saw that it had dilapidated over the winter and no one had been by to repair it yet. However there were lots of posts remaining and I thought a larger fish might be lurking by one of them waiting to ambush. Again no dice. Although it was nice to see the sonar light up a few times. Looks like they were suspended at about 5'.

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]21078[/ATTACH]

    Really nice to get out on the water again even if the fishing was slow. Hey, I didn't get skunked and it's only going to get better from now until the Bay boils in mid July.
    What size/type of hook did you use to substitute the trebles?
    ___________________________________

    2015 Viking Profish Reload

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    • #3
      Also what type of line and pound test did you use??
      2017 Hobie PA14

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      • #4
        20 lb braided with 3 ft of 40 lb mono leader. The hooks were circle hooks that I filed the barb down on. I don't do much winter/pre trophy season fishing so not sure of their exact size. They were laying around in one of my trays. I'd say the shanks were about 3/4" long.
        Native Titan Propel 12
        Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA DI/SI

        Solo Skiff
        Mercury 6hp
        Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA DI/SI
        Minn Kota Riptide Powerdrive w/ Spot-Lock

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        • #5
          Those first trips of spring are so nice

          Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
          14.5 ft Sand colored Malibu X-Factor "the promise"
          2010 Hobie Outback "the Gift Horse II"

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          • #6
            Always a great thing to get that first target fish of the year. Last year, as it was my first year really fishing from a kayak, and def first year trolling from one, I didn't catch a rockfish from my kayak until the July M&G. I'm hoping to get one much more much earlier this year, hopefully this weekend even.

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            • #7
              They're out there. Just be sure to use barbless hooks and catch and release!
              Native Titan Propel 12
              Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA DI/SI

              Solo Skiff
              Mercury 6hp
              Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA DI/SI
              Minn Kota Riptide Powerdrive w/ Spot-Lock

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by kevinfry View Post
                Those first trips of spring are so nice

                Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
                Yes they are. However, if you're a paddler like I am, those first trips let you know how out of shape you've gotten over the winter. I'm sore today.
                Native Titan Propel 12
                Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA DI/SI

                Solo Skiff
                Mercury 6hp
                Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA DI/SI
                Minn Kota Riptide Powerdrive w/ Spot-Lock

                Comment

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