Kayak Trips and Fishing Reports 2013

[J Barbosa]

That's one FAT fish.

[storminsteve]

That's one FAT fish.

I agree it's so fat its head looks freakishly small! Nice going cheech!

[DarkSkies]

Cheech was out on the Hudson again Sunday....pic courtesy of Cheech.....

[fishgutz]

For alll I have read about the Hudson being a dirty river those are some nice clean bass. Def looks worthwhile. Thanks for the report and the pics.

[DarkSkies]

1. Report 4-9-13 Pre-dawn

water was still a little cold for artificials in (much of) the bay..(on 4-9) .. got out later than I wanted. Fished for two and a half hours. Fished real hard... Managed two short bass on rubber.



The bay had a wide variety of temperature ranges. Although the standard guages at that time were reporting anywhere from 45-55 degrees, the water temps where I landed at the end of the trip were 44 degrees, possibly colder further out in the channels.

First kayak trip of the year, 2nd fishing trip since the season opened. It was more of a shakedown run to see that everything worked and hoping for no mishaps or screw-ups. Catching the bass was a bonus but I felt they were sluggish for artificials by the limited fight they put up. That has since changed and bass have become more aggressive on the flats.











2. 2nd Trip... was a non-trip
Today 4-12
Tried to get out before the rain. Got to the water and the wind was NE/E.....not bad as I drove but by the time I got to the water it was blowing steady 15 with higher gusts (The Ambrose Buoy registered gusts to 34...just too much to risk, too much can go wrong in building winds and rain.)

I circled around thinking the wind would minimize. Went back a 2nd time to try to convince myself to launch. Although dying to get out there on the fish, no fish is worth dying for. Cooler heads prevailed. My compulsions are so bad that I can "see" the fish sitting on the bottom, as I lay in bed at night.

These early spring storms can be tricky, and you can get covered up by rough water pretty quick.
I have taken too many chances kayaking with all the places I have ventured to.....Orient Point rips on the NS of LI...kayaking the deep channels of the LI Sound, and other bays, on a new moon night.....watching the tankers come and go like giant behemoths......

Looking back on all I have been through, and the safety I preach to others....I'm not willing to make a deadly mistake.
I've set up certain rules when and when I will not launch. May talk about that in another thread. Wind is one of them, must be at most 15mph, without the forecast of it getting worse.

These Spring storms can sneak up on you real quick.
Pay attention to the forecasts and the progression.
I have made some stupid mistakes out there. I will try to talk about some of them over time to try and help the new guys.

If I tell you it's not a good idea, or dangerous, that is probably because I have done it, and learned the hard way, I am grateful that learning allowed me to keep living, and remember the lessons I've learned. To keep my memory green I'll be repeating those lessons to others as the need arises.

Be safe out there, folks, be careful.
Safety first, fish 2nd.

[surferman]

nice going and good advice thanks for the report.