Had a late start and went to Haddam Meadows to launch kayak for pike. Too windy, choppy and lots of boat traffic. Decided to head north on Rt 9 and ended up just north of Portland bridge on River road. Launched at end of road at 2:00PM. Paddled south towards mouth of Mattabasset River. Nice and calm in this section. Isolated from heavy boat traffic, too. Water temp 64 degrees. Kayaker coming off the water said he caught 4 pike and 1 LMB between 10AM and noon. I had 1 strike at 2:45PM on a zoom fluke baby bass. 10 Lb flourocarbon without steel leader. Goodbye zoom fluke. Nothing after that. Up and down shore until 5:00PM. Tide was pretty dead for the duration. Gonna try this section of river again, soon. Even on a windy day, this section may still be OK for kayak.
Carry 3 rods on yak when I go out. All set up for various choices. Just happened to be using bass setup on edge of reeds at the time. Spot I was fishing looked like good spot for bass laying in wait. Had another baitcast with 40 lb braid and a spinning outfit with 14 lb flouro with 9" steel leader. Woulda, coulda, shoulda situation.
Three foot steel leader seems a little excessive. I don't think I could ever use something that long, especially casting lures all day. Wouldn't that deter from the lures action?
Always preferred lite tackle whenever possible.
Three foot steel leader seems a little excessive. I don't think I could ever use something that long, especially casting lures all day. Wouldn't that deter from the lures action?
Always preferred lite tackle whenever possible.
I consider myself lucky on that 23" pike I caught this weekend. It was on 10 lb mono with no wire leader and I had no trouble however, I do carry 6, 9 and 18" wire leaders. I can't see the sense in anything longer than that. Shorter ones in lakes etc. where there are no known pike, but there are pickerel. Longer ones for when I know there are pike. I think the lighter the tackle the more fun! I'm looking for a pike to give me a Nantucket Sleigh Ride!
I had a real bright idea to try the CT river in Middletown again this morning. Launched at 7:15 AM at the end of River Road. Water was calm, but a pretty fast current with a TON OF DEBRIS. Figured to try it anyway. Anchored just north of the island and began casting downstream into some fast current which curled around a fallen tree in about 15 ft of water. Big mistake was to set anchor line at rear of kayak so I was facing downstream. All of a sudden, kayak jerked and the nose started rising out of the water and turning to the side. I happened to have my knife in my lap at the time, so I cut my anchor line free. A large tree had come under me from behind and snagged my anchor line. Scared the crap out of me (almost literally). Paddled back to shore, sat there for about 10 minutes, and decided to give up for the day. I was only on the water for 30 minutes. Luckily only lost my anchor. Think I'll go play golf.
YIKES Mac....the river is high and fast right now.
Sounds like you learned a lesson today, good thing you had your knife handy. Good to hear it was just a close call.
Anchoring in the river when it's high and fast with a lot of debris is a very dangerous move. Some of those big logs can be just slightly submerged and you will never see them coming and sink you in a second.
I was hoping to drop in my Robalo in East Hartford today, decided to go check ramp first, couldn't walk out to the dock the gangway was under water and I watched a tree float by and scrapped the idea all together.
Last edited by aqualung on Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:16 pm; edited 1 time in total
Sounds like you learned a lesson today, good thing you had your knife handy. Good to hear it was just a close call.
Anchoring in the river when it's high and fast with a lot of debris is a very dangerous move. Some of those big logs can be just slightly submerged and you will never see them coming and sink you in a second.
I was hoping to drop in my Robalo in East Hartford today, decided to go check ramp first, couldn't walk out to the dock the gangway was under water and I watched a tree float by and scrapped the idea all together.
Last edited by aqualung on Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:16 pm; edited 1 time in total
You're right lung. Dumbest move was to launch in the first place. Got up early and had tunnel vision. Should have gone inland to a local pond or lake. Definitely a lesson I'll never forget. Luckily, my knife was VERY sharp! Can't have too many knives available.
I hear the Got up early and had tunnel vision.
I learned the same lesson but in a 14' aluminum boat, and it wasn't a little birdie who clued me in.
After spending several years on the river mostly in the spring high water you realize how dangerous a place the river can be.
Getting back to your trip...not that I am any pike expert by any means but from what I understand, you do not want to be in the current fishing for pike, even if it is behind cover.
I believe you want still water, but like I said, I'm no pike guy.
I learned the same lesson but in a 14' aluminum boat, and it wasn't a little birdie who clued me in.
After spending several years on the river mostly in the spring high water you realize how dangerous a place the river can be.
Getting back to your trip...not that I am any pike expert by any means but from what I understand, you do not want to be in the current fishing for pike, even if it is behind cover.
I believe you want still water, but like I said, I'm no pike guy.