Camping Kayak Fishing and Fun at Janes Island Maryland!

Every year I put together a Kayak Fishing Camping and Paddling weekend. This year the selected location was Janes Island Maryland. Located on the Eastern Shore a just outside of an old crabbing town named Chrisfield. Janes Island is a campers paradise.  With its beautiful sunsets that can be seen from any campsite. Also a kayakers destination featuring marked kayaking trails. You can take in nature at its best or paddle to a sandy beach on Tangier Sound a portion of the Chesapeake Bay.

However it’s April and we are here to fish for the large striped bass (aka rock fish locally) that will migrate south through the Chesapeake Bay and eventually swim north to their summer waters in the Northeast. Although extremely windy on Friday the winds calmed down to allow us to explore and learn how to fish a new body of water.

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Camping Kayak Fishing and Fun!

Although the Saturday wind forecast was wrong and we intended a late start. There were a few small striper caught right near the launch. Starting with the creeks on the outgoing tide marked a decent amount of bait. Fishing wasn’t hot. The water temps still at a cool 52 degrees apparently had an effect on the fish in this area. Although in my home waters of Delaware fishing was pretty hot through the winter with water temps in the high 30’s.

We navigated the creek as it became very shallow nearing the entrance to the bay. I was able to paddle through with my Kilroy. Others decided to portage over the short beach area to avoid paddling their pedal kayaks through the shallows. Once in the bay we targeted the drop offs and even deeper water with no good results. Easily an eight mile day of trolling. A local boater went by and stated there’s no one rock fishing yet the water is too cold. Well figured that out the hard way. Made the best of it and was able to explore a bit.

On the way back to the ramp Corey and I found a few really small fish up to 22 inches. Ending the day not skunked was a bonus. Being on the water on a small craft such as a kayak is relaxing and somewhat empowering. To be one with the water and the sky. If you understand what that is like then you may be closer to god than you really think!

Finding the fish is typically a task. This makes you a better angler honing your skills. To even catch fish in these cool water conditions was a great achievement!

Enjoying being outdoors!

Another great part of camping besides the camaraderie is the food! The first evening I prepared london broil and fire roasted potatoes. The next night Ed made a pork stew and the last night I cooked both our meals on the grill which consisted of chicken breast potatoes and some salad greens. Simple but its camping! We found out Ed has a knack for getting the fire roasted potatoes perfect! Also we enjoyed breakfast consisting of eggs and bacon prior to fishing.

The last day of fishing was also pretty uneventful with myself catching the lone rock fish for the day which was a total of around 13 inches! I however do look forward to fishing this area again in the summer when the reds and trout come in. The area seems to be a really fishy area on the right time with its sandy bottom with tons of vegetation.

In all it was great to visit a portion of the Eastern Shore that was new to me and enjoy its beauty with friends doing what we love best.

Spring 2017 What??

Well The Spring of 2017 flew by just like the wind. Yes it was incredibly WINDY!! From March to May it seemed every day was gale force winds or more. Fishing from a kayak this is never fun or even doable most of the time. I can count on both hands the amount of times I was out fishing from the kayak. Although there were a few days the wind wasn’t so bad and most of them were when I was working.

Was able to get out with good friend Joe Hosler of the Delaware Paddlesports Hobie Team. We fished mainly back creeks and rivers to get out of the wind. He fished the Chesapeake a bit and did well. Unfortunately i didst make it over to that side.  When the big blues came in we fished Cape Henlopen at the pier and inner wall. Due to many Gopro issues I unfortunately was unable to capture some good fish pictures. Got out on the Indian River Bay on a few occasions in search of bass blues and flounder but had none.

Delaware Paddlesports Crew @ Cape Henlopen

A major highlight of the past spring was fishing from the Jackson Kayak Kilroy LT Realtree Camo Edition. As many of you that follow my blog know it is my new kayak for 2017! Since its first run out on the Indian River Bay it has been my main kayak. It is an excellent standing platform as well as swift paddling craft. Teamed up with the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 it is the Ultimate single person shallow water fishing craft! Check back for new videos and the extended use review shortly!!!

Always fun searching for the local fish. I hope to explore the spring more in the future. All I can say is please less wind next year!

So its hello summer and enjoying the long days for now. Flounder are in now and soon the Croakers will be too!

Wrap Up 5th Annual CBKA Tournament September 10th 2016

Another Chesapeake Bay Fishing Tournament in the books. For me it was great to be out on the water with my kayak after two and a half months due to relocating and my truck having mechanical issues. Living now in South Eastern Delaware it was a pleasure to have half the driving distance to the venue on Kent Island Maryland. This was my third year to be present at this beautiful venue.

Preparation:

It was the first kayak haul for my new 2016 F150. I took the Friday off from work which worked out as I was able to get my new truck bed cap installed at the ARE Dealer, Trick Trucks in Millsboro DE. Previously had removed the Thule rack in anticipation of installing it on the new cap asap. It took me around an hour to drill and bolt on the rack to my new cap. It was now pretty set for kayak hauling. I loaded up and let around 3:50 PM to arrive at the venue around 6:00 PM.

Arrival:

Upon my arrival meeting up with Joe Hostler. Checked in and received my captains bag stocked with goodies. Then awaited the captains meeting. After sitting trough that went to the field to set up my tent. The day was a scorcher at 95 degrees and high humidity. As the sun set during the potluck dinner which I provided some tuna mac with crab salad. All of the potluck food brought by others was excellent as always. Joe’s mac salad was amazing along with various other items such as jalapeno poppers, chicken wings, and a crab mac & cheese dish.

As the evening set in the temperature leveled at about 86 degrees as the humidity shot through the roof. The conditions were not the best to be camping but made the best of it. Sat in the truck air conditioning for a bit. Finally going to the tent around 12:00 am. Some of the guys were still up hanging out and apparently were until around 3 am.

Tournament Day:

The morning came fast. Sounds of alarms and others waking from camp. It was still dark but not for long. I went over and met Joe at his cabin grabbed some coffee and rigged up a few rods. We were probably the last to launch but it worked out because driving to the drop in was simple. Rather than loading up the kayaks and walking then there on kayak carts. Hitting the water we immediately started fishing for bait. In these areas Spot are an excellent source of bass bait. Spot can be gathered using a small 1/0 Octopus hook a small bit of weight and a fish bite or small piece of blood worm.

After about a dozen or so spot and catching small white perch at the same time we trolled over to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in search of solid fish marks on the chart plotter. By this time the wind had kicked up from the southeast and it was rocking and rolling out there. Live lining for bass was non eventful after a few hours. The stripers just didn’t seem to cooperate on the live bait.

Attempted trolling for hours catching one small striper around 17″. We went back at catching perch with an attempt to place in that category but could only manage fish up to 8″. We fished the entire time and missed the weigh in but were sure we had nothing that qualified for placing in the tournament anyway. It was a great day to be out on the water doing what I love the most.

The awards ceremony commenced and as always is very well put together. A representative from the make a wish foundation was present and spoke a little bit about the charity followed by a tear jerking video of a boys wish to take a trip on a US aircraft carrier. They really do amazing things for these kids whom unfortunately endure a lot of pain and suffering. This is what we do it for!

If you have never attended the Chesapeake Bay Kayak Anglers tournament come next year and check it out. Hang with a bunch of friendly kayak anglers.