September 9 10 11, just got back from fishing the mecca of snakehead fishing locations, the Blackwater refuge in Dorchester Md. Travelled over 250 miles to get there, spend big bucks on this trip. Fished hard for three days, trying every lure you recommended. Fished open water, lily pad covered water. Caught absolutely nothing! Damn!!!!
That’s rough. This time of year they start to move again so you can run into some tough days. If the water temps drop or rise 3-4 degrees over a few days it can slow the bite. They usually hit best with consistent weather. The days you were out the best tide movement was after dark which isn’t the best snakehead fishing. The water temps were also starting to dip which can turn them off. The lures can only do so much. Hope you get them next time.
We need to find out who first released this fish and put up a statue to that guy. Wonderful fish. They are here. You can't do a thing about it. They will always be here. There are billions of them Come into the future, make them game fish.
LOL. There are a couple problems with that though. Making them a “game fish” means devoting tax dollars to continually evaluate and regulate a species of fish. This is not a cheap undertaking and my taxes are high enough. Next, they are so fecund that they can produce 100,000 eggs a season and they also guard there young making them so prolific that “game fish” status will never be needed. None of the other countries that have this invasive fish have ever had to manage the population. Even with immense fishing pressure.
@@MDYakFishing Yakfishing man; The state of Virginia already has assigned John Odenkirk to evaluate and watch over just the snakehead population. So those thousands of dollars are already being spent (on one species). His salary comes from fish license sales, not general taxes. We have never managed our fish or game regulations based on what other countries do. Restaurants in DC have found out how good snakehead meat is, and are buying snakeheads from local fisherman. So much so, that the game commission has put a requirement to buy a license before you can sell them. Unfortunately, our game commissions have always been super slow to adapt to changes, but we should be attempting to drag them out of the past and into the future. Snakeheads are here, they aren't going away, lets regulate them.
I’m still kicking. I’ve only been out a few times since this spring. My wife is due soon so a lot of my free time has been working on projects to get ready for that. I’ve gotten a few 30”+ snakeheads this past month. I’ve probably only caught 300 perch. So a pretty light summer.
@@MDYakFishing Good Deal and CONGRATULATIONS on the Upcoming Little One. My Daughter is expecting my 2nd Grandchild any Day now. We've been Slaying the Perch here on the Patuxent and they are a Bit Larger than usual this year for some reason. Have you noticed that? Also been getting quite a few Keeper Reds who aren't shy about what the eat. Getting one or two keepers a week and Hundreds of Under Slots which is a really good sign for the Fishery. Heading to Fenwick Island next week. Will give you an update. Tight Lines my Friend. 🐟
I grew up fishing bait casters and I’m very accurate with them. They just are a victim to physics and you can easily get break-offs due to line cut in. It is much easier to cast light lures with a spinning reel in the wind than it is to use a bait caster. That said if I am using 1/2 oz lures I like using the bait caster with 40lbs braid and a 7’ medium heavy fast action rod. If the lure is lighter than that I use a spinning reel with 12lbs braid on a 7’ medium fast action rod.
Concur with the info in this video. Smaller baits, low weight, spinning rods, color choices. Accurate assessment of advantages and drawbacks of various commercial lure types.
@@MDYakFishing Figured that was the case. Makes sense. Thank you! BTW, up here in NH, trying to catch Striped Bass is a fool's errand without a boat. :-/
hey, Looking at most of your videos and that bridge in the background of some are you on the Patuxent River? I just moved near there recently and got into fishing. Any recommendations for a beginner looking at getting a fishing kayak?
I fish up and down the western and eastern shore of Md. If I've discovered anything it's that there are no secret spots. I mostly fish what is close to me just because it's convenient. I don't give out those spots because I want to keep what's close to me fishable. I made the mistake early on letting my fishing spots be known and they soon got so overcrowded that i can't fish them anymore and I have to travel much farther to launch. My recommendation for starting out is first to figure out kayaking and then incorporate fishing. Boats are the biggest danger to kayaks so keep your head on a swivel and never assume that they see you. I'd also keep your gear simple at first and your targets small. Panfish are a great starter. They keep you close to the shore and acclimate you to casting and landing fish from a kayak. Best wishes.
@MDYakFishing I'm really interested in trying to catch some northern snakehead. If you'd consider hosting a guided fishing trip, I'd be happy to drive up from NC. You can find my email in my channel details. Hope to hear from you soon.
I appreciate the offer but these days I'm more of a fish when I can instead of planning trips. Life likes to get in the way of my fishing. I'm sure you can relate. Hope you get on them.
I don’t troll spoons very often. I haven’t found a need to as my catch rates are pretty good with my current techniques. I have trolled Kastmasters at the surface with no special rigging.
Really appreciate people like you who are so knowledgeable, and willing to share that knowledge, so others can enjoy this wonderful hobby. Your channel is a gold mine of info and entertainment. I’m looking to buy 1 or 2 rod holders that fit into the track. What is your favorite? Looks like you may be using two different types in this video.
Which fish gripper are you using? I haven't found one I like or is strong enough. Awesome fish. I got into some nice 40+ fish this past year on the Hobie
@@MDYakFishing i guess I just have never had luck swimming a minnow. The only time I can get them to hit it is stopping and popping it. So it never occurred to me to troll with it. I'll try it this sunday.
You're literally the only guy I watch to prepare for trolling stripers in the spring and fall! I always look forward to your next videos sir. Thank you! Cheers from PEI, Canada 🍻
Most of my fishing is from Solomons Boat Ramp and Fishing/Crabbing Pier and further south. I don’t fish the hot spots as they are too crowded for my liking. I have a radius of about 10 miles from each launch and spend hours just searching each trip. I pattern them as they move up the bay and I move with them. I say that just to say there is a lot of nothing on the road to land them if you fish like I do.
Congrats on your ...what do we call it now? Used to be pre-Trophy catch & release season, but now just catch & release pre-spawn season? Anyway, I admire your dedication in battling the elements and ignorant boaters for some very tight lines to share with us. So, at 31:07 on your video, there is a really weird reflection or artifact in the water between your port side and the lure on the surface. It makes one wonder if you catch so many fish because you are an off-worlder and we are looking at the reflection of your ship or the wormhole you rode in on? LOL! (sort of 🤔) I'm sure you will be getting full into the white perch now. Looking forward to those videos too. Happy hunting and thanks for the quality narrative of your early Spring 2024 quest!
Thanks! I call it, “Thanks for letting me striper fish” season. lol that was a drop of water on the camera lens…looks crazy. I appreciate you and your feedback. I am looking forward to the perch.
This was awesome bro! You got really got on em this year. Some of those weren't cows. They were dinosaurs. That Yo-Zuri crystal mini is money. It's always the first to be on my line. This was not my year to get out there. Everyday that I could go, it was a small craft advisory or it was pouring for days. Being busy with work didn't help. I hope they don't close it next year. I'm heading north soon and then south for some bulls.
Thanks! I had that issue last year. Some times life gets in the way and the weather stomps on the days you can go. I’ve seen some of your bull catches…man those are the dinosaurs.
Do you ever troll with rods in the molded rod holders? Are they too far forward? Too shallow? Not secure enough? I have the same model Outback, want to do the same thing, and wondering whether I need to buy some track-mounted rod holders… thanks!
Ive used the molded rod holders before. They just don’t give enough spread. I ended up getting more line tangles and with my current setup I rarely tangle my lines.
@@MDYakFishing oh that’s really helpful; I hadn’t even thought of the “spread” issue. So far, my only experience trolling is with one rod, and I’ve held it cause not sure whether to trust those molded rod holders. Just off the cuff, what do you think about the spread between holding one and having the other in the opposite holder? Relatedly, any meaningful spread difference between trolling 7’0 and 7’6” rods?
@@jclynch12 I’ve lost 2 complete rod setups life time trolling for stripers so I take extra precautions these days. The hold one out parallel to the water and one in the holder can work. In that case I’d make sure the lures do not travel at the same depth so you reduce the tangle. The lures will wonder as the current and waves affect their trajectory. I trolled longer rods but in a kayak everything is more difficult with a longer rod. If you break off and have to re-tie the process of getting line through the rod eyes means you need the butt of your rod far away from you…easier to drop in the water…break a tip. Landing fish you need to control the tip of the rod with your off hand to direct the fish towards you…long rods make that a pain. 6’6” rods are ideal but I use all 7’.
Hey bro I have a few questions about this catch. What pound braid did you have on for this fish, what size reel and how long is your fishing rod? Thank you 🫡
You can find them anywhere along the bay. I have another video talking about how to pattern where they will be. That could help you. My range for finding big fish is about 100 miles.
Great review! I look forward to getting into snakehead fishing more this spring! I live in southern maryland. I might've missed it but in your opinion whats the best color of lure and your first choice of lure? Thank you for your advice!
Thanks, best color is generally dependent on the body of water I'm fishing. I have good look with white, red, and green. My most productive snakehead lure is the 1.75" Lunkerhunt popping frog. I think any frog that is 2" or less will do well. It comes down to your technique.
Hey guy, I know it’s 3 years late, but just started trolling for Stripers around coastal Ga rivers. I appreciate the info you gave, as I had no idea about lure choices, speeds etc…. I just happen to stumble on some fish one day playing, and kinda been hooked ever since👍 Thanks
@@MDYakFishing Thanks for the reply. I’m currently going thru all your videos, and gleaning lots of good info from each one! How can you easily gauge how far back your lure is? I’ve just been making a long cast ( Not sure how far that is) and going 4 mph, which I guess is too fast? My lure keeps coming to the top, and skipping? Not enough line out? Too fast? Thanks again.
