I’ve been itching to use the new boat and I had Friday off so I was eagerly planning to spend as much time on the water as possible. I’ve never had a boat that can be poled so I was wanting to try to get on some schooled up reds. Left the ramp at about 8 and was met by some intense fog and a steady 10 mph wind. Crusied barely above idle to the first spot. I quickly realized my boat doesn’t pole very well from the back and it is MUCH easier standing on the front deck on top of a cooler. I ended up seeing 15-20 reds in groups of 3-5 over the next couple hours. Unfortunately, for whatever reason by the time I had seen them they had long seen me and were high tailing it out. By 11 it had warmed up nicely and I was able to wear short sleeves but the wind had picked up making poling a nightmare. Managed to get out and headed to a small creek to tuck back away from the wind. In the creek, I poled right up on a single red and didn’t realize he was there till I was almost on top of him. I also had a decent shot at a group of about 5 but had the fly rod tangled and wasn’t ready. By about 2 pm the fog had come back and a light rain had set in making it miserable so I high-tailed it back to the landing.
Saturday:
I planned to leave early like the day before but was greeted by sub 40 degree temps and waited to put in till about 1230. I didn’t have the heart to try to pole on a big open flat in 15mph wind so I went back to the creek I found a few fish in previously. It was absolutely beautiful with the low water keeping us protected from the wind but the fish were no where to be seen.
Thankfully, in the two days I only saw one dead fish, a small 13ish trout. He looked to have been dead for a couple days so hopefully we are in the rebound.
Heading out again tommrrow if it warms up a little in the afternoon.
Luckily I fell forward into the boat. I just had some bruises and bruised ego. Just be careful. It takes some acclimation. I also slipped on the step to the poling platform…so I cross cut it for grip.
Oh, and in winter always pack a set of extra clothes in the boat. Maybe go to goodwill and get some cheapies…Just in case, never know. As far as reds on the flat try to hit opening points with a lure before getting on the flat just in case they are hanging out there.
Don’t wear cotton. Invest in a wool or synthetic base layer, and layer up with quick dry materials. Wet cotton stays cold and wet. Wet wool will still keep you warm and it retains less water. Also, as noted, it pays to have a dry set of clothes with you.
quote:Originally posted by Screamingdrag
quote:Originally posted by Epres
Great report. That about sums up most of my piling experiences, minus falling off the platform.
I’ve worried greatly about falling in and getting hypothermia even after getting back in the boat. On a scale of 1-10 how bad was it haha ?
17’ Mako
16’ Alumacraft
“You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” - C.S. Lewis
I was poling the alumacraft. Will make sure to bring extra clothes from now on, I’ve never really thought about that. I’m still on the fence about whether to go today or not… my porch temp says 38 right now
Went out again Monday and fished a spot near the harbor in a decent sized creek. I caught numerous trout here on the same tide 3 days consecutively before Christmas. The fish were MIA and the water seemed much colder and clearer. While I was running, I watched a bird drop a decent sized trout. I circled back to check it out and the fish was still moving but seemed stunned and unable to swim. I assume the cold got to the little fella and he floated up.
