TWIF (This Week in Fishing) November 3rd - 13th

Thursday, November 3rd:

With a little time before my last class of the week I stopped by a neighborhood pond. I was using a small, 1/16 oz, jig and trailer and managed to hook up with one black crappie. I had a couple more bites but no serious takes. Having only a few minutes, about 20 or so, I was satisfied with one fish and headed to class.

Friday, November 4th:

Tonight's the last regular season football game and I had to head to Charles County. Since we also had a two hour early dismissal I had extra time so I stopped off at Tilghman's Lake Park across from LaPlata High School. When I arrived I looked at the lake itself and thought "Man the shoreline is covered with fallen leaves." But as I approached I saw that I was gravely mistaken. The lake itself had been drained down quite a bit. I decided to go ahead and try a few cast, but where I was standing was a good 5 to 6 feet below the pond's normal level. (I will say it made it easy to see some of the ledges for when I visit again with the kayak.) I still caught a couple of small black crappie. I then had to get back on the way to the game but it was as a nice break.

Saturday, November 5th:

Yesterday as I drove to Lackey High School I passed by the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management area. Having fishing there a while back, as part of my "Fish across Maryland #FaMD""Fish across Maryland #FaMD", I knew a little about the area. Today I decided to return with the kayak. As I arrived I spotted a few anglers standing on the shore watchfully tending their line. The state department of fisheries had planted some trout here and these guys were trying to get their share. I pulled out and paddled across the lake to an area with some lily pads that were beginning to die back. Casting a small jig, dressed with deer hair, I was able to catch a half dozen fish. I'd make my casts just outside of the pads and occasionally the lure would get hit by bluegill or a crappie. None of the fish were a keepable size, so they were all released. As I returned to the launch I saw looked at a couple of the other anglers. No one was catching anything which to me proved that I had to get to where the fish are; so I was really happy I brought the kayak.

Sunday, November 6th:

For a second time this weekend I got the kayak out on the water. This time I took it out on the Patuxent River, leaving from Nan's Cove. The fishing was tough as I really didn't get many bites. Paddling around the edges of the cove with the falling tide the fish just seemed to have disappeared. I did catch a couple of white perch on a small Beetle Spin lure in an area with a little deeper water close by. After an hour and a half I tucked my tail between my legs and headed back to the launch.

Later in the day I drove up to Hunting Creek and spent a little while casting a small jig. Once again the bite wasn't that terrific and I only caught one bluegill.

Tuesday, November 8th: Election Day 2016 and I choose fishing!

After doing a couple of things around the house I drove up to a small private pond and spent some time casting a jig tied with deer hair. It paid off in a small way with a couple of smaller crappie. I switched to golden jerkbait and was able to catch one bass.
Later, before my class, I drove over to another private pond in a neighborhood a little east of my school and spent some more time trying to catch a few. There I caught a handful of crappie including a nice 11 & 1/2 inch one. Each of them were caught with a small 1/16 oz jig with a Arkie Lure Baby Shad trailer. I also tried a crankbait, Firetiger pattern, and was able to catch a 14 inch bass.

Friday, November 11th: Veteran's Day in Calvert County meant inservice for the teachers. After they were all finished I headed home for dinner and some time with the boys. Our football team had a home playoff game so I headed back to the school early for a chance to try a few casts. I decided to try the same small jig with the baby Shad. It paid off a little with a couple of crappie as well as a couple of small bass.

Saturday, November 12th:

A quick stadium cleanup this morning and a head cold that hit me hard around lunchtime really limited my fishing today. I gave the pond at Calvert Cliffs State Park a try to no avail. It had trout planted in it a few weeks back, and I could see a few playing around the surface. But I didn't get any bites at all. A little later in the day I drove up to Hunting Creek for an hour. It was, if I remember correctly, the second cast when I hooked up with a 16 inch chain pickerel. Photos and then a release, then about another 30 casts or so but no more fish.

Sunday, November 13th:

November hasn't been very nice to me on the fishing front. But then again I like to fish shallow from the kayak, and with the changes in weather I think I'm just not hitting the right spots. Nevertheless I did get a couple of hours on the kayak. I got a few of nice hook ups but I was only able to land one small fish, a real "dink" if you will.

I've said it before but my fishing will slow down a good bit the week. Swim season begins on Tuesday so after school outings will be done. I'm not really upset about it because I thoroughly enjoy working with this team. So until next time... Tight lines!