Sunday, April 5, 2015

First Trip of 2015: Perch and Striped Bass, the Mullica River, By Alexi

roof rack still works


I had to get the boat wet to see if it still floated.  I had to get my lines wet to see if my reels still worked. I had to get my butt wet to see if my dry-pants would still be dry.... and so, I went to the Mullica river......
the Mullica river by Hay rd

    Sometimes, life gets really busy and fishing trips are harder to plan or just impossible.  I had a window last Friday and I took it.  The high temperature was 70.  The wind and rain forecast wasn't so hot, but it was worth the risk.  (Chance of thunderstorm and 30mph gusts)   As is usually the case the weather was wrong, there was little to no wind, and it only rained lightly.

almost ready


If I learned anything from my early spring trips last year, it's that this kind of fishing is different than what I'm used to.  Instead of moving constantly and casting, it's better if I anchor in one spot and try to keep my bait (bloodworms) still on the bottom.

overcast


The first fish came pretty quickly in the first spot that I anchored.  It was nice to feel the pull of a striper when what I was really expecting for the day was a trash can full of perch.


24" striper

     I would spend about fifteen minutes in each location.  I was getting bites at every stop, but what I was looking for was a spot that was going to produce consistent perch action.  I fished for about 3 hours and never found that.  However, I was able to pick up four small perch, just enough for lunch the next day.

Perch