Kayak Fleet News
2009
July 25, 2009
Kayak Fleet makes annual trip around Saquish Head.
Elmer drops new rig over the side.
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"It was a beautiful day right up to the incident." says Elmer "It's my first loss of rod over the side, the canal issue doesn't count" Anyway we had a great day, small mistakes with standing. The tide was so high we rode the incoming tide into the backside of the Gurnet and right onto the road.
Rock Bottom inquired after any free give a ways. "Before you throw them away Elmer"
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The mung was thick at the departure point and the rip surrounding the "Head" is always choppy. But the back bay was sweet and we glided home.
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June 28, 2009
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Jimdogg and Elmer make good use of available sun shine to do some Kayak fishing.
June 2009 has been one of the coldest and wettest on record for Massachusetts and New England. So when the weathermen called for clear skies and low winds we headed out to the Gurnet to launch the kayaks and fish for winter flounder. Skies were a beautiful blue and made a perfect background for Gurnet Light. This is one of the prettiest places to go kayaking in SE Massachusetts. With the barrier beaches stretching for miles in both directions there is plenty to see. Lobster fishermen use this area and set out a lot of colorful buoys to mark their traps. This only adds a lot more color to the already intense blue of the water. Small boats hug the rocks hoping to coax a large striped base to take their bait. Boat traffic was busy and you must pay attention at all times. Out on the open water the big boats do not slow down as the pass, throwing large waves in your direction. Be SAFE and........
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Keep an eye on the other guy!
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Jimdogg has his first kayak flounder and of course the omnipresent skates. Elmer gets both winter and summer flounder along with a tiny sea perch. "I'm going for my PS (personal smallest) in saltwater fishing." says Elmer. "So far I have PS's for cod, perch and fluke this year." Well summer only lasted till noon this day. Then the fog rolled in on a cold east wind putting an end to beach weather for another day.
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Got an hour or two to kill?
Get a can of worms from the garden and head out to the local pond with the kayak and have some pan fish fun. Here Elmer catches a mess of pan fish in Reed's Pond, Rockland. Worms on a bobber and small grubs worked equally well. Fish were small average size but had plenty of spunk when hooked. All had strong colors and appeared healthy. Water clarity was only a few feet but the overall condition of the pond is much improved.
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Respect the local residents as it's nesting season for the waterfowl in your local pond.
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If you don't have a kayak there is always plenty of shore line to fish from. Here Pam a local resident catches her first of many perch making for quality time together with her son.
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Kayak Fleet out and about!
Warm weather brings Mar-e out to kayak the Blackstone River Canal at Riverside Farm in Uxbridge. Strong winds made lake and ponds unkind to the average kayaker today. So adjust and find a nice little spot like the canal. This is a good spot for beginners and first of the year outings.
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Just like riding a bike!
Park and put in at the ramp near the farm house. From there you can follow the canal to the right for about 3/4 of a mile. Eastern painted turtles crowded onto any available spot to absorb the warmth of the early summer day in April. Large snapping turtles hugged the bank not willing to haul their great shells out of the water. Both ends of the canal end in dams with the south end having the most to see. There are multiple portages along the river allowing for the more adventurous to take the main river which runs quickly in spots, making an exciting ride for the average kayaker.
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Kayak fleet warms up and visits Duxbury Bay and Outer Plymouth Harbor
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Jimdogg leads the kayak crew across Duxbury Bay, where Black Bass and Common Terns come to play! Kayaking Duxbury Bay is one of the best ways of spending time I know. There are many ways to enjoy your time in a kayak. Fishing is one of them. Another way of seeing the bay is at minus tides. Islands of sand, mud and grass appear from no where. Shallow waters reveal a myriad of shellfish and crustaceans. Large snails and crabs scurry across the flats searching for a safe haven from the seagulls that hunt them. Hermit crabs can be found and fingerling flounder are sent frantically on there way as you cruise by. Terns fill the skies and life is good. Schoolie striped bass hang around the deeper channels waiting to snatch any wayward bait fish, crab or small lobster that makes a mistake and becomes dinner. You can skim the shallows or get out and explore the sandbars. If you have the proper license, you can collect razor clams with yours hand as you go by. I see hundreds sticking halfway out of the mud and they make easy pickings. Cherrystones and large blue mussels make the bay a shell fisherman's delight. Oyster farms are everywhere and are interesting to see up close. Duxbury oysters are excellent and can be found in restaurants nation wide. Local seafood stores will have them also. Hot summer mornings in the dead calm are the best times to get out there. This is also a great place to start your ocean kayaking. The waters are shallow and you can get some wind experience without fear of being blown out to sea. Minus tides are usually found around 6am and pm, when the moon is full or new. Early risers can take advantage of being by yourself or bring the family and friends. The "Bite Me Bait Co" crew frequent the area, so make sure you say "hello" when you go by.
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Grand Poobah Rock Bottom offers up prayers for the safety of the fleet.
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Jimdogg, Flann, Mar-e, Eb Tide and Elmer join Rock Bottom on the tour.
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Scituate Harbor
Memorial day 2007
Jimdogg and Elmer cruise the harbor.
Once again the waters of Scituate Harbor bring peace to the soul. Rolling waves and crashing surf at the mouth lulls the kayaker to sleep. Chasing stripers though can wake you up in a hurry. Jimdogg was using top water gear and I had a mackerel "shadwrap'.
Elmer battles one while Jimdogg shows his schoolie. High tide finds the fish way up in the corners. Kayak fishermen and women have no problem catching plenty for a good time.
The "Bite Me Bait Co." launched the kayak fleet for some fishing and touring of the mouth of the North River. Always a place of strong currents, coming back against an out going "moon" tide was challenging. Elmer and Mare-E met Jimdogg as he was coming down the Herring Brook in Scituate. Jimdogg had just lost a good one at the side of the boat. He followed us back out to the mouth and boy was he sorry. The current was brutal, but our hearts must be in good shape. The next day was just beautiful and we got a mile offshore and rode the incoming tide. Schoolies and dog fish were the order of the day and plenty of baitfish. June 15, 2006
Watch that dorsal spike Elmer!
Go get your big brother!