dell30rb

I'm sure BTL is out there slaying trout somewhere, so it's time for the 2021 thread!

Hopefully its a mild winter, had to break ice to get out of Indian Creek the other day

BTL

LOL not quite, but thanks for starting the thread!

I went out on Saturday and had a really weird day. First fish was a big carp that got the blood flowing cause I thought it was a red, then I snagged two gizzard shad, then got a largemouth bass! Usually I catch nothing but trout and stripers in this location so a freshwater trifecta was bizarre. At the end of the day I did end up catching a couple stripers, one of which would have been a nice keeper two days earlier. No trout this time, think we need a few consecutive days of warm weather to get them going. Water was 43-47 and dirty.

KPHuss

What a way to kick off 2021! Nice work BTL and happy to see the 2021 vintage of this thread alive and well

Mad Hunt

Is that Pittman’s Cove just off your starboard bow in the first picture?

dell30rb

Yes, I am just a bit past the boat basin.

Mad Hunt

Our family is in that cove, though it looked familiar.

Buckee

What do you guys do for engine protection if we get a super cold spell? The 50 degree days in January are tempting but I worry about 2o degrees in February...

Mobjackdog

You mean running an outboard in super cold water temps, right? I don’t think there is anything you can do other than make sure your thermostat is in good working order and that its design blends in the cold water. That’s what it’s supposed to do. I’ve run my small 40hp in frigid icy water a decent amount over the years. No issues. Make sure you lower the engine down while it’s warm so it drains when you’re back on the hard.

hotrodelrod

Im new to Reedville on Owens pond. Can I find any Perch this time of year in my local water? Little Wicomico etc? Itching to get out. Thanks

BTL

I've never fished Owens pond or the LW, but I have yet to find a creek or river in the area that doesn't hold white perch in the Winter. Start as far back as you can go and work your way out.

seascritch

BTL, are u throwing small jigs for the stiffback or using bait of some kind. I know they like bloodworms but imagine fishbites would work.

BTL

I don't really ever target them, but I catch them on trout and striper lures. I'd imagine a little jig or beetle spin would work really well.

xFishdogx

I have caught some good size perch on the popping cork with a plastic shrimp behind it. They will tear it up when fishing next to docks.

seascritch

I think they are great eating and damn good fighters for their size! And give u a target species this time of year.

KPHuss

Minnow under a popping cork was catching them pretty good for me- make great fish tacos!

fishnnk

Any Rock up this far yet? Should be coming up to spawn sometime soon, correct?

KPHuss

Saw some pictures of stunned trout in the area- and hear that there was a 'kill' in some of the creeks off of Fleet's Bay from when it was colder a few weeks back. Anyone heard of anything?

BTL

I've heard of trout kills on the middle peninsula too, including some real gators. I'm aching to get down there, but I'm not even sure it's worth going if most of the fish are dead.

KismetLRC

I don't think they're all dead. I saw a few floaters 2 weeks ago in Fleet's Bay and Indian Creek when I ran the boat down to Hampton for service, but nothing significant. Didn't think about looking at the water temp, but it was a chilly ride.
They're still there, just a few less.

dell30rb

I feel like this winter was pretty average.. thankfully we seem to be near the end.

Was it around 4-5 years ago we had two back to back really cold winters that absolutely decimated the trout population?