MAKBF Event 1 Recap

The 2014 MAKBF got off to a running start this past Saturday April 26th. Forty four anglers showed up to Slavin's Boat Ramp to compete for first place on Mattawoman Creek and points towards Angler of the Year.

This year the Angler of the Year will be crowned with custom dog tags which we thought would be fitting for our series as we donate proceeds to Heroes on the Water.

 

 

This event was sponsored by Kanan Lures and YakAttack. The winner of the biggest bass took home this awesome prize package from Kanan Lures.



 

Fishing was somewhat difficult but 14 of the 44 participants were able to limit out with 3 fish, although two didn't check in there catches in time.

 

 

 

Dave "Turtle135" Thompson - 19.5" Big Bass

 

Dave "Turtle135" Thompson - 52.75" Total

Unfortunately we had a small mix up with 2nd place that was missed while taking photos, but we were able to square everything away eventually. So we would like to congratulate Mike "Chexone" Soudee for the quality finish with 50" total.

 

Dave "Donkeyfish" Adlington - 48.75" Total

Angler of the Year Standings:
Dave Thompson (Turtle135)- 12
Mike Soudee (Chexone)- 9
Dave Adlington (Donkeyfish) - 8
CJ Espey (Bust em Baits) - 7
Matt Baden (CB Kayak 02) - 6
Mike Chaney - 5
Jeremy Angle - 4
Alberto Tabian (Berto) - 3
Joe Deisvaldi - 2
Chris Burke - 1


Next event is May 31st at Pohick Bay Park. Click the MAKBF tab at the top of the page for more details and the link to the event on Facebook.

MD Striped Bass Action, Opening Day 2014

MD Striped Bass Opening Day 2014 from Shane Clift on Vimeo.

DIY - PVC Rod Holders V2 -Pro Angler 12

So I was dumb and didn't secure my set up to the kayak... and of course it was only a matter of time that driving highways at speeds of 70mph+ that it was going to fly off and it did last weekend while driving to Piscataway Creek. Fortunately it didn't hit any cars or cause an accident.

So I decided to change the template for my rod holder set up to incorporate the things I liked and change the things I didn't.

1. Keep the trolling arms within the width of the kayak. My previous setup allowed for wider trolling, but it would catch on pilings, bridges, etc.

2. Move it a little further back, as the PA12 seat would be in the way of the vertical rods or vice versa.

3. Make the crabbing prop stick attachment easier to use without having to detach the trolling rod holder.


Parts:

3 -  90 degree elbows
3 -  3-way connectors
2 -  4-way connectors
2 -  90 degree street elbows
2 -  1 1/2 to 1 1/4 downsizers
2 -  1 1/4 pieces to fit in existing rod holders
2 -  1 1/2 pieces 4" long
2 -  1 1/2 pieces 5.25" long
1 -  1 1/2 pieces 6" long
2 -  1 1/2 pieces 10" long (trolling rod holders)
2 -  1 1/2 pieces 1" long
2 -  1 1/2 pieces 7" long (vertical rod holders
Lots of stainless screws (I put 4 screws at each connection) *definitely over kill
Spray paint color of your choice

So I do need to make some minor adjustments in order to get the vertical bases directly over te scupper holes to allow the cart to fit. So I will trim the outer 4-way connector pieces by about 1/2" and then get a new piece for the middle that is about 1" longer. But it works for now. Where I will be fishing this week doesn't require a cart. 

I will also need to file down some of te edges on the rod holders. 

I use the existing hobie bungees to hold the rod holders in place, this should prevent me from losing it again. 

Flats Fishing & Tackle Webs Review

I recently got out to fish the Susquehanna Flats and also test out a new product I just installed on my kayak; The Tackle Webs Hobie Outback Set.

I launched to flat calm conditions and trolled the channel edges with various lures. The only Striper on my kayak came on a Rapala crank bait, and the fish measured at 17". I was just pumped I caught a fish on my new Curado reel. I don't think the big ones have made it up there yet and it will be a little bit before the water warms up. It was also pretty muddy from the recent heavy rains with debris coming from the susquehanna river.

 My Uncle Greg keeps his boat up there for the spring season and I helped him launch and tie it up.
Of course we couldn't launch the boat without getting a little fishing in. We headed out for the evening and anchored up with some perch we caught. Greg got the biggest striper of the day at 19"and his first on his boat this year! There was plenty of Channel catfish around and some made aggressive runs on the bait runner reels.  The biggest Catfish was low 30 inches.

We ran back in on pretty smooth water with the ETec on plane.

The trip was also a good chance to use the Tackle Webs I installed on my Outback. You can check them out on their website.

They are put on either side of your legs and the one above has a pliers holder pocket and another smaller pocket. On the other side there's one large mesh pocket. I used the adhesive backings that come with the Tackle Webs and also put small stainless screws at 3 of the corners to anchor them in. I backed the screws with some marine goop to seal them from the water. The storage is awesome to have and definitely helps you stay organized in a confined area. The other side is where I usually keep my Fish grips and other soft plastics. Overall, they are very convenient to have and are a good upgrade to the Hobie Outback.

As always, it's a good good day on the water when you're catching fish!

Shane

Raffle for Heroes on the Water - Maryland Chapter

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mid-atlantic-kayak-bass-fishing-series-yeti-cooler-raffle-tickets-11095855001

 Follow the link to the raffle for a Yeti Tundra 45. The cooler will also hopefully be stuffed with some extra goodies from our sponsors. Ticket Sales started the other day and the winner will be drawn at the final event 8/16/14. I hope many of you will participate and get a chance at an awesome cooler!!

All proceeds will be donated to Heroes on the Water - MD Chapter. The MAKBF series donates to HOW a portion of entry fees from each event and we are hoping to make a larger contribution with this raffle.

Ticket sales will continue online until July 1st. We will also sell tickets at each of the first 4 events of our series.