Magnolia 10/1 - 10/3

[bunker]

Played hooky from work Wed - Fri.. Wound up hitting Black Beach Wednesday P.M from 1 - 7. Had a blast. Paddled around for about an hour or so to Kettles Island and back. Once I got past Blacks and into the next cove (South) I got into a mix of blues and bass. Lost two flies right off the bat before putting wire on. Caught numerous blues in the 5 lb range and several bass in the mid 20"s. Continued off and on until it got dark. I had a portable stern light that I used for the first time. It was a clamp on but didn't work to well. Finally wedged it behind the seat with my dry bag.
Returned early Thursday morning to find steady rain. After leaving the house with stars showing. Luckily I was prepared this time. I had the rain gear. Put in and paddled around for a bit until spotting a school in Kettle cove. Turned out to be bass. Caught several 20" and one 30"+. Once these went down I paddled up to Magnolia harbor. Saw birds way out past the island but didn't bother to go chase them. Trolled back caught several more fish, blues, before heading in. After packing it in I drove up into Magnolia and along the shore. Sure enough a massive Bluefish feed going on between the point and the island. With fish coming in close every once in awhile. It looks like the trades caught on as there were several trucks and vans parked with their occupants on the rocks fishing. Not bad, go to work carrying your gear, if somethings up stop and go fish.
I returned again Friday night and found the conditions to be somewhat less than ideal. A honking south wind and 2-3 foot chop. Even if the fish were in shore I doubt if I could have had a shot with the fly rod. Did see one yak guy come in but he wasn't fishing. Turns out he was spearfishing. Nice boat. A Romany(DNK?). Nice lines. Upswept bow and stern looks real pretty.
Never made it back out on the weekend but after having read the other posts it didn't look like I missed much.

Tight Lines

Mike D.

[SamRiley]

Originally posted by bunker
Did see one yak guy come in but he wasn't fishing. Turns out he was spearfishing.

Did he have any luck? Going after Togs I assume.

Great report Mike. If you don't mind me asking, what were the Bass hitting fly wise?

Thanks :)

[bunker]

Sam,

I don't know what he was targeting. He did say he saw some nice black bass(?). However he also said there were a ton of stripers.
As far as flies there was only one that produced for me and thats a crease fly. Any size, usually blue/white. I tried a couple of variations that seemed to work as well. I colored the back half red and tied in some pink/red marabou on the tail. I have tried some puglisi style flies and they worked as well.
Haven't been out since and looks like I won't be able to get out until the weekend. Too many chores.

Good Luck,

Mike D.

[hal11]

Where do you launch and park?

[bunker]

Hal,
This time of year I launch at Black Beach in Magnolia. After Oct 1 its open to anyone without a resident sticker. It's also centrally located as you can fish towards Manchester and up around to Kettles Island and Magnolia Point. More area if you don't mind to paddle.
Directions aren't to bad. Get on 127 going North from Manchester. You'll pass a basketball court/soccer field and a skateboard park on your right. About a 1/2 mile down there will be a reduced speed and a sign showing a side street on the right. This is Shore drive take that right and follow it. Black Beach will be on the right and you can park there. If you continue on this road you come to Kettle Cove which has no parking. Both spots can be really hot.
If the waves coming into Blacks are too much sometimes Kettle cove is a good alternative to launch. There is a little entrance in the seawall where you can pull off, drop your stuff and then park at Blacks and walk back.
Of course this time of year its hit or miss.

Tight Lines,

Mike D.