Susqu. Flats 2007

[Silverbrook]

I know it's Mid-March, but the itch has become to bothersome to ignore. It's time to dunk the boat and try.

Has anyone been out yet, and if so what are the conditions/temps/results? I haven't read too many reports (unless ive missed the threads) on here as of yet, and I guess that could mean the action is either great or still dormant.

[marlinmatt]

waters alittle cold yet, i wont be dunking until probally the anglers choice bass tournament on the 25th. but if it wasnt for that i wouldnt put in until atleast april 1st or so. some guys at susquehanna tackle said it was about 39-42 a few areas of surface temp of 43 and alil murky but not as bad as they woulda thought due to all the run off snow-melt and rain.

[capt. ed]

Ditto. coupla smaller resident fish have been caught, but it's not really time yet. SOON!

[Timmy T]

I have a 4 day weekend the last weekend in march/first in april, might head down there, never been

[FishOn!]

I have a 4 day weekend the last weekend in march/first in april, might head down there, never been

That would be an excellent time to go. Just have a good GPS with maps or go with someone who has been out there. Lots of skinny watter and it gets skinny quick.

A few fish were caught there today with some temps near 47* I'm going out there tomorrow and I'll give a report.

[FisherManJohn55]

Was out on both Susquehanna River and the flats today just testing and tuning. Water temp averaged about 35-36 degrees on both. Little bit of debris floating on both also. Just need a good string of warm weather on the Mid-Atlantic region and they'll be here. It was great to be on the water again! Hopefully this next weather front thats getting ready to pass thru the region doesn't slow things down to much.

[Miller]

We have not only a good GPS, but also local knowledge of the flats and the channels. before long we'll be in the money. looking forward to april.peace

[procastinator]

Was out on both Susquehanna River and the flats today just testing and tuning. Water temp averaged about 35-36 degrees on both. Little bit of debris floating on both also. Just need a good string of warm weather on the Mid-Atlantic region and they'll be here. It was great to be on the water again! Hopefully this next weather front thats getting ready to pass thru the region doesn't slow things down to much.


I live along the West Branch of the Susquehanna. The river is puking out some pretty nasty stuff as of late , and it is all heading for the flats. That spring thaw is usually a good thing, it gets rid of all the ice and debris, and the flats have a chance to warm and clean up. Unfortunatly we are looking at an additional 12+ inches of new fresh snow pack that is gonna set the flats back another week or two. Mother Nature is being a real bitch lately. I'm thinking the second to third week in April is going to be when the Flats really show it's stuff. Before that, I think the fishing will be pretty tough.

[FisherManJohn55]

Living in the Town of Port Deposit,Md we're looking at possibly as many as 17 spill gates opened by Sunday at the Conowingo Dam. Which may cause minor flooding within the Town if there are more than 15 spill gates opened and slow down the arrival of the migrating fish. There was an ice jam up river in Conklin, N.Y earlier this week;which is being compounded by this current weather event. Whether it is rain or snow event in the upper Susquehanna River Basin it is going to be an issue. If it is snow;there is warmer weather on tap for next week which will cause an more prolonged high river flow,at least if it is all rain event the high flow will be over in a couple of days. It then takes several weeks for the river and the flats to clear up after a high river flow event. I hope that it doesn't have to much effect on the spring migration run of all the fish that migrate up the Chesapeake Bay, the Shad, Herring etc. Which have to be migrating here for the Rockfish to be here since the Rockfish are just following their food supply;remembering 70% of the sweet-water that flows into the bay comes from the Susquehanna River. The shad, herring etc, must to be here for the Rockfish to be here.

Here is a link and the Hotline Phone #'s for the dam. The spill hotline is updated every 8 hours.

http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=phi&gage=cnwm2&type=0&view=1,1,1,1,1,1

Conowingo Dam Spill Hotline 1-877-457-2525
Conowingo Dam Generation Schedule Hotline 1-888-457-4076

[foulhook]

Was out on both Susquehanna River and the flats today just testing and tuning. Water temp averaged about 35-36 degrees on both. Little bit of debris floating on both also. Just need a good string of warm weather on the Mid-Atlantic region and they'll be here. It was great to be on the water again! Hopefully this next weather front thats getting ready to pass thru the region doesn't slow things down to much.


I am up in the poconos and have about 16 inches of snow on my doorstep right now and it aint over by a longshot. Bad news is when it melts which won't be for about a week based on the temps, Its gonna be heading that way...Flats are a wash for a while now.

Tight lines, FH

[capt. ed]

This stuff happens every 3 out 4 years for us on the Flats. I don't start with firm bookings until second week in April for just that reason. There will be some fish around late March, early April...but it's usually too tough until mid April to reliably count on. Good dry weather and low flow can clear up the waters in less than week. This latest weather and the conditions north on the Susky is typical, and early enough to be done and over with before the good fishing starts.
Good post Fishermanjohn. Folks in the Port usually are quite atuned to the dam flow and river conditions. Welcome to the BARN.

[foulhook]

This stuff happens every 3 out 4 years for us on the Flats. I don't start with firm bookings until second week in April for just that reason. There will be some fish around late March, early April...but it's usually too tough until mid April to reliably count on. Good dry weather and low flow can clear up the waters in less than week. This latest weather and the conditions north on the Susky is typical, and early enough to be done and over with before the good fishing starts.
Good post Fishermanjohn. Folks in the Port usually are quite atuned to the dam flow and river conditions. Welcome to the BARN.

I hear you Ed,

I guess it was about 5 years ago that we had a nice warm dry spring on the flats. I remember actually catching a couple fish in February. Last few years it has'nt gotten good until the end of april. But the Largemouth fishing is great in may;) ...I don't think I have met you down there. Tom hughes, walleye pete, mikey benjamin, etc. Pete fished CBBT pretty hard this winter had dinner with him and Wild Bill at sting rays and he was looking pretty beat at that point. Whats your last name Ed?

by the way we ended up with 20 inches here looks like friday the melt will start.

Tight lines, Bob

[capt. ed]

Ed Robinson. Tom Hughes is a friend of mine. I see and speak with Mike B. all the time as we are both in the Upper Bay Chapter of Marylands CCA. Mike is extremely active concerning fisheries issues and top-dog on the Flats. Pete sends me some referrals from time to time, as I fish from the eastern shore and he is based on western. I was down at CBBT in December a few days. Also ate at Stingrays (where else?). Saw Pete and some of the guys down there then. You won't find two more knowledgable and capable fishermen then Pete and Mike, that's for sure.
Once the Flats season gets going, we all talk to help keep our clients on the fish. Tom, Pete, Mike, Skip Slomski and myself should all be close to fully booked for April so we'll be out there everyday.

20 inches? Dang.

[foulhook]

Ed Robinson. Tom Hughes is a friend of mine. I see and speak with Mike B. all the time as we are both in the Upper Bay Chapter of Marylands CCA. Mike is extremely active concerning fisheries issues and top-dog on the Flats. Pete sends me some referrals from time to time, as I fish from the eastern shore and he is based on western. I was down at CBBT in December a few days. Also ate at Stingrays (where else?). Saw Pete and some of the guys down there then. You won't find two more knowledgable and capable fishermen then Pete and Mike, that's for sure.
Once the Flats season gets going, we all talk to help keep our clients on the fish. Tom, Pete, Mike, Skip Slomski and myself should all be close to fully booked for April so we'll be out there everyday.

20 inches? Dang.

We have probably met but if we have'nt I'm sure we'll run into each other this season. I will be down with Wild Bill most of the time. Although I got an offer to leave my boat on the water for free right around the corner from turkey point for the C&R. After that I start heading up the coast. I do a few trip for Choomper blues on the fly in NJ but sometimes skip right by to CT/RI then on to the Cape and later up to Glouster and Casco ME. Usually end the season down at CBBT or Rudee if the fish are still there. I'll leave my boat at the Kiptopeake hotel for Dec-January.

What boat do you run? I'm in a Twin Vee just like Toms...

I agree Mike probably knows the flats better than anyone. I told him along tome ago that I was gonna put lowjack on his boat. Pete is always generous when he finds fish. Even if he has clients he'll make a phone call to let us know he found the large. I stay away from the pack down there. Probably why we keep in touch because they all stay away from the pack as well..

Look forward to meeting you Ed.

Tight lines, FH

Tight lines, Bob

[capt. ed]

Come say Hi when you see this:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h21/captainedwin/11-1.jpg

[foulhook]

Come say Hi when you see this:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h21/captainedwin/11-1.jpg

You look familiar...Is that a new boat though (SV2100 or 1900???) I recognize that logo though....

If you have clients I'll wait till the end of the day to say hi...

Tight lines, Bob

[capt. ed]

SV 2100. This will be her fourth season. I try pretty hard to keep her nice! That pic was taken in November down in Cambridge at the FLW tourney.

[procastinator]

SV 2100. This will be her fourth season. I try pretty hard to keep her nice! That pic was taken in November down in Cambridge at the FLW tourney.
That has got to be about the perfect boat for down there. I sold my flats boat last year , after the flats season of course, and I am gonna miss her bad this year. The new boat is a little large for down there, but I'm gonna make her do ! :(

Here is my old boat, another perfect flats boat, you most likely saw it before.
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/538/medium/procastinator1.jpg

[Silverbrook]

...I don't think I have met you down there. Tom hughes, walleye pete, mikey benjamin, etc. Pete fished CBBT pretty hard this winter had dinner with him and Wild Bill at sting rays and he was looking pretty beat at that point. Whats your last name Ed?

by the way we ended up with 20 inches here looks like friday the melt will start.

Tight lines, Bob[/quote]

we fished with Capt. pete last year, after seeing him do a spot with Poveromo on ESPN. To say he knew his stuff is putting it mildly, and we were on the fish all day long. We all had boats, but wanted a little local knowledge and he was excellent at providing us aid. Nothing but good things to say about the walleye....

[dmb16]

anyone here ever fish with Gary Neitzey on the flats?
tks.

[DEEP POCKETS]

...I don't think I have met you down there. Tom hughes, walleye pete, mikey benjamin, etc. Pete fished CBBT pretty hard this winter had dinner with him and Wild Bill at sting rays and he was looking pretty beat at that point. Whats your last name Ed?

by the way we ended up with 20 inches here looks like friday the melt will start.

Tight lines, Bob

we fished with Capt. pete last year, after seeing him do a spot with Poveromo on ESPN. To say he knew his stuff is putting it mildly, and we were on the fish all day long. We all had boats, but wanted a little local knowledge and he was excellent at providing us aid. Nothing but good things to say about the walleye....[/quote]

I had the chance to fish next to Walleye Pete last spring and I was giving him a hard time how George P should have made the trip to the flats this year & not the year he came up as the fishing was real difficult in spring of 2005. It was fun, we were catching fish jigging BA's on the southern end while talking stripers with WP. Real nice guy.

Will keep an eye out for ya this year Capt Ed, couldnt make it up to the Reading Sport Show.

[capt. ed]

Gary Neitzey and his buddy Richie Gaines are on the Flats quite often. They bring their boats up from Kent Island. Gary has an Everglades and it seems real nice. I have not had the pleasure of meeting him.
Running with Pete on May 2 and 3 to take some guys for him that need two boats. He runs out of Owens Marina in Perryville, bringing his boat up from southern Maryland. Pete is definetly an great guide, learned a lot about the Flats from Mike Benjamin. We are all hoping for a stellar season.

[dmb16]

thanks, Capt. Ed.

do many guys throw custom wood plugs on the flats or is it more a smack-it, bass ass. game?

[foulhook]

thanks, Capt. Ed.

do many guys throw custom wood plugs on the flats or is it more a smack-it, bass ass. game?

Lots of guys throw big custom wood plugs there. No toothy critters to tear them up there. One of the few places I fish where you don't have to worry about a blue killing a beautiful plug...Try the big Amazon ripper there too.

Tight lines, FH

[2dogs]

This will be my first year on the flats. I run an 18 Lund Alaskan in Shadow Grass Camo with a 75 Merc 4s tiller. I will gladly accept all tips and criticisim. Don't hesitate to tell me to get out of your spot.

[marlinmatt]

2dogs dont worry about it man, no spots on the flats just open shallow water with moving fish all day long.. just use your common sportsmans skills and not getting too close to anyone, or running too close.. definatley no full bore running through the flats either. its alot of fun good luck this year. get out of the 18 skeeter bass boats way.. haha only kidding. see ya out there.

[foulhook]

This will be my first year on the flats. I run an 18 Lund Alaskan in Shadow Grass Camo with a 75 Merc 4s tiller. I will gladly accept all tips and criticisim. Don't hesitate to tell me to get out of your spot.

The other thing is don't run through a guys drift(run through where he has already drifted). Guys get pissed about this down there. Also don't cut in on a guys drift. There are plenty of fish for everyone. My advise would be to avoid the pack all together. Always seem to do better finding your own fish.

Have fun,

Tight lines, FH

[Flyguy784]

Hey Bob, Stayed at the Kiptopeake a couple times last fall myself. Slammed down a few soft shells and Coronas at sting rays. Kind of an unusual place but good food. I'll be running a 17' Triumph center on the flats, I'll be down there about 4 days a week, especialy at night, bet i'll see ya there.

[capt. ed]

Custom wooden plugs...I like these and yes they do work on the Flats!

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h21/captainedwin/lonelyanglerplug.jpg

Lonely Angler makes awesome wooden plugs, poppers, needlefish, etc.

[Flyguy784]

2dogs, run fast in the channels and crawl up onto the flats, slow and quiet. there's plenty of fish no need to rush things and you will put em down if you blast up into the shallows. Try Sandy Point rip, right at the start of the C&R southern boundry. Always did well there.

[foulhook]

Hey Bob, Stayed at the Kiptopeake a couple times last fall myself. Slammed down a few soft shells and Coronas at sting rays. Kind of an unusual place but good food. I'll be running a 17' Triumph center on the flats, I'll be down there about 4 days a week, especialy at night, bet i'll see ya there.

Hey man you gotta give me a call sometime. We probably sat right next to each other at stingrays. 17 foot triumph? Did I meet you at montauk last fall at the Snug Harbor????

Tight lines, FH

[Flyguy784]

it's possible did an Albie run up there. I'll give you a holler this week.

[Flyguy784]

friend of mine has a family house right near the light house.

[Flyguy784]

Hope to be sporting a Colton Tradewinds up there next year. LOLhttp://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

[foulhook]

Hope to be sporting a Colton Tradewinds up there next year. LOLhttp://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

You will be;) and I think it might be sooner than I thought!

I think I did meet you up there last fall. Were you fishing with a guy that was prostaff for Orvis??

It was definetely a 17ft triumph I remember that. I had albie on the brain that morning. Thats the only time I go to Montauk, during the albie run..

It a friggin small world man!

Tight lines, FH

[Flyguy784]

No Orvis guy with me, one more thing. Cod cakes at the Shagwan Inn. Thats good news about the outfit. i'll give ya a call. It is a small world, we'll probably be seeing each other all over the place now. And thats OK, looking forward to it Bob. Dinner time !

[capt. ed]

Careful fishing that rip. It does sometimes really hold fish, but is dead on the legal border. THE MAN is not shy to write tickets for crossing that line.

[Flyguy784]

You got that right Cap, I always nose up to within about 10' of the line just to be safe. Sure would be nice if the State moved that line about 50 yds to the south. How do you feel about guys that sneak up into the restricted area by Octarora. Had a guy tell me he found a spot where he was pounding big girls, when I questioned him on where it was, he was fishing up there. I told him no thanks, in my opinion there's a reason it's a restricted area. His response" if you get caught, just tell the man you're fishing for shad". Just aint right ya know. Still think he'll be fishin up there this year. I don't need a fish that bad.

[procastinator]

I was shad fishing and talked to a couple of yakkers that were launching their boats in that stream north of Port Deposit on the East side of the river. They told me they fish just below the dam. I asked what they fish for, they said shad. The shad must be huge up there judging from the size of the crankbaits and assasins they had on the ends of their rods. ;);):eek:

[capt. ed]

When the shad get up that far there are generally some big stripers right behind 'em, but I don't go there. My boat don't like rocks for one thing.
It's illegal for another. There are legitimate shad fishermen of course, with shad darts, mepps spinners and the like. Atleast once a year you'll hear of a monster fish swallowing somebodies hooked shad up there.

[bluefishbones]

Hey Flyguy how do u like the Triumph? I have a 21' Logic and can't complain. Can't waite for the flats to open up, hope to see ya there. Maybe we can have a bunch of guys get together at the ramp one morning and keep in touch during the day. :D :D
Tom

[Flyguy784]

Hey Tom, Bunch of guys at the ramp, very cool. I'll bring the donuts. My Triumph, I absolutely love that boat, no I mean I absolutely love that boat. It is so soft, dry manuverable and versatle. It's powered by a 60 hp Yamy 4 stroke, injected. Absolutely reliable. As I say, versatal. I've had that boat to Montauk for Albies, all over Jersey for bass, the bay bridge tunnel, Mosquito lagoon and banana river for reds, trolled sailfish in the keys, Permit in the back country of the Gulf and even took it out 25 miles out of Cape May and slammed the Mahi. Storage was shy when I bought it but I built an aft casting platform with a couple big water proof storage containers now it's cool. All over the Chessy, the Deleware river, the schullkyl. I Love That Boat. I may upgrade to there 22 center just so I can get out when it's to snotty for the 17. Lets hook up.

[Old-guy]

It’s impossible to fish up river without catching the stripers. They are on the move and you never know when they will swim through. I know some guys target them but there are also shad, white perch, smallmouth, Yellow perch and walleye up river. If you want to target most of these fish you have to fish up river. When the catch and release season is open I will be on the flats. The day it closes I’ll be up river.

As a mater of fact it I get chased off the flat I might even try throwing a spinner bait along the bank for smallies.

[jerseydevil]

Nice rig Capt. Ed. Anybody having any luck with the wwarmer temps yet? Supposed to rain all weekend. Don't know what that'll do for the water clarity from up above the dam?

[2dogs]

Which tide is better on the flats?

[procastinator]

Which tide is better on the flats?

There isn't much of a tide up there. The fishing is more keyed on temp and bait. When outgoing draws sun warmed water off the flats towards the south seems to be a strong time for me.

[foulhook]

Which tide is better on the flats?

Really depends on the warm and cold fronts this time of year. Usually the incomming because it brings the warmer water back in. The water comming from the susky is usually colder. It really changes daily there.

Tight lines, FH

[DEEP POCKETS]

Good question, not real sure other than right around high tide at day break or dusk has always been good.

[capt. ed]

Not real tide dependant. As long as you have moving water. Slack tide, eat a sammich. Early on, just find warmer and preferably cleaner water whatever tide it is.