Pasadena area/Magothy river

[timsnitch]

If anyone's familiar with the area, there are all sorts of piers and stuff close by. I want to go with the dogs, set up a hammock and relax :-). I've got a 10 ft surf rod that I haven't used in 10+ years. Any suggestions on how to rig and how to catch? I don't particularly care what I'm catching.

[bigjim5589]

Uh, Tim, I've lived here my whole life, and only know of a few areas that have public access. There's a lot of private property along the Magothy, and several communities have access, but they're also all private. Besides Beachwood Park, what other areas have you found? The only other public area I know of is Downs Park, and that's on the Bay just North of the Magothy.

Rigging, a top & bottom is what many use. Some call them tennis cord rigs. They're made with the same material that tennis rackets are strung with, very stout, and have a clip on the bottom for a sinker, and two arms for snelled hooks. Often used with snelled bait holder hooks, size 2 & up depending on the species you're after. Size 2, 1 or 1/0 are normal sizes for the local rivers. Bait the hooks with pieces of bloodworm, peeler crab, shrimp, or clam snouts (soft shell clam), or you can use the various Gulp or Fishbites products. Even nightcrawler will work. I like to use the snelled hooks that have small spinner blades & beads on them. Sinker sizes will also vary, depending on current, but a 1 to 2 oz should work fine. Try a pyramid sinker, they hold bottom very well.

[timsnitch]

What would I be catching if I was to do that?

As far as the areas, the ones I've found are in small communities and are for resident access only. I've gone there and fished before, lounged around etc. I never go and make a lot of noise or drink or smoke, and I always take all of my trash with me. Basically just respect the property. I've never had anyone complain. I figure it's an acceptable risk. If someone was to holler at me or call the police, I can't imagine the repercussions would be worse than being asked to leave. I'm not in anyone's backyard, and I'm not causing a scene.

[bigjim5589]

OK ! 

In the Magothy, there are White & Yellow Perch, various other panfish like Bluegills & Pumpkinseeds, Chain Pickerel, Striped Bass, and Bullhead Catfish, and Channel Catfish. There are also some LM bass, but not a great many.

Right now there may also be some Shad in the river, but they don't bite bait. They will strike small jigs, spoons or flies & spinners.

There have been reports of Croakers moving up the bay, and they're sometimes caught in or near the mouth of the river, as well as Spot. Bluefish are sometimes caught in the river too, but it's a bit too early for them.

Actually, these species are found in most MD tidal rivers from the Chester River south. Bluefish, Croakers & Spot sometimes get further north than that but not often. How far they do up into the rivers usually depends on weather & salinity. Some rivers support Crappies, but I've never caught one in the Magothy. They could be there I guess. There are some Blue Cats in some rivers as well, possibly even the Magothy but I haven't as yet heard of any caught there. As you go further down the bay there are other saltwater species too.

Snakeheads too seem to be spreading, but I've also not heard of them being in our area. They're mostly in the Potomac & it's tributaries. I have heard a report of one being caught in the Pocomoke Rivers, but have seen nothing that confirms it as true.

[timsnitch]

Alright I appreciate the input. Thanks the the help.

[imagine29028]

You've got to get up waaaaaay in the back of the creeks...Cattail/Cypress, etc.

The further up the river, the more the species change, because of the salinity levels.

Throwing rattletraps on the piers in the Magothy in the fall = HUGE rockfish...so much fun.