Koinonia Guide Service, Susquehanna Fishing Report (4/21/12)

Hi Gang,

The river was at 3.9 at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 3.7 with 11,000CF of flow and 67 degrees.  

1. Trip #1 – Guide Trip – This was on Monday and was a half day PM trip and we caught 6 bass and 1 channel cat. The largest bass was17” and the channel cat was 7.11#. We caught them on Spinnerbaits. We had 3.9 – 13,500CF – Clear – Steady and 64 degrees. We had a BP of 29.90 and falling.

2. Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was Tuesday afternoon at Lake Marburg and we caught 50+ Panfish. We fished from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM and we caught them on a jig/bait combo. The largest was 9” and we had plenty to keep for eating. We had a BP of 30.00 and steady.  

3. Trip #3 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Wedenesday morning and we fished from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM and we caught 5 Smallmouth. The largest was 17.5” and we caught them on Stickbaits and Spinnerbaits. We had 3.9 – 12,700CF – Clear – Steady and 62 degrees. It was cloudy with a BP of 30.20 and falling.

4. Trip #4 – Guide Trip – This was a half day trip on Thursday morning and we caught 7 Smallmouth, 1 Largemouth and 2 Sunfish. The largest smallmouth was 14.5” and the Largemouth was 14”. We caught them on a Stickbaits, Spinnerbaits and Salty Spider Jigs. We had 3.9 – 12,400CF – Clear – Steady and 63 degrees. It was sunny with a BP of 29.90 and steady.

5. Trip #5 & 6 – Guide Trip - This was a two boat outing for half day trips on Thursday afternoon and we boated 32 Smallmouth and 1 Channel Cat. The largest bass was 20” and the Channel Cat was 9.11#. We caught them on live bait, Spinnerbaits and jigs. We had 3.9 – 12,400CF – Clear – Steady and 64 degrees. It was sunny and we had a BP of 29.90 and steady.

6. Trip #7 – Guide Trip - This was a half day trip on Friday afternoon and we boated 25 Smallmouth and the largest was 18.75”. We caught them on live bait and tubes. We had 3.8 – 11,600CF – Clear – Steady and 65 degrees. It was sunny with a BP of 29.90 and falling.

7. Trip #8 – Guide Trip - This was a full day trip on Saturday and we boated 15 Smallmouth and 1 Walleye. The largest Smallmouth was 19.25” and the Walleye was 21.25”. We caught them on live bait, Spinnerbaits, and Jigs. We had 3.7 – 11,000CF – Clear – Steady and 67 degrees. It was sunny with a BP of 29.60 and falling.

8. Trip #9 – Guide Fun Trip – This was a full day trip down at the bay and we boated 40+ small stipers.

9. We had a lot of slime to deal with this week so we were limited to how much we could throw baits with treble hooks. Fishing has been difficult and we had to resort to live baits on numerous trips.

10. The last day of Bass Season on the Lower Susquehanna is April 30^th but don’t worry, Koinonia will still be here to serve you with Catfish Trips, Trips to Lake Marburg and trips on the North and West Branch of the Susquehanna where there is no closed season for bass.

 

Chris with an Angler Award 19.25” and 3.5# Smallie.

Please check out our Web Site at WWW.koinoniafishingguides.com

                                                           

                       HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND LUV THE TUG………REB

Susquehanna Flats Kayak Fishing Jamboree This Weekend!

Don't forget that the Susquehanna Flats Kayak Fishing Jamboree is this weekend. Susquehanna Fishing Magazine will be there.

http://sfkfj.com/

Koinonia Guide Service, Susquehanna Fishing Report (4-7-12)

From Koinonia Guide Service:
http://koinoniafishingguides.com/

Hi Gang,

The river was at 4.5 at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 4.3 with 21,200CF of flow and 48 degrees.

1. Trip #1 – Guide Trip – This was on Tuesday evening and we fished from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM and we boated 5 Smallmouth. The largest was 17.75” and we caught it on a stickbait. We caught 3 on a stickbait and 2 on a Forked Tailed Dinger. We had 4.5 – 24,500CF – Clear – Steady and 57 degrees. We had a BP of 29.80 and rising and we had sunny skies.

2. Trip #2 – Guide Trip – This was a full day trip on Tuesday and we caught 15 Walleye and 12 Bass. The largest Walleye was 20” and the largest Smallmouth was 17.5”. We caught them on soft plastics and Stickbaits. We had 4.5 – 24,500CF – Clear – Steady and 57 degrees. It was sunny with a BP of 29.80 and rising.

3. Trip #3 – Guide Trip – This was a half day AM trip on Wednesday and we caught 8 bass and the largest was 16.5”. Fishing was extremely tough and we caught 7 on Stickbaits and 1 on a tube. We had 4.5 – 24,500CF – Clear – Steady and 58 degrees. It was sunny and extremely windy with a BP of 29.40 and steady.

4. Trip #5 – #6 Guide Trip – This was a half day PM Combo Trip on Wednesday and we had two boats. We went touring and exploring and fishing with a family from Michigan. We caught 4 Smallmouth, 1 Largemouth, 5 Walleye and 1 Channel Cat. The largest Smallie was 16”, the Largemouth was 14”, the Walleye was 18” and the Catfish was 18”. We caught them on Stickbaits, Soft plastics and Sunfish. We had 4.5 – 24,500CF – Clear – Steady and 58 degrees. It was sunny and extremely windy with a BP of 29.40 and steady.

5. Trip #7 – Guide Trip – This was on Friday and was a full day trip and we boated 25 Smallmouth and 20 Walleye. The largest Smallmouth was 20” and the largest Walleye was 18”. We caught them on Stickbaits and Soft Plastics. We had 4.5 – 23,400CF – Clear – Steady and 48 degrees. It was windy and sunny and we had a BP of 29.80 and falling.

6. Trip #7 – Guide Trip – This was on Saturday and was a half day AM Trip. We caught 17 Smallmouth and 8 Walleye. The largest bass was 19.25” and the largest Walleye was 18” and we caught them all on Soft Plastics. We had 4.3 – 21,200CF – Clear – Falling and 48 degrees. It was Sunny and extremely windy with a BP of 30.10 and falling.

7. The sharp drop in water temperature slowed down the Bass activity this week. However, the quality stayed good and we caught two Angler Award Smallmouth.



The Greenburger Family on their Fishing/Exploring Adventure with Koinonia Guide Service. They received a nice video to take back to Michigan with them and they caught a nice variety of fish as well.

Please check out our Web Site at WWW.koinoniafishingguides.com

HAPPY EASTER

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND LUV THE TUG………REB

You MUST wear a PFD in PA this time of year... It's the law!

Even though we have nicer weather moving in, and occasional warm-to-hot afternoon, this is the most dangerous time of year for hypothermia on our region's waters. We continuously post about the importance of safety gear, especially when the water is still cold, but we thought we would repost the PA regulations on wearing a life jacket this time of year (PFD).

From the PA Fish and Boat Commission:
http://fishandboat.com/boatcrs/pfd/faq-pfd-cold.htm

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission passed a new regulation at its September 27, 2011, meeting on life jacket wear during cold weather months. This regulation takes effect November 1, 2012, and states that:

a person shall wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) during the cold weather months from November 1st through April 30th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.

Here is a link to info about the similar regulation in New York State:
http://nysparks.com/newsroom/press-releases/release.aspx?r=760

PA Press Release on Smallmouth Black Spots

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Following recent reports from anglers that some smallmouth bass caught in the Susquehanna River have had irregular black blotches, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today confirmed that similar spots have been previously observed on fish from other waters in the state and that the spots do not appear to harm the fish. The PFBC added that because the spots are limited to skin discoloration, the fish are safe to consume under the state’s general fish consumption guidelines.

“The condition is commonly known as ‘blotchy bass’ or ‘black spot’ and has been documented occasionally in various Pennsylvania waters since as early as 1980,” said Andy Shiels, PFBC deputy director of operations. “In fact, in 1986, a nationwide survey found that the condition was present in 11 other states, including N.Y., Delaware and Maryland.”

The PFBC started hearing from anglers late last year concerning the black spots, which are most often found on the head, lips, tail or fins. Melanin is a black pigment in the skin cells of fish and this condition is often referred to by fisheries scientists as melanosis.

“It’s not precisely known what causes the condition, but the bass that our biologists examined in previous years were generally healthy and in good condition,” said Shiels. “While the appearance of these spots may be alarming, there is no harm to human health from consuming these fish.”

He added that the condition has not been linked to specific pollution events, nor is there any evidence to suggest that blotchy bass condition is related to the young-of-year smallmouth disease issues in the Susquehanna River and some of its tributaries that the PFBC and other agencies have been studying since 2005.

PFBC biologists have documented the blotchy bass condition previously in Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna River (2011, 2006); Cowanesque Lake, Tioga County (2003); the Allegheny River (1999); and in the 1980s in Conneaut Lake (Crawford County), Presque Isle Bay (Erie County), Raystown Lake and several other waters. It also was observed in New York’s Hudson River during the 1980s, which resulted in a N.Y. fisheries biologist surveying other states about the condition. The survey showed that the condition was present in largemouth and smallmouth bass in 12 states in the East, South and along the Gulf Coast.

PFBC biologists who have previously observed this condition indicate that it often occurs during the cold-water period of fall, winter and early spring, and it appears to affect only fish larger than 12 inches. It typically occurs in a localized area and not uniformly in a lake or throughout a river system. Some bass have had one or two spots while others have had a dozen or more.

Because of the previous disease issue with juvenile smallmouth bass resulting in multiple poor year classes, the PFBC has placed catch and release regulations on all smallmouth and largemouth bass on portions of the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers and on their tributaries to a point one-half mile upstream, with a closed season from May 1 through June 15. The regulations apply to approximately 32 miles of the Juniata River, from the State Route 75 Bridge at Port Royal in Juniata County downstream to the mouth of the river at Duncannon, Perry County. On the Susquehanna, the regulations cover 98 miles, from the inflatable dam near Sunbury in Northumberland County downstream to the Holtwood Dam in York County.

Anglers who observe sick fish or other unusual conditions can report it to the PFBC through the website www.fishandboat.com/bassproblems.htm.

Blotchy Bass Condition
Fact Sheet

Characteristics
• Blotchy Bass Condition (also known as melanosis) is characterized by the appearance of irregular shaped black blotches resembling black ink spots. It is caused by an increase in melanocytes (black pigment cells) in the skin. Blotches typically occur on the lips, head, tail and fins. The condition is normally observed in larger adult fish (12 inches) and has been documented to affect up to 25% of a population at a given time. There are several diseases and conditions that affect the skin coloration of fish. However, it is important to note that in fish exhibiting the blotchy bass condition the discoloration will not be raised or inflamed. Bass exhibiting the blotchy bass characteristics appear to be healthy and there has been no known mortality associated with the condition.
• There is no known cause of the condition. It is thought to be related to environmental, growth or genetic factors.
• It has not been linked to general water pollution or specific pollution events.

History
• The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has documented this condition in the Susquehanna River (2012, 2011, 2006); Cowanesque Lake, Tioga County (2003); Allegheny River (1999); Sugar Lake, Crawford County (pre-1999); Lake Wilhelm, Mercer County (pre-1999); Conewago Lake, Lebanon County (1989); Raystown Lake (1988); Presque Isle Bay, Erie County (1986, 1987); and Conneaut Lake, Crawford County (1980, 1981, 1982, 1985).
• The blotchy bass condition was studied in bass in the Hudson River estuaries starting in 1983.
• In 1986 a nationwide inquiry resulted in the condition being documented in 12 states including PA, NY, DE, and MD.

Consumption
• Blotchy bass condition is limited to skin discoloration and presents no human health or fish consumption concerns.

April Susquehanna Fishing Magazine Now Online!

The April 2012 issue of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine is now online and available for free download. Check out this and previous issues at SusquehannaFishing.com.

http://susquehannafishing.com/



This month's Special Interest and Feature Articles:

This Month, by L. Dunham
Mariko Izumi Asks: What’s My Line, by D. Drotman
This Year’s Spawn, by B. Milheim
Opening Day of Trout Season, by J. Misiura
Fixing Up the Boat, by B. Wilhelm
Boutique Baits, by B. Wilhelm

Sponsored by Ocean Kayak

Koinonia Guide Service Susquehanna River Fishing Report (3-31-12)

From Koinonia Guide Service:
http://koinoniafishingguides.com/

Hi Gang,

The river was at 4.8 at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 4.5 with 23,200CF of flow and 53 degrees.

1. Trip #1 – Stocking Trip – This was a Monday evening and we fished from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM and we caught 50+ Sunfish, 1 Crappie and 2 Channel Cats. We were catching fish to stock a portable pond for a kids fishing event at a Church. We had 4.8 – 30,800CF – Stained – Steady and 48 degrees. We had a BP of 29.55 and rising and we had 25 mph winds.

2. Trip #2 – Guide Combo Scouting Trip – This was on Wednesday evening and we fished from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM and we caught 3 Bass, 1 Walleye and 2 Flatheads. The largest bass was 17.75”, the Walleye was 14.5” and the Flathead was 24”. We caught them on soft plastics and cut bait. We had 4.7 – 28,700CF – Clear – Steady and 55 degrees. It was extremely windy with a BP of 29.40 and falling.

3. Trip #3 – 4 Guide Trip – This was on Friday and we had two boats for a full day trip. We boated 23 Bass and 1 Tiger Trout. The largest bass was 19.25” and the trout was 18”. We caught them on soft plastics, Stickbaits and Spinnerbaits. We had 4.5 – 25,200CF – Clear – Steady and 54 degrees. It was sunny and windy with a BP of 29.90 and falling.

4. Trip #5 – Guide Trip – This was a half day PM Trip on Friday and we boated 8 Bass and the largest Bass was 19.13” and was 3.7#. We caught one on a tube and the balance on Stickbaits. We had 4.5 – 25,200CF – Clear – Steady and 54 degrees. It was sunny and windy with a BP of 29.90 and falling.

5. Trip #6 – No Trip

6. Trip #7 – No Trip

7. The sharp drop in water temperature slowed down the Bass activity this week. However, the quality stayed good and we caught two Angler Award Smallmouth on Friday.



Phil with a 19.25 inch 4# Angler Award Smallmouth caught on a modified grub.



Ed with a 19.125 inch Angler Award Smallmouth caught on a Lucky Craft.

Please check out our Web Site at WWW.koinoniafishingguides.com

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND LUV THE TUG………REB