7/19/14 - Winthrop Harbor/Belle Isle Area
As part of my birthday gift this year my girlfriend booked us a Guided Kayak fishing trip. Small outfit called Belle Isle Kayak (http://www.belleislekayakadventures.com/) located in Winthrop, and run out of the Belle Isle Boat Yard. The plan was to meet up at 3pm and catch the incoming tides until the 6pm high tide, then some of the outgoing tide. So we meet Rick (owner) and his wife Rose, very nice older couple at the location. They have our kayaks ready to go, and I can tell immediately that Rick is filled with sarcasm like we are, and this was going to be a fun trip regardless. Since we had never kayaked before, Rick gave us quick intro to kayaking, and let putt around near the launch site to get the hang of it, and we both picked it up fairly easy. Rick's kayak was a pedal drive Hobie. He had us in a couple Prowler 13's, and from what I read it is a very popular fishing kayak.
So off we go to an area that Rick knows, and thinks we can find some Stripers. That main method we would use was strolling a tube & worm. Outside of a couple small schoolies Rick got early, the bite was slow all the way through the high tide. As the tide started to head out things started to pick-up a little, as Rick got a better schoolie. Short time later there was a boat out in the same area with a couple guys casting plugs, and one of them get into a good one on a topwater. Probably a 34-35", as the guy holds it up to a near by Melissa and says "this is want you're trying catch hunny"... haha, the few of you that know her know it took a lot of restaint for her not to tell him to shove it, and only response with "yeah, that's a nice one" lol. Next part is the best, I was a little ways away talking to Rick as he get into a good one, as he fighting it, I see Melissa struggling with something in the distance and say to Rick "does it look like she is on one?" He couldn't tell either, so I start heading over to check it, and now I can tell she is! Still near that other boat she battles this fish right to the kayak like a pro! I get there and first words out of my mouth were" Holy S***! Look at the size of that fish!" I hoist it up into my lap to secure it, and Melissa says to the guys in the boat eagerly watching "Hey, got something we can measure this with?" lol, they did, a yard stick. I get a rough estimate that this toad of fish is bigger than the yard stick by a inch or two. Apon return of the yard stick Melissa let them know what size fish they were looking for! WOW, first Striper ever for her is this monster keeper. Very proud of her! Rick had made his way over with his 32" that he got at the same time. It was getting late we decide to start making our way back, but we would stoll this one sand bar area on the way. As soon as we get to it Rick is on a another small schoolie, and finally I get into one...and it's all of 12" maybe, haha. Hey still outstanding experience, with lasting memories... and jealously that my girl has a personal best Striper at 37-1/2" bigger that my 35" haha.
Definitely a trip I would do again! Rick was a great guy, and guide. Lots of joking, and laughs. I would highly recommend Belle Isle Kayak to anyone interested.