Kayak float help near Exton

[ziggy]

This is my first post here and I wanted to first say thank you for all your help so far. I'm from Ohio and there is a similar forum called Ohio Game Fishing with a community almost as friendly as all of you. I would highly recommend it to anyone who will be fishing in Ohio to check it out.

I'm new to the area and I'm looking for some help on finding some nice stretches of water to float with the kayak. I'm fortunate to have a work buddy who will go with me so we have two vehicles making it easy to plan out the float. The problem I'm having is finding locations where we can both park vehicles and pull the kayaks in and out of the water. I'm located out of Exton so I'd like to find some nice stretches within an hour. I'm usually fishing for bass so stretches of water that hold bass would be great. Please don't give away your honey holes. I'm just looking for places to park so we can get in and out of the water.

Last weekend we went out to the Schuylkill along valley forge park. We put in at Pawlings rd and floated down to Betzwood Trailhead. We were out from 3:00 - 7:00 with only a single bite. Flow was way down due to the lack of rain and the temp was way up near 80°. I talked with one kayaker there who said he used to fish this stretch for smallies years ago with success but now he doesn't even bother anymore because it's all catfish now.

Tight lines this weekend. Gotta love when the weather pattern changes.

[cmack]

Although I haven't given it much of a chance, I do not recommend the Skuke for anything other than catfish. If you are up in Exton, try the Brandywine. The summer can be absolutely bonkers. There are tons of fish in there willing to bite: smallmouth, largemouth, rock bass, redbreasted sunfish, fallfish, crappie, perch, catfish, some big trout on occasion, and even some muskies. Also, there are plenty of carp and suckers in the mix if you have figured out how to catch them. Drifting the East Branch can be tough (due to water levels) but rewarding, like from Kerr Park to Ingrams Mill. My favorite is from Shaws Bridge to the River Museum. Usually fish are not huge, but sometimes they will surprise you. 

[Deleted]

River has been a little tough this year but give it another try. There's a bunch of nice stretches. I like to launch at ganshawny park Or up river a little at Union township launch behind Montys mulch. Then you can get out at Pottstown, towpath, linfield or Phoenixville ramps Depending on how many miles you want to cover. Each stretch has some nice sections. I would take an afternoon on there over the lakes any day. Usually do well with dark Senkos. If things are slow I'll switch to a grub to.

[wader105]

ziggy
if you're looking at the brandywine (there are two - east and west branches), i don't know of any decent stretch on the east branch to float. you're better off trying the west branch - google map north brook canoe. they do float trips from their place downstream toward delaware. not sure how the fishing is but the float should be better with a couple decent pick up spots.

[ziggy]

Thanks for all the advice so far I really appreciate it. I made it out to east brandy last Sunday with little success but still had fun. Caught 2 small bass, one a dink smallie and the other a little baby LM. Both were caught on top water. I also threw tubes, spinners, shallow cranks, and senkos without any luck. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to rig the senko or appropriate size? I went with a 5" Texas rigged weightless. Wish I had some nail weights to try.

[Deleted]

If you go with a smaller Senkos you'll get more action but less likely to get the bigger boys in my experience. I think a 3 or 4 in would be good for the Brandywine though. Where did you launch at?