Striped Bass Headed North Toward the Susquehanna Flats

I pulled up to Billy Mellendick's house this past Wednesday around noon.  He had just finished re-installing the transducer on his boat that came loose in the Patapsco River when we fished two weeks ago.  On the way to the ramp Billy said, "I just need to catch one good striper today".  As things turned out, his wish came true.

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On his first cast the rod bent and the drag started zinging.  We both knew it was a big fish as it stayed deep while the boat drifted away from the structure. Once the striper came to the top and was ready to be landed I slid my hand down the line, pulled up on the jighead, put my whole left hand in it's mouth, and my right hand just behind the stomach then handed the fish to Billy.  After taking a quick picture we measured the striper before gently placing it back in the water to revive it.  The striper swam away under its own power heading back toward deep water.

I caught a few stripers, but they were nothing like the one Billy caught.  It weighed approximately 17 pounds, was 32" long, and turned out to be the largest striper he's caught on light tackle to date.

Thanks Billy, for a great day, and congratulations on your catch.

The water has warmed up to 43 degrees, an increase of 4 degrees from last week.  The most productive lure was a Z-Man, StreakZ, 5", Redbone, scented soft potbelly-minnow design lure, fished on a 1-ounce jighead.

In March I have a few trips planned to fish the Susquehanna Flats, on light tackle and fly-fishing equipment.  I hope you can join me this April or early May to fish the flats.