Billy Mellendick and I fished the Lower Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River late last year on a windy day with a bluebird sky. Fishing was fine, but there was no catching that day. We talked about that trip throughout the year and were determined to make things happen this year on that stretch of the Bay.
We left Catonsville, MD at 5:00pm, and with calm winds forecast, we planned to use Billy's boat instead of mine. After picking up some essentials; coffee, orange juice, egg with bacon and cheese sandwiches, at the Farm Store off of Rt. 97, we headed to Pt. Lookout State Park. After launching the boat we headed toward a productive location known as 'Two Fingers'. When we arrived there were plenty charterboats trolling, a handful of boats light tackle jigging, and plenty of working birds. Once we stopped the catching started.. The stripers were taking a 5" Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ rigged on a 3/4 ounce jighead and a Storm, 6", WildEye, Swim Shad , jigged off the bottom in water from 55 feet to 42 feet. The larger fish were away from all the boats and stayed there until the fleet moved in.
You can see some gannets in the above picture. If you're looking for the larger stripers look for this bird working the water. This picture was taken after a large majority of boats had left the water. That allowed us to float over schools of ocean run stripers. Before we knew it lunchtime had passed so we ate on the run when the boat was moving between the schools. The current became swifter after 2pm and we changed to Shimano, JTVF112, Butterfly Jig Flat-Side 112g/4 ounces (caught the largest fish this trip).We left Catonsville, MD at 5:00pm, and with calm winds forecast, we planned to use Billy's boat instead of mine. After picking up some essentials; coffee, orange juice, egg with bacon and cheese sandwiches, at the Farm Store off of Rt. 97, we headed to Pt. Lookout State Park. After launching the boat we headed toward a productive location known as 'Two Fingers'. When we arrived there were plenty charterboats trolling, a handful of boats light tackle jigging, and plenty of working birds. Once we stopped the catching started.. The stripers were taking a 5" Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ rigged on a 3/4 ounce jighead and a Storm, 6", WildEye, Swim Shad , jigged off the bottom in water from 55 feet to 42 feet. The larger fish were away from all the boats and stayed there until the fleet moved in.
Most Productive Light Tackle Techniques this Trip: The boat is drifting with the motor off.
Jigging the Bottom During Different Current Speeds
Slower Current – Soft plastics baits are very productive here with jigheads just heavy enough (normally ¾ or 1 ounce) to keep the lure in contact with the bottom. Cast the lure up current and let it hit the bottom. Keep the rod tip in line with or parallel to the horizon while moving the lure, in short horizontal jigs, back toward the boat with a tight line and the lure on the bottom. Do this until the lure is back to the boat.
Swift Moving Current – Metal jigging spoons and butterfly jigs are very productive here with enough weight to allow it to hit the bottom again and again, etc. From the up current side of the boat , open the bail allowing the spoon to hit the bottom. Let some additional line out, normally as much as the water. When the line is tight, move the rod tip from 9 o’clock to 12 o’clock swiftly. From 12 o’clock back to 9 o’clock keep a tight line moving the rod tip fast enough so it doesn’t diminish the movement of the spoon when it is falling back to the bottom. If the lure stops before it hits the bottom, set the hook.
It was really difficult to leave this beautiful stretch of our Bay, but unfortunately the catching day was ending and we had a 2 1/2 hour drive in front of us. On the ride home we talked about how exciting the day had been and when can we get down to the Lower Bay again. I talked with Capt. Brady Bounds and with the water temperature now at 44 degrees he advised me that the fish should stay there until Christmas....I sure hope so.
Thank you Billy for inviting me to fish with you this trip.
Happy Holidays to All
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