Topwater Catching with Light Tackle

It was a beautiful day to spend on the Chesapeake Bay. Just prior to sunrise Kathleen Watkins and Frank Zastawnik met me at Sandy Point State Park. Once aboard everyone put on automatic/manual personal flotation devices and after a safety briefing we head south on the Chesapeake Bay.

We didn't waste any time since the maximum current was ebbing (outgoing) at 7:45am at the mouth of the river. When we arrived the stripers were blitzing and the birds were working the water...what a sight to see. I handed Kathleen and Frank some light spinning tackle with large Smack-It topwater lures attached to the end of the leaders. It wasn't long before I was unhooking some nice stripers, with my FISH OFF Gloves on. Topwater catching went on until 9:45am.

Frank & Kathleen with a few Keeper Size Stripers

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Most Productive Lure

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Most Productive Technique:

Pop, Pop, Pop, & Stop (Poppers)

Cast the lure, put the rod tip just above the water, pop it 3 times swiftly, and stop popping for 1/2 second. Repeat this cadence again and again, until the lure is back at the boat.  If the striper blows up on the lure and misses it keep popping it, the fish will come back for seconds, thirds, etc.

Equipment:

Rod:    6 foot, Medium Heavy Spinning 

Reel:   Penn Spinning Reel

Line:   15# Berkley FireLine w/30# Fluorocarbon Leader

NOTE: I will be giving a seminar, Light Tackle Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay:

Day/Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Time:        07:00pm

For:           MSSA, Kent Island Chapter

Location:  American Legion Hall, 800 Romancoke Rd., Stevensville MD 21666