Light Tackle Catching on the Chesapeake Bay

The water was calm just before sunrise as we left the dock and headed south in the middle Chesapeake Bay. Once we cleared the Bridge I put the hammer down, heading to an area where there had been plenty of nice stripers busting topwater on prior trips.

When we arrived at there was a flock of working birds over small stripers. After cruising around a few times and not locating anymore working birds, we decided to move into the river. We wanted to catch some striped bass in skinny water using topwater lures. Just inside buoy R”4” the water depth went from 11 feet to 2 feet in one boat length. Jim Maurer had one blow-up on a Smack-It topwater lure but no hook-ups.

There was a 6 foot pocket that went to 2 foot abruptly on the port side across from G”3”. It only took Jim Maurer one cast to land this nice striper.

It turned out to be a very productive day, with a countless number of striped bass being caught on topwater. What’s even better was that 3 good fishing buddies, Jim Martin, Jim Maurer, and Rob Skacel, enjoyed a day together catching fish on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.

NOTE: Click on any picture to enlarge.

I will be giving a PowerPoint seminar titled Light Tackle Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 07:30pm.  For the MSSA, Kent Island Chapter at the American Legion Hall, 800 Romancoke Rd., Stevensville MD 21666. This is free to the public.

Catching Nice Stripers - ALL DAY LONG

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.

What a Sight to See

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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).

This One Caught the Larger Fish

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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.

Billy Landed This 30" Long x 22" Girth Hard Fighting Striper

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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.

Sunset Coming Into Pt. Lookout

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Thank you Billy for inviting me to fish with you this trip.

Happy Holidays to All

The Last Cast Payed Off

David Heath and I enjoyed a 6 hour light tackle fishing trip on the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. We launched at Buzz's Marina and headed southeast to the east side of the shipping channel where the Potomac River dumps into the Chesapeake Bay. We started picking up small bunches of stripers, which we call wolfpacks, on the sonar unit in 45 to 55 feet of water where most were locked to the bottom.

No birds were working all morning. The stripers ranged from 17 inches to 26 inches in this location.

Most Productive Lure: Butterfly Jig, 3 ounces, in gold & silver - Tochterman's Fishing Tackle

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Most Productive Technique: Vertically Jigging the Bottom - Open the bail until the lure comes in contact with the bottom. During the drift, jig the lure off are as close to the bottom as possible. 

David wanted to check out the Potomac River after lunch so northwest we headed and started running structures until the sonar unit lit up...

Water Depth 42 Feet

Sonar Bottomed Out on the Top of the Stripers 27 Feet

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Some of the stripers caught on the Potomac were in the upper 20 and low 30 inch class. They had sea lice on them and put up an excellent fight. I almost got spooled one time.

What a Way to End the Trip (read the title)

33" with Plenty of Sea Lice Hanging On

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If you would like to book a trip to fish this area of the Chesapeake Bay please call or TEXT me on 433-690-3164. I will be booking trips from now until the fish leave normally some time in early January.

If you are looking to do a Walk-On Trip, please call Capt. Brady Bounds at 301-904-0471.

Largest & Hardest Fighting Stripers in Maryland - Now Available

I've been looking forward to this since last spring...a chance to land some large and hard fishing striped bass in Maryland Chesapeake Bay. It finally happened.......

Dave Heath contacted me on Monday asking me if I would like to join him light tackle fishing out of Buzz's Marina in Ridge, MD. We would meet at a Royal Farms Store (we use it as a Park & Ride) on Rt. 97 approximately 2 hours north of the ramp. Once we arrived I had an opportunity to meet and talk with the owner, Mike. I've heard he's a character and that he is. He will give you a up-to-date fishing report, help you launch your boat, and act as a doctor giving first aid to those when needed.

We headed out to the fishing grounds just off the shipping channel where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay.  We had 2 hook ups within 3 minutes after we stopped over a large school of healthy, fat, hard fighting, and drag pulling stripers.

What a Beautiful Sight

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Just look for some large birds, like gannets or sea gulls working the water, come in up current from them, and start a drift. It won't be long before your screen lights up and you have the opportunity of catching one or more of these stripers. Light tackle equipment with a large, heavy jigging spoon or a 7 inch soft plastic baits, rigged on a 1 or 1 1/2 ounce jighead, are very productive. Don't waste any time getting the lure to the bottom and start jigging it immediately. Watch the sonar screen if all the fish are on the bottom keep the lure close, or on the bottom. If they are suspended, start jigging the lure on the bottom and then jig it through all the water columns.

These Lures Work

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We landed fish from 23 inches to 32 inches with only one little 17 inch striper, which  I had the pleasure of catching. It was well worth the drive 'down south'. Thanks David for the memorable catching trip.

David with one of the Smaller Stripers

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These fish should stay around through December. If you do plan to go down, dress warm and be safe on the water. It is cold enough to give you hyperthermia if you fall in. If you've put your boat away, call a local guide to enjoy a day on the Chesapeake Bay.

On Monday, Jan 12, 2015 I will be speaking for the Pasadena Sportfishing Group. The meeting will be held at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Firehall, 161 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. It starts at 7:30pm but come early and eat dinner.

Be safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.

Moving South Looking for Large Stripers

I would like to thank all the fly and light anglers who have kept me busy since my last fishing report. 

Once a year CCA of Northern Virginia is kind enough to book a trip with me on the Chesapeake Bay.  Last week Rob Allen, Jon DeHart, and Freeman Jones met me at Chesapeake Beach. This was my 1st guided trip that far south this year in search of striped bass of larger size than the ones above the West River. The day started out with working birds in sight outside of Parkers Creek on the 30 foot line. Unfortunately, whatever they were working on had no stripers causing the commotion. We checked all waters around Parkers Creek before heading south.

Our next stop was CCNP.  We arrived there just in time for the fog to roll in. At times the visibility was down to 100 yards so looking for working birds was out of the question. We ran structures, finding nice concentrations of baitfish, but no stripers. The current went slack so we ate lunch. The fog lifted in mid afternoon and fishing finally turned into catching. Thanks Doug Schopman (AKA Douggie-O) for advising me that the birds were working just northwest of "77A".

Most Productive Lures

                     

   Specialized Bait - Li'l Jimy - 1 oz.              Sented Jerk ShadZ, 5" on a  3/4 oz. Jighead          

Most Productive Light Tackle Technique:  "Crank-Crank, Jig-Jig" 

This technique jigs the lure off the bottom and up through the water columns in a jigging motion. It catches stripers on the bottom or suspended in the winter, spring, summer, and fall.

NOTE: The boat will be drifting down current with the motor off. 

From the up current side of the boat cast the lure out and let it hit the bottom.  With the rod tip just above the water, jig the lure off the bottom and back down swiftly by moving the rod from 9 o'clock to 10 o'clock, then vice versa. 

This is accomplished best by snapping the wrist rather than moving the rod with the arm. Jig the lure off and back down to the bottom 3 times while keeping a tight line. Now take 2 swift cranks on the reel handle...stop...jig the lure 2 times while taking up the slack. Do this until the lure is back at the boat.

33" Striper

Caught by Jon DeHart

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On Monday, Jan 12, 2015 I will be speaking for the Pasadena Sportfishing Group. The meeting will be held at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Firehall, 161 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. It starts at 7:30pm but come early and eat dinner.

There are still plenty of striped bass in the Maryland Sector of the Chesapeake Bay. We located some last Thursday afternoon just below the Bay Bridge and above the West River.  The lower section of the Bay is beginning to turn on with some large ocean run stripers. 

A Lot of Baitfish = A Lot of Striped Bass

This Tuesday was one beautiful day to be on the Chesapeake Bay and Terry Busby, Mitch Neitzey, and I were there to enjoy it. We left Sandy Point State Park at 1:00pm and headed south. The western shore had been good for holding a large amount of large baitfish from the Bay Bridge south to the West River.

The current was flooding when we started, but not fast enough to get any stripers active. We checked a variety of locations that hold this time of year, working birds with nice fish under them. A good pair of binoculars allowed me to cruise between the shoreline and the shipping channel while having excellent vision to pick up birds; flying, sitting, or working the water. They save running in and out which cuts down on non productive time and vessel fuel.

Around 2:30 pm the current was moving swiftly.  There were a lot of birds around, but still not much happening until the clouds covered the sun.  From then on catching was just a cast away.

It's Game On

When You See This

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Both Terry and Mitch enjoy fly fishing and they were using 9w, 9', 4pc, Tip Flex, Helios Fly Rods teamed with Mirage Large Arbor Reels spooled with 350 grain Depth Charge sinking fly line.

The most productive flies were half and half and shown below.

Made in USA

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Most Productive Technique: Short Striping (with sinking line)-Cast the fly out and count it down to the desired depth.  With a weighted fly and 350 grain sinking line it sinks approximately 1 foot per second.  If the line gets tight during the countdown get additional line off the reel and in the water.  This allows the fly to sink close to where your cast landed.  To accomplish this put the rod tip just above the water and figure 8 the tip to let more line out.  Start stripping the line in 1-foot increments, swiftly, back toward the boat.

One of Terry's Nice Striper

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This Saturday, Oct 25th, just opened up.  The weather looks good with west winds forecast to blow 5 to 10 kts. Feel free to call or TEXT me at 443-690-3164 if you would like to book a fly or light tackle trip.  

Catching Nice Striped Bass 'on the fly'

Yesterday was cloudy and the seas were smooth. It was one of those day when you would enjoy fly fishing for striped bass. Mitch Neitzey and Ralph Mitchell planned to go out with me for weeks to do just that.

With the current moving slow from the Bridge north we headed south on the western shore looking for working birds. It took less than an hour to find them, but once we did catching was on until we ate lunch at 11:30am. Both Mitch and Ralph were using 9w, 4pc, 9 foot, flex tip fly rods with 350 grain sinking fly line. Half and half flies, 4 inches long were productive in blue and white along with chartreuse and olive. All of the stripers caught were between 19 and 23 inches, with the exception of one that was approximately 14 inches long.

Once the current slowed down we started fishing structures where only one striper was caught on topwater.

The forecast is calling for some strong winds this weekend. Check the surface wind forecast chart form time to time and lets hope it changes by tomorrow.

Topwater Action Available with Plenty Fish in the Chesapeake Bay

Sorry that I haven't had much time lately to write fishing reports. The reason being, because of the nice fish available in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, if I'm not guiding, I'm fishing. There has been plenty of topwater action at certain times, and there are some nice striped bass, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish available.

Plenty of Gamefish Available

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Topwater action has been great ,with stripers up to 25", and a few bluefish in the 19" range. The fish have been between the Bay Bridges and the southwest end of Poplar Island. I hope you can get out this weekend to catch a few.

Jim Maurer Landed this Nice Mack

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I will be at the BPS this Saturday, 09/27/14, from 9am until 3pm. Please click on the icon below for seminar titles and times. 

Catching Flounder on the Atlantic Ocean

My good friend and fishing buddy, Doug Schopman, invited me to his summer home just outside of Bethany Beach, DE, to fish the Indian River Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean. I arrived on Wednesday at 3pm and by 4pm we were catching stripers and bluefish inside the Inlet. The blues ran from 3 to 6 pounds and put up an excellent fight on light spinning tackle. Both species were hitting 2 oz. metal jigging spoons, Bass Assassin 4” Curly Shad in Opening Night and ZMan 6” Sented Jerk ShadZ in pearl white.

The following day we went out on the Atlantic Ocean heading northeast toward Site 11. We were rigged for flounder with plenty of bullhead minnows and cut bluefish belly. If you need to know about bait, what type of species to fish for, where the bite is hot, etc. go to Hook’Em & Cook’Em in Bethany Beach, DE. The management and sales personnel are helpful, knowledgeable, and will head you in the right direction. We caught most of our fish at Site 10 a little closer to the Inlet.

I Caught the Largest Flounder

(Bethany Beach Bridge in Background)

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The Rig

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This past Monday I enjoyed doing a mixed guided trip. Live Lining with light tackle in the morning and fly or light tackle fishing after lunch or when all keepers are caught. Mitch and Terry caught stripers to 24” before lunch and 36 stripers ‘on the fly’ after lunch.

Fishing Tip: Don't put your boat in storage or your rods away after Labor Day. Normally the fishing gets better in the months of Sep, Oct, Nov, and Dec.

Best of Buddies Enjoying the Chesapeake Bay

The father and son fly fishing team, Bruce and Curt Johnson, joined me on 07/14 and 07/15, to fly fish the Chesapeake Bay.

Curt and Bruce Johnson

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The weather was nice at 7:00am as we pulled away from the dock at Sandy Point State Park heading east to search for striped bass that wanted to be caught on a fly. Catching was non-existent in the Upper Bay until 9:30am, so we decided to head south of the Bay Bridge.

The only feedback from the 2 sonar units aboard, after checking ledges, underwater mounds, rock piles, deep holes, etc., were small and large baitfish, and a few scattered gamefish, probable stripers. We ate lunch early so we could be back at the Bay Bridge well before the maximum ebb tide of 1.33 mph.

Curt Enjoying the Fight

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After only catching 10 stripers on the first day and at the beginning of the second day everyone had a positive attitude.  This, along with the ability to change location, flies, techniques, and other variables, is a must if you plan to catch fish. Everything came together on the second day when a lot of stripers were caught making fly fishing the Chesapeake Bay a real pleasure for all.

A Sight for Sore Eyes (especially the captains)

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Most Productive Technique: Short Striping Sinking Line (with sinking line)-Cast the fly out and count it down to the desired depth. If the line gets tight during the countdown, get additional line in the water. To accomplish this put the rod tip just above the water and figure 8 the tip to let more line out. This allows the fly to sink where it hits the water. Start stripping the line in 1-foot increments, swiftly, back toward the boat.

Most Productive Fly: Sinking Clouser, 3", #2 ss Hook, Tan & White, Gold Eyes

Fly Fishing Equipment: Orvis, 9', 9w, 4 pc. Helios Rod - Mirage Reel Size V, Hydros, 350 Grain, Depth Charge Sinking Line (using a 9w allow you to use large flies and the flies get down faster).

Fishing Tip: This is an excellent time to set up your sonar units for maximum use. Then you don't have to waste time fishing over fishless waters anymore. There should be some guidance in your owners manual to make this possible. If you need help having your GPS/Sonar/Plotter unit set up for maximum use please contact me.

Using 2 Methods to Catch Stripers

Brian, Billy and I left Sandy Point State Park around 9:00am and headed south where some spot were being caught. We anchored ahead of a few headboats which were a giveaway that pan fish were around. Brian and Billy started catching some medium to large spot on light perch jerking rods almost immediately on bloodworms. They would do the catching while I was unhooking and putting the catch in the livewell.

We started running ledges until the sonar unit lit up before anchoring again. It was approximately 1 hour before the ebb current was to max out at 2:26pm at 0.70 kts.

Striped Bass Mixed Among Baitfish  

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Some hard fighting, fat, and healthy stripers were caught between 19" to 27". 

Brian Kroneberger Landed the Nice Striper

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Medium spinning rods were used with the spot, and medium heavy spinning rods were used when fishing lures.  The most productive lure was a 6" Bass Kandy Delight soft plastic bait in chartreuse glitter rigged on a 1 oz. jighead.

Fishing Tip:  To keep the bloodworm on your hook longer install a 1/4" piece of Fishbites after the worm.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July....

The Summer Pattern Has Finally Set In

There are now plenty of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay that can be taken on a fly.  The summer pattern has set in and an occasional blitz is scene making it possible to catch a few on top.

There are also some large cow nose stingrays that can really give you a battle on a 9 weight.  You have to site fish them casting a 3” sinking clouser fly.  Make sure the fly is a few feet in front of the ray before you start striping.  Use sinking fly line for the best hook up ratio.

Last Weekend = Outstanding Striper Fishing

Sorry for the late fishing report.  Last week I was busy working on my 2 Part Lecture Series starting this upcoming weekend.

Last weekend, with the water temperature being 37.5 degrees, turned out to be an outstanding time to fish for striped bass with light spinning tackle.  Billy, Doug and I started fishing around 1pm and left the water at sunset.  Keeping the lure as close to the bottom as possible while moving it slowly was the most productive technique.  Z-Man, 4" Scented PaddlerZ along with 5" and 7" Scented Jerk ShadZ in Pearl rigged on 1 and 1 1/2 ounce jigheads were the most productive lures.  We landed over 50 stripers up to 27" in waters from 30' to 55' deep.  They were all fat and gave an excellent fight.

Billy Mellendick a Happy Angler 

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Even I Get Lucky Once in Awhile

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After this freeze the next place I will be targeting for stripers will be in the tributaries.

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Taking Your Best Buddy Fishing

Curt planned a fly-fish outing for his best fishing buddy, Bruce, who was also his father.  They have fly-fished many exotic locations throughout the years and wanted to add one more location, the Chesapeake Bay.  Their plan was to catch some hard fighting striped bass and other saltwater species.

The weather during both days was outstanding; not too hot or humid, with a slight breeze keeping the waves low on the water.  There hadn't been much topwater action in prior days, so a 9 weight fly rod, teamed with sinking fly line, and a 3" sinking clouser fly, were used and were very productive during the entire trip.

Nice striper caught by Curt on the 1st day

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A little variety

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It's always a pleasure to show my clients some of the Chesapeake Bay jewels.

Thomas Point Lighthouse

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Unfortunately I always have to call 'last cast'.  When I did Bruce made one of those casts all fly anglers like to make, right up to Sandy Point Lighthouse.  On the 1st strip it was fish on.  The outing finished with Bruce catching a nice 23" striper, tying up the score of 140 fish (70 each) for the 2 day outing.

Curt and Bruce - 'Best Fishing Buddies'

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