The Most Important Tool on Your Boat

I enjoy setting up and explaining the important features associated with GPS/Sonar/Plotter units like the one on your boat. This will definitely help you stop from fishing fishless waters and help you catch more fish. Knowing the features of your unit will allow you to maximize your time on the water.

The newer units are user friendly and easier to work with once you know the basics. To keep up with the times, most manufacturers offer touch screen versions of their most popular models. Keep in mind when 'putting it all together'  (transducer, sonar capabilities, map, CHIRP technology, etc.) for a new unit can be confusing. If you don't have a full understanding on what is offered and what you'll receive, send the manufacturer's Tech Dept. your questions. Having your answers in writing can save you money.

After last Monday's trip Steven Schuman had a good understanding of his Garmin 5212 touch screen unit. On Tuesday he emailed me to let me know he caught around 30 fish with some in the 17 to 19 inch class on topwater, soft plastic jigs, and a few on metal.

Thursday Michael Allen and his son-in-law, Bill, enjoyed a catching day after his new Raymarine a78 was set-up on the Upper Chesapeake Bay.

The most productive lures for this week were; Stingsilver, 2 oz., jigging spoon in silver along with a 3" chartreuse and white Clouser fly tied 18" above the spoon.

Striped Bass Summer Pattern Has Set In

I enjoyed a fishing trip on the Chesapeake Bay with a good fishing buddy, Bill.  We motored southeast out of Mill Creek on the western shore.  The 1st structure we went over was a ledge breaking swiftly south of Bloody Point.  With no baitfish or gamefish showing up on the sonar we kept on moving south.  As we cruised slowly over another ledge in 36 feet of water, we sighted a quick blurb on the sonar.  The boat was put in reverse and a soft plastic lure was cast out, where the first 18-inch or larger striped bass for the day was boated.

Our next stop was at the mouth of a river where it entered the Bay.  The current was outgoing and moving swiftly at this location.  Baitfish and a variety of crustaceans were available for the striped bass and other gamefish to eat.  Once we hit 40 feet of water the motor was slowed down to 1,000 revolutions as we moved north looking for fish.  It didn’t take long for us to find them.  

Bill with a Nice Striper

The sonar unit lit up in 36 feet of water with large stripers in the high 20, low 30-inch range.  At one time the sonar bottomed out at 23 feet.  This meant that the school of stripers was from 23 to 36 feet deep, an anglers dream!  Bill and I kept on catching until the current slowed down and the fish moved.

Striped Bass In Summer Pattern

For those of you who’s Susquehanna Flats Trip was cancelled, please feel free to now book a replacement trip.

Also available are trips where I can do all manual adjustments needed to your GPS/Sonar/Plotter unit.  

Set Up by Capt. Tom Hughes

This will allow you to identify gamefish from baitfish, drift over active schools more than once, and stop you from fishing dead water.