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Archive for the ‘Spring Fishing’ Category
Friday, June 4th, 2010
LOCATION: CHESAPEAKE BAY
SPECIES: COW NOSED RAY, RAJA BONASUS
FISHING LOCATIONS: Found in water less than 20 feet deep and frequently in the shallowest of water, this fish is easy to sight fish for. Back bays and less desirable waters are perfect habitat for this species. High temperatures seem to make them happy and they feed and breed all over the Chesapeake.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Oysters, clams, mussels and small bait fish.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working best although all white is a good choice as well. Some reaction to other popular colors as well such as white on chartreuse. Never use poppers or other top water offerings for this species.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: No special tackle required, 9 weight rod with large arbor reels are fine, but use care when fighting and landing because these fish can break rods easily.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Almost any line will do provided the fly can get down to the level the Cow Nosed Ray can see and be able to eat.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Get into an area that the Rays are plentiful and not all spawning (easily detected by the numbers of pairs of Rays swimming one over the other). Feeding occurs all hours of the day but can be especially good in the hours when the light is low. Rays don’t fear boats and will move around and under your boat even in the shallowest of water. Good quality imitations of bait fish like a half and half will work but don’t expect every time you get the fly in the face of one these fish it will eat. Casting beyond and bringing the fly out from under the fish is best and not too fast. Rays will expend just so much energy to chase a fly. When fishing with someone it is helpful if they are using a pole to aid in positioning the boat to maximize your casting. Once the Rays eat the fly, let the line nearly clear the deck before you set the hook in order to prevent tangles from getting caught in the guides. Once the hook is set with a firm strip strike the Ray will leave your immediate area surprising quickly. Expect lots of turns and if in the area of structure, like stumps or rocks try to control how far the Ray gets into them. Typical runs will get into your backing and once you gain it back will do it over and over. This is a great fighter on a fly rod. Once exhausted carefully remove the hook with a long handled hook removal tool. The Ray will still put up a fight but can be released safely with careful handling. NOTE: the Ray has a barb located at the base of tail near the body that can inflict terrible pain on you if you get too close, and don’t bring him on board your boat, its way too dangerous.
COMMENTS: Cow Nosed Rays are growing in numbers and can be found all over the Chesapeake as well as other areas of the mid Atlantic. They are not prized as edible and do not look good mounted over your mantle but can provide the most big fish excitement during the summer doldrums that you can imagine.
Tags: Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing, Light tackle and fly fishing on the Chesapeake
Posted in Big Game, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) Fishing Reports, Exotic Species, Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Summer Fishing, Technical, Virginia Fishing Reports | Comments Off
Monday, May 17th, 2010
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, middle
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: May 17, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Despite the numbers of great Striped Bass still out there, in May we also have worms. New moon phase in May and a hatch might just happen like this weekend when you are out to catch some Striped Bass. This seems to have been the trouble on Sunday. We drifted over the nicest school of Striped Bass ever and what happened? We caught only a few fish. Tried every fly imaginable and only one had any consistent results, a smallish Clouser on a 1/0 hook. There are still many Trophy size Striped Bass running around as you can see in the picture. Several trips this week in the Rivers near St. Michaels have netted some real nice fish although nothing larger than 36 inches. Water clarity is still excellent.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 60+ Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 60 Degrees, Near Coastal 56. Not much change.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait including MAY WORMS
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working. Some reaction to other popular colors as well such as white on white and white on chartreuse.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate for waters around 6 to 12 feet and full float in skinny or if you happen to see fish on the surface.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Drifts over the hot areas that are holding fish. Cast up current if necessary to get your fly down. Once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike. Continue to use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period. Because we are using debarbed hooks a second strip strike is advisable, being careful not to mistakenly grab the backing when it is moving.
COMMENTS: Big fish are still around; don’t give up on a goal to slam one this Spring. Lots of patience and good casting can bring home the big one.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: With the fish and the bait I’m seeing in the area, once this worm hatch is over, expect to see bird action and breaking fish at least occasionally.
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Technical, Virginia Fishing Reports | Comments Off
Monday, May 10th, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Where have the warm spring days gone? No matter, my concerns were that the warming trend would continue unchecked and the good Spring fishing that we have been enjoying would crash. There are still many Trophy size Striped Bass running around and can still be caught on Fly’s if you are the lucky one to put it in front of one. Several trips this week in the tributary waters near St. Michaels have netted some real nice fish although nothing huge. One 48 inch fish swam right under the boat and past a fly line (without stopping) and we all got real excited. Water clarity was amazing until Saturday and then the winds began to blow. My next trip (Tuesday) should be calm and hopefully the water clarity we enjoyed will be back to some extent. This clarity is only a fleeting thing, the next warm water blast and I expect the algae blooms to begin and visibility will suffer. 
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 60+ Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 60 Degrees, Near Coastal 56
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working. Some reaction to other popular colors as well such as white on white and white on chartreuse.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate for waters around 6 to 12 feet and full float in skinny or if you happen to see fish on the surface.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Drifts over the hot areas that are holding fish. Cast up current if necessary to get your fly down. Once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike. Continue to use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period. Because we are using debarbed hooks a second strip strike is advisable, being careful not to mistakenly grab the backing when it is moving.
COMMENTS: Big fish are still around; don’t give up on a goal to slam one this Spring. Last year’s pattern of big fish in tribs hasn’t played out yet and my expectations are very high that we will still see some hot action over the next few weeks.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: With the fish and the bait I’m seeing in the area, expect to see bird action and breaking fish on most trips. This is spectacular when the big fish area up on top and not to be missed.
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass | Comments Off
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, upper and middle
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: May 5, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: I have finished fishing the Susquehanna Flats for this season. Finished up with some fish up to 24 inches on the 30th of April none on the 1st of May and moved fishing down to the middle bay, close to St. Michaels. Big trophy size fish (those over 25 inches) are scattered all over the region. My guiding in this area places us at points and strong areas of current, hoping that the fish in the area are schooled up and working over some bait fish and we can place a fly in front of one of the big ones. We are catching every day, but with barometer and wind changes the fishing I can report on is slow. When we consider the opportunity to slam a really big fish, it’s still worth the trip.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 60+ Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 60 Degrees, Near Coastal 56
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working. The top producer this week is a bunker fly in Chartreuse and white, they have to be looking for the white perch that are common up here on the flats. I am fishing poppers when on the flats looking for the cows, too much grass to use anything else.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate for waters around 6 to 12 feet and full float in skinny.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Drifts over the hot areas that are holding fish. Cast up current if necessary to get your fly down. Once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike. Continue to use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period. Because we are using debarbed hooks a second strip strike is advisable, being careful not to mistakenly grab the backing when it is moving.
COMMENTS: Weather is playing its role in this spring fishing. At least the temperatures are usually warm.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: With the fish and the bait I’m seeing in the area, expect to see bird action and breaking fish on most trips. This is spectacular when the big fish area up on top and not to be missed.
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, upper
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: April 26, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Water clarity is good with visibility nearly 4 feet on the Flats! This report is nearly a repeat of last week’s report with large fish being caught all over the Bay. Personally I have had a good number of fish up to 40 inches to the boat and there are some bigger fish that weren’t landed. I am fishing on the Susquehanna Flats exclusively right now through its close on May 3. Every day on the Flats is different. Each day I fish a large group of average size fish (18 to 27) in a location somewhere on the Flats. Occasionally a big cow will blow up and sometimes get caught while in these groups. Then the balance of the day is spent searching for a chance at a cow in skinny water. Some days are harder than others but this is still fun. Every fish caught pulls like it means to get away and in skinny waters that is a ball.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 59 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 60 Degrees, Near Coastal 56
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait 
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working. The top producer this week is a bunker fly in Chartreuse and white, they have to be looking for the white perch that are common up here on the flats. I am fishing poppers when on the flats looking for the cows, too much grass to use anything else.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate for waters around 6 to 12 feet and full float in skinny.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Drifts over the hot areas that are holding fish. Cast up current if necessary to get your fly down. You should occasionally feel the bottom to know you are deep enough. Once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike. Use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period. Because we are using debarbed hooks a second strip strike is advisable, being careful not to mistakenly grab the backing when it is moving.
COMMENTS: Weather is playing its role in this spring fishing with rain, fog and thurderstorms on occasion. So far, not one of my clients has gotten wet or cold or uncomfortable, thanks in part to the canvas on my boat.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: High pressure and a warming trend the end of the week will make this last time on the Flats a pleasure for the lucky clients that booked ahead.
Posted in Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Susquehanna Flats | Comments Off
Monday, April 19th, 2010
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, both mid and upper
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: April 19, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Large fish, really large fish, are all over the Bay right now. Personally I have had a good number of fish up to 40 inches to the boat and there are some bigger fish that weren’t landed. This is both mid bay and on the Susquehanna Flats. The water temperatures are so higher than normal for this time of year that fishing locations need to be re-thought. By that I mean, normal spring and you look for over 50 degree water to make your drift in. This spring and all the water is over 50 degrees. Look for structure and current. Not surprisingly the fish in the mid bay are more likely to be found in deep water where temperatures are more consistent. This is still fly rod fishable; most fish are suspended in 20 to 30 feet of water. At the Flats, we look in the shallow water with strong current.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 57 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 60 Degrees, Near Coastal 56
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working the best although several large fish have fallen for a all chartreuse fly I tie that measures over 8 inches. I am fishing a black Gurgler when on the flats to help the fish see it in the low visibility waters.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 16 to 20 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate.
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: Six foot, medium, fast action rod with reels loaded with braided line in 20 or 30 pound test. Six foot leader in matching test fluorocarbon.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Drifts over familiar areas especially when the current is moving swiftly are good. Keep a watchful eye for working birds. Get well in front of the birds and put the fly out, giving it time to get into the portion of the water column where the moving fish are likely to be. This should be between the surface and 20 feet deep when in deeper water, when in shallower water, go for the top third of the water column. When not seeing birds, get to the bottom of the area you are fishing. Cast up current if necessary to get your fly down. You should occasionally feel the bottom to know you are deep enough. Once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike. Use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period. Because we are using debarbed hooks a second strip strike is advisable, being careful not to mistakenly grab the backing when it is moving.
COMMENTS: This past week has seen a drop in temperatures and strong winds. I have had to cancel several trips for the safety of it. Be wise on windy days, this is the beginning of a new season, there’s plenty of time to catch fish.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: High pressure and a warming trend, coupled with southerly winds will improve conditions. Hardly any rain will help water clarity on the Susquehanna Flats, improving visibility.
Posted in Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Susquehanna Flats | Comments Off
Monday, April 12th, 2010
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, both mid and upper
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: April 12, 2010 
FISHING CONDITIONS: I am really enjoying this spring. Warmer than average temperatures makes the days wonderful and almost every trip is being rewarded with big, spring fish. Although not schooled up in big groups the Striped Bass are moving in all areas and can be found on familiar structure near deep water. Both the Susquehanna Flats and the middle bay near St. Michaels have given up nice fish on a fly rod.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 59 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 61 Degrees, Near Coastal 58
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white work best
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 16 to 20 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate.
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: Six foot, medium, fast action rod with reels loaded with braided line in 20 or 30 pound test. Six foot leader in matching test fluorocarbon.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Drifts over familiar areas especially when the current is moving swiftly are good. Keep a watchful eye for working birds. Get well in front of the birds and put the fly out, giving it time to get into the portion of the water column where the moving fish are likely to be. This should be between the surface and 20 feet deep when in deeper water, when in shallower water, go for the top third of the water column. When not seeing birds, get to the bottom of the area you are fishing. Cast up current if necessary to get your fly down. You should occasionally feel the bottom to know you are deep enough. Once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike. Use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period. Because we are using debarbed hooks a second strip strike is advisable, being careful not to mistakenly grab the backing when it is moving.
COMMENTS: With air temperatures and water temperatures climbing rapidly the opportunity to catch real quality fish is increasing for fly fishermen on the mid bay region. The migrating fish are scattered in small pods or individual fish moving toward spawning grounds and looking for a meal. Look for improving conditions with fish schooled up and easier to target as the month wears on. Finding Striped Bass feeding on a mass of bait is hard right now, but when you do it will be worth the trip. The fishing on the Susquehanna Flats on the upper Bay is where you will catch really big Striped Bass on poppers in shallow water.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Rain and the runoff in PA are making the water clarity on the Susquehanna Flats not ideal but don’t discount the area. The fish are up there!
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Susquehanna Flats | Comments Off
Monday, April 5th, 2010
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: April 5, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Finding quality spring fish is the difficult part. Today the only we caught were at the Power plant. Caught 26 fish with an average size of 24 inches. Not a spring fish, probably a wintering Striper. Both the Power Plant and the Susquehanna flats are producing occasional monster fish up to 50 pounds.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 56 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 52.8 Degrees, Near Coastal 48
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:
- Large bunker patterns and half and half’s, white worked best
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 16 to 20 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate.
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: Six foot, medium, fast action rod with reels loaded with braided line in 20 or 30 pound test. 3 to 4 foot Leader in matching test fluorocarbon.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Multiple drifts over different portions of the power plant discharge produced results. Different start points worked at differing times of the day, impacted by the changing current speed and direction. Once you feel the fish on, set the hook with a solid strip strike. Use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period.
COMMENTS: With air temperatures and water temperatures climbing rapidly the opportunity to catch real quality fish is increasing for fly fishermen on the mid bay region. The migrating fish are scattered in small pods or individual fish moving toward spawning grounds and looking for a meal. Look for improving conditions with fish schooled up and easier to target as the month wears on. Finding Striped Bass feeding on a mass of bait is hard right now, but when you do it will be worth the trip. Start planning for Susquehanna Flats on the upper Bay for chances to catch really big Striped Bass on poppers in shallow water.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Rain and the runoff in PA have spoiled the Susquehanna Flats for another week, but the temperatures will be a positive note for the opportunity that is sure to come.
Posted in Spring Fishing, Striped Bass | Comments Off
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: March 22, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Migration is in full swing with Striped Bass found in the Bay South of the Bay Bridge.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 47 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 52.8 Degrees, Near Coastal 48
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:
- Large bunker patterns and half and half’s, white worked best
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 16 to 20 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate.
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: Six foot, medium, fast action rod with reels loaded with braided line in 20 or 30 pound test. 3 to 4 foot Leader in matching test fluorocarbon.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Once located, fish for the Striped Bass with sinking lines and large flys. Remember you are imitating a meal to these Striped Bass and they will want a good mouth full. Once you feel the fish on, set the hook with a solid strip strike. Use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period.
COMMENTS: With air temperatures and water temperatures climbing rapidly the opportunity to catch real quality fish is increasing for fly fishermen on the mid bay region. The migrating fish are scattered in small pods or individual fish moving toward spawning grounds and looking for a meal. Look for improving conditions with fish schooled up and easier to target as the month wears on. Finding Striped Bass feeding on a mass of bait is hard right now, but when you do it will be worth the trip. Start planning for Susquehanna Flats on the upper Bay for chances to catch really big Striped Bass on poppers in shallow water.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Rain in the forecast will spoil the Susquehanna Flats for another week, but the temperatures will be a positive note for the opportunity that is sure to come.
Posted in Big Game, Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Susquehanna Flats | Comments Off
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
 CHESAPEAKE BAY, MID BAY REPORT
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: Monday June 15, 2009
FISHING CONDITIONS: Seasonable, changing, unsettled and our current weather forecast includes rain with possible thunderstorms. Winds continue to be acceptable on most days.
WATER TEMPERATURE: 74.5 degrees Fahrenheit
MOST COMMON BAIT: Peanut bunker, silversides
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:
• Chartreuse and white half and half 3.5 to 4 inches long
• Blue and white half and half
• White on white half and half
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 6 To 9 Foot, 16 Pound test
BEST ROD OUTFIT: 9-Foot 9 weight with full, fast sink line
BEST TECHNIQUE: Look for breaking fish early and late in all the regular areas. Cast any fly into the action for an immediate hook up. During the day, use sonar along deep (30 feet plus) channel drop-offs and edges. Fish whenever a few marks occur. Allow plenty of time for fly to get down. Patience will be rewarded as fish seem to be cruising and hookups come quickly on multiple rods. Outgoing tides and strong currents work best. Fish around known structure when strong current is observed. Singles are still in there working the rocks.
COMMENTS: There are mostly schoolie size fish around (16 to 19 inch). These are in limited supply and rarely large numbers of fish together. We are still waiting on the main summer population of Striped Bass to arrive from further down the bay. We haven’t seen our summer blue fish or Spanish Mac’s yet, which will be later due to the amazing amount of fresh water working its way down the Bay.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: By the weekend clearing and summer like. Beautiful time to be on the water, and celebrate Father’s Day.
REPORTED BY: Captain Russ Wilkinson
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing | Comments Off
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