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Archive for the ‘Spring Fishing’ Category
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay
SPECIES: Striped Bass, Red Drum, Cow Nosed Rays
UPDATE: May 31, 2011
FISHING CONDITIONS: Lower Bay still has Red Drum although the Black drum seemed to have disappeared from the scene. Hopefully they are moving up the Bay. Cobia are being seen on the surface in the lower bay, but not caught. Probably will start getting into focus as the water temperatures continue to rise. Upper Bay Trophy sized Striped Bass on the Bay are a thing of the past. The good news is the summer schoolies are showing up and are track able. Soon should see fish breaking under diving birds.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay near 79 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 70 Degrees.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and more.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working. Keep smaller Clouser style minnow available since the likely bait is getting smaller.
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: Locate fish on lumps and make careful repeated drifts over the area. They don’t move much in a period of time if they have found a good food source. Drift, catch, move around the mass, and repeat. Fish are more likely on the up current side of the lumps.
COMMENTS: An angler caught a cow nosed ray (first of the season) this week. Still find these homely fish to be the best action on the upper Bay for the summer. Black drum should start showing around the local water near St. Michaels. This isn’t the fish to target on a fly rod, very difficult on bait! Still I have a desire to give one of these bruisers a taste of a fly and work him or me out a little.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: With the fish and the bait I’m seeing in the area, birds are starting to be the fish finder of choice.
Tags: captain russ wilkinson, Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing, Light tackle and fly fishing on the Chesapeake, Striped Bass on Fly and Light Tackle
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Virginia Fishing Reports | Comments Off
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay
SPECIES: Striped Bass, Black Drum, White Perch, Atlantic Croaker, Cow Nosed Rays
UPDATE: May 25, 2011
FISHING CONDITIONS: Water clarity is still not at good as it should be. Frequent rains both here and in areas of the Chesapeake’s water shed have kept things cloudy and add to that frequent algae blooms and you can imagine. All the trophy fish have left to continue their migration. My friends and fellow guides from NJ to Maine should be happy.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay near 69 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 70 Degrees, Near Coastal 68.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and more.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is my go to fly. I am prospecting shallow water with poppers and am looking at small Clouser minnows possibly tied in tandem with a half and half or on a popper to help find fish.
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 for poppers in skinny or if you happen to see fish on the surface and this is happening from time to time around dusk.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Drifts over the old familiar areas that are holding fish. White perch are schooled up and visible on sonar and Atlantic Croaker are on the bottom (so are black drum). Cast up current if necessary to get your fly down. Once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike.
COMMENTS: Croaker and white perch are lots of fun on fly and light tackle. They should make even the most die-hard striped bass fisherman happy with the good fight from these fish.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: I hate to make a 7 day outlook about weather again, but the threat of thunderstorms is common and severe weather has to be taken seriously.
Tags: captain russ wilkinson, Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing, Light tackle and fly fishing on the Chesapeake
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Virginia Fishing Reports | Comments Off
Monday, May 16th, 2011
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, middle and lower
SPECIES: Striped Bass in the mid bay and black drum in lower bay.
UPDATE: May 17, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: One year ago we had great numbers of fish schooled up and feeding. By my own reports they were hard to catch due to May Worms and they were feeding hard on these tiny bottom hugging creatures. This year we have had a few hatches, not like last year. Numbers of fish are down considerably and I won’t go into the details but if you have read the paper you know some unscrupulous commercial fishermen have been taking (illegally) tons of fish from the Middle Bay.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 65 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 65 Degrees, Near Coastal 62. Temperatures about average for this time of year.
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: I was pleasantly surprised and pleased this past week with a Striped Bass of 48 inch length. I was lucky at a piece of structure that I have fished in years past and this week was rewarded again. For comparison, I hit ten spots that I like and the tenth was where I got the first and only fish to look at my popper. I released the fish in the water without photos since a fish of this size is doomed if you take it out of the water to photograph when by yourself. Too much stress on organs when lifted out of the water and probably when by myself too much time out of the oxygen in the water it needs to breath. (Photo tip; hold your breath when you lift the fish out of the water. When you need a breath the fish does too!)
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. I mention good casting since fishing structure requires stealth and staying distance from the target should be the goal. This day I was using mytechnical skiff and it has a push pole and trolling motor for stealth.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: There is a week of rain forecast for the area but if you can get out early to fish structure with a popper it could be the best forecast going. Cloud cover gives you added time to fish and move to the next area without losing all to the bright sunlight.
Tags: captain russ wilkinson, Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing, Light tackle and fly fishing on the Chesapeake, Striped Bass on Fly and Light Tackle
Posted in Big Game, Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Technical | Comments Off
Monday, May 16th, 2011
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, mid and lower
SPECIES: Striped Bass, Red and Black Drum
UPDATE: May 11, 2011
FISHING CONDITIONS: Close to St. Michaels trophy size fish (those over 25 inches) are scattered all over the region. Lumps (high areas in otherwise graduated bottom) are producing the best fishing although a close second has found me on flats near deeper water. Different than last season, the fish aren’t schooled up in large groups. Still pretty scattered fishing at this time. Lower Bay, (Barrier Islands) reports are good for drum in the surf and around the islands. I would like to get into that action but the weather is killing opportunity.
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 skinnier.
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 are up on top and not to be missed.
Tags: captain russ wilkinson, Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing, Light tackle and fly fishing on the Chesapeake, Striped Bass on Fly and Light Tackle
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
 LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, upper
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: April 26, 2011
FISHING CONDITIONS: Water clarity is still poor with on the Susquehanna Flats with visibility near 1 foot in most locations! Even in lower bay, main channel the impact of the Susquehanna run-off is seen and we are suffering from a loss of visibility and clarity there as well. This report is nearly a repeat of last week’s report with large fish only being caught by trolling or live bait, no matter where you might fish. Even the unnamed areas I fish in the spring that usually do well are bombing. I expect this current warmer weather will help move the game into mid bay areas that are shallower and there seems to be plenty of bait fish in the rivers and smaller, shallower waters.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 59 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 68 Degrees, Near Coastal 69
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch and up) half and half’s and bait fish imitations will work if placed in the face of a feeding Striped Bass. Use poppers in shallow water like the flats or shallow river structure you might fish over.
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. 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 thunderstorms on occasion.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: High pressure and low pressure fronts are moving through the region and causing a very unstable weather picture. I apologize to all those that have missed out on their bookings this spring.
Posted in Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Susquehanna Flats | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay, both mid and upper
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: April 12, 2011
FISHING CONDITIONS: Cold water is killing the spring fishing. All the fish are sticking to deep channel and temperate waters right now. My outing today confirmed just that and although I was over fish couldn’t get any interest.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 52 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 56 Degrees, Near Coastal 55
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: Despite my preaching that fast water and strong currents are the best for fishing, today I went with slow drifts and trying to get the fly down. To accomplish this I moved slowly into the wind with my trolling motor and cast up current. Count down and wait for the fly to reach the depth where fish are tracked and strip slowly. I got one tap from a hungry fish and then it started to rain. Being in an open boat I headed in with nothing to show, but the technique will work. Remember, once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike. Use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this catch and release 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 the opportunity to catch real quality fish is increasing for fly fishermen on the Bay. 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 but wait for the mud to settle and water to warm a few degrees before going.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Rain and the runoff from PA are making the water clarity on the Susquehanna Flats not ideal but don’t discount the area. The fish are up there if you use bait!
Tags: captain russ wilkinson, Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing, Light tackle and fly fishing on the Chesapeake, Striped Bass on Fly and Light Tackle
Posted in Big Game, Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Susquehanna Flats | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: April 5, 2011
FISHING CONDITIONS: Finding quality spring fish is the difficult part. For that matter finding any fish is tough. Not much happening fish wise on the Bay right now. Weather is dangerous and not good for the fishing either. Today there was a 1000 mile long squall that crossed from west to east with Tornados warnings included. The rain and snow will make the Susquehanna Flats a no go for a while longer due to water clarity and the water temperatures on the bay are 7 to 8 degrees colder than last year this time.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 47 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 48 Degrees, Near Coastal 48
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait LOCATION: Chesapeake Bay
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:
- Large bunker patterns and half and half’s, white will 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. 3 to 4 foot Leader in matching test fluorocarbon.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Feet up on a comfortable foot stool and posterior on your favorite chair. TV is optional and a good book about fishing is better.
COMMENTS: With air temperatures and water temperatures staying low and another cold front racing toward us forget fishing for a week. Spring is coming but it moves very slowly right now.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Rain and the runoff in PA have spoiled the water clarity on the Susquehanna Flats for another week. Mid bay is a possibility but wait for warmer days. Only once in the past week have I seen temperatures near 50 and they fell with the sun set. Those that are in the DC area might look at Fletchers Boat House area for Stripers on the spawn.
Tags: captain russ wilkinson, Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing, Light tackle and fly fishing on the Chesapeake, Striped Bass on Fly and Light Tackle
Posted in Maryland Fishing Reports, Spring Fishing, Striped Bass, Susquehanna Flats | Comments Off
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
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