LOCATION: Mid Bay and CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel)
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: December 2, 2009
FISHING CONDITIONS: Fall weather patterns are still the issue when selecting the days to go out. Wind, rain and cold have been a constant reminder that Mother Nature isn’t always so pleasant. However, the fish are doing exactly what they should be doing. In the mid-bay they move to deeper, more temperate water, where bait is plentiful. There are still many large fish in the mid-bay but they are scattered. Obviously, they are not an easy target for fly and light tackle. When located, most of the easily targetable fish can be found along the channel edges. Many days on the water net nothing. The lower bay is different. At the CBBT the fish are in better numbers, in shallower waters in general. They are schooled up on bait. Once fish are located, anglers catch them non-stop for hours. Only occasional fish are caught on top water but it does occur.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 50 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 57 Degrees
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:
- Large, heavy Clouser deep minnow pattern, Chartreuse and white
- Large bunker patterns and half and half’s
RECOMMENDED LEADER: Use short (7 1/2 foot) tapered leaders in 16 to 20 pound strength. For spinning I use straight non tapered sections of fluorocarbon leader material in 25 to 30 pound test. I use 9 to 12 foot tapered leaders for smaller flys fished in shallow water.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: I typically provide the basic outfit of a 9 foot 9 weight Tip Flex Rod, paired with a light weight large arbor reel.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: I use two types when fly fishing on the Bay. Either full sink line in the fastest sink rate or full floating line.
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: I prefer short, six foot to seven foot, medium, fast action rods with 2500 series Shimano Stradic F1 reel. This will be spooled with braided line of either 14 lb test for lighter lure applications or 25 to 30 pound test for heavier. Jigging would work well as would many common lures at least 3 to 4 inches.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Deep water technique on the mid-bay is a must, with full sinking lines and half and half’s. On occasion you might also use a large bunker pattern effectively, but this is mostly when the fish are working closer to the surface. At the CBBT deep water technique isn’t near the issue. Count down to get into the mid-water column and retrieve fast!
COMMENTS: Lower bay fishing at the CBBT is the best bet for those of us that use fly and light tackle. The conditions there with loads of structure, warmer waters, strong current and best of all bait that is found in large quantity make this the fishery for the winter.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Temperatures are falling, which will move more of the big fish to the CBBT from the mid bay. It only gets better from here.
