LOCATION
: Mouth of the Bay, CBBT, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: January 18, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Fish are “stacked up” in the pilings. When located the schools look good with one exception, little amount of bait is showing. This results in fish not on the feed and slow fishing is the result. Few fish are being caught on artificial even when in these schools.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Upper Bay 34.9, Lower 39.9, Ocean 48.6
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: I 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.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 foot 9 weight Tip Flex Rod, paired with a light weight large arbor reel.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: This time of year I prefer full sinking lines. I like the deeper profile “belly” that forms with these lines. Whether I use full sink or a sinking head, use fastest sink rate line in either. Get it down!!
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: I have selected shorter, six foot to seven foot, medium fast action rods with 2500 F1 series Shimano Stradic reel. Jigging works well with at least 3 to 4 ounces and a stinger behind. Lures like Bass Assassins on ¾ oz heads are working well.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Find fish with your sonar and work the pod. Expect several fish per area and usually move to new area in a few minutes as the pod breaks up.
COMMENTS: Although the larger fish aren’t common there seems to be plentiful supply of 22 to 26 inch fish. The jumbos may not show back up until bait in this area renews.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Finally the freezing conditions have give way to a normal temperature in the 40’s during the day. Only occasional rain is forecast for this coming week, so get out and give it a try.
