|
Chesapeake Bay Fishing
Report By Season
What can we expect in May and June
 "The Spring migration
continues and the act of spawning is over. The bigger fish are headed up the coast
and we are hoping to catch a few on there way past. Mostly males under four years
are left and they are going to continue to fatten up on the plentiful bait in our
area. The best locations are channel edges for the larger fish and structure combined with
strong currents can work as well. Admittedly trolling (which I don't do) is the most
consistent method to catch big fish right now. Working all my favorite areas with a fly
will reward those with patience.
Spring and the Stripers are moving in!
 "Catch
and Release" fishing on the Susquehanna Flats has
some of the hottest spring fly-fishing action on Chesapeake
Bay. Fished from early April until it closes on May 3rd.
Many anglers have landed personal bests at the
flats. Top water is the best and only method when the big fish
are in the ultra skinny water. It's not common, but when you can
sight fish for them in the 2 to 3 feet of water its so exciting.
Check out the picture of this client with the 18 pound Striped Bass.
He landed this healthy striper at the flats on a Popper.
 "Other Spring fishing includes most
of the Main Channel, looking to intercept the fish on the way from
the spawning areas. The fishing is more difficult, since you are searching the whole
Bay area for fish but the rewards are stupendous. I look based upon reports and one fine
April day a 40 pound Striped Bass was landed. This fishing could also include the Calvert
Cliffs Power Plant known as the "Rips". Many a nice striper has been pulled
out of the warm water discharge area. I've fished both areas with great success at each.
Summer and Stripers, Blues and Spanish mac's, on top water!
 "Summer fishing with the birds, fish schooled up
and the addition of the toothy critters, blues and spanish mac's can be the most fun you could hope
to enjoy. Many fish in the 5 pound class are caught (that's about 20 to 24 inches). Spanish Mac's
are the fastest fish on the bay and strip fly lines into your backing, and blue fish, perhaps
the meanest and most powerful for its size species. Blues and Spanish are just a terrific
accompaniment to the Striped Bass population we enjoy so much!
 "Summer at the CBBT? Of course! There and the well known Chesapeake Light. My recent trip
there found me sight fishing for Barricuda, Amber Jack, Cobia and Spade Fish. Night fishing for
Striped Bass too! You can find Tarpon to the list of possible species in this area amongst the
Barrier Islands. Summer trips need to be full day minimum and multi-day bookings are discounted.
For more big game, I fish every September on Cape Cod. Blue Fin Tuna, False Albacore, Bonita, huge
Blue Fish and of course Striped Bass are all targeted on fly or light tackle. These powerful fish
challenge everything you put into it. Book now if you are interested in the 2009 season.
Winter and Stripers are at the CBBT!
 "Migrating striped bass collect here from mid
November through to Spring. Possibly the best Striped Bass fishing on the Mid Atlantic, this
area offers fly rod and light tackle enthusiast ample opportunity to catch a personal best.
Early season (November into December) large blue fish and speckled trout may also show up to
feed just to spice up your fishng opportunity.
Tackle varies. For the fly fisherman I use 9 and 10 wt fly rods with large arbor reels. Strong
leader attach a variety of half and half's or bait fish patterns (bunker)to sinking lines. Occasionally
floating lines are used with poppers when the Striped Bass are feeding top water and that is a real
show! Light tackle rods and lines are toughened up as well. Braided line at least 30 pound test is
attached to equally strong leaders, and carefully tied knots are attached to big lures that can
attract these beautiful fish to eat. I offer several Van Staal reels attached to 6 foot rods to
tackle these big fish.
Winter at the Warm Water Discharges!
 "Cold water is the key to a warm water discharge. When
the Bay waters are nearly freezing the attracting power of the discharge from a power plant is ideal.
Bait is naturally here and when a school of large wintering Striped Bass find it the game is on! Not
always easy to fish but with a good sinking line (sink heads of 30 feet work here) you can get down to the
feeding fish. I use the heavy weight tackle here, like 9 and 10 wt rods with large arbor reels. Big
flys work, heavy weight to help get into the water column. Slow retrieves are on order since the boat
is usually moving pretty fast in the artificial current of the discharge. Light tackle rods and lines
are toughened up as well. Braided line at least 30 pound test is attached to equally strong leaders,
and carefully tied knots are attached to heavy weight jig heads with rubber body lures that can
attract these beautiful fish to eat. We have two in our area that are popular with the fish. One in
Baltimore and the other is Calvert Cliffs Power Plant.
MORE TO COME/PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
To get MD Department of Natural Resources Chesapeake Bay Fishing reports,
click for MD here.
|
