Moving South Looking for Large Stripers (w/pics)

I would like to thank all the fly and light anglers who have kept me busy since my last fishing report.

Once a year CCA Northern VA is kind enough to book a trip with me on the Chesapeake Bay. Last week Rob Allen, Jon DeHart, and Freeman Jones met me at Chesapeake Beach. This was my 1st guided trip that far south this year in search of striped bass of larger size than the ones above the West River. The day started out with working birds in sight outside of Parkers Creek on the 30 foot line. Unfortunately, whatever they were working on had no stripers causing the commotion. We checked all waters around Parkers Creek before heading south.

Our next stop was CCNP. We arrived there just in time for the fog to roll in. At times the visibility was down to 100 yards so looking for working birds was out of the question. We ran structures, finding nice concentrations of baitfish, but no stripers. The current went slack so we ate lunch. The fog lifted in mid afternoon and fishing finally turned into catching. Thanks Doug Schopman for advising me that the birds were working just northwest of “77A”.

Most Productive Lures

Specialized Bait – Li’l Jimy – 1 oz.

Sented Jerk ShadZ, 5″ on a 3/4 oz. Jighead

Most Productive Light Tackle Technique: “Crank-Crank, Jig-Jig”

This technique jigs the lure off the bottom and up through the water columns in a jigging motion. It catches stripers on the bottom or suspended in the winter, spring, summer, and fall.

NOTE: The boat will be drifting down current with the motor off.

From the up current side of the boat cast the lure out and let it hit the bottom. With the rod tip just above the water, jig the lure off the bottom and back down swiftly by moving the rod from 9 o’clock to 10 o’clock, then vice versa.

This is accomplished best by snapping the wrist rather than moving the rod with the arm. Jig the lure off and back down to the bottom 3 times while keeping a tight line. Now take 2 swift cranks on the reel handle…stop…jig the lure 2 times while taking up the slack. Do this until the lure is back at the boat.

Nice Striper
Caught by Jon DeHart

Click Here for Full Size Picture

On Monday, Jan 12, 2015 I will be speaking for the Pasadena Sportfishing Group. The meeting will be held at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Firehall, 161 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. It starts at 7:30pm but come early and eat dinner.

There are still plenty of striped bass in the Maryland Sector of the Chesapeake Bay. We located some last Thursday afternoon just below the Bay Bridge and above the West River. The lower section of the Bay is beginning to turn on with some large ocean run stripers.

• This topic was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  Capt. Tom Hughes.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  Capt. Tom Hughes.