Fishermen in the middle bay region are starting to see the striped bass that have been providing so much action recently starting to leave the major tidal rivers and are beginning to school up in the deeper waters of the Chesapeake. Most of the tidal rivers were showing water temperatures below the 50-degree mark; which usually marks the exodus for the smaller school sized striped bass. Fishermen had windy conditions to deal with on Friday and Saturday of this past weekend but Sunday turned out to be rather balmy; which brought fishermen out in force. Reports showed that striped bass in the tidal rivers were a sparse commodity for those looking for some jigging or trolling action. Most of the action reported tended to come from out in the open waters of the bay. Fishermen are reporting large amounts of bait being seen on their depth finders and are finding good numbers of striped bass working on them. A good number of these striped bass are in the 20” to 28” size category and are providing plenty of action for those fishermen trolling small to medium sized bucktails or spoons. Toni Quigley was fishing with her husband when she caught this fine looking fish while trolling.

A number of fishermen are now concentrating on targeting the large fall migrant striped bass that are so prevalent just south of the middle bay region. Most have brought out all the big gun gear that is so commonly used in the spring fishery, planer boards and all. There were numerous reports on Sunday of big fish in the 34” to 42” size range being caught along the shipping channel edges, the False Channel and out in front of Poplar Island. Fishermen reported that most of the fish hit at 25’ deep and just under the surface and that a chartreuse parachute/sassy shad combo seemed to be a favorite. There are continuing reports of large bait pods being seen on depth finders; which seem to be mostly menhaden in the 3” to 12” size range.

Besides the good fishing for striped bass this past week fishermen are also talking about the large schools of white perch that are holding in some of the deeper waters of Eastern Bay, the Choptank River and tidal rivers on the western shore. Fishermen have been catching them by jigging with metal jigs with dropper flies. Bottom rigs baited with bloodworms would certainly work also but with the price of bloodworms jigs seem a much more viable option.

Lower Bay/Tangier Sound Region:

Striped bass and more striped bass that certainly seems to be the conversation in the lower bay region this week. Fishermen presently are experiencing what may turn out to be one of the best fall migrant striped bass seasons they’ve ever encountered. The big fish have solidly moved into the region and can be found most anywhere in the shipping channels with the ground zero area being from Buoy 72B or Hooper’s Island Light south to Buoy 70 and up the Potomac River to St. Clements Island. Fishermen are trolling the usual spread that is employed in the spring trophy fishery complete with planer boards. Captains are reporting that many of the fish are coming off the boards on the lines running shallow or on stern lines running at 25’. The size of the striped bass being caught ranges in size from 30” to 44” with 34” being described as the “cookie cutter” size. This fine looking fish certainly fits the mold.

There is a solid two weeks of striped bass season left for Maryland fishermen and many captains are reporting that this run of big fish is just starting to pick up steam. New Jersey is reporting record numbers of big fish moving south so the fishing is most likely only going to get better. Captains are reporting large pods of bait in the lower bay region that tend to be good sized menhaden and a herring type fish that fishermen are seeing; which are probably hickory shad. Captains are also talking about lines quivering as the troll through the pods of suspended bait and are snagging bait now and then with trolled lures. Many are describing the bait suspended at 30’ under the surface with large striped bass being marked hovering above. Many charter boats are reporting open dates at this time so if you’re not headed out in your own boat put a charter together while the fishing is excellent and the season is still open.

A number of captains reported that after catching their slot fish they are still able to find striped bass under 28” under birds or suspended over bait. Fishermen are either trolling smaller offerings or jigging to catch a smaller fish to compliment their large one. The NOAA Buoy at Point Lookout is currently reading a water temperature of 52-degrees so the fishing for the small striped bass should continue into next week. Locations such as Cedar Point rips, Point Lookout, Point-No-Point and Buoy 72A are reported to be all holding breaking fish at one time or another.

Fishermen looking for a little inside action are finding school sized striped bass in the Patuxent River in some of the deeper holes along with large white perch. Most fishermen are opting to jig but a number of boats have been having some success trolling for the striped bass also.