Cold weather, cold water and windy conditions have all contributed to the upper bay striped bass fishery falling into a deep sleep for the winter months. There are still a few striped bass being caught in the lower Susquehanna River by fishermen casting Storm type swimming shad lures and also crankbaits.
Farther down the bay the NOAA Buoy at the mouth of the Patapsco River is currently showing a bay water temperature of 42-degrees; which is getting a bit chilly to expect any activity from school sized striped bass. Warm weather will bring out fishermen trying a little bottom bouncing along channel edges or casting crankbaits and jigs near warm water outfalls in the lower Patapsco Harbor area.
Fishing activity has significantly dropped off in the Bay Bridge area and the only activity seen lately are a few boats trolling in the shipping channel looking for large fall migrant striped bass. One does not have to go too far south of the bridge to find good trolling opportunities for large striped bass so it certainly within the realm of possibilities that there are some large fish around the Dumping Grounds and the shipping channel. White perch fishing has slowed down with the colder water and perch are holding deep now and tend to be semi-active. They can still be caught on bait if one cares to but the jigging that fishermen enjoyed only a month ago has come to an end. We are into the middle of December and global warming or not the bay is starting to fall into a winter slumber.
Fishermen in the middle bay region are seeing the fishing for small striped bass coming to an end as these smaller fish are holding deep and beginning their winter pattern of inactivity. Trolling for the large fall migrant striped bass is another story. These larger fish have been the single focus of fishermen who are still willing and able to venture out to the deep waters of the shipping channel. Laying out a spread of parachutes and bucktails at various depths and distances from the boat are standard procedure. It comes as no surprise that since most of the big striped bass are cruising in the top 30 of the water column most strikes are coming off the planer boards. Bay water temperatures in the middle bay region are in the mid to low forties and this is causing the larger striped bass to now become sluggish in the way they approach and strike baits. Fishermen are reporting that they are losing a number of fish close up to the boat; which often indicates fish are striking short, are not aggressive in their feeding and are not well hooked. This is certainly a time to make sure lures are outfitted with stinger hooks and they are needle sharp.
Some of the best fishing reports are coming from the deep channel area in front of Bloody Point down Buoy 83 and along the western side of the shipping channel from Breezy Point down to the Gas Docks. The water temperatures in the middle bay are still floating in the mid forties so the small striped bass are still exhibiting some signs of activity. Fishermen are reporting catching medium sized striped bass now and then while trolling and report seeing fishing breaking water now and then chasing small bay anchovies. These events are usually marked with terns and sea gulls coming into play and not the larger gannets; which are feeding on the larger menhaden and hickory shad.
Mid Bay Region:
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Lower Bay/Tangier Sound Region:
Fishermen continue to report excellent fishing in the lower bay region for large striped bass. Most of the fish being caught are in the 34 size range but that is not to say some real whoppers are not
being caught. Just about every boat is reporting at least one fish over 41 for their clients and there have been a number of fish over 50 reported. Rick Rall was fishing on a charter boat out of Crisfield when he caught this 56 beast that weighed in at 50 lbs.
Most boats are fishing from Buoy 68 north up to 72A and up the mouth of the Potomac River for the best action. The shipping channel has been the place to go to find these big fish and boats are employing big spreads to find them. Fish are being caught by trolling blind but everyone is talking about finding bait as the key to success and multiple knock downs. Large menhaden and juvenile hickory shad are what are holding these big striped bass here and they seem to be spread from our waters south to the mouth of the Rappahannock. Although a 65 lb striped bass was recently reported to be caught off of Cape Charles most of the striped bass being caught down at the CBBT are a lot smaller than what we are catching up here; bait is apparently the key. The fish tend to be in the top 30 of the water column and most fish are being caught off planer boards. These big fish are shy of engine noise and if they are close to the surface planer boards get the lures farther away from the boat. More than a few fishermen have been telling stories of hooking up with two large fish on the same line when trolling tandem rigs; which creates quite a tussle. Fishermen have also reported short hits and losing fish at the boat due to fish throwing the hook. The water temperature at the NOAA Buoy at Point Lookout is currently reading 47-degrees; which maybe causing the striped bass to become sluggish and certainly would explain
why they are traveling in the top of the water column. Fishermen would be well advised to sharpen those hooks, use stinger hooks and use a net when landing fish to help assure that fish lightly hooked will stay hooked. Bill Hornung of Hollidaysburg, PA was fishing on a charter boat out of Point Lookout Marina when he landed this beauty of a striped bass; all 42-1/2 lbs worth near Buoy 70. Its a good choice to use the services of a knowledgeable captain and a large boat with a warm cabin this time of the year; captains are still reporting open dates right up till the end this Saturday.
Fishermen in the lower bay region are still reporting small striped bass actively chasing smaller bait such as bay anchovies in the area; usually in the shallower areas such as Cedar Point, Cove Point and Point Lookout. Fishermen are trolling smaller offerings to catch these fish but are also enjoying catching them by jigging. A number of fishermen are also enjoying jigging for the larger striped bass at times but find that boats trolling through the area tend to keep the fish deep and spread out.
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