Chesapeake Beach Striper Fishing

We have passed the days when striper fishing was just about a forgotten fishery. For commercial fishermen and recreational striper anglers it was time to find another species to fish for. Chesapeake Beach striper fishing had all but vanished and not just the striper fishing in Chesapeake Beach regions as the entire Bay all the way to the mouth was practically striper free. A lone striper or rockfish was occasionally caught during the late 1970's through most of the 1980's and that was about it. The over fishing and waste of the early 70's just about did in the mid Atlantic striper fishing.

This is what you call a trophy striper. This striper was weighed as the Virginia state record striper and it weighed in at over 64 pounds.

But Chesapeake Beach striper fishing made a comeback from the brink as did the rest of the Chesapeake Bay striper fishing. With the help of state fisheries departments in Maryland and Virginia fish farms were created and striped bass were re-intoduced into the Chesapeake Bay. Strict regulations were also put into place with low bag limits and certain months of the season closed to striper fishing completely. Anglers could catch and release but for parts of the year anglers could not keep striper AKA rockfish and if this law was broken steep fines were imposed. All the laws that were put into place are still there but to the delight of Chesapeake Bay charter boat Captains and recreational anglers the Chesapeake Bay is now teeming with rockfish again.

As the years passed, beginning in the early 1990's anglers started to see Chesapeake Bay rockfish become more and more plentiful with bigger fish being caught every year. The striper fishing was beginning to rival the seasons of the early 1970's with fish topping 50 pounds and being caught on virtually any lure put in front of them. As the news of the great striper fishing spread more and more anglers started fishing for them again with some anglers coming from far and wide to get in on the action. Since the introduction of striper raised on fish farms the fish have been able to sustain themselves now with some fish growing ever larger, fish that are called trophy striper. Giant fish have been caught in just about every state up and down the mid Atlantic and Northeast coast.

Striper Fishing in Chesapeake Bay

Striper can be caught a wide variety of ways. Every charter boat Captain has his own little secrets and techniques but for the most part the information on how to go striper fishing in Chesapeake Bay is there just for the asking. Fishermen use different techniques that include casting with light tackle to trolling with heavier gear.

For light tackle striper fishing you can use bucktails, twister tails, gotcha plugs, or any lure you can toss into a school of fish or up to a bridge piling or other structure.

For trolling one of the most popular lures anglers use today are called "stretches". There is the Stretch 25, the Stretch 30, etc. The number representing the depth at which the lure is trolled. Stretch Lures look like a torpedo with hooks mid-body and on the tail. The are very similar to the old red and white Cisco Kids.

Another popular rig anglers use is what is called a mojo. A mojo is a rig with very heavy cannon ball sinkers and a giant leadhead all rigged on a 3-way swivel. A bit more involved than what I can explain here though.

Let's not forget about live bait. Everything from live spot to live eels, eels being a favorite for anglers looking for a trophy striper.

Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Charters

For a novice that wants to try rockfish fishing in Chesapeake Bay a local charter fishing service may be the best way to go. Chesapeake Bay rockfish fishing charters fish everyday and have the advantage in knowing the tides, the feeding habits, and what the striper have been hitting on the best which increases your chances dramatically of having a successful day catching rockfish.

Experienced angler, novice once a month angler, or visiting from out of town angler, if you are interested in catching striper in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland then give Bay Hog Charters a call or drop an email. Not just striper fishing either, Bay Hog charters catches trout, flounder, blues, and many fish of the Chesapeake Bay and Beach.

Contact Bay Hog Charter Fishing Service

Bay Hog Striper Fishing Charters Captain Paul O'Conner Smiths Retreat Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732 240-832-1693 Use our Contact Form or our Reservation Form