Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is the first fish that comes to mind when most people think of the Chesapeake Bay. “Rockfish” as we call them, is the State Fish of Maryland and the most sought-after species in the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to my most recent panfish book, I’ve written two books about catching rockfish on artificial lures. I love targeting stripers, but I could never have learned to catch them were it not for[...]

What is an Invasive Species? An invasive species is an organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native. Invasive species can harm both the natural resources in an ecosystem as well as threaten human use of these resources. An invasive species can be introduced to a new area via the ballast water of oceangoing ships, intentional and accidental releases of aquaculture species, aquarium specimens or bait, and[...]

A few billion will take to the air and some will inadvertently end up in the water. This creates a topwater feeding frenzy. During the last Brood X emergence 17 years ago, anglers noticed that fish keyed on anything that lingered on the surface as the cicada conditioned fish looked to the skies when eating. Around 2 inches in length, cicadas are not hard to find. They are all over trees and on the ground[...]

Just this past week, a large push of rockfish have come out of the rivers and are setting up on the humps just north and south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. There are many ways to target these fish. We have been very successful jigging on them in 15-20ft of water, using 3/4oz jig heads and 4” Bloody Point Chartreuse shad. If the current is strong, we noticed that using 1oz jigs and a 5”[...]

Tips for Taking Newbies Fishing Eliminate the Pressure – Prioritize the experience, rather than how many fish the beginner angler actually catches. Going out on a boat on the Chesapeake Bay, sitting on a riverbank, or paddling around on a pond are enjoyable experiences in and of themselves. Take advantage of this fact and make sure that having fun is “job number-one.” Use KISS Fishing Methods – Trying to explain the fine nuances of pin-point[...]

Included in that wide span of surf is Assateague State Park, located on Assateague Island. This is the only oceanfront park in Maryland and is a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Sinepuxent Bay on the west. This park is a great spot for weekend camping. Its 300 pet-friend sites fill up fast so be sure to book early. Assateague’s two miles of ocean beaches offer swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing[...]

Where To Go The Eastern Shore Maryland’s Eastern Shore offers a variety of choices for everyone in your family, from angler to beach bum. Summer is the perfect time to plan a family trip to the shore, with plenty of lodging and dining options, attractions and activities, not to mention some of the best fishing you can find. For the angler: With wonderful fishing opportunities over hundreds of square miles, this is a hot spot[...]

Some charter boat operations in the Chesapeake Bay region offer just that: a chance to run a traditional trotline on some of the best crabbing waters in the country. They’ll help you discover places like Crab Alley, the famous Wye River as well as the best spots to crab on the Chester and the Choptank Rivers.* Try your hand at dipping crabs as they come up on a line baited with chicken necks or razor[...]