The world-famous Chesapeake Bay boasts over 11,000 miles of total shoreline and spans six states and Washington, D.C. With its bounty of natural beauty and resources, it’s no surprise this gateway to the Atlantic is an angler’s paradise.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience, an inshore fishing trip to the Chesapeake Bay deserves your consideration. This brief guide will get you started in the right direction.
Is the Chesapeake Bay good for fishing?
Formed by ancient glacial melt, the bay was born when these rising waters flooded the Susquehanna River Valley 10,000 years ago. The confluence of fresh river water and the salty Atlantic formed the largest estuary in the United States. The shallow waters of this thriving ecosystem make it ideal for inshore fishing.
The most widely agreed upon definition of “inshore fishing” is catching fish within a few miles of the shore or less than 30 feet deep. The average depth in the bay, including tidal tributaries, is 21 feet. Whether you’re looking to catch some dinner or just enjoy the sport of fishing, these shallow waters hold the promise of both.
Popular inshore fishing options range from pricey boat charters to a free trip to a public pier. Whatever you decide to go with, the bay offers a mind-boggling array of fish to catch. Some will provide a great challenge to reel in while other species are easy to catch and will fill your freezers quickly.
Should you hire a fishing charter?
A fishing charter is an excellent way to streamline your experience in the bay. By hiring a charter you are eliminating most of the guesswork involved in fishing. For some, this might steal the joy of figuring things out on your own. But if you want to enjoy the bounty of the bay without the headache of logistics, let the pros handle the gear while you soak up their years of expertise.
A fishing charter can be hired to hunt specific species of fish. You can never be certain what’s on the end of your line until you reel it in, but many charters specialize in catching one type of fish.
If you’re looking for a variety of fishing options, be sure to specify what you want before hiring a company.
Many charters cater to those who intend to eat what they catch. Most fishing charters are well acquainted with areas where the fishing is plentiful. Aside from allowing you access to a boat, gear, and bait, many charters will even clean and store the fish to be cooked later.
If you decide to hire a charter, a good cash tip or an offering of the day’s catch is a kind gesture.
What’s the best way to fish in the Chesapeake Bay?
The right way to fish in the Chesapeake Bay depends on the experience you want to have. Public piers, a state park, and small watercraft like kayaks and skiffs are great options for almost any angler.
Public pier fishing
The Chesapeake Bay is home to some outstanding piers that are well-lit and easily accessible to the public. If you love the thrill of discovery and aren’t looking to spend much money, a great option is to fish from a public pier.
This is an excellent way to meet local anglers and learn about the ecosystem and what fish are biting at a certain time of the year. Many anglers are more than happy to share knowledge.
Bill Burton Fishing Pier
Bill Burton Fishing Pier is a state park that is open to the public year round and accessible at all hours of the day. This is a popular choice for anglers due to its easy access and abundance of sea trout, perch, and rockfish.
Kayak fishing
A great way to explore the inshore treasures of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries is by kayak. Fishing by kayak allows you to get a more intimate feel of the bay, as it gives you access to spots beyond crowded peers at a significantly cheaper cost than hiring a charter.
Check local laws and regulations for registering and operating a kayak in the safest manner possible.
What can you catch in the Chesapeake Bay?
The Chesapeake Bay is home to many species of fish. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of an exciting catch or a delicious main course for that night’s dinner, the bay has what you’re looking for.
Flounder
Many anglers in the bay refer to flounder as “doormats.” This name comes from their distinct, flat, and wide body. Flounder is among the easiest fish to catch in the Chesapeake Bay.
While catching flounder might not satisfy your need for thrills, it may be worth your time if you’re looking to hunt some dinner. Flounder has an excellent taste with slightly sweet notes similar to halibut and tilapia.
One of the most popular ways to catch flounder is by drift-fishing. Drifting is a method of fishing where you use a weight to get your bait or lure into the water and the rest of the action is generated from the movement of the boat. This can be done easily from a large boat or a smaller vessel like a kayak or skiff.
Drifting is also one of the few fishing methods not reliant on a rod or reel. Some anglers choose to tie lines directly to the top hardware on their boat or kayak while they drift their rig off the top or bottom of the water. Large charter vessels make this easy with the addition of some Bimini top hardware. Most kayaks are equipped with similar deck rigging to hold gear and extra fish lines.
You can purchase flounder jigs specific for drifting or you can use live bait. Squid strip and bull minnows can be efficient at catching flounder.
Spanish mackerel
In late summer when the waters begin to warm, Spanish mackerel arrive in the bay to feed on fast-moving schools of fish. Since this species of fish is always on the hunt for those fast-moving schools, trolling is another great way to catch this delicacy.
When mackerel are biting close to the surface, you might even catch an occasional bluefish if you’re not reeling fast enough.
For live bait choices you have plenty of options, considering this fish isn’t picky. Whether you use sardines, squid, or shrimp, make sure you are trolling fast or reeling quick. These fish are aggressive and will fly right past rockfish and blues, so make sure your bait is keeping pace with these feisty seasonal visitors.
If you use a lure, consider a timeless silver spoon. No matter what you choose, be prepared to reel quickly if you want to stand out to the mackerel.
Striped bass
You can’t mention fishing in the Chesapeake Bay without a nod to the striped bass.
Known locally as “rockfish,” these bass can be caught year round and can grow up to 50 lbs. Rockfish is the state fish of Maryland. They have beautiful stripes and a distinct bucket-shaped mouth.
Beyond the thrill of the catch, they are highly regarded as a seafood delicacy and considered to be a great seafood option for people who don’t love fishy taste.
Rockfish love sardines and bloodworms. A popular method for catching these bass is slow trolling with baited lines. You want the fish to see your bait presentation. A good charter captain knows which way the fish are moving in relation to the currents.
Don’t make the mistake of pulling your lure parallel to the fish. You want it to come from a perpendicular angle to where the fish is facing. If you haven’t hired a charter, this is something you can discover through trial and error.
What gear will you need?
If you don’t plan on hiring a charter, you will need to acquire some fishing gear and tackle and transport these items to where you intend to fish.
If you are looking to keep things simple, try a spincast reel with a medium action rod not exceeding 7 feet. Use a monofilament line rated for 20 lbs. With skill and patience you can reel in a fish larger than 20 lbs if necessary.
For tackle, talk to anglers at the pier or find a local bait and tackle shop. Many bait shops sell species-specific lures and kits, eliminating the guesswork of what to tie on your line.
If you’re new to fishing and you don’t want the hassle of acquiring and storing gear, remember that hiring a charter will lighten your load in this regard.
Conclusion
Whether you’re hiring an experienced charter or going at it alone, an inshore fishing trip in the Chesapeake Bay should be on any anglers list.
If you want to enjoy a world-class outdoor experience and year-round fishery, come see this thriving ecosystem and economic powerhouse of the Atlantic. This magnificent estuary holds treasure for the novice and expert alike.
Source: www.skifflife.com