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Types of Fishing

Trolling

Chumming/Live Lining

Bottom Fishing

Jigging

Trolling

Our season on the Bay starts in late April and it begins with a BANG! Trophy rockfishing (striped bass) season begins and we troll along the channel edges in search of the migratory beasts that are leaving the Bay to spend the summer in the cool waters of New England. The past few years have been fantastic and we have regularly caught our limit of fish over the 35-inch limit during the month of April and early May. The trophy season normally lasts through May 15th. However, the larger migratory rockfish are normally gone by early May and are replaced by the resident rockfish.

The latter part of May is still a great time for fishing, and is perfect for bottom fishing for perch, the early croaker, and the black drum. The drum typically arrive in the middle portion of the Bay by late May or early June. Their arrival is always announced by the large number of boats drifting along the Stone Rock fishing large portions of soft shell crabs hoping to snag one of the elusive lunkers.

The resident rockfishing season gets underway after May 15th with the size restrictions dropping to 19-inches. We continue to troll up some beautiful rock, as well as bluefish, spanish mackerel, cobia, and sea trout. However, we are always excited when the spot first arrive and we can go live lining for rocks and blues. Without all of the pressure of large numbers of boats trolling, we get the opportunity to work areas with quality fish and can typically catch our limits early so that we can switch to other types of fishing, such as bottom fishing or light tackle casting to breaking schools of blues and trout, or even high speed trolling for spanish mackerel which begin to show up in mid-August.

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Chumming/Live Lining

During the summer months we have a blast live lining for rockfish and blues. Last season was just incredible with limits of rock being caught on just about every trip. It is especially challenging as we use light tackle for the live lining. Imagine hooking up to a 34-inch rock with only an 8-lb reel as we did last year (and it was brought into the boat). We start the trip fishing for spot and we keep you busy until we catch 100 or so (some very large fish seem to end up in the cooler rather than the live well). Once we catch enough of the spot, we head on over and begin live lining. If you haven’t done it before, it is worth trying.

Leading into the fall (especially after the first cold front), typically from mid-September through October, we will provide the opportunity for chumming and live lining (which is a very fun and challenging method for catching good size rockfish) for rockfish and blues. This method can bring lots of non-stop action if a school comes into the chum slick. However, during the summer months, it is likely that the catch will bring a large number of sub-legal fish as we go for our limit. It is a lot of fun and is great for the kids as well (as is bottom fishing).

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Bottom Fishing

Bottom fishing begins in late May, but really heats up from July through early September. This type of fishing is a big hit with the kids, as it provides some non-stop action that peaks their attention (something I know first-hand with two boys of my own, the oldest which is now working with me as my mate). Bottom fish is best during the evening, and we offer afternoon/evening trips for anyone interested in catching really nice croaker, spot, trout, and the occasional bluefish and rockfish. In the last few years, the croaker population has really made a come-back in the middle Bay and we are regularly catching some beautiful fish, some exceeding 20-inches! It is a fantastic experience to catch one of these large croakers on light tackle - it is definitely one of the best fights you can have on the bay! This type of fishing is ideal for children. The afternoon/evening trips usually start out with trolling or chumming for rockfish and bluefish and as the sun begins to set, we move to set up for a fun evening with the light tackle fishing for the BIG croaker!

Flounder fishing is another option that we offer. Using live minnows, small jigs, and soft shell crab, we offer some great days of slow drifting or "power" drifting along edges for the tasty flounder. Unfortunately, the size limit for flounder has been increased to over 17-inches, which makes it tougher to find the keeper fish. But, if you enjoy catching these tasty fish, it is definitely worth the trip and we do find a few to keep.

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Jigging

As the season winds down to a close and the days become colder in early November and into December (remember that we have a heated cabin!!!), we get the opportunity to once again go after the big trophy rockfish as they come up the Bay to feed before heading south for the winter. Along with the migratory rock, schools of trout hang below them looking for the free meals. This is the time that we turn to jigging with light tackle. If you have never tried this method of fishing, it is truly an experience to remember. Especially if you get hooked up to a nice fat trout in the 6 to 10 lb range. All on light tackle!

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We hope that you will join us for the many varieties of fishing that we offer here on the Chesapeake Bay. In fact, why not join us throughout the season and try it all!

Salty Dawg Charters, LLC

Call Capt. Bill at (443) 996-5818 for your next charter!

EMail us at: Captain Zimmerman