Fished for: Striped Bass
Date Fished: 6/13/98
Boat Name: doesn't have one yet
Water Temp: 73 Degrees
Water Clarity: 2 Inches
Seas: Slight Chop
Weather: Foggy Until 9:30 AM Then Sunny
REPORT:
Predicted Tides: 7:11 AM High / 1:14 PM Low
REPORT
Bill Kassakatis and I fished for STRIPED BASS on Saturday, 06/13/98, from 6:50 AM until 4:00 PM on the Choptank River. We fished areas from just west of Chlora Point to 2 miles east of the Rt. 50 Bridge. We launched next to the hospital on the south side of the Rt. 50 bridge. There are 2 excellent ramps with plenty of parking at this facility.
WATER CONDITION:
The water was high and still when we started. It was very muddy and the tide predictions were not correct. The tide was outgoing from around 7:30 AM until we left at 4:00 PM. (This is very unusual, but that’s what happened.)
TOTAL STRIPED BASS CAUGHT WAS 23. The Stripers ranged from 10 inches to 17 inches. The most productive structure was a point with a shell bar. This shell bar started on the point and ran in the same direction of the point for approximately 200 feet out into the Choptank River. What made this point highly productive were the opposing currents. One current was running from the north to the south caused by the inflow of a creek. The other current was the outgoing current running from the east to the west. These currents created some unusual hydraulic forces keeping bait fish on this point throughout the outgoing tide.
We also hooked 10 large skates, landed 1 catfish and 5 white perch. We lost count of the number of turtles we sighted everywhere on this river, even in 42 feet of water under the Rt. 50 bridge.
NUMBER OF STRIPERS CAUGHT DURING THIS TIDE:
0 - Incoming
22 - Outgoing
1 - Still
MOST PRODUCTIVE LURE- Bass Assassin, Salt Water, Curly Shad, Soft Plastic Bait, 4", Rainbow Trout, #CSA27332
MOST PRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUE- Jig & Stop-cast the lure out let it drop to the desired depth (drops 1 foot per second), then lift your rod tip swiftly from 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock while taking up the slack line-pause for 1 second. Repeat this again and again, until the lure is back at the boat. The Stripers usually take the bait on the fall.
OTHER PRODUCTIVE LURES THIS TRIP:
*All lure information is supplied for REFERENCE ONLY. These types of lures are made by other manufacturers which may be just as, or more productive than, the lures listed. It gives the readers an opportunity to see these productive lures through the Internet or in catalogs.
Bill Lewis, Tiny-Trap, Vibrating Crankbait, 1/8 oz., Tennessee Shad
Lunker City, 3" Plastic Minnow Bait, Lime
Bass Assassin, Salt Water, Curly Shad, Soft Plastic Bait, 4", Salt & Pepper Silver Phantom, #CSA27336
Bass Assassin, Shad Assassin, Soft Plastic Bait, Salt & Pepper Silver Phantom/Chartreuse Tail, #SA13238
Bass Assassin, Salt Water, Shad, Soft Plastic Bait, 3", Gizzard Shad, #SWA28370
FISHING TIP:
Always ask yourself ‘why was this fish here’…………………………………………
When you find a productive area, such as the point mentioned above, and catch a fish figure out what is holding fish at this location. At first this takes quit a bit of thinking and discussion (and sometimes a good argument) with your partner, but after awhile you will be able to pick up a chart and locate productive areas before you go out on the water.
This will give you more time to fish and that’s what were looking for.
SPECIAL NOTICE:
CCA MD is sponsoring a Bull Roast, Auction, Flea Market and Casting Clinics this Saturday, June 20, 1998. SAILWINDS PARK - Cambridge, MD - On The Choptank River - Inside Rain or Shine. Call toll free 888-758-6580 Sherman Baynard for directions and information.
Good Fishing…..Tom Hughes