Captain Bud Edelmann and his crew had a very different day of fishing last month and not just because of the 34.45 pound rockfish they landed in the “Rock-A-Rama” tournament. Bud, his daughter Katie Edelmann, Anthony Beamon and Bud’s son-law, Patrick Lewis left their Northumberland County dock for Smith Point Marina on what they though would be a routine five minute ride. Some of the heaviest fog of the year had set in on November 16, making getting to check-in just the first of many navigational challenges. While a day of calm winds is usually welcomed during fall rockfish time on Chesapeake Bay, this windless day prevented the fog and mist filed air from being moved along or dispersed. 

     “We proceeded to the lighthouse and began trolling between the lighthouse and the "SP" Buoy. When we were in about the center of the channel (100') we heard a loud horn blast to our right and shortly after that another blast to our left, definitely commercial traffic! We all said at the same time, Let's get out of here. We went back to the lighthouse where we were going to wait for the fog to lift”, Bud recollected when sharing the events of his fishing trip with us. He added that many of the boats fishing the tournament as well as the commercial traffic were using the VHF “hailing frequency” to advise others of their position and course which was helpful to others navigating the area. 

     After leaving the Smith Pont Light area and trolling Chesapeake Bay channel edge waters between Buoys 65 and 63A, the crew aboard “Tomorrow’s Dream” hit some major fishing action. Just before noon, in 60 feet of water, the deep trolled rod in use showed signs of a major fish being hooked up. After a significant struggle and successful full-crew team effort, a 34.45 pound rockfish was landed. The fish ended up taking third place in the “Rock-A-Rama tournament. During their day of “fishin the fog”, the anglers aboard also caught other stripers ranging from 4 to 17 pounds. Deep trolled umbrella rigs were the baits that provided the most action for Bud and the anglers aboard his boat last month.
 
 

    Another group of anglers who had a memorable day of fishing last month were those aboard “Ice Man” with Jack Frazier. Jim Galusha and Jerry Boutchyard rounded out the “Ice Man” crew who fished a wide area of Chesapeake Bay waters on that foggy November 16 day. Their tournament “moment” came in the vicinity of Hooper Island Light along the bay’s Eastern side channel waters. Galusha got the honor of pulling in the 35 pound 10 ounce striped bass with Frazier and Butcher helping out with the helm and net. A deep trolled umbrella rig with 9 inch chartreuse sassy shads took the monster rockfish landed by the “Ice Man” crew. 

     For the month of December, deep trolled umbrella rigs will remain the favorite lures of choice. Other options including “Stretch 25s” and “Stretch 30s” may also be among successful lures for late fall-early winter rockfish. 

     On warmer unseasonable days when the fish and bait may move into the upper water columns, consider moving a lure or two into the mid-depths. Keep up to date with the remaining Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries striped bass seasons, including the different creel/possession limits in Maryland, Virginia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) waters. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) website is at www.state.va.us/mrc/homepage.htm They can also be reached by phone at (757) 247-2200. 

     Information on Maryland fishing regulations is available by calling toll free, 800-688-3467 or visiting their website at www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries . Regulation information on Potomac River waters within the jurisdiction of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) is available by calling their toll free number at 800-266-3904. Maryland’s 2002 striper season is open through December 15, while the PRFC and Virginia seasons continue through December 31. 

more photos here

© 2002 Steve & Chelly Scala All rights reserved