The year 2001 Striped Bass seasons in the Chesapeake Bay Region received positive indications when the late April openers took off to a tremendous start. Maryland Chesapeake Bay waters and jurisdictions within the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) enjoyed several waves of post-spawn pulses of stripers or “rockfish” as they cruised back down the bay’s own “striper highway”.

     While you won’t find this road marked on fishing or nautical maps, many of its intersections and byways are in the logs, records and memories of successful anglers. With numerous tidal tributary designations embedded in the biologic signals of mature striped bass, these fish often follow similar paths back down the “tribs” and through the bay. By the time Virginia’s trophy season opened on May 1, joining Maryland and PRFC, the nautical shoulders of the striper highway from the Maryland Bay Bridge to the Virginia Bridge-tunnel were lined with boats ready to do battle big post-spawn stripers.

     Since the late 1980's several Chesapeake Bay tournaments have showcased the resilient return of the striper. Back in numbers, which still surprise even some of the most optimistic fisheries’ biologists, the region’s rockfish provide both sport and outstanding table fare. Maryland and Virginia can boast their own “trickle down” economies which benefit from catches of rockfish and related business revenues, both directly and indirectly. Among the best locations to get a view and experience what the 2001 striped bass season will be like, is Harrison’s Chesapeake House. Captains Buddy Harrison and Buddy Harrison Jr. have gathered a group of experienced charter boat captains who fish out of their Tilghman Island homestead. Their annual PRO-AM tournament celebration has become an icon of excitement for all who attend. While fishing from and enjoying the excellent food and accommodations of Harrison’s Chesapeake House is always a pleasure, the annual early May PRO-AM goes beyond a crystal ball view as to what the rest of the season is going to be like. The waves of post-spawn stripers which the Harrison fleet targets from just South of the bay bridges to beyond Cove Point, gives Maryland, Virginia and Potomac River anglers an idea of what to expect in the ongoing season-year experience. 

     Our trip to Harrisons’ on April 30 and May 1 provided us with an extraordinary and positive view of what Chesapeake Bay anglers can expect throughout the 2001 striped bass season. After a great evening meal, restful nights sleep and predawn breakfast, we joined other anglers aboard the 2001 PRO-AM charter boat fleet for a day of fishing excitement. For many of us, our time fishing was cut short but only because we caught our limit of one striper 28 inches or longer per person so early in the day. 

     On May 1, Steve fished aboard the, “Beaudacious” captained by Mike Lipsky and Mate, Tim Anderson. Among the anglers were Mark Acton who caught a 40 inch rockfish which was the biggest fish brought aboard the boat on May 1. Joining Acton and Steve were John Daue, Lon Campbell, Charlie Petrocci and George Acton. Every one aboard reeled in a striper more than 31 inches. No throwbacks under the 28 minimum were caught. The most successful lures fished aboard the “Beaudacious” were tandem rigged bucktails and sassy shad trailers fished with just a few ounces of weight. Two fish were also caught on mid-depth umbrella rigs. In another PRO-AM tournament boat on May 1, Chelly joined Penny and Bruce Hope, Terry Detrich, Paul Herring and Wayne Todd aboard the “Alibi”, captained by Bill Messick. The Alibi crew also enjoyed early morning rockfish action in which everyone aboard caught a rockfish which exceeded the 28 inch minimum. Bruce Hope, Todd and Detrich all caught stripers which measured 34 inches, for the biggest fish caught aboard “Alibi” on May 1. Umbrella rigs fitted with white bucktails and chartreuse or white sassy shad trailers got the most action on board “Alibi” that day.

     Now that June is here, Chesapeake Bay anglers on both sides of the Virginia-Maryland line have some new and exciting striped bass seasons to fish. The current Virginia season runs through June 15 with a two fish per person per day creel limit at 18 to 28 inches. One of these may be larger than 32 inches. Maryland’s current 2001 striped bass season continues through November 30 with a two fish per person per day creel at 18 to 28 inches, one of which can exceed 28 inches. The (PRFC) season, now in effect, continues through December 31, 2001 with a two fish per person per day creel at 18 inches or longer, but only one of these can exceed 28 inches. For information on Virginia’s 2001 striped bass seasons, call 757-247-2200. Information on Maryland’s 2001 fishing seasons can be obtained by calling 800-688-3467. PRFC season information is available by calling 800-266-3904.

     June is the month for the annual Reedville Bluefish Derby, which also includes daily and overall cash prizes for striped bass. Tournament activities take place at Buzzard’s Point Marina near Reedville. Cost to enter the 2001 tournament is $150 per boat. Competition fishing days are on June 8 and 9. For information, call Jetts’ Hardware at 804-453-5325. 

© 2001 Steve & Chelly Scala All rights reserved.