Bottom fishing action is again the method of choice for anglers in the know, throughout Southern Maryland and Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters. As early as the first week of April, croakers were being caught in Lower Virginia bay and tributary waters as far north as the Rappahannock River. The month of May will find good croaker action well into Maryland’s Mid-Chesapeake Bay and Tributary waters region. 

     Strategies for catching croakers, or hardheads as they are also called, include fishing double hook rigs. One hook is right off the bottom at or near the same level as the sinker with the other hook six to eight inches higher. Loops can be tied on the line for each hook and the sinker or snap or barrel swivels can be used to attach them. Fabricated top and bottom rigs area also popular for croaker fishing. Baits of choice include bloodworms and cut strips of squid. Schools of croaker may be spread out over a large area of water, including shallow inshore creeks. More popular open water locations include shell bottom or structures in 20 to 40 feet of depth. Anglers often drift fish for croaker until they find an area where the fish are biting, then anchor up on the location.

     Striped bass action is sure to have the attention of many Chesapeake Bay anglers this month. The first Virginia 2002 Chesapeake Bay striper seasons is from May 1-15; one striped bass 32 inches or longer can be kept per person per day. Note that Virginia’s spawning reaches are closed for possession of striped bass in Virginia Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters from May 1 through June 15. The Virginia striped bass “slot” season runs from May 16 through June 15. During this season, anglers can keep two stripers from 18 to 28 inches in length, per person per day. One of the stripers in possession during the May 16-June 15 Commonwealth season can exceed 32 inches. Virginia’s third and final striped bass season for 2002 runs from October 4 through December 31 with a two fish per person per day limit at 18 inches or longer. Additional information on requirements for the Virginia striped bass season and other fisheries regulations can be found at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission’s (VMRC) website at; http://www.mrc.state.va.us. The VMRC can also be reached by calling (757) 247-2200.

     Maryland’s current 2002 striped bass season continues through May 15 with the possession creel limit being one fish at 28 inches or longer per person per day. Through June 1, 2002, striped bass in Maryland Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters can only be taken in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem, south of the Brewerton Channel. After June 1, all Maryland Chesapeake Bay tributaries and the upper Bay are open. The second 2002 Maryland striper or “rockfish” season begins on May 16 and continues through December 15. During this time in Maryland waters there is a two fish per person, per day creel of 18-28 inches. One of these in possession can be over 28 inches. From May 16-31, this season is open in the mainstem Chesapeake Bay, south of Brewerton Channel, then from June 1- December 15, it is open throughout Maryland’s Chesapeake bay and it’s tributaries. Information on Maryland’s striped bass seasons and other fishing regulations can be found at, http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries.  Maryland’s DNR Fisheries Division can also be reached by phone on their toll-free line at 800-688-3467. 

     The current Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) striped bass season continues through May 15. Anglers fishing PRFC waters can keep one striped bass at 28 inches or longer, per person per day. This first 2002 PRFC striper season is only open in waters downstream of the Route 301 Bridge between Charles County Maryland and King George County, Virginia. The second 2002 PRFC season runs from May 16 right through December 31, 2002. During this time,  anglers can keep two rockfish per person per day at 18-28 inches in length. One of these fish in possession can exceed 28 inches. This second PRFC striper season opportunity is open throughout the entire river, from downstream of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to Smith Point, Virginia. Call the PRFC at 800-266-3904 for additional information. 

© 2002 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved