It’s time for the premier fishing time on the Lower Potomac and Chesapeake Bay, better known to others as September. There is a lot going on transition wise this month which makes this the time for catching several species of fish, even if you are only fishing for one. Blues, striped bass, Spanish mackerel gray or speckled trout and sometimes even red drum may be caught while chasing signs of moving or feeding fish. While the past summer may have been a challenge due to heavy and sometimes continuous, unseasonable rainfall, September is a month you can count on for some fast moving fishing action. Striped bass (rockfish) are not even thinking about leaving the bay this month but some species such as Spanish mackerel may be staging to make the trip. Once water temperatures begin to gradually fall, sometimes all’s it takes is a significant storm or few days of wind to shift patterns of bait and start the “macks” heading South. Thankfully, some of the same weather and water condition patterns which move the mackerel South stir the feeding and schooling action of rockfish, blues and seatrout this month.

     Chumming prevails throughout September but trolling and casting into breaking schools of fish will pick up interest for many anglers. August provided plenty of striper action in the chumslicks, even during wet weather and this method of fishing is sure to continue as a choice tactic during this month. Among our favorite lures for trolling during this month are Drone, Cather and Clark spoons. These will take hits from rock, blues or Spanish mackerel. Trolling surgical tube eels area also good baits for blues and sometimes rockfish.

     September is also the month for the annual Potomac River Fishing Tournament sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Northern Neck Lodge 32. This is one of our favorite tournaments not only for the fishing time of year it takes place, but for the great fun, gatherings and the beautiful festivities location at Coles Point Plantation. In it’s tenth year, the Potomac River FOP Tournament includes many cash prizes for both rockfish and bluefish. Mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday on September 26 and 27, with the Captains meeting taking place at Coles Point Plantation on Thursday evening, September 25 at 7:00 p.m.. Registration prior to fishing also takes place on September 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The tournament entry fee is $200 per boat and is considered a “Non-refundable contribution”. Those who enter the 2003 FOP Potomac River Tournament prior to Midnight, September 15 are eligible for one of four $250 early entry drawings. Fishing times for competition are from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on September 26 and 27. All contest fishing is limited to the Potomac River. The public is invited to all of the festivities at Coles Point Plantation during the three days of tournament activities. For information or to obtain an entry form, call (804) 472-3955. 

     Information on Maryland’s 2003 recreational fishing can be obtained by calling 1-800-688-3467 or 1-800-762-5347 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources also has a website at; http://www.dnr.state.md.us/ Virginia's 2003 Chesapeake Bay and tributary fishing regulation information can be obtained by calling (757) 247-2200 or visiting the Virginia Marine Resources Commission website at; http://www.mrc.state.va.us/ The Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) provides recreational fishing regulation information within their jurisdiction which is available at their website; http://www.prfc.state.va.us/ The PRFC can be contacted by phone at 800-266-3904 or (804) 224-7148. 

© 2003 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved
 

Photo:

Terry Keyser & Carl Rice hold rockfish caught by Terry in the Chesapeake Bay this summer.
Photo by Phillip Keyser. © 2003