Chunking for Stripers in Mid August

Three weeks have passed since Capt Felker and Capt DiPaola witnessed tons of garbage and debris flowing south from the opening of several floodgates on the Conowingo Dam  record rainfall in July.  Mikey D Fishing can report that water clarity has mercifully improved.  While due caution is still the prudent way to cruise to the fishing spots, it was finally safe enough to wet some lines.

Accompanied by Bery Edmonston, Mikey D Fishing left the dock at 0730.  Although the sun was well above the horizon, we couldn't resist an opportunity to cast topwater plugs into the shallows along Hackett's Point in hopes of enticing a lurking striper.  Dozens of casts produced little so it was off to Podickery Point to set up for chunking.  Normally, chumming or chunking for stripers is futile by early August.  August is typically a transitional month, too early for topwater fishing and too late for bottom fishing.  Live lining and jigging are usually the only viable options this time of year.  But 2018 has not been a typical Chesapeake summer.

We set up amongst a small fleet of recreational and charter fishing boats in 32 feet of water.  Air temps were in the mid to upper 80s.  Surface water temps were in the low 80s.  Lines were in the water baited with soft crab and fresh alewife just prior to the start of the incoming tide.  Before the bait was soaked, we began to see the telltale tapping of the rod tips just before the baitrunner reels released line.  Bery landed the first of almost a dozen channel catfish.  The largest was over 24 inches and weighed in excess of 15 pounds.  The abundance of catfish is another consequence of the immense flush of freshwater in the mid Chesapeake Bay.  Fortunately, we managed to boat two stripers (22" and 19") mixed in with the catfish.

A great day on the water culminated with fillets in the bag!

One additional note about safety in light of a charter boat / sailboat collision a few days ago (See "The Capital", Aug 18).  Even in the best of conditions, captains and crew should always be vigilant when underway or at anchor.  Case in point, Bery Edmonston and Capt DiPaola watched with curiosity as a crew of two (grandfather and grandson) became fixated on weighing anchor and securing their gear as the tide steadily drew our vessels closer.  When it became apparent that action was necessary to avoid collision, Capt. DiPaola hailed the other boat before Mikey D Fishing came into contact.  The other vessel wanted to talk about their anchor struggles when Capt. DiPaola strongly recommended that they make way.  Fortunately, a bird nest of braided line and terminal tackle was the only casualty.  Situational Awareness is all to often a rare commodity!

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing