The ride from home port to the ramp at Sandy Point was a cold one. Winds were 10 -15 out of the Northwest, the air temperature was 42, and water temps were in the upper 40s. Scanning the horizon from north to south revealed only a few sailboats. Unlike autumn fishing in recent years, bait was not to be found in the middle bay, absent were schools of keeper rockfish and gulls that typically mark fish from above were nowhere in sight. October through mid November are typically the most exciting and productive time for striper hunters. Schools of rockfish measured in acres blanket the bay. We incorporate a shoot and scoot tactic to move from one productive spot to the next. When the fish are holding in deeper waters, we will jig with BKDs and metal jigs to hook keepers.
This fall was different. Despite unsubstantiated Maryland Department of Natural Resources reports of excellent "Roctober" fishing, fellow regular anglers and charter captains agreed with Mikey D Fishing that the October / November striper season was a disappointment. Our theory is that the record rainfall and subsequent opening of the Conowingo Dam decreased the salinity of the upper and middle bay region. Bait moved south early, taking most stripers of note with them.
The good news is that the fall fishing did not dampen what was a memorable season overall. The saltwater season commenced in spectacular fashion with Capt Felker and Capt DiPaola catching Nicaraguan tarpon on the fly! Late May and early June produced large number of keeper rockfish including a banner weekend in mid June when we brought multiple keepers including two 30" plus fish over the gunwale. When fish were constrained into a small area near Rock Hall by poor oxygen levels in July, Mikey D Fishing was there with simultaneous hook-ups. During that trip we witnessed the appalling amount of trash and debris moving downstream from the Susquehanna river. A late summer tow that took us miles from the fishing grounds ultimately rewarded us with keeper rockfish. We caught fish jigging, with fly rods, on bait-runner reels, and in almost every available manner. We landed our largest Cobia on our trek to the Southern Bay. At the northern outpost in Potter County, Capt Felker continued to expand local knowledge of streams and creeks in north central PA. Summer is never more in bloom than when you feel the tug of the line and bring a trout to hand on a clear day. We enjoyed the company of regular fishing friends and guests. It was a great season and we have much for which to be grateful.
2019 fishing is only a few short months and a thaw away. We are looking forward to the inaugural Charter season and Capt Felker's Montana fly fishing guide school matriculation. Fish on the line or half off so book now!
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
