YEAR 11 -December 2008
CNR Tournament Results
HOW TO: Set the Hook
with Jack Frost
HOW TO: Whack & Stack
Chesapeake Style
Outdoorsman’s
Christmas Wish List
Kayaking for Stripers
©2008 Chesapeake Angler Magazine, LLC.
Dear Readers,
We are quickly approaching our
12th year of publishing Chesapeake
Angler Magazine. For over a decade
we have provided our fishing friends
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2
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
We hope you will understand
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Bay fishing community.
On the bright side, we should
soon be able to add new features like
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Have a wonderful Christmas
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As Always,
“Read it and get hooked!”
Karen and Lara
December, 2008
FISHING REPORTS
www.chesapeake-angler.com
P.O. Box 233, Burgess, VA 22432
804-453-7511, fax 804-453-4009
35
Owner-Publisher
Karen Jett
Owner-Publisher
VA Saltwater ......................................Capt. Rick Lockhart
4
VA Freshwater ..................................................Missy Fike
5
NC Outer Banks ................................................Joe Malat
5
MD Saltwater and Freshwater ....................Keith Kaufman
SPECIAL SECTIONS
Chesapeake Angler Magazine is pubished monthly
by Chesapeake Angler Magazine, L.L.C.
Lara Brady Kelley
4
Max King
Fishing Team Captain
6
Charter Boats and Guides
15
Upcoming Events
16, 20, 43 Reader Photos
44
Clip-N-Save Charter Boat Directory
34
Dining Guide and Recipe ......................Whitey Schmidt
35
Book Corner: Book Reviews ..............King Montgomery
41
Real Estate / Home Improvement
46
Classified Ads BOATS FOR SALE
FISHING ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Carol Bradley
Suzann Messick
Production
Sales
Gary & Robin
Edwards
Travel Editors
Email ads: [email protected]
Email articles: [email protected]
Email photos: [email protected]
WRITERS
Gary & Robin Edwards,
TTTravel Editors
Capt. Dave Compton
Woo Daves
Mark Fike
Missy Fike
Capt. Herb Gordon
Gary Gresh
Jim Baugh
Keith Kaufman
Joe Malat
King Montgomery
Capt. Richard Novotny
Charlie Petrocci
Capt. Bob Reed
Captain Max King
Cory Routh
Whitey Schmidt
Tim Sherman
Beau Beasley
Chris Jenkins
Captain Rick Lockhart
Kayak Kevin Whitley
24
Capt. Bob’s Fish Talk: VA ......................Capt. Bob Reed
18
Sherwood’s Lost Rod..............................Capt. Max King
23
Woo’s Corner: Freshwater............................Woo Daves
24
Kayak Fishing ............................................Kayak Kevin
27
My Favorite Things ....................................Tim Sherman
31
Reel N Hampton ............................................Jim Baugh
30
Items Anglers Can’t Live Without..................Gary Gresh
32
Compton’s Comments: VA..............Capt. Dave Compton
40
Outer Banks Surf Fishing: NC ........................Joe Malat
37
Phase II Introduces New Dancer Topwater Lure
45
47
CNR Tournament Results
2008 Colonial Beach Rockfish Toury Results
HUNTING
Chris Fllickinger, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brother came to Reedville to fish the
Casey Neal Rogers Memorial Tournament
and caught this beauty near the Smith Island Lighthouse.
Inset: Louise Helvin, from
the Eastern Shore of Virginia, caught this 20 inch, 3
pound 15 ounce croaker off
of Cape Charles on October 20, 2008.
Freshwater Discussion ............................Chris Jenkins
14
TOURNAMENTS, PRODUCTS
On the Cover
Inset top: Wayne Harding,
from the Northern Neck of
Virginia, caught this nice 6
pound largemouth in October using live minnows.
12
29
45
Looking for Deer in All the Wrong Places
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
3
Virginia
ries of yellowfin have not been
cause for much excitement. December has to be the month for
more consistent action.
SALTWATER
FISHING REPORTS
By Capt. Rick Lockhart
December is a slower month for
fishing reports. Nevertheless, striper
season is in full swing. Though the
striped bass will no doubt be the primary target of most fishermen, there
are still other species to be targeted.
Water temperature will dictate
whether the flounder will be in the
shallows or making their way offshore. Recent years have found
more and more flounder caught during the month of December in and
around the CBBT and inshore
wrecks. The spotted trout should
be in abundance from Mobjack Bay
south. Of particular interest will be
the Lynnhaven area. Sea bass will
be concentrated on the wrecks before their trek to deeper waters, and
tautog will again become the target
of many that lost interest with the rising water temperatures of early summer. Offshore, the recreational
fishermen have been awaiting the
return of the tuna. Reports of big
bluefish working their way down the
coast have surfaced; therefore, the
bluefin can’t be far behind, but sto-
If you have already winterized
your boat, you might want to give the
local charter boaters a try. Visit
www.fishva.org to locate a boat
close to you, or close to where you
would like to fish.
Eastern Shore
Capt. Mike Handforth (757-3366861) indicates that many of the
Eastern Shore captains have closed
up shop for the year by the time December rolls around. Mike will continue to fish for the larger rockfish
(Eastern Shore fish have to be 28”
or larger) into December. The large
fish migrating from Maine have to go
past the Eastern Shore. Mike also
reports that large bluefish have been
spotted about a week away. This
could make for an interesting December. The offshore boys are
awaiting a consistent bite of tuna,
according to Mike. Capt. Rob Savage (757-678-0063) has just completed his spotted trout portion of his
season and is looking forward to
fishing for tautog, which he says will
not reach its fall peak until the water
Continued on page 13
G
Virginia
FRESHWATER
FISHING REPORTS
By Missy Fike
December can be a rough month
to fish but there are some standouts
that make a trip to the water worth
your time. Don’t put away the rods
yet!
Here is an overview and below a
few specifics.
Catfish- The smaller cats are
less inclined to steal your bait now
and the larger fish tend to be more
cooperative if that is what you are
after. The lower James, Chickahominy, Rappahannock and Potomac River are all great
destinations. The Potomac can be
colder due to its location and the
wideness of the river, which allows a
good wind to whip up. Fish ledges
near deep water with fresh bait if
possible. If you cannot get fresh
bunker or mud shad try eels.
Striped bass—Striped bass are
very active this month in landlocked
lakes and Virginia is blessed with
more than a few. There are several
places around Virginia Beach,
REEN TO
Buggs Island, Smith Mountain and
Lake Anna all offer good action. Fish
cranks deep and look for bait or fish
on your finder. Jumbo minnows are
also very good this month. Trolling
will work but that makes for colder
and slower paced fishing. The lower
tidal rivers are also open season for
a while too and there are definitely
fish there to be had. Sassy shads on
jigs, spoons or long crankbaits will
do the number.
Chain Pickerel- The tidal portions of Virginia are excellent places
to cast a spoon, thin crankbait or
minnow for these toothy game fish.
Use slow retrievals. The Chickahominy, lakes around Virginia Beach
and the sloughs and creeks off the
Potomac River will draw strikes. Fish
next to cover. These fish love cover
to ambush prey in December. They
taste the best out of cold water so
don’t overlook broiling a few for supper this month.
Crappie—Cold never really
shuts down the crappie bite for long.
Any of your favorite crappie haunts
to include Briery, Sandy River, Anna,
Buggs, Smith Mountain, Occoquan
or ponds are great places to
SLOWLY drag or troll a minnow for
crappie this month. Mark fish on a
Continued on page 22
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
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Maryland
FISHING REPORTS
By Keith Kaufman
November featured excellent bigfish action in Chesapeake Bay, with
lots of 24- to 30-inch stripers reported. Maryland anglers also
hooked up with some hefty rockfish
over 40 inches last month, and big
fish will be available right through
December as they head south toward Virginia and the mouth of the
bay. The Maryland rockfish season
continues until December 31.
Captain Richie Gaines at Anglers
Connection Guide Service said “big
ocean-run fish have been all over
the bay” in November, and anglers
have enjoyed fast action on 24- to
30-inch rockfish. They were jigged
up on soft plastics on leadheads.
Richie said small schools of rock
were keyed in on peanut-sized
bunker and were caught in Eastern
Bay and at the Hill, Poplar Island
and other locations. Richie kept his
eye out for birds and said only the
slightest bird activity was an indication that there were big fish below.
From the Choptank to the Patuxent,
Richie said pelicans and other birds
were over big bait and big fish last
month. As of December 1, Richie
has been fishing for stripers at the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Captain Hank DeVito aboard the
Afternoon Delight said November
featured a “bigger influx of bigger
fish than we’ve had in the past five
or six years.” Beautiful rockfish of 40
to 48 inches were trolled up last
month from the CP buoy to 78 buoy.
Lots of fish to 25 inches have also
been “bunched up in spots.” The
key, according to Captain Hank, was
being in the right place when the fish
turned on, otherwise you didn’t catch
them. Anglers have been pulling
planer boards and trolling umbrella
rigs and double parachutes. The
good fishing should continue well
into December, and will get better
later in the month for Crisfield anglers as colder water will push the
fish south toward the mouth of the
bay.
Big stripers made for happy anglers in November according to Captain Sonney Forrest on the
Fin-Finder. Big stripers well above
28 inches were hooked south of
Continued on page 9
Outer Banks,
NC
FISHING REPORTS
By Joe Malat
I’m not sure I’m a believer in
weather patterns, but so far this fall
we have seen a pattern of a strong
northeast blow about every two to
three weeks. I’m not talking about
light northeast winds. These northeasters have been the real thing,
with 30 knot winds, beach erosion,
and ocean overwash. To make matters worse, weekend anglers were
frustrated by awful conditions on
Saturday and Sunday, mixed with
light and variable winds during the
week!
When the weatherman cooperated, the fishing was fairly good, especially for surfcasters. Speckled
trout and puppy drum provided
some memorable days on the
beaches from Nags Head to Corolla.
The drum were mixed in size, with
most of them measuring less than
the 18-inch minimum size. But I saw
several slot-sized “keepers” between 18 and 27-inches, and a few
released fish that exceeded the legal
maximum. Some of the drum were
captured on fresh bait and bottom
rigs, but most I saw were taken on
light spinning rods and artificial
lures. Believe me, a slot-sized redfish on 8-pound test line in the surf is
one heck of a catch!
Early in November the speckled
trout were good-sized, with a fair
number of four-pound plus specks
being caught. On the days I was on
the beach, I did not see any trout
that measured less than the 12-inch
minimum, and most were good fish
in the one to one and a half-pound
range. A selection of artificial lures,
including MirrOLures, and a variety
of soft plastics such as Assassins,
Gulp! lures and Gotcha tails were
productive. Small bluefish and a few
flounder were also captured by surfcasters along the northern
beaches. As we moved toward the
middle of the month the average
size of the fish decreased and a majority of the trout were throwbacks
that did not meet the 12-inch minimum.
Hatteras Island surf fishermen
reported drum in all sizes, from puppies to big reds, bluefish, speckled
trout, black drum and sea mullet. AnContinued on page 11
Late Summer/ Fall: Hampton/ VA Beach
Spring/ Early Summer: Hatteras, NC
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
5
CHARTER BOATS AND GUIDES
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
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Fishing Lower Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries, including Atlantic Coastal Waters.
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5 C:: 804-314-0835
5 •• Email: [email protected]
804-776-0255
Flounder
Capt. Hub McNeal
Experienced USCG Captain
Bottom
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[email protected]
Lower Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay •
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(804) 366-6186
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
7
CHARTER BOATS AND GUIDES
RUDEE INLET in VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
STRIPER SEASON IS HERE!!
Call now to reserve your charter fishing trip aboard the
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Check out our website and book your charter now!
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All fishing tackle & bait provided by Captain Bob.
ROCKFISH LURES AVAILABLE
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804-435-9785
email: [email protected] www.bob-a-long.com
Fish with Captain Bob Reed, USCG license
Capt. Bobby Smit
Don’t miss the Nov-Jan Monster striped bass Bite.
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running out of
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Daily reports with pictures ON WEBSITE
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We provide Bait, Tackle & License
Full day & half day charters available
We offer Fish Cleaning Serv ices
Captain Scott Sinclair • 740-590-0866
Email: [email protected]
8
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
10% Discount
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Maryland
FISHING REPORTS
From page 5
Cove Point. Fish of 18 to 26 inches
provided action at the False Channel. Sonney said the bait was holding deeper in November, and
anglers were trolling big lures slowly
to get them deeper. Sonney said a
“stop-and-drop” approach worked
well for some trollers as they would
take the boat out of gear, count to
seven to allow their lures to sink
deeper, then they would put the boat
back in gear and continue trolling.
Sonney expects big rockfish to be
available right through to the end of
December when the Maryland rock-
fish season closes.
Crisfield anglers enjoyed fast action with breaking fish in November
while trolling was hit-or-miss. However, trolling action for big stripers
will only get better in December as
large rockfish head down the bay.
Captain Curtis Johns on the Karen
Ray said breaking stripers of 18 to
25 inches were caught at the Southwest Middle Grounds, Fox’s Island,
Tangier Island and other locations in
Tangier Sound. Captain Curtis said
trollers in December can expect to
score big stripers while pulling umbrella rigs and tandem bucktail and
parachute rigs from the HS buoy to
Smith Point.
Big walleye and nice stripers
were caught last month below
Conowingo Dam on the lower
Susquehanna River. One angler,
while fishing from shore in the morning and casting to the backside of
gate 3 and allowing his bait to drift
through the tailwater hooked three
walleye, including a massive 28inch, 7-pound, 1-ounce walleye! His
outstanding catch also included 15
stripers to 27 inches. The productive
bait was a 2-inch Finesse minnow in
clear silver flake, or in stark white
patterns dipped in Spike-It chartreuse glow. Walleye to 25 inches
and 5 pounds were also nailed at
Conowingo on Rapala 3- and 4-inch
Rapala sticks (black with orange
belly), and Renegade minnows in
Electric Chicken (pink back and
chartreuse belly).
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While the boating season at
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month they caught a few nice
stripers to 24 inches. Nice channel
cats were also taken by fishermen
soaking chicken liver baits.
Anglers fishing with Captain Walt
at Light Tackle Charters have enjoyed productive days on the
Pocomoke River. Small jigs tipped
with small minnows have triggered
strikes from crappie. Some days it’s
been best to jig near the bottom, and
other days the most productive approach has been to suspend the
minnow and jig 6 to8 feet below a
bobber. An occasional bass or pickerel will also blast the jig/minnow
combo. Captain Walt fishes the protected waters of the Pocomoke
River all winter long for bass and
panfish.
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Merry Christmas! I wish all of you
a happy holiday season and you
have my best wishes for a healthy,
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443-624-3802
Hat Trick
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
9
B O O K N O W F O R FA L L &
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through March
Capt. Carroll Webb
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804-435-2280 or 804-347-3970
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email: [email protected]
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ALL BAIT AND
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cell (804) 580-1965
Now
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f [email protected]
(804) 758-2518
Cell (804) 513-9729
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Fishing out of Deltaville and off Virginia Beach
Light Tackle, Fly Fishing & Sightseeing
Virginia • Lower Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Area
Personalized/Private Party Charters
Captain Len Gerylo • (757) 874-4981 or 876-4485
Email: [email protected]
www.fishmidnightsun.com
Currently Live Baiting
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Call Capt. Ryan Rogers (804) 453-5812
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10
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
Reedville
April - Nov
Rudee Inlet
Dec - Feb
Capt. Danny Crabbe
51 Railway Road
Heathsville, VA 22473
(804) 453-3251 • Cell: (804) 761-0908
email: [email protected]
www.crabbescharterfishing.com
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Keith Nuttall of
Gloucester, VA
caught this 7
pound, 12 ounce
speckled trout
and this 38 inch,
20 pound striper in
shallow water
near Ware Point
using a Mirrolure.
The fish were
weighed in at
Queens Creek
Outfitters in
November.
Fishing the lower
Chesapeake Bay
and
Hampton Roads,
Virginia
Saturday & Sundays fish
6:30 - 11:30 am
12:30 - 5:30 pm $40
Monday thru Friday
8 am - 3 pm $45
Beginning in December
8 am - 3 pm
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Rather be fishing? We are...come join us at the
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CHESAPEAKE BAY CHARTER BOAT FISHING
Captain Rick Lockhart • 1-804-435-6907
EmaiL: [email protected]
$350 a day for a four (4) person charter.
Fishing gear, bait and tackle provided. If you have a
favorite rod and reel, by all means, bring it along!
Call toll free for more details or visit one of our associated
I’d rather be fishing!
www.rlcharters.com or www.fishva.org
Northern Neck
Middle Peninsula
Light Tackle and Fly Fishing
Shallow Water
Stripers
Specks
Flounder
Croaker
Blues
Capt. Ed Lawrence
804-693-5673
[email protected]
www.speckulatercharters.com
Puppy Drum
P.O. Box 262
Gloucester, VA 23061
USCG Licensed and Insured
NC
FISHING REPORTS
From page 5
glers in the 51st Annual Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf
Fishing Tournament had to contend
with some tough conditions, but they
caught a variety of fish. Dare
County teams took the top two slots.
The “F Team” of Kitty Hawk won first
place overall, and the “Outcasters”
took the top slot for ladies. Hatteras
Inlet produced some good catches
of puppy drum and bluefish. Many of
the reds were keepers.
Ocracoke also reported some
very good surf action. Red drum of
mixed sizes, bluefish, black drum
and sea mullet were reported. The
drum fishing was especially good
during the first week of November.
Pier fishing was good, but on
many of the days, the planks only
had a few anglers enjoying the action. Speckled trout, puppy drum,
bluefish, sea mullet, skates and
dogfish provided most of the action.
By mid-month the size of fish
seemed to decrease, even though
the numbers were strong. Frisco
pier reported some sheepshead
mixed with the other species, and
Avon pier had some trophy sized
drum that had to be released.
Boaters are finding fish. Speckled trout, puppy drum, flounder and
striped bass provided some good
catches around Oregon Inlet. Most
of the stripers were caught further
north in the sounds, from the southern of Roanoke Island up to the
Manns Harbor Bridge, with some
nice sized stripers, up to 30-inches
coming from the sound near Colington Island. The “Little Bridge” on the
Nags Head-Manteo Causeway produced scattered catches of striped
bass, some speckled trout and a few
puppy drum.
Hatteras and Ocracoke boaters
reported a mix of fish. Drum, speckled trout and flounder provided
some action at Hatteras, while Ocracoke boaters reported mostly
drum. But, that’s not a bad thing,
since the redfish ranged from small
puppies to big drum in the 40-pound
range.
I hope you can plan to attend
one of my Outer Banks Surf Fishing
seminars sponsored by Chesapeake Angler Magazine during the
Richmond Fishing Expo at the Richmond Raceway Complex, January
16-18. I’ll also have some of my autographed books for sale. Come by
for a visit, and let’s talk about surf
fishing! For a detailed seminar
schedule and to find out more about
the Expo, visit the web site at
www.ncboatshows.com.
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
11
Setting the Hook with Jack Frost
By Chris Jenkins
I am sure that fishing is the last
thing on most peoples mind in the
month of December. Notice I said
most people and I don’t consider
myself to be like most people. To
say that I like to fish is a huge understatement and if I think I can set
the hook on something, count me
in. Make no bones about it, there
are bass to be caught in the winter
months and some big ones at that.
As with any season though, you
have to assess the situation and
have a game plan. The bass’ metabolism has slowed dramatically
and the digestive process takes
much longer under the present conditions. In fact, bass cease to grow
when the water temperature drops
below fifty degrees. The good news
is that they will still eat, but less frequently and prefer smaller meals.
Knowing that, I am going to
present them with an easy meal to
catch and an easy meal to digest. A
Carolina rigged Berkley 4” Gulp
sinking minnow, 3” Gulp Fry, or the
6” Gulp Float minnow are prime examples. The bites can be very subtle and far a few between at times
but once they latch onto a Gulp
product there as good as hooked.
The Yum Craw Papi, Wooly Bug,
Wooly Hawgcraw, and Yum Dinger
are also baits that have proven effective for me time and time again.
When you have a high pressure
system parked over you and blue
bird skies beaming down, these
baits along with tubes and grubs
will be your best bet. I know when I
set out on any given winter day I
may get skunked so I keep my expectations down to earth. I also
know that I have caught some real
heavy weights when most people
are snuggled up under their electric
blanket as well. So what better lure
to target a behemoth with than a jig
I say? A ¾ ounce Stanley Platinum
jig will be tied on before I leave the
house and I will couple it with a
pork trailer which stays more pliable
than plastic in cold water. Lastly, I
have to mention a Lake Fork 6”
Ring Fry. I can’t explain it but this
simple piece of plastic attracts
some healthy fish in extreme conditions whether it is August or Jan-
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
uary.
Location, location, location! I
have covered a few lures that I rely
on; now let’s look at where to target
these fish. I always get a chuckle of
the fisherman that run the bank
chasing little fish all summer. The
reason I bring it up is because if
you can’t fish deep you are missing
the boat. I recommend you look for
the steepest bank on the lake in the
summer and the winter. These are
big bass magnets on any body of
water during these times and you
need to familiarize yourself with
them. Bass will gang up on walls,
creek channels, and drop offs, especially if there is some form of
cover associated with that structure. I am on red alert when I probe
a deep brush pile or tree because I
know that I in a high probability
area and need to react quickly in
order to winch a fish out to avoid
disaster. Steep or sharp dropping
points are another spot that can really attract fish this time of year and
need to milked thoroughly. In fact
any prime location needs gone
over with a fine toothed comb by
making multiple casts with different
lures. Rock walls and rip rap hold
heat and can often times provide a
reaction strike with a crankbait or
slow rolled spinnerbait. Debris often
gathers near any dam and should
not be overlooked when you’re on
the water this winter.
The early bird does not always
get the worm during winter months
and most times I am the only fishing
fool out there. I do however try to
fish on a falling barometer and prior
to any kind of frontal passage. I remember several years back racing
out to fish prior to a snow storm. I
stayed out too long and just about
had to get my truck towed off of
some private property that I was not
welcome on. All in the name of fishing, just one more cast,and one
more Big Bass!!
Lonnie Stanley just informed me
of a great web site for the younguns
to visit and post pictures. Getting
the leaders of tomorrow involved
now is vital.
There will be random drawings
for kids that offer free fishing and
hunting trips as well as prizes. It
cost nothing but the rewards are
priceless.
www.bluegilling.com
www.spikebuck.com
It is going to be a long winter so
keep those emails coming. If we
can’t fish at least we can talk about
it.
Email
me
at
[email protected]
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Virginia
SALTWATER
FISHING REPORTS
Continued from page 5
temperature reaches 42 degrees.
Norfolk/Virginia Beach
Capt. Nolan Agner (757-200-0200) will be fishing for tuna and wahoo
out of Oregon Inlet, but he plans to be back at Rudee by the middle of December. At that time he will be targeting the striped bass through trolling,
casting, and jigging. Capt. Neal Taylor (757-646-4449) will be wreck fishing
for tautog and sea bass. He will also be fishing for striped bass. Fishing
inshore, Capt. Joe Ferrara (757-572-9236) will be taking his crews to the
CBBT to cast and jig for striped bass, while Capt. Max King (757-650-3176)
will be live-lining eels. Capt. Herman Bunch (757-481-4298) also enjoys
eeling for stripers. Herman will move to trolling the ocean once the really
large fish move into the area.
Lower Peninsula
Because of its close proximity to the ocean waters, much of the Lower
Peninsula’s fishing is similar to that of Virginia Beach. Capt. Chandler Hogg
(757-876-1590) will be fishing primarily for striped bass; but will fish for tautog and/or sea bass. Capt. Jerry Olson (757-288-1081) is one of the few
captains I know that fishes for stripers at night. He loves to chunk. Jerry
also trolls, casts, and uses live bait during his day trips.
Middle Peninsula
December for the Middle Peninsula fisherman is strictly striped bass.
Capt. Don Bannister (804-776-0629) says he will continue to fish the Bay
until there are no more fish to be caught, and then he will move his boat to
Virginia Beach. Capts. Bill Bailey (804-776-0255) and Ian Bailey (804-7767129) will fish for migrating fish. Both will troll for the big fish.
GPS & Loran
for chesapeake bay fishing
Wrecks, Reefs and Hot Spots
can be viewed online at
www.chesapeake-angler.com
Northern Neck
The Northern Neck doesn’t differ much from the Middle Peninsula.
Capts. Jim Deibler (804-580-7744), Gene Pittman (804-453-3643), Billy Pipkin (804-580-7292), and Bob Reed (804-435-9785) will troll primarily between Smith Point Light and the Cut Channel, while Capts. Danny Crabbe
(804-453-3251), Ryan Rogers (804-453-5812), Chuck O’Bier (804-5296450), and David Rowe (804-529-6725) will troll primarily in Maryland waters until the fish are no longer available. That is a generalization, for any
of these captains can be found wherever the greatest concentration of fish
is to be found. Many will move their boats south when the Bay season
ends, some prior to its ending.
Take advantage of the often mild weather experienced in December.
Catch a fish. It’s better than work.
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
13
Capt. Bob’s Fish Talk
Whack & Stack
Chesapeake Style
By Capt. Bob Reed
F
rom Smith Point to the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Tunnel,
Chesapeake
striper fishing is hot, hot, hot the
entire month of December. If
ever there was a WORLD
CLASS FISHERY this is it! 2007
was absolutely wonderful and
2008 is shaping up to be even
better. After a struggle in October, November opened up with a
bang with huge stripers to over
50 inches being caught.
The action got better and better every day with limit catches
being the norm by the end of the
month. And here comes December when these magnificent
swimmers go on their feeding
binges and become plentiful targets for the recreational angler.
The key to bagging your trophy
is to go to the fish, deploy splash
and flash bait, and stay on them
until you have your limit!
But where are they? Finding
the massive schools of feeding
fish is the most important thing
you can do. Do not put out your
spread until you are on the meat!
Be patient. Look for huge bait
balls on your screen. Look for
surface activity. Be there when
the current is really flowing. And
above all find your own fish.
When you have found your
fish be calm and organized about
setting out your lines. Board lines
should be carefully deployed
first. When the fish are rolling on
the surface run your board lines
no more than 30 feet behind the
clip. Make sure that the hooks
are clear and sharp; that the hair
is running straight and that they
are clean. Let out your long lines
200 to 300 feet. Now place one
or two 120 foot and 100 foot double umbrella rig(s) with 6 to 8
ounce packman off the stern.
Next slide a 48-ounce double
MoJo rig off each side mid-ship.
Use a 6 to 8 ounce Barney pacman, spoon or red and white
tomic for the top line. Run this
MoJo rig back 50 feet at the
most. Cover the water column.
The fish will smack lures at all
depths as the current varies.
The action will get hot and
heavy and again you must stay
calm and organized. When you
get multiple hook-ups reel in the
W e w il l p r o te c t
your
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14
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
All fishing tackle & bait provided by Captain Bob.
CATCH
YOUR TROPHY
ROCKFISH
ROCKFISH LURES AVAILABLE
804-435-9785
email: [email protected]
www.bob-a-long.com
Fish with Captain Bob Reed, USCG license
short lines first. Take your time.
Usually when you get hooked
trolling they stay hooked unless
the angler puts slack in the line.
Move rods around so that the
line that is hooked-up doesn’t get
into the other lines. Always have
at least three anglers in the boat
for this fast action. One should
stay on the wheel at all timesone smoothly winding the fish in
(with as little or no pumping) as
possible and one with the net.
Net the fish head first making
sure that all of the fish is in the
net and carefully lift her in the
boat. Two anglers should lift the
net on the monster fish.
Exciting stuff! But it’s not over
yet. Hold up on that camera action until you get the lines back
in the water and get back on the
fish!
Believe me this is the most
exciting fishing you could possibly have is right here in our
Chesapeake. Plan to get out
there and experience the adventure of your lifetime.
Get your buddies on your
boat or arrange for a charter and
just do it!
December 6
CCA Benefit Rockfish
Tournament
Norview Marina, Deltaville, VA
804-966-5654 or
emai: [email protected]
December 6-7
Annual Rockfish Derby
Sponsored by Atlantic Volunteer Fire &
Rescue. 757-824-4844 or
www.esva.net/~atlanticvfd/event.htm
December 13
Virginia Beach National
Tournament
www.fishasa.com
December 20
Contender Cup
Bay Creek Resort & Club, Virginia Beach,
VA. 757-650-4509
December 13
Mathews Rotary Rockfish
Tournament
804-725-8371,
email: [email protected]
January 8-10, ‘09
Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout
www.fishasa.com
January 8-11, ‘09
Annual Fishing Expo & Boat Show
Cow Palace, Maryland State
Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD.
410-838-8687, www.fishingexpo.com
January 16-18, ‘09
Richmond Fishing Expo
Richmond Raceway; 336-855-0208,
www.richmondfishingexpo.com
January 23, 24 & 25, ‘09
Annual East Coast Commercial
Fishermen’s & Aquaculture Trade Expo
Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean
City, MD. 800-421-9176
January 23, 24 & 25, ‘09
Nation’s Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show
Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, VA
888-715-0606, 540-961-1436 or
www.nationsoutdoorshow.com
January 31, February 1, 4-8, ‘09
Mid-Atlantic Sports & Boat Show
Virginia Beach Convention Center
757-222-3999 or www.vaboatshow.com
Email calendar events to Karen
Jett at [email protected]
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Fishing Forum/
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Post your fishing
reports online at
www.chespeakeangler.com
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
15
-
CCA Rockfish Tournament
$
13,000 5,000
COASTAL CONSERVATION
ASSOCIATION VIRGINIA
Youth Division
age 17 and younger
MORE THAN
Presents the Fifteenth Annual
Beneﬁt Rockﬁsh Tournament
$
IN CASH PRIZES!
Ladies’ Division
Norview Marina • Deltaville, VA • Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008
Senior Division
Regular Division – 150 boat limit
age 65+
First P
lace
Regular
Divisio
n
$10,200 in cash prizes: $225 entry fee through Nov. 29; $275 after that.
Corporate Division – 75 boat limit
$3,500 in cash prizes: $500 entry fee
d
Reduce
e
e
F
y
tr
n
E
11/29
through
Reg. Div.
Entry forms available at Green Top, Bass Pro Shop, J&W Seafood,
HammerTime Marine, Queens Creek, Norview Marina,
Zimmerman Marine, and online at www.CCAVirginia.org.
Entries are added on a ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-served basis. The completed registration
form must be accompanied by full payment to be considered a valid entry.
For more information call (804) 966-5654 or e-mail [email protected]
All proceeds go towards CPR (Conserve, Protect & Restore) for saltwater ﬁsheries. CCA is a non-proﬁt 501-c-3 conservation
organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the tax code. Thank you for your support.
A Brandon Honeycutt caught this 5 pound 5 ounce black
sea bass at the Triangle Wrecks in November.
B Bartley Tuthill, IV of Portsmouth brought this 12 pound,
12 ounce speckled trout to the Greg’s Bait Shack in November. He caught it in the Elizabeth River.
16
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
C Chesapeake Angler freshwater writer Chris Jenkins is
obviously a successful saltwater ﬁsherman as well.
D Charles Southall ﬁshed with Ken Neil on his birthday
and was rewarded with this 21 pound 8 ounce blueﬁsh. At
the moment it is the largest in Virginia this year. This ﬁsh
earned Charles his Expert Angler Award.
E Lee Alto of Gloucester caught this 26 inch, 6 pound, 1
ounce spec in the Ware River. Weighed at Queens Creek Outﬁtters.
F Ms. Mendell of Fredericksburg caught this king salmon
on a ﬂy rod on a recent trip to Albion New York.
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
17
Sherwood’s Lost Rod
By Captain Max King
wood Jones of Chesapeake.
He had one of those days reAs most anglers will agree, cently.
every day on the water you
While fishing at the MMBT,
learn something different. Dur- he started off having one of
ing every conversation with those bragging days, catching
other anglers, you learn from stripers in great numbers.
them as well. Even a story of While making a cast to one
despair from another fisher- pylon that had produced sevman can teach you some- eral fish, he accidentally
thing. This was the case with hooked his favorite rod and
my good fishing friend, Sher- reel combo, which was resting
al
nnu
A
d
n
2
N
$4,500 I S
RIZE
CASH P
Tournament Day Saturday 12/13/08 (Blow Day 12/14/08)
$150 per Boat for 4 Anglers, plus $25 per Additional Angler
Discounted to $125 if check is in by 10/31/08
1st $1,500
2nd $1,000
3rd $700
4th $500
5th $300
2 Senior $100 each
2 Lady $100 each
Youth $100
New 2008 Rule, Weigh In by Boat or Road, Scales Open all Day.
One Weight Station at Morningstar
Marina /Gwynn’s Island (formerly
Gwynn’s Island Boatel)
Schedule of Events
Friday 12/12/08 3-5pm Registration
Friday 12/12/08 5pm Captains Briefing, Food & Soft Drinks Available
Saturday 12/13/08 Tournament Day, Lines in the Water at Sunrise.
Prizes Based on 30 Boats or More
If less than 30 Boats, Prizes will be
pro-rated accordingly
Fill Out Entrance Form and
Mail With Check to:
Mathews Rotary
PO Box 282, Mathews, VA
23109
One F
i
Divisi sh per
Boat, on per
He
Fish Waviest
ins
Saturday 12/13/08 4pm Weight-in Cut Off Event Coordinator: David Fitch
804-725-8371, [email protected]
Saturday 12/13/08 5pm Awards
2008 Rockfish Tournament Entrance Form
rockfishtourney.com
Name......................................................................................Phone...............................................Cel.......................................
Address..........................................................................................City.......................................................... Zip.......................
Boat Make/Name......................................................................................................LOA............................VA#.........................
Signature.................................................................................................... By signing this form you agree to all rules and
decisions of the tournament committee
This is a Charitable Event, 100% of all net proceeds benefit the Rotary’s
Scholarship Fund. No Refunds Under Any Circumstances.
Sponsors: Greentop Sporting Goods Corp., Sea Farms, Farmer's Septic Service, Inc.,
Organic Green Lawn Care, Inc., Davenport & Company, LLC, Danial Webster, Queens
Creek Marina, Perdue Construction Inc., Pulley's by Watermark, Season's Best Lawn
Care, Mark's Glass, David & Janine Burns, David & Patty Fitch, Dr. David & Cheryl
Holleran, John & Julie Dayton, Chesapeake Bank, Mathew Veterinary Services, Dr. Ben
Lennon, DDS, Dr. Steven Griswold, Bayscapes Landscaping & Irrigation, Dozier Auto
Parts, Grovers Auto Repair, Bill & Janice Higdon. Major Donors: Mill End Carpet
Center, Foard & Dias, PC. Partnering Sponsors: Queen's Creek Outfitter's,
Morningstar Marina's, Chesapeake Angler Magazine
18
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
in the front of his boat. As he
cast back toward the pylon he
realized that the resistance
was a lot more than before,
but could do nothing more
than watch his rod and reel go
right into the brown water of
the James River.
Sherwood cast for two
hours into 30 feet of water,
dragging the bottom, with no
luck. He called me to tell me
the story. All I could say was
that if you fish long enough,
you’re going to loose a rod
overboard. Sherwood cheerfully reminded me that his rod
and reel had his name and
phone number etched into it.
Many times in the past Sherwood had told me that he always etched his name into
equipment, in the event that
any item was lost, it would be
another way for his property to
be returned. For over 10 years
his tackle and equipment have
carried his name and number,
and his friends have joked
with him about it. But, Sherwood would get the last laugh
this time.
You see, three days later,
Sherwood got a phone call
from a young angler from Suffolk named Austin Brandriff.
Austin called to ask him how
he should return the rod and
reel combo, which he had retrieved while fishing.
But wait, there is more to
the story! The rod and reel
combo that Austin used to retrieve Sherwood’s, was one
that his uncle had given him
after pulling it from the bottom
of the Chesapeake Bay just a
few weeks before. It had no
name on it.
It is a great feeling knowing
that young anglers like Austin
are enjoying our sport and
doing it with integrity. I praise
him for returning the rod and
reel. Sherwood and I both
added his name to our list of
people to call to go fishing.
Now Sherwood, could you
please teach me how to use
that etcher of yours? I have a
lot of equipment I need my
name etched on.
Save The Date- December 20
ONE DAY TOURNAMENT
at Bay Creek Resort & Club
1st Prize
$10,000
2ND PLACE $2,500
3RD PLACE $1,500
4TH PLACE $400
5TH PLACE $400
Based on 100 Entries!
757-650-4509
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER’S LIVE RE-
LEASE CHALLENGE
$1,000
CHRIS’S BAIT AND
TACKLE SMALL
BOAT CHALLENGE
$1,000
(804)453-7511
• CAPTAIN’S MEETING DEC 19-- 7PM AT BAY CREEK RESORT & CLUB AQUA
RESTAURANT
• LINES IN 7 AM, LINES OUT 3PM ON DECEMBER 20, 2008
for the top weighing fish, on a boat 23ft.
• WEIGH STATION OPEN 1PM-5PM AT
BAY CREEK RESORT & CLUB MARINA
• AWARDS CEREMONY 6PM AT BAY CREEK RESORT & CLUB AQUA REST.
Early entry raffle prizes to be given after captain meeting!
2008 Contender Cup Entry Form
Captain’s Name__________________________________________
Phone_________________________________________________
Street________________________City_______________________
State________________________Zip________________________
Email address for Updates_________________________________
Boat make_____________ length base on state registration ______
Boat reg. No.____________________________________________
Team name_____________________________________________
Boat name______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
ENTRY FEE: $300 per Boat entries Post marked before 1 Dec 2008
$350 after 1 DEC 2008
Please send check payable Virginia Beach Contender
2100 marina shores drive suite 134, Virginia beach, Va 23541
I as entrant do hereby RELEASE, DISCHARGE, and HOLD HARMLESS Contender Cup Striper Tournament and its sponsors, whether
individual or corporate, from any claim for damages to my person or
property as a result of my participation in The 2008 Contender Cup.
By signing the entry form and paying my entry fees, I acknowledge
that I have read this release and am bound by same. This release
shall also be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. Furthermore, I do acknowledge that I have read the rules of
the Tournament and agree that all decisions of the Rules Committee
will be final and incontestable.
Entrant's
Signature_________________________________Date_________
PREFERRED
BOAT SLIP RENTAL &
Official Weigh Station
Bay Creek
Resort & Club
1 Marina Village Circle
Cape Charles VA 23310
757-331-8640
PREFERRED
BAIT & TACKLE
CHRIS’ Bait &
Tackle
28316 Lankford Hwy.,
Capeville, VA 23313,
757-331-3000
www.chrisbaitandtackle.com
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
19
G Jessica Neise caught these good looking stripers on the James River on November 7,
‘08. She and her husband Jimmy ﬁsh every chance they get.
H Trafton Jordon caught this 10 pound speckled trout in the Elizabeth River on November
4, ‘08. Photo courtesy of Captain Max King, weighed in at Greg’s Bait and Tackle.
I Angler Charlie Gottbrath caught his ﬁrst amberjack out of Oregon Inlet on November 1,
‘08. He ﬁshed with Captain Mike Howard and crew Chuck Matthews. Photo courtesy
of Captain Max King.J George Ralli of Deanwood, MD poses with his 34 pound 43 inch striper. His buddy Pau
O’Brien of Frederick, MD holds a 45.5 pound 45 inch monster rock. Both ﬁsh were
caught November 8, ‘08 in the Chesapeake Beach area.
K This 27 inch 6 pound 6 ounce citation speckled trout was caught on November 9, ‘08 in
the Mobjack on a Mirrolure by Wayne Smith of Gloucester. Photo courtesy of Capt.
Jerry Thrash, Queens Creek Outﬁtters, Cobbs Creek, VA.
L Jimmy Neise poses with two stripers caught on the James River on November 7, ‘08
ﬁshing with his wife Jessica (see A above). They have been ﬁshing together for 5 years.
M Robert N. Ottarson of Gloucester caught this 27 inch 6 pound 12 ounce speckled trout
on November 2, ‘08 in the Ware River on a Mirrolure. Photo courtesy of Capt. Jerry
Thrash, Queens Creek Outﬁtters, Cobbs Creek, VA.
20
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
EE NG
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PRESENTED BY SHOWMASTERS
&
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
21
ANGLERS AND CAPTAINS
send your fishing photos to
[email protected]
Please include all pertinent information including what lures or bait you
used, where you fished, the name of the boat and the captain.
The smartest outriggers on tThehemsamrkaert!est outriggers on the market!
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finder near structure and you know
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
Thank You
for your business!!
We wish You a
Merry Christmas
during this difficult
time.
Conveniently
located for
Northern
Virginia 1 hour
& 20 minutes
south of
Washington
in
Mechanicsville,
Virginia
worth it.
Smallmouth-Smallmouth fishing
this month will slow some and the
bite will turn softer too. Keep a tight
line or an eye on your line as you
drift soft plastics, jigs or minnows
through backwashes or pools along
the upper rivers such as the Potomac, Rappahannock, James, New
or Shenandoah. Choose sunny
areas if you can and make long
casts to avoid spooking the fish.
Fish slowly to get the best hits.
Some of the largest smallmouth are
caught this way each winter. If you
want to use a plug try a suspending
model in a chartreuse color.
Largemouth –Over the years we
have collected reports we noticed
that the bass in the bigger lakes and
reservoirs tend to be caught deeper
in 15-20 feet of water off points,
ledges or other structure. Stumps
are good as are boulders. Successful anglers fish slow with jigs, soft
plastics or spoons. Minnows will
work too. Don’t be afraid to run a
crank down that deep if you can but
think about how far you are going to
have to cast to allow it time to get
down to the proper depth.
Fish caught at this time of year
are tasty coming out of cool water.
The meat has a cleaner taste and a
firmer texture and after eating your
fill of turkey, duck or venison throw a
fish fry and watch eyes light up!
Merry Christmas
WOO'S CORNER
By Woo Daves
RED TAG SALE!
Hooks, baits, reels....
MAX KING’S Eeling & Reeling DVD $29.99
LIVE EELS — FRESH BUNKER
Winter Time
Fishing
Winter is here and hunting season is in full swing. If you
are a die-hard bass fisherman
now is the time to talk your buddies into heading south for some
good fishing. Texas, Alabama
and my favorite Florida are good
choices to have some great fishing on waters that are not
crowded. Lake Okeechobee is
my favorite with the Stick Marsh
and Kissimmee close behind. In
Texas, I would choose Lake Fork
for really big bass and in Alabama I like Guntersville and
Lake Martin. I like Lake Martin
because it is loaded with spotted
bass and they are a blast to
catch.
If I could pick only one
place to go it would be the Big
Okeechobee for winter time, fishing simply because it’s loaded
with bass and you can get some
really nice weather down there,
this time of year. I would carry
some Zoom trick worms in
Junebug, Green Pumpkin and
Watermelon red. Fish them on
Bass Pro Shops’ 10 lbs. test fluorocarbon line and a 2/0 Mustad
Ultra Point hook around the
edges of reeds especially looking for isolated clumps. Next I
would use an XPS Rattle Shad
using Bass Pro Shops’ 17 lbs.
fluorocarbon line over the top of
hydrilla beds. Make long casts
and kind of rip if through and
hang on. Two other techniques
that work well are fishing a Zoom
Fluke in Watermelon red on a
Carolina rig very slowly. If this
isn’t working, fish the Zoom
Fluke on the surface with just a
4/0 Mustad Ultra Point J-bend
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style hook. Then just twitch it
back and forth with either a slow
or fast rhythm until you find what
they like. If fishing is slow I will
use the Fluke with a 5/0 Mustad
Ultra Point and cast it next to
cover letting it settle to the bottom and just dead stick it. This
takes patience but can be very
deadly in the Florida waters.
I look for two things in
Florida lakes. First, is what kind
of cover the bass will be around,
such as lily pads, hydrilla, buggy
whips, reeds, pepper grass, milfoil, rock Kissimmee grass,
docks, etc. The next thing is
water depth and this is where my
Raymarine unit comes in very
handy because a one-foot
change in Florida waters can
mean all the difference in the
world to your success. Find out
which cover the fish are using
and the right depth and you can
run patterns all over the lake that
work.
One other thing I love
about fishing in Florida is there is
no better place in the world to flip
with all the different covers available. If you’re not a good flipper
and want to learn, get yourself a
Bass Pro Shops’ Woo Daves’
Flippin’ rod with some Bass Pro
Shops’ 20 lbs. fluorocarbon line,
an one ounce Tru-Tungsten flippin’ weights, a Mustad heavy
duty hook and some Zoom
Brush Hogs or Speed Craws.
Just go down the bank hitting
reeds, hydrilla, floating mats, hyacinth, any cover and you will get
a bite. I have caught more big
bass in this lake flippin’ than
probably everywhere else put to-
gether.
This is also a great top
water lake and buzzing a Zoom
Horny Toad over grass using
braided line, a Bagley Bango lure
in holes and an XPS Popper over
grass can be a lot of fun. Some
days the fish want a lure with a
prop on it and some days they
don’t, so you have to experiment.
One real key to look for in
Florida waters is moving water. If
the wind is pushing water
through narrow cuts this can be
a deadly place to throw a Zoom
worm or a XPS Rattlin’ shad.
This seems to bunch the bait fish
and the bass up together. Another thing is I usually find a lot
better fishing after 10 A.M., so
you don’t have to be on the water
at daylight.
Slip down south for some
wintertime bass fishing. Be sure
to wear your Woo Shoes by Proline available at Bass Pro
Shops’. Also carry some
WildLife Energy Drinks, a pair
of Guideline sunglasses, plenty
of suntan lotion and have a blast
catching bass. God bless all.
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
23
Kipto Kayaking for Stripers
By Kayak Kevin Whitley
By now, every kayak
angler should know that we
have the best place to target
trophy stripers at the concrete
ships outside of Kiptopeke. It
was too easy of a big striper
kayak fishery to keep a secret;
it was too much fun to keep to
ourselves.
I realized that most didn’t understand how easy it is
fishing the ships. I meet two
guys from Williamsburg at the
ramp. They stared at the ships
with wide eyes, " I didn’t think
they were that close!" I answered, "Yep it’s just that
easy." The ships are 200
yards from the ramp at its
closest point.
The rigging is simple. I
use a solid fiberglass custom
rod by Jessy Buky of JB rod
which I call the 'striper stopper'. Any conventional reel will
Kayak Kevin is happy with his 52.2 pound striper.
work as long as it has a
clicker. I use 40 lb. high visibility braded main line with a 2
oz. egg sinker. I put a bead
between the weight and the
heavy barrel swivel. I use an
arms length of 80 lb. leader
snelled to a 9/0 Owner cutting
point hook. Do not use a
leader lighter than 60 lb. test.
The stripers sand paper
mouths and will wear through
lesser line during the fight.
The technique is simple. I take one rod; any others
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
will scrape against the ship
walls. The ends and alleyways
between the ships are where I
concentrate. I drop the eel
down to the bottom and crank
it up two or three turns to present the eel suspended two to
three feet above the bottom.
To keep the eel as close to the
walls as possible, I sit on the
butt of the rod so that my
hands are free to use my paddle to hover in position. I leave
my rod in free spool and the
clicker on. When the eel gets
nervous the rod tip will bounce
and a little line will roll off.
When the clicker makes a
solid quick 'zip, zip', that’s the
striper. Don’t feed’em, just
stick'em.
Most folks don’t like to
deal with eels, but handling
eels can be easy. I use a small
flip top plastic container that I
have drilled holes into the bottom. You have to drain the
eels otherwise they will suffocate on there own slime. I
transport them chilled but not
directly on the ice. While on
the water, I dip them in to
freshen them up. I use a
washcloth to grab them. I get
a good grip near there head,
hook them up through there
jaw and out the eye, Then
quickly toss'em into the water.
Stripers can be caught
any time at the ships but we
found the hottest bite to be
around the morning and
evening change of the tide.
We would car pool across the
CBBT after work, to cut down
on the cost of the toll. It was
easer to catch 40-plus-inchers
at the ships than it was to paddle out to the HRBT for
schoolie stripers.
Getting that trophy
striper onto your lap is easy
also. Forget about the boga
grip, I use one to release the
Lee with a 54
e striper.
pound 4 ounc
Lee Landin pulls his striper into the kayak.
Kipto Kayaking for Stripers,
Zack Lannon holds a 50.7 pound striper.
fish but don’t even think about it for landing one. I’ve
seen too many lost at the side of the kayak because
the angler was fumbling around, trying to get a boga
grip on the stripers. Just remember: leader, leg, lip,
and lift. With the fish next to your boat, leader it with
one hand, put your leg in the water and your rod down.
Lip the fish with your rod hand, use two hands on big
ones. Lift with your leg and arms and he will be in the
boat.
Citation size stripers in VA are 40 lbs. for a kill
and 44 inches for a release. Last year three of us
made it into the 50 lb. striper club. Zach Lannon with
a 50.7 pounder, I landed a 52.2 pounder, and Lee
Williams landed a huge 54.4-pound striper.
If you’re a kayak angler looking for you first big
fish or a kayak trophy hunter looking for a citation, the
concrete ships is your primary destination this month
to GET ON’EM. For more pictures and updated
weekly reports check out kayakkevin.com
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
25
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
• Boats • Trucks • Graffiti
• Monuments • Equipment
• Rust • Grease
(804) 556-5250 Chip Carpenter
www.sodablastofvirginia.com email: [email protected]
My Favorite Things
By Tim Sherman
I must admit, I am not much
the fan of the classic movie, “The
Sound of Music”. Although, I do
remember a song about how remembering favorite things can
take your mind off troublesome
things. As a serious fisherman,
my favorite things have nothing
to do with whiskers on kittens.
You can bet that I am thinking
about the lures that give me the
best opportunity to catch the different species of fish that I pursue. While I have old standby
lures that I can count on, I seem
to find new ones that find a home
in my tackle box.
STRIPER SELECTION
I have been able to locate a
few of the storied Sosin series
Excalibur Long A plugs, yet I’m
not satisfied with the limited number. Excalibur’s companion company, Bomber, uses the same
body in the Pro Long A. Bomber
only makes these plugs in a suspending model. I like the pewter
pearl, and blue flash hues, but I
have also had a few custom
painted in the “Sosin” pink and
chartreuse. I have found that the
hooks on the Tim Horton signature series models are no match
for big stripers in strong current,
yet, upgrading with stronger
hooks is always an option.
You wouldn’t think that a company from Lititz, Pennsylvania
could understand saltwater fishing. Yet Stillwater Lures in central
PA makes lures that I am proud
to have tied on. When it comes
to a lipless crankbait, I’ve found
none better for stripers than the
Clatter Shad. My favorite colors
are clown, blue hologram, and
chrome/blue. I prefer the 1/2ounce size, but will cast the 1
1/4-ounce bait when chasing big
fish. Stillwater Lures also offers
popping plugs, the Smack It and
Smack It Jr. that are favorites
throughout the upper Chesapeake region and amongst surf
and jetty anglers throughout the
mid-Atlantic and northeast. Here
too, the clown and blue patterns
work well, as does the chartreuse model.
As far as soft plastics go, I
can’t say enough about the
Strike King Zulu. It is super soft
yet extremely durable. It is incredible how the lure stands up
to bluefish, which means you can
fish with one all day, barring
break offs, when fishing schooling stripers. It is a very versatile
soft bait. It walks the dog as a
jerkbait when rigged weightless
on a wide gap worm hook. It is a
floating bait, but if you use a thick
gage hook, it will slowly sink. The
Zulu is also productive as a jig. I
have placed in on jig heads from
1/4 to 1 ounce and have worked
it in shallow and deep water. Hot
Chartreuse and blue glimmer
pearl are my main colors
BASS BAITS
In as much as I cast the Clatter Shad for stripers, they are
equally as effective for largemouth bass. Spring and fall are
by far the best times of the year
to cast them but I have caught
bass on them in the heat of summer as well. The 1/2-ounce lure
is ideal for largemouth bass in
tidal, but there are times when
downsizing to the 1/4-model is
the better plan. In spring, I prefer
the red crawfish pattern; and
through the rest of the year, baitfish patterns work best. Fire tiger
and blue chartreuse hues tempt
bass in highly stained water.
When Gary Yamamoto produced the Senko stick worm, he
set a new trend in plastic baits.
Seemingly every other soft plastic lure maker had to keep in step
and introduce a similar product. I
have to confess that it took me a
Tim Sherman shows a Susquehanna River bass that struck a crawfish pattern Clatter Shad.
long time to get the knack of fishing the weightless presentation,
but I got a clue when I used the
Wacky Worm Wacko stick worm.
I use the 3-inch and 4-inch sizes
for smallmouth bass on both the
Potomac
and
Gunpowder
Rivers. Smoke/purple flake,
green pumpkin, and Potomac
blue are my favorite colors.
GETTIN’ THERE
This was the second season
with my Triumph SC190. I have
to say that both the ride and the
upkeep have been easy. The 90
horsepower Suzuki 4-stroke
motor hasn’t missed a beat. The
boat pops up on plane quickly
even with three burly anglers
aboard. And even with the high
price of fuel this summer, I was
able to keep my bill at the pumps
under $100. Using launch facilities close to my fishing destinations also helped keep fuel costs
down.
Consider some of these products when Christmas shopping
for the fisherman in your family.
A boat and motor may be out of
the question; but lures make
great stocking stuffers. Try some
of my most productive baits and
you may find yourself humming
the chorus to “A Few of My Favorite Things”.
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
27
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CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
Looking for Deer
in All the Wrong Places
By Mark Fike
Let’s face it, once December rolls around
many deer hunters start to have lagging faith
in being able to punch a deer tag. By now a
good percentage of deer that will be harvested are now out of circulation in the
woods and the rut is over as well. Deer have
gone nocturnal and spook at the simplest
thing. Seeing a deer in December can be a
tough venture. Getting a shot at one is even
tougher at times. There will be those hunters
that continue to see deer throughout the season with regularity but even those hunters
have to admit that deer sightings are less frequent.
Should we all pack in our gear for next
season and move on to something else more
likely to stir us up a bit? Absolutely not; even
for this outdoor writer the weeks of mid December can be some of the driest weeks of
hunting in terms of shots, deer seen and
jerky made that I experience. However, there
are ways to liven the hunting up a bit and that
involves thinking unconventionally.
Because there is so much more pressure
on deer, the rut is over and food sources are
drying up deer change their habits. Try looking in all the wrong places for deer now that
the season has been in for a while.
What are wrong places? Simply put they
are places you would not normally look in or
over for deer. If you feel the deer won’t use a
small piece of cover you are seriously overlooking a possible place to hunt. Veteran
deer hunters will often tell new hunters to go
as deep into the brush as they can to find
deer. This is great advice. I do believe that
the further you sneak into the woods the better your odds are to seeing a deer. However,
I also think that the closer you hunt to the
outside edges and the smaller the habitat the
This hunter took a nice buck nearly within sight of his house without breaking a sweat while on a walk.
better your odds will be too. Deer acclimate
themselves to human activity.
I have a small patch of woods just behind
an outbuilding that I noticed a deer run
through one day. So, after a rough morning
of not seeing any deer at all I decided to go
pay the small woodlot a visit. I could see almost through it and it was eleven o’clock in
the morning. The kids were playing and
being loud nearby and really I had no hope
that deer would be that close to activity. I was
wrong. While scanning the woodlot I noticed
two deer standing there not paying any mind
to me, the noise of the kids or even my dog
barking at the kids while they all played seventy five yards behind me. I was fortunate to
take a deer that morning and have used the
tactic since then.
Another time last December I came home
from hunting at a buddy’s place and decided
to take a walk mid day to a small gully that
was overgrown in the middle of some small
fields and skidder roads. The gully is not fifty
yards wide nor very deep. Guess what? Yep,
a nice buck and six does burst out of the
gully when I got within twenty yards and I
was able to snap shoot the buck with my slug
gun as he made a break for it.
Don’t overlook hedgerows, “islands” in the
middle of fields or even an acre of woods
along your driveway. The trick is to approach
the area downwind of the deer and / or at an
indirect angle. Deer will often hold tight until
they are fairly sure you are coming directly
too them. Be prepared for a fast shot as you
walk to the location. Don’t be afraid to set up
a stand in the area either. You may have to
sit awhile to allow the deer to filter in but you
just never know what may show up. I have
heard and seen many bruisers get harvested
within sight of barns, sheds, dirt roads and
fields that everyone else passes right on by.
The point is that if you have been hunting a
few spots hard and approaching them the
same way each time you need to change
things up and try all those spots in between
that have not gotten your attention. Best
wishes to you this Christmas season!
CHESAPEAKE ANGLER MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008
29