Sunset Stripers

Type: Chesapeake
Region: Eastern
Location: Mid Bay

Working at DNR I've been lucky to meet many people passionate about fishing. For a few years I've been hearing about this legendary light tackle fisherman that goes by the name of Shawn Kimbro. Last week at the Maryland Fishing Challenge planning meeting he asked if I'd like to go fishing Monday, I couldn't pass it up.

Mr. Joe Evans and I headed out from work around 3:30 to meet Shawn at the ramp. He was accompanied by his fishing buddy Dave. We headed out into the chop, preparing to get wet. Luckily Shawn has a very nice Judge Boats 27' center console that kept us fairly dry.

We we're all keeping our eyes out for diving birds, but Shawn knew just where the fish were. We saw one flock of diving seagulls, but we passed it up! I thought Shawn was crazy but he knew where the bigger bite was at. We putted along a little bit, checking the fish finder. When we would get marks, we'd cast out and start jigging. We were using 6'' bass kandy delights combined with some homemade jig heads and special sauce.

The bite was good, we would be on the fish for a few minutes and drift off. Shawn would fire the boat up and we'd go back looking for the fish. We didn't stray too far from the same general area.

The biggest fish of the night was caught by myself. I felt a hit and set the hook when I heard a loud snap. Turns out I broke the reel setting the hook. I had a nice fish on and it was pulling line like a beast. Every time I'ed put pressure on the fish the reel would warp. I was scared I would lose my personal best light tackle fish.

After a strong 3-4 min fight I got the fish in. We took a few photos (to Shawn�s disappointment I had just tied on a BKD with no special sauce and no homemade Kimbro jig head), and then released it. I'll leave out the part about almost flipping over the gunnel and into the 67 degree water. Shawn reckoned the fish to be about 32'', after a shot of bourbon and by the time we got back to the dock, estimates were at 34''.

All the fish were safely released back into the water.

Because I'd like to go fishing with Shawn again, I can't give up the exact location, but I will tell you why we choose that location. Shawn let me know that striped bass love to hang out in the current, not swim against it or across it. We also looked for a spot with a steep channel edge that ran perpendicular with the current. The small bait fish will pile up against the edge where the striped bass have easy access to ambush them. Drop a small �-1/2 ounce jig head with a BKD or similar shad plastic and jig hard off the bottom. The fish usually hit on the drop.

A few of the fish we caught had sea-lice on them, an indication that some fish are on their way back from the ocean! Can�t wait until spring!

Attached Photos courtesy Shawn Kimbro - http://www.chesapeakelighttackle.com/

Photos and video in story courtesy Joe Evans