Question for fisheries service

Type: Chesapeake
Region:
Location:

Hello my name is Justin Mckinney I'm 23 yrs old I have been fishing basically my whole life. Not until this year back in August did my brother in law and myself purchase a 16 ft Mitch craft and decide to try and go rock fishing. We have been 6 times so far, launching out of Rocky Point and tolling 4 rods with tandem bucktails, swim shads and surgical tubes and we have trolled from Rocky Point up to Hawks Cove Middle River and almost to Pooles Island for.up to 6 hrs per trip with not even a strike or anything. I was just wondering if you could shed some light on anything you think I could do, this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and thank you for your time. Justin

Response from DNR via Keith Lockwood, Fisheries Biologist - Hello Justin, just about any fishermen who has started out on their own without a mentor has experienced your frustration. There is a lot of truth to the old saying that 10 percent of the fishermen catch 90 percent of the fish. I could go to great length and a lot of typing to explain trolling speeds, depths, currents, lures presentations and the habits of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay. The fish are often on the move based on seasons, water temperatures, currents and food availability. My suggestion to get you in the game by next spring is to attend one of the local fishing clubs in your area and spend some time learning from guys whose passion is fishing for striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay. Many of the members have a life time of fishing experience and are always willing to help anyone who shares their passion for fishing.

It sounds like you live in the Baltimore area so I have a few suggestions for you. One is the Maryland Saltwater Sportfisherman�s Association; which has a chapter in the Middle River/ Broadneck area. If you check out the association�s website you will find there are local chapters in many areas of the state. The other suggestion is the Pasadena Sportfishing Club; which has a good website and has a large membership full of knowledgeable fishermen. My last suggestion is to check out the seminar schedules at some of the fishing shows coming up this winter; such as the Fish Expo in Timonium in January.