Fresh Washington DC Fishing Reports

Fall fishing is in full swing! The Striped bass are schooled up and feeding for winter. Water temps are in the mid 50's. We had a bit of a warmup Friday night with air temps at 58 to start the day. Wind was a little more than we like but still doable. We left the dock with the intentions of trolling first then switching to jigging. Sure enough the birds were right where we left them last week. We dropped 4 rods in and started trolling. Birds were working but not hard and they were jumping around a lot. Once I marked fish I could see that they were deeper than previous trips. So we readjusted and deployed all 6 rods accordingly. It took about maybe an hour and we started getting hits. Usually this is fish hitting the teasers and not the hooks. But we kept at it and not long we had a fish on. Josh was up first and before he could get the fish halfway to the boat another rod goes off. Kyle jumps on and then a 3rd rod goes off. We boated all 3 fish. Beautiful fat fall keepers. Nice and healthy. In the box they went. We circled back and after a few passes another fish on. Thats 4 in the box and 1 more to go for a limit. A couple more passes and fish on. Before that fish gets to the boat another rod goes off. We boated them and that makes a limit with 1 to throw back. We made a couple more passes and managed 1 more throw back before the bite died. This time of year the fish may or may not feed for a long period. At that was the case. We stowed the trolling gear and went looking for a jigging bite. The wind was dying down perfectly. Its hard to jig on fish with 1 to 2 foot waves but it was dying out like predicted. We went to a reef that is old bridge decking and concrete rubble. There was a boat there and they were catching. After a few minutes they pulled up and left. We made several drifts and sure enough Josh hooks a Nice 26 1/2 inch Striper. Couple more drifts and several more Stripers and I notice commotion off the Starboard side about 100 yards. They are busting on the surface. With no birds around. We motor over as quiet as possible and everyone is hooking up. They didn't stay on the surface long as there was a boat that kept trolling by. But they did pop back up several times and we were able to get the them before they went down. We caught and released numerous healthy Stripers. Mostly over the 24 inch keeper size limit. After a while Josh hooked into something huge. It wasn't a striper that's for sure. We had to follow the fish so he didn't get spooled. It came near the surface a couple of times. With the fall water being so clear on the last time near the surface I was able to make out the color. It was copper, a big Bull Red. Unfortunately after a 15 minute battle he got it near the boat and it went straight down. It stayed there, then wrapped the reef and pulled the hook. These are some powerful beasts that is for sure. We got back at it and caught a few more Stripers before calling it a day and heading back in. The ride back in the water was almost glass smooth. Back at the dock we measured and weighed the fish. Then filleted and packaged them for their ride home. The smallest was just over 4 pounds with the biggest at just under 6lbs. They made for some nice dinner filets for the table. We still have dates available. This cold snap coming should fire them up even more. Big ocean run fish are on their way. We usually start seeing them within the next week give or take. Every year is a little different. The largest fish ever on my boat was a 46 1/2 inch Striper caught on Veterans Day. That was definitely the fish of a life time. You won't know if you don't go. So contact us to set to a trip. Till then Tight lines everyone. We are going to get back at for now.

If you ever wanted to get out there and practice the light tackle game or just enjoy catching a striped bass on the Chesapeake Bay, I haven’t seen a better fall in five years!

The 2025 guiding season is coming to an end and im grateful to fishing booker all all my fishing guests. The season had highs and lows just like the tides of the potomac river. The lows usually revolve around trips that didnt live up to fish “catching” expectations of the client. There is nobody as disappointed as me when for whatever reason the fish do not bite. Some factors of poor fishing are controllable but most are not. I would like to privide a few examples of what can be controlled and what can not be cintrolled when it comes to probability of catching fish. Controllable: 1. Captain preparedness - i spend countless hours on the tidal Potomac river from washington dc to aquia, virginia. I keep the boat maintained and fully equipped. I show up on time and demonstrate a friendky demeanor. I come from a family that have soent over 50 years of fishing and guiding on the Potomac. 2. I communicate with clients and provide ramp location and meeting times. I try to get a level of fishing experience from them so i can evalute if my fishing experience is best for them. 3. I look at predicted weather conditions to assure saftey. After this - nany things are out of my control - 1. Angling ability - the biggest factor of catching fish will rest with the guests fishing expeience. If you have minimum cating ability or presenting an artificial bait properly - tben the probability of catching a fish goes way down. I will spend tbe day teaching you but if you also believe that catching fish should go hand in hand with instruction - that may happen - but the odds are decreased. 2. Tides and enviornmental factors - a fisb is an organism that responds to environmental conditions- tides, barometric presure, etc - these factors control mich of a fishes activity. These factors can lead to the saying “they call it fishing - not catching”. There are many examples of unrealistic expectations. A guest using his equioment the wrong way and still complaining of catching small fish when be was lucky to even get a bite. A guest who insisted on fishing for snakeheads when not only was their fishing ability up to the task but i told them that catching a snakehead was unlikely. Its your trip but im not always the best guide to suite your expectations. I always go where there are fish but one must catch them on their own. I fish with artificial baits thst require casting and presentation. Sometimes its best to start slow and fish with guides that use live bait for more abundant fish species. I love to teach everyone to beca better fisherman but its a process that doesnt always include or deserve catching a fish.

Book now fishing is on fire!

One of the best times of year for catching striped bass on light tackle!

The fall season is in ! Fish on the surface all over. Trolling and gigging both very successful !! Special two week price 4 anglers, 4hour trip, $500 ( morning or afternoon). Book your trip now while the fishing is hot ?!!!!