Iโve been fishing for striped bass on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia for over 40 years. Iโve fished at various spots from the top of the Bay where the Susquehanna River enters the Bay all the way down to the mouth where the Bay empties into the Atlantic. Iโve fished with many different captains and caught fish ranging from tiny ones to an 18 lb lunker. Most of my fishing for stripers was with a fly rod, however I didnโt have my equipment with me on this trip so I used the gear that Captain Doug had aboard his boatโฆand there was plenty of it, all in very good condition.
Our half day with Captain Doug Brown and his mate was one of the very best and enjoyable days that Iโve spent on the water not only because he took us to fish-rich places but because he and his mate are wonderful, welcoming, and interesting people. There were three of usโฆme, my son, and my 18 year old grandson who had never fished for stripers before. We all felt welcomed from the time we boarded the boat and when we left we felt like we had not only gained some beautiful fish to take with us but that we had had gained two friends that we look forward to fishing with the next time we were on the Cape.
We caught our limit of keepers within the first hour and a half, Not all were keepersโฆsome were in the 25-27โ range (below the slot limit below the 28โ lower limit) and some were in the 32-33โ range (above the upper 31โ slot limit).The important things is that we caught something on every pass and they all were fighters and in fantastic condition. My grandson not only caught the first fish, the most fish and the biggest one. Not bad for a first-timer. Heโs now asking when we can go back. A lot of credit goes to the mate who helped school the three of us in how striper fishing is done in the Bay. We didnโt lose any of the fish that we hooked/
Getting our limit quickly wasnโt the end of the day. I had arranged with Captain Doug for him to bring a fly rod so I could try to catch one on that way and I also had asked him whether my son and grandson could do some spin casting for fish as well. Not only did Captain Doug have it all, he also had a couple of spots, the flats he called them, where we could go. Unfortunately, the fish didnโt cooperate so we called it a day.
Captain Doug knows the waters and his mate is a fantastic teacher and helper. Heโs as good, and in some ways, this team is as good or better than any other that I have ever fished with.ย On a 1-5 scale, I give them both 100s. They are that good.
Iโve been fishing for striped bass on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia for over 40 years. Iโve fished at various...