Fishing Season: Mid-May to April 1st

Greater Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries - MD

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Inshore Temp:

49

Offshore Temp:

49

Capt. Tom Hughes's Tip of the Week

The striped bass fishery will be closed on April 1, 2024 and will reopen on May 16, 2024. It's time to check out your rods, reels, lines, etc. for the upcoming spring.

Directions open in app

Map of Greater Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries

Tide data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Captain Tom Hughes

5-Day Outlook as of 3/25/24

The striped bass fishery will be closed on April 1, 2024 and will reopen on May 16, 2024. It's time to check out your rods, reels, lines, etc. for the upcoming spring.

Techniques & Tips as of 3/25/24

MAY through NOVEMBER when FLY-FISHING SALTWATER - All equipment should be Saltwater Rated. When fish are BUSTING TOPWATER, use a floating fly-line with a tapered leader. A Blados Crease or Mylar Popping Fly are highly productive. TOPWATER TECHNIQUE - when the fly hits the water, the rod tip should be down just above the water, pointing directly at the fly, with all the slack out of the line. Immediately start swiftly moving the fly in 1 to 2 foot strips. From December through March the fish will be in deeper waters. APRIL is closed to striped bass fishing. When the fish are LOCATED IN DIFFERENT WATER COLUMNS, use sinking fly-line with a 4 foot leader. A sinking Clouser Minnow or a Lefty Deceiver are highly productive. SINKING LINE TECHNIQUE - when the fly hits the water, the rod tip should be down just above the water, pointing directly at the fly. Count down the fly to the desired depth. EXAMPLE: The fish are located in the 20 foot water column. Using a sinking Clouser Minnow, 3” length, 2/0 hook on PRO Saltwater All Rounder Fly Line—Smooth sink rate with this fly and fly-line will be 1 foot per second. The countdown will be between 15 to 18 seconds. Now start swiftly moving the fly in 1 to 2 foot strips. ALL OTHER TIMES use a sinking fly line with a 4-foot leader. Attach a Clouser sinking minnow or Half & Half minnow. Count the fly down to just above the fish. Start stripping in 2-foot increments swiftly. REDFISH — when busting topwater use floating line with a large Blados Crease Fly or when down use sinking line & clousers. SPANISH MACKERELS —Once the fly hits the water immediately start a double-handed retrieve. Move the fly as fast as possible. The fly should be just under topwater. This makes it possible to use floating fly line. NOTE: Install 6 feet of Absolute Predator Toothy Fish Leader (Orvis Item #3A0A) from the end of the fly line to the fly.

Current Conditions as of 3/25/24

Striped bass fishery closed.

Capt. Tom Hughes's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Mylar Popper BLUE/WHITE 2/0 Hook
Blados Crease Fly OLIVE/PEARL 3/0 Hook
Clouser Minnow YELLOW 2/0 Hook
Half And Half TAN/WHITE 2/0 Hook
Lefty's Deceiver CHARTREUSE 2/0Hook
Burk's Hot Flash Minnow ANCHOVY 1/0 Hook

Mylar Popper

Make a splash and land a winner with this colorful popper fly.

Capt. Tom Hughes's Recommended Gear

Description: About Greater Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries

— STRIPED BASS are here year-round — SPOTTED SEA TROUT are located in the Lower Bay from Apr to Nov — RED DRUM are located in the Lower Bay from Aug to Nov — COBIA are located the Lower Bay from Jun to Dec

Nearest Airport:

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Bait Recommendations:

Blood Worms, spot, perch, eels, and crabs