Captain Billy's Charters 9/30

The Fishing Line
By: Capt. Billy Pipkin
September 30, 2008The breezy conditions of last week are a memory and fishing has been great. After this week the odds are very slim that we'll see any of those storms with backward turning winds. I'm not going to use the "H" word for fear of bad luck.

The Northeaster actually helped to aerate and raise the oxygen content in local waters. I believe it helped because these fish are full of energy.

TROLLING action is heating up with abundant numbers of STRIPED BASS and BLUEFISH located throughout the lower rivers and bay waters. The eastern side of the shipping channel has come alive with surface feeding action this week. Mixed schools can be found from Buoy 70 in Maryland waters, down to and just below Tangier Island. Catches have been consistent with the striped bass averaging 18-22 inches and bluefish up to 4 pounds being landed.

Trolling along the western shores from the Great Wicomico River down to Gwynn's Island continues to provide a mix of bluefish and occasional SPANISH MACKEREL. Trolling Clark or Drone spoons behind a #1 planer will provide good action amid the morning and late afternoon schools. These mackerel are moving southward quickly. Although there remain good numbers in the upper bay, they will become increasingly scattered over the next week or two.

CHUMMING is going well both above and below the state line. The edge at Buoy 70 and the rock piles of the S.W. Middle Grounds are all providing action with a mix of 18-28 inch rock and blues up to 5 pounds. Chumming is picking up in the lower Potomac river as well. In Virginia, the edge above Buoy 62 and the Asphalt Pile reef are both producing nice hauls of bluefish averaging 2-3 pounds apiece.

BOTTOM FISHING remains good at the mouth of the Rappahannock river where a mix of SPOT and CROAKER are occasionally joined by GREY TROUT up to 15 inches. The channel edges below Buoy 62 are also holding a scattering of large croaker at this time.

We have a favorable forecast for this weekend so go out and get a taste of this great action. Remember that the Virginia STRIPED BASS season reopens on the fourth- this Saturday.

IN-SHORE fishing has become the popular choice of late. Anglers fishing close to home are realizing that you can still catch a lot of fish while saving fuel. Kayaking has become more popular than ever as I have had several fishing out of Ingram Bay Marina this season. The protected waters and variety of inshore species around Ingram Bay and other similar areas are well suited to the skinny water kayaker.

The captain's advice this week: Put aside politics, economics and turn off the media and its sensationalizing circus for a moment. Take the time to relax and catch a fish in the quiet solitude of a river, creek or even your own pier.

Life is but a river, ebbing and flowing as the tides. Though turbulent seas we traverse, we must focus on the calm and peacefulness of this moment. There's joy for the taking. Let's start with the taking of a limit of fish.

Until next week…Fair winds.

Captain Billy's Charters

Chesapeake Bay, VA

804-580-7292