Striped Bass & Bluefish to 5# Plus

[Tom Hughes]

Striped Bass to 24" and Bluefish to 5# and Larger

Crossing the Chesapeake Bay last week to the eastern shore line paid big dividends. After fishing, or should I say, after catching most of the day we left active fish when we headed back across the Bay.

Paul, George, and Frank were using light spinning tackle with large popping plugs with epoxy flies trailing these plugs. Let me explain this set-up. Take a large popping plug and remove all the treble hooks and split rings. With all the hardware removed tie on a 24" piece of 30# test fluorocarbon to the rear ring of the popper, on the other end attach a Cowen's Albie Anchovie - #4 Hook. The popper will attract the stripers and bluefish and they'll hit the trailing fly. With only one hook to remove it makes it easy to swiftly un-hook the fish and release it back in the water.

The pictures below will show you how the best fish finders on the water, working birds, can light up an electronic sonar unit to supply you with the finished product, a nice striped bass.

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Equipment Used This Trip: Light spinning tackle - 6' MH spinning rod - 2500 series reel - 30# non-stretch PowerPro line - 30# test fluorocarbon leader

Most Productive Technique: Cast the popping plug out, get the rod tip down and just above the water. Start swiftly moving the popper back to the boat. Pop the lure 5 times and stop it for a 1/2 second, repeat this cadence back to the boat. Pay attention when you see the popper start to go underwater set the hook.

Light Tackle Fishing Tip: Putting pressure on the fish after a hook-up is important, especially with playing large striped bass. To accomplish this, keep a drag tight on the reel and the rod no higher then 30 degrees to the horizon.

Equipment Available for Your Use: http://www.capttomhughes.com/Fishing..._Equipment.htm

Large Striped Bass Available from Mid-November to January for the Fly & Light Tackle Anglers at the CBBT in Virginia. Trips are Now Available.
You'll have the Opportunity to Catch that 'one in a lifetime' Striper - See a Video from Last Year and a Photo Gallery of Stripers Caught There
http://www.capttomhughes.com/Trip_In...p_Package.html

[Ravens16]

Captain Tom, thanks
Great report as usual
And as usual very informative!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again

[Tom Hughes]

Dave: You’re welcome. Thanks for the kind words. I hope fishing has been good to you, your dad, and brother this year.

There’s some nice size blues just south of Popular.