Striper in Freshwater rivers above the Chesapeake Bay

[Anders]

What do yall think of using ocean and bay techniques of trolling and eeling in the rivers that feed into the Bay. The Striper are going up the rivers to spawn and we have had luck catching them on the bottom with similar techniques to cat fishing. Its the same fish just a few miles away from where everyone else catches them. I know they are not legal to keep but I'm not worried about keeping them, just a good pull.

Anders

[mudshark]

Originally Posted by Anders

What do yall think of using ocean and bay techniques of trolling and eeling in the rivers that feed into the Bay. The Striper are going up the rivers to spawn and we have had luck catching them on the bottom with similar techniques to cat fishing. Its the same fish just a few miles away from where everyone else catches them. I know they are not legal to keep but I'm not worried about keeping them, just a good pull.

Anders

I can tell you that it works up here in CT, but if you want a good pull you might have more fun trying for them on lighter gear with soft plastics. good luck with it!

[Randy Stinchcomb]

Originally Posted by Anders

What do yall think of using ocean and bay techniques of trolling and eeling in the rivers that feed into the Bay. The Striper are going up the rivers to spawn and we have had luck catching them on the bottom with similar techniques to cat fishing. Its the same fish just a few miles away from where everyone else catches them. I know they are not legal to keep but I'm not worried about keeping them, just a good pull.

Anders

as far as I know, for the spring Striper season in Maryland it is Against the law to use eels for bait and to even have eels on board your boat durring the spring season...

[Stripersniper]

It works here in PA as well(delaware river). Once the herring are in the river, it's hard to catch them on anything else. Let us know how you make out.

[Rboats]

I love bottom or light tackle for big fish.
Substitute a Bloodworm on a fishfinder rig w/ about 12lb test, and have a ball!!
Don't get me wrong, I love to troll, but winching them in w/ 60+lb test doesn't compare for me.
Regardless of the method, when they come off the spawn, they're hungry...
kinda like me...
There's a section of shoreline near home that's right on the Bay. We've bottom fished for trophy fish in the spring, right from the bed of a pickup.
Now, I do have a goal of catching a big rock on the fly, but thusfar a 40" fish on light tackle from the bank ranks very near the top for my favorite fight/catch.

C'mon springtime!!

[Anders]

Thanks guys, I'll post pics and reports over the next couple weeks. A few small striper have been caught in the river but the majority have not arrived yet.

Anders