First Day
It's the first day of Striper season and you've been working the 10 PM to 6 AM shift. Excitement has been building up over the long winter and you will be going fishing today in one of the tributaries feeding the Chesapeake Bay. You have purchased a top of the line spinning outfit and baitcasting outfit during a fishing and hunting show, directly from the manufacturer. You are a little unsure if you have made the right commitment because all your previous striper fishing was done by trolling or chumming out in the Chesapeake Bay. You have never fished any of the tributaries feeding into the bay with light equipment, but after reading the reports on your favorite website, you decided it's time for a change by using light tackle of your choice.

You arrive at the ramp early. The water is clear since it has been a relatively dry winter with very little spring runoff. From your experience fishing in the bay you consider this clear water condition to be a help in catching Stripers. You are like a lot of other fishermen in thinking this way. The reality is, the clearer the water, the harder it is to catch Stripers.

Water Color

When the water is clear the Striped Bass are harder to catch because they are light sensitive. They stay in deeper water. When they do become active and start to feed, it is for shorter periods of time. Stripers will not move into shallow water under this condition during the day. You must fish the right type of structure. This will limit your lure selection, and you must present your lures correctly to become productive.

You do have some control over this condition. The ramp mentioned earlier is located a half a mile up river from where it enters the bay. One thing you can do is head up river and you will see that further up river you go, the darker the water will become.

Productive Areas

Keep in mind that the most productive areas this time of the year will be in, or close to the river. Creek points with quick drop offs (where they enter the river) are excellent structures. Especially the ones that are close to the main river channel. Stripers won't go back into the creeks this time of year because of the lack of forage. Another type of structure that can be very productive, and easy to locate, are pilings. For these pilings to be productive they must be fished correctly.

Fish Pilings

You should catch more Stripers when casting up or into the current, whether the tide is incoming or outgoing. Stripers are always facing into the current and you will have a better chance of catching them when your lure or bait is coming toward them. The most productive way to present lures or baits is from in front of the fish. This presentation looks more natural and the lure or bait is in the strike zone longer. The drawing below is a good example showing the most productive areas to fish on a bridge piling.

Current (Think Current  NOT Tide)

The movement of water forms eddies and Striped Bass hold in these areas. When the current changes direction so do you. If your lures are being washed back to fast, and not getting into the strike zone, you have to try a heavier lure or a different type of lure. Using different lures that cover different depths of the water column and paying attention to where the lure is at all times is very important. Make sure the lure comes very close or hits the piling each time it is cast out.

A large bridge piling is one of the structures where Striped Bass can be caught when the tide is still. Using a jigging spoon, keeping it as close to the piling as possible, and jigging it up off the BOTTOM while keeping tight line has been the most productive technique to date. If the line stops before the spoon hits the bottom, set the hook and hold on!

End Note

Pilings crossing the river or bay can be counted on to be productive when other types of structures are not. Catching a Striper or two the first thing on a fishing trip can build up your confidence enough to explore new areas and will allow you to have a very productive day. Fishing pilings at the end of the day when all has failed can stop you from being skunked.

Tight Lines,