Fishing for stripers is a popular pastime on the Eastern Shore from Virginia, Maryland and Delaware
Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or just getting started, Striper Fishing on the Eastern Shore is an experience you won’t want to miss. These fish are notorious for putting up a good fight, so be prepared for an adrenaline-pumping day out on the water.
Stripers are found in salt and freshwater, so they’ve got a wide distribution throughout Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Many of them migrate up north to Nova Scotia, but there’s also a large population that spawns in the Chesapeake Bay. These fish are easily identified by their 7-9 black stripes against silver sides, white or off-white belly, and steel bluish black back.
The striped Bass, also called stripers, are one of the most popular fish to catch on the Delmarva peninsula. This is especially true on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where striped Bass fishing is a way of life for many people. The striped Bass is a migratory fish, and the time of year when they are most active can vary depending on the water temperature. Usually, the striped Bass fishing season begins in the spring, when anglers use deep trolling methods to target big fish. However, by summer most fish have scattered and won’t be seen in large concentrations until the first cool nights of fall begin to put them back into school feeding patterns. Striped Bass do begin to school up as the water temperatures drop and they are getting ready to migrate out of the Chesapeake Bay. This makes fall a great time for striper fishing on the Delmarva peninsula. So if you’re looking to catch some striped Bass, be sure to keep an eye on the water temperature and head out to the Eastern Shore for some great striper fishing action.
How to catch Striped Bass
Drifting is a great way to catch striped bass, particularly in cooler water when they’re in deeper water close to the bottom. This is especially true in saltwater where the tidal flow will keep the boat moving. Drift fishing is effective because it keeps the bait in the strike zone for maximum amount of time while also searching for fish. Live and cut bait are often used, but anglers can also vertically present a jig or spoon. The best spots to drift are ledges, sunken islands, and wrecks. So if you’re on the hunt for some striped bass, don’t forget to give drifting a try.
Trolling for Striped Bass
Trolling is an extremely effective technique for catching striped bass, or “stripers” as they’re called by aficionados. It allows anglers to cover a lot of water while presenting multiple baits or lures at various depths. So, whether you’re fishing on the Eastern Shore or trolling for stripers in a freshwater lake, this technique is sure to help you find – and catch – a lot of fish. Striped bass are notoriously finicky eaters, so it can be helpful to troll with both live bait and artificial lures until you identify a particular pattern. For example, slowly trolling a live herring or shad is the predominant method for taking big striped bass in freshwater lakes. Downriggers and sinkers are used to get the baits down to the desired depth, and the boat is moved slowly, just enough to keep the lines straight. So, if you’re looking to up your striper game, give trolling a try. You (and your cooler) will be glad you did.
Spring is striped bass season on the Delmarva peninsula, and that means it’s time to get your Striper fishing gear ready! There are a few different techniques that anglers use to target these trophy fish, and each has its own advantages. Drifting is a great way to cover more ground and find where the fish are schooling. Live or cut bait is truly the best choice for Striper fishing, although lures will also work. If you’re anchor fishing, chumming is an effective way to draw the fish to your baits. And finally, vertical jigging is a great way to target striped bass that are holding close to the bottom. No matter what technique you choose, striped bass fishing on the Eastern Shore is sure to be a rewarding experience. So get out there and Tight Lines!
Where to fish for Stripers on the Eastern Shore
Anglers on the hunt for striped bass will find no shortage of opportunity on the Chesapeake Bay. As one of the most productive striped bass fisheries on the East Coast, the Chesapeake is home to a large population of fish, with 80% of the striped bass found on the East Coast coming from this bay.
Thanks to its vast network of tributaries, there are plenty of spawning grounds for fish looking to reproduce, as well as plenty of places for juvenile fish to feed and grow without being too exposed. Trolling is generally the best method for anglers looking to hook into a larger fish, but baits and lures can also be drift-cast or simply cast out into open water with good results. No matter what technique you use, striped bass are plentiful in these waters.
The Chesapeake Bay is also a very diverse fishery, with a wide range of habitats that offer different challenges and opportunities for anglers. In the north, the bay takes on more river-like characteristics, while at the mouth it becomes almost ocean-like in scope. Tributaries offer ideal conditions for juvenile striped bass before they migrate out into the open bay, while mature fish tend to spawn in these rivers and creeks.
When to fish for Stripers on the Eastern Shore and Delmarva
What’s the best time of year to catch a Striper? That all depends on where you’re fishing. If you’re lucky enough to be on the Eastern Shore, then fall is the best time to cast your line. The big boys come out to play in October and November, and there’s no better place to hook them than around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. But if you can’t make it to the Eastern Shore, don’t worry – Stripers are pretty much everywhere and they’re biting pretty much all year round. So get your bait & tackle ready and head on out – there’s never a bad time for some Striper Fishing!
Whether you fish off Virginia Beach, Maryland and Delaware and especially striper fishing spots Chesapeake Bay, check out our striper fishing spots to choose your favorite fishing location. Fish on!
