From Smith Point to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Chesapeake striper fishing is hot, hot, hot the entire month of December. If ever there was a WORLD CLASS FISHERY this is it!

In December, the action gets better and better every day with limit catches being the norm by the end of the month. And here comes December when these magnificent swimmers go on their feeding binges and become plentiful targets for the recreational angler. The key to bagging your trophy is to go to the fish, deploy splash and flash bait, and stay on them until you have your limit!

But where are they? Finding the massive schools of feeding fish is the most important thing you can do. Do not put out your spread until you are on the meat! Be patient. Look for huge bait balls on your screen. Look for surface activity. Be there when the current is really flowing. And above all find your own fish.

When you have found your fish be calm and organized about setting out your lines. Board lines should be carefully deployed first. When the fish are rolling on the surface run your board lines no more than 30 feet behind the clip. Make sure that the hooks are clear and sharp; that the hair is running straight and that they are clean. Let out your long lines 200 to 300 feet. Now place one or two 120 foot and 100 foot double umbrella rig(s) with 6 to 8 ounce packman off the stern. Next slide a 48-ounce double MoJo rig off each side mid-ship. Use a 6 to 8 ounce Barney pacman, spoon or red and white tomic for the top line. Run this MoJo rig back 50 feet at the most. Cover the water column. The fish will smack lures at all depths as the current varies.

The action will get hot and heavy and again you must stay calm and organized. When you get multiple hook-ups reel in the short lines first. Take your time. Usually when you get hooked trolling they stay hooked unless the angler puts slack in the line. Move rods around so that the line that is hooked-up doesn’t get into the other lines. Always have at least three anglers in the boat for this fast action. One should stay on the wheel at all times- one smoothly winding the fish in (with as little or no pumping) as possible and one with the net. Net the fish head first making sure that all of the fish is in the net and carefully lift her in the boat. Two anglers should lift the net on the monster fish.

Exciting stuff! But it’s not over yet. Hold up on that camera action until you get the lines back in the water and get back on the fish!

Believe me this is the most exciting fishing you could possibly have is right here in our Chesapeake. Plan to get out there and experience the adventure of your lifetime.

Get your buddies on your boat or arrange for a charter and just do it!