Fall Fishing on the Chesapeake & Delaware Bays

The leaves are nearing their peak color for the season, the nights are getting cooler and the fish are schooling up. Fishing in the fall can be one of the most productive and rewarding times to spend the day on the water. With most anglers sitting comfortable at home, take advantage and spend some time fishing.

In the Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass are schooling up in anticipation of the cold winter months ahead. They try to fatten up as much as possible in a short period of time. For the last couple of weeks the Sassafras River has been producing some really nice fish. Most anglers have been targeting them later in the afternoon and just after dark. The fish are being caught on a number of different artificial lures. Rattletraps, Storm Lures, and Bass Assassins are just some of hot choices.

Another favorite target of Chesapeake Bay anglers in the fall are White Perch. These tasty pan fish can be found around structure, drop offs and channel edges. They seem to school up and can be an easy target with a good fish finder. Small jigs and jigging spoons seem to be the best method to target them.

In the Delaware Bay fall fishing is usually done to target Striped Bass and Tog. As the Stripers make their way down the coast some spend time in the Delaware Bay before moving to their wintering grounds in Virginia and North Carolina. Targeting fall Stripers on the Delaware Bay is usually done using two methods. Right now chunking seems to be the hot ticket. Bunker is in short supply in the bay and anglers are traveling to Maryland to find fresh bait. Those who do are being rewarded with some of the biggest fish of the season. In the next few weeks these fish will also start to become more prevalent in the rips at the mouth of the bay. This scenario usually has anglers drifting eels and chunks of bunker to entice the big ocean run fish into biting.

Fishing for Tog takes place around structure and over inshore wrecks. With the addition of the artificial reef sites, Delaware anglers have many places to target them. The most popular baits are Green Crabs and Sand Fleas. Remember to take plenty of rigs and sinkers as you may lose quite a few.

Safety is a particularly big issue for anglers fishing this time of year. With fewer boats on the water, help may be much further away if needed. Take extra time to make sure all of your safety equipment is up to date and working properly. Let your family or friends know exactly where you are going and an estimated time you plan to return. Make sure to dress for the occasion also. If you get a chance to get out and fish this fall you may experience some of the best fishing of the season. Stop by Eastern Marine in Newark Delaware for all of your fall fishing needs.