Susan Haynie of Northumberland County, VA, holds a 35" rockfish, caught in November 2011.

December is definitely the time to pursue your trophy striper. It always puzzles me when I see anglers wrapping up their boat and putting their tackle away at the end of November. They say, “I’m going hunting or I’m too busy with Christmas season or it’s too cold.” (Don’t you love that from a grown man?) Well I’m here to tell you they are missing some of the very best fishing on the Chesapeake and a chance to capture the fish of a lifetime and maybe beat the state or world record.

It is absolutely critical to search and find a pack of these migratory stripers as they roam the channel edges up and down the bay. Don’t always rely on the location where you hooked-up last year. Location will depend on the availability of bait, water temperature, water oxygen level, tide flow, moon cycle, etc. Don’t be stuck on stupid. Finding the monster striper is a dedicated search and destroy mission. Pay close attention to big suspended marks on your sonar. Closely look for surface activity such as swirls and fish finning. Look for gannets diving especially in large numbers. Find your own fish and stick with them!

Trolling large baits is the most effective way to cover a lot of water. Most fish especially in the early part of the season will be caught on or near the top. Deploy your way far back lines (200 to 300 feet) first. Single 3 to 5 ounce parachutes, large spoons or plugs such as the tomic or stretches will be effective on the long top line. To get baits away from the boat use planer boards, rovers, or outriggers. (These will be your most productive lines.) Don’t neglect the mid-depths and deep water. Use tandems with various weights to get to the mid depths.

Try 6/3 ounces, 8/5 ounce, and 12/6 ounce on braided line. Also put out at least one 20 inch 4 or 6 arm umbrella with spinners and double hung 6 to 8ouince parachutes .For the deeper depths use 20 to 48 ounce mojos in tandem with a mini umbrella, spoon, plug or parachute. I always use 9 to 12” double hooked sassy shads. Also to get deep with more precision use down riggers and put the ball where the fish show on your sonar.

Select line that matches the circumstances. With very clear water use lighter leader line. (As light as 60#). Use 60# mono on your high lines and 80# braid or wire line on your mid depth and deep lines odd your reels

Use reels that will work easily with each type of lure weight and placement. Penn 345 with line counters work well with your long lines. Penn 113’s and 114’s or shimmano tld 20’s and 30’s with mono line work well with board lines. Use braid or wire with your intermediate and deep lines.

Above all be safe. Do not go out on a small boat when we have white caps- usually 15mph winds or above will be unsafe and uncomfortable where you need to be fishing. Dress warmly. You can always take off heavy clothes as the day warms up. Always keep both feet on the floor. Stay well clear of other fishing boats and merchant boats. Do not handle the fish without gloves.

Plan to get out during this exciting season and hook-up with a Chesapeake jumbo striper. This is the season and the place where lifetime memories are made. Go out in your own boat or plan a trip now with a charter Captain and leave the details to him.