David Reed caught this nice striper at Bouy 42 on December 3, 2005. Photo courtesy of Captain Bob Reed

2005 was the year (at least for me) when more and more customers did not plan ahead. It was not uncommon on a Thursday or even a Friday night for the phone to ring and ring with customers calling for a fishing trip for the upcoming weekend. Unfortunately for these customers as a rule charter boats are not available at the last minute. I'm sure there are times when the urge just hits or someone comes in from out of town and you've heard of great fishing in the area and you decide to go. It surely is ok to try to get a boat but chances are that none will be available. Newspaper, magazine and radio reports often make it sound like they are jumping in the boat and this may have been the case yesterday or last weekend. It sounds exciting and you just want to be out there fishing!

My experiences as a charter boat customer and now as a Captain and mate has taught me to plan for a fishing trip well in advance. How far in advance should you plan? The best time to sit down and make your fishing plans early in the year like right now!!!

What is your time off/ vacation schedule for 2006? How many and what kind of trip(s) would you like to do? What is the availability of your friends/family who may be joining you? And real important what species would like to target - what type of fishing methods do you like? The following is a summary of what to expect in the mid Chesapeake Bay area for 2006 based on past years experiences:

January, February & March
Although there is some white perch fishing going on, the dominant saltwater fishing for these months is Virginia coastal fishing for monster stripers. This is an extremely exciting and productive fishery. If you like a lot of action try winter Virginia rock fishing! The season runs from January 1st to March 31st. Each angler may keep 2 fish per day 28inches and over. In 2005 the Virginia record was broken twice and now stands at 63 pounds 8 ounces. Check out the available charters in this magazine and/or the Virginia Charter Association website at www.fishva.org. The fishing method is primarily trolling with occasional jigging. Dress warm! Stay dry! Be prepared for a lot of fast action!

In addition to trophy stripers tog are also available. Especially in February and March runs to the offshore wrecks are a possibility for hefty sea bass.

April
The Chesapeake is inundated with rockfish on their spawning runs during April. The Potomac River and Maryland portions of the bay are open to recreational anglers for capturing their trophy stripers during this period. Last year we had a tremendous catch during this trophy season - the best in a long time- and we can expect to see abundance in 2006! Boats book up very fast for this prime period so make your plans now!!

May
May 1st through May 15th is a good time to target stripers in Virginia Bay waters as the season opens May 1st. From the 15th of May until the 15th of June is an excellent time to target residential stripers at one of Virginia's great artificial reefs. This is mostly light tackle live bait and cut bait chumming. Chumming also gets underway in the Potomac and in Maryland waters at this time. Large Atlantic croaker move into our area at this time. Early June offers large flounder as they move up the bay.

From the 15th of June through August, flounder, croaker and spot are available in Virginia and Maryland bay waters and striper fishing at structure (primarily chumming) is open in Maryland and in the Potomac. June and early July is the prime time to target larger flounder. Cobia also shows up mostly in the lower portions of the bay in late June,

July and August
2006 was a very good year for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Once located these fish excited anglers as the "hooked up" with fast trolling planers and small spoons. August, September and October were the prime months for this fishery. Many "macs" over 5 pounds were capture in 2005. I am looking for this fishery to get even better in 2006 and to see the size of the blues and Spanish to increase.

The Virginia reefs become alive with recreational anglers again in early October when the rockfish fall season opens. Chumming and fishing with light tackle is the popular method. 2005 saw an increase in live bait fishing and worked exceptionally well especially in the early part of the season. This fishery remains productive throughout November until the bulk of the anglers vacate the reefs and begins trolling the deep ledges for trophy rockfish as they come into the bay to feed up for the oncoming winter.

Trolling for jumbo stripers remains the dominant sport throughout December. Avid anglers follow the fish to the mouth of the bay and out into the ocean and continue to fish throughout the early part of the New Year!

Surely I have overlooked many other great recreational fisheries in our beautiful bay. Check with the charter boat fleet in your area and get a wider perspective.

The key to get in on the super fishing in the bay is to be there at the right time. So look at your 2006 schedule and select a date that coincides with your dates and the fishing that appeals to you and get booked NOW.