Bottom Fishing in Chesapeake Bay

Most anglers know exactly what you are talking about when you tell them they are going bottom fishing. We understand that not everybody is an experienced angler though and a Chesapeake Bay bottom fishing trip may be a new experience. But bottom fishing in the Chesapeake Bay is probably how 90% of anglers fish in the Bay and can result in some great catches.

Bottom fishing is exactly what is sounds like, you simply drop your line to the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay and wait for the fish to bite the hook. There are some other things to know too though, like how to keep your line on the bottom when the tide or current is strong. Or how to keep your bait on the bottom as the boat drifts with the tide and wind. Keeping your bait at the bottom is key as that is where the fish are. Fish like croaker, flounder, spot, sea bass, and others live and feed on the bottom and if your line is only a few feet from the bottom then you likely will not catch as many fish.

Chesapeake Bay Wrecks and Reefs

Common bottom rig for croaker fishing that also works very well for catching spot and small pan sized trout. Just MAKE SURE your squid strips dangle from the hook. Also use fresh bloodworms for spot fishing.

On the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay you will find all kinds of things like old debris that may be from a sunken boat, concrete debris from a man made structure like a bridge or bulkhead, or oyster beds, and other things that fish will hang around for food and shelter from the larger predators. This debris, usually called a wreck is what anglers usually look for when bottom fishing as they know more fish will be around these underwater objects.

For bottom fishing in the Chesapeake Bay you can use a "bottom rig" like the ones pictured. It holds two hooks and a sinker for getting to the bottom. You simply bait up the hooks and let your line out until you feel it hit the bottom. For bait you can use squid that has been cut into nice long strips or you can use bloodworms which is a favorite of spot.  Just about all fish will bite on the squid at one time or another but the main fish you will likely catch with squid are croakers and trout.

Chesapeake Bay Fishing - Bottom Fishing

Bottom Fishing with Fishing C's Charters

Except for a few things like some personal techniques that is basically all there is to bottom fishing for spot and croaker. Captain Ron of the Fishing C's charter boat and his First Mate will use their own type of bottom rigs that work best for them and they may use or cut their baits their own way but if you listen to them then you should have little problem catching a fish you are proud of. They know the waters around Solomons Island and know where the best bottom fishing hot spots are and when you charter with them you benefit from all the knowledge they have gained over many years of fishing this area.

Leave it up to Captain Ron to put you on the fish, to show you what rigs and bait to use and he will leave it to you to have fun and catch all the fish.

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Fishing C's Charters
Captain Ron Caudill
2709 Placid Ave.
Parkville, Md 21234
Phone: 410-668-0088
Email: Captain Ron