Chesapeake Bay

• The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries serve as the spawning ground for the majority of striped bass found along the Atlantic Coast, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Many different types of bass are found here--striped bass, black sea bass, black bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass. There are more than 150 streams and rivers in the Maryland and Virginia area where stripers spawn and drain into the Bay.
  
  

Spring Trophy Season

• One of the most anticipated fishing season opening in the Chesapeake is the Striped Bass Spring Trophy Season. Typically the season starts from mid-April through mid-May and the minimum size for catching stripers gets higher: 28 inches. According to the Maryland DNR Fishing Report, a common presentation among local anglers is to troll with large parachute and bucktail lures dressed with big shads. Lures like Tomics, Storm shads, spoons and Stretch diving crankbaits are also effective. Search for striper bass in hot spots such as Bloody Point, Thomas Point, Buoy 72A, Cove Point, Hooper's Island Light and Breezy Point. .
  
  

Fishing Guides

• Guided fishing trip services are available.Charter Fishing Boat image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
  
  Fishing guides offer full-day and half-day trips for striped bass fishing as well as for perch, bluefish and hardhead. Down Time Sportfishing Charters offers services that include guided light tackle striped bass fishing on the bay. You can find Down Time Charters along with other fishing guides at the mid-bay area in Breezy Pt , Chesapeake Beach. Aside from fishing you can also explore the area by signing up for tours and cruises.
  
  

Regulations

• You can fish for black sea bass year-round in Chesapeake Bay with a minimum size of 12.5 inches and a creel limit of 25 per day. For black, largemouth and smallmouth bass, the minimum size is 15 inches from March 1 to June 15 and 12 inches during the rest of the year. Season is open year-round and the creel limit is 5 per day. You may practice catch and release for striped bass from Mar 1 to May 3 and catch and keep from May 16 to May 31 with a daily creel limit of 1. Special regulations for striped bass apply during spring trophy season. All information is based on 2010 fishing regulations. Always check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the most current information as regulations may change at any time.
  
  

Fishing License

• All Chesapeake Bay anglers age 16 and above are required to purchase a valid tidal/bay sport fishing license from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website or licensed agents throughout the state. You can also call the Maryland DNR toll-free number at 800-918-2870 to obtain a fishing license. Residents and non-resident licenses are available for sale. You can purchase either an annual or a 5-day fishing license.