still a while to go

[Charkbait]

This fish was caught on the flats yeterday even though the pic says different. Still chock full of eggs, many of the fish seen so far are still bulging at the gut. Some wisdom says as soon as temps hit 56 they spawn, other wisdom says the first full moon after 56. Either way withing the next 7 days they should spawn out and start the migration.

This weekend may see some lowerbay/VA fish through the surf after spawning but the upper bay and trib fish won't be by for a while longer. Reports say the bay is full of bait as well so that could very well hold them a tad longer still, but could put some real fat ones on the sand.

However, if water temps continue rising like this week, there will be a mass exodus by the 12th and a great 2 weeks on AI in mid may.

FYI, its 270 miles from the flats down through the bay to AI...wonder how long that takes them? Even if they left today at 20 mi a day that's still a long while before the flats fish arrive at AI.

[ffemtreed]

Sounds just in time for the fling!

Thanks for the info

[Charkbait]

Right on que

"FYI, Fish are spawning in the Elk River as I type this... A couple friends of mine were out on a cruise and said the fish are rolling everywhere."

no worries the Elk, NE, and upper lower susky are closed to all striper fishing, no C&R allowed.

Conventional thinking says they hang out for a tide or two with the feed bag on and then get to stepping.

The yak will see the bay this weekend...count on it!

[trowpa]

Woohoooo - we want 'em thick in size and numbers! on the 12th I sure hope you're right Ben!

[Charkbait]

they'll be moving though, the big variable is if they are 100 yds from shore...pray for E and huge schools of bunkah.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

I'll be out there on saturday for sure, gonna' launch at Sandy Pt, got room for 1 if anyone wants to-go

[trowpa]

Yeah - i'm pretty sure they'll be 300 yards away - and I'll be casting 100 at best

Just the same i've got good kitchen passes lined up for the month of May so i'm excited and soooooooooooooooooooooo ready!!

[Charkbait]

Originally Posted by Randy Stinchcomb

I'll be out there on saturday for sure, gonna' launch at Sandy Pt, got room for 1 if anyone wants to-go

I REALLY want to go out for a full day of fishing, I think best case is me and the yak for a few hours on Sunday and home by noon.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

Originally Posted by Charkbait

I REALLY want to go out for a full day of fishing, I think best case is me and the yak for a few hours on Sunday and home by noon.

well, how's the foot
instead of paddlin' around, go wth us on saturday, sit back and enjoy a boat ride
so far I have Kurt(kid from work) and Im waiting to hear back from Philip, usally take him a few days to respond

[Charkbait]

got a date Sat with my 2 favorites, the dump...and the depot.

All to keep SWMBO happy and my options open on additional fishing.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

ok, gotcha' but if you change your mind, I'm leaving the house at @4:30am

[Charkbait]

Reports of spawning in the Choptank and other places where you could smell the fish in the creeks and rivers. It's going on thick and will likely continue through the next 7 days in some way or another. Best hope will be for some VA fish maybe Potomac spawners hitting AI by next weekend IMO. I was going to go then but may wait still, I think they're gonna be late this year.

[Mighty Quinn]

Chark...I agree. Was comparing Ches Bay water temps a couple days ago to this time last year. Water appeared to be a little warmer last year. From what I've heard, cooler water and higher water levels will keep the fish in the Bay longer. I think the old rule is when the dogwoods are blooming (we're close) and the week both sides of mothers day. This time last year we had seen some Blues. Wonder where they are?

[Coop]

FWIW, I have been only surf fishing for a couple years, but it always seems to be prime in the middle of May, fling time. In fact, the last 2 records were all caught somewhere around fling time.

Gary was May 6 and Allens on the 16

[trowpa]

Originally Posted by Coop

FWIW, I have been only surf fishing for a couple years, but it always seems to be prime in the middle of May, fling time. In fact, the last 2 records were all caught somewhere around fling time.

Gary was May 6 and Allens on the 16

Yep - slow now, but I have high hopes for the fling week! Gotta start sucking up to SWMBO ( earn my soak time)..... just 2 + weeks now...tick tick tick...