An Important Question

To me, at least: What Will This Season’s Striped Bass Fishing Bring?

Surveys have shown that the Chesapeake and Delaware-Maryland-Virginia region is poised to see a better-than-average fishing season this year. Recruitment and young-of-year numbers have been improving, and the overall population of striped bass indicates that Marone saxatilis is on a path to somewhat of a promising recovery. As to what extent, we will have to wait and see since we have been down this path before.

Although this fish is quite durable and can tolerate swings in temperatures and water conditions, they have proven to be very susceptible to overfishing, habitat degradation, and careless disregard of the fishery. Many of the striped bass we catch come from the bay area, as well as the Hudson River fishery and our own holdover rivers. If we are going to continue seeing any kind of a reprieve, then helping keep the mortality of released fish down would be a step in the right direction for us fishers to take.

 So how does all of this add up? According to a recent survey conducted in the bay, striper reproduction is up. That has generated a cautiously optimistic feeling among bass enthusiasts. The class of fish coming from 2011 ought to bring up a run of linesiders in the 28-inch range, and that should translate into an above-average season. Of course, there will be a mix of younger and older fish, but the thrust of the action will be centered around that class. The big question is: What percentage of these fish will enter Long Island Sound and mix with those from the Hudson River fishery, as well as our own holdovers? That remains to be seen. However, shy of any significant weather blowouts, be prepared to have some memorable striped bass moments.

You can see the large (although not highest recent) recruitment in 2011. As noted in the article these fish are just getting to be big, around 28". In MD, fish above 28 inches are partially protected in summer, of two fish a recreational fisherman can keep only one can be larger than 28 inches. Note that this year, many of the the 2015 year class should start getting into the 18-20 inch range (see chart below). This year, 19 inch fish can be kept recreationally, while 18 inches remains the minimum for commercial fishing, so yes, it should be a pretty good year.

Wombat-socho has "Rule 5 Sunday: Larger Than Life" up and running on time and within budget at The Other McCain.