Is it blazing hot outside, or does it feel like fall? If you live in Chesapeake Country, there’s a very good chance that it’ll feel like both at some point this month—sometimes, from one day to the next. That will shake up summer striper fishing patterns, sometimes for the better and other times for the worst. Get ready to do lots of bobbing, plenty of weaving, and remember that the fish will change their ways just as we do, depending on if…
The Weather Cooled Down Fast and Stays Cool – While most seasons we’ll have to wait for October before it gets cool enough for the fish to school up and start corralling bait, it does sometimes start to happen in September if the weather is cool enough. That means you’ll want to bring the binoculars and start scanning the horizon.
Through most of this month from the Bay Bridge south it’s more likely you’ll find blues and/or mackerel when spotting birds, but don’t let that stop you from checking them out even if rockfish are the desired target. Quite often the stripers will be mixed in, and/or hanging below the frenzy on the surface. Just be sure to use tooth-proof plastics or jigging spoons if the toothy critters are around. Also note that in this case it’s likely to be bay anchovies the fish are feeding on as opposed to bunker. Try to get an eyeball on the baitfish and size your offerings accordingly.
The Weather Has Been Hot and Stays Hot – In this case, stick with summer tactics. Fish uber-early and uber-late, and once the sun is up look for factors that give the fish some relief from the heat. Shade is a huge one, and skipping lures under docks will likely be a smart move. Get as deep into the shade as you possibly can and fish the side of the pier that’s in shadow, not the one that’s in direct sunlight. When fishing bridge pilings, lighthouses, and other large structures that cast a shadow, again, toss in your offering where the shade sits as opposed to on the sunny side.
Moving water also has a chilling effect, and areas of high current won’t be as super-heated as those that are stagnant. Same goes for depth; the deeper you go the cooler it will be, right up until you bump into areas with low oxygen. Check out the Eyes on the Bay website to get a handle on where that barrier will be, and expect the rockfish to hover just above it. Also keep a sharp eye on the fishfinder for thermoclines, and areas where structure like channel edges, underwater humps, and shelves intersect with them.
The Weather is Psychotic – This is often what we’ll be contending with up and down the Bay in September. When we deal with 20-degree temperature swings from one day to the next, the fish are just as peeved as we humans and fishing can get extremely difficult. Plan to do lots of searching, rapidly change up your offerings, try different colors and lure types, and explore multiple depth ranges and structure types every trip.
There’s no go-to tactical approach to the pattern-shattering weather we’re sometimes served up in September (especially late September and early October, too), but there is one thing we can say for sure: when you aren’t catching fish be quick to move. As in, if you spent 15 minutes at a spot and didn’t get a hit, even if you see marks on the meter pull up stakes and head elsewhere. At this time of year it isn’t uncommon to find fish at one spot but go completely bite-less, then run a mile or two and find actively feeding fish. This is not, repeat not, the time of year to “wait it out” in one place.
Okay: ready to go catch some stripers? Put on a T-shirt and pack your parka. Grab the suntan lotion and shove a pair of gloves in the bag. Bring lots of cool water and also a thermos of hot coffee. You may need all of the above. And whatever you do, don’t believe the weatherman.