Kayak fishing the entire Chesapeake: I have officially started planning my trip from below the Conowingo Dam all the way to Virginia Beach in my kayak, I intend on fishing the entire...

FS Digest

I have officially started planning my trip from below the Conowingo Dam all the way to Virginia Beach in my kayak, I intend on fishing the entire way and fishing in the ocean off of Virginia Beach for a few days at the end of the trip, I plan on going around July. Any tips for fishing the lower Chesapeake or any tips for long distance kayaking in general would be appreciated. I’m making the trek in my predator pdl.

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by gerblart

FS Digest

Look at Kayak Kevins Videos, Kevin has one trips like that a few times a few years back and documented them. He has great vids on the different fishing through out the bay.

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by NowWorkingIt

FS Digest

That sounds both cool as hell and awful at the same time. Where are you planning on staying on your trip? I know there are some waterside campgrounds along the coast but I didn't think there were that many.

As for fishing, assuming you are going in the spring/summer, there will be white perch all along the way. They are easy to catch once you find a school and are very aggressive. A short ML/MF spinning rod will let you thow a 1/8-1/4oz spoons a good distance and they will catch most anything that swims in the Bay in addition to perch.

You could also try trolling as you are traveling, this book is a great intro: https://www.amazon.com/Light-Tackle-Kayak-Trolling-Chesapeake/dp/1499522304

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by 5uper5kunk

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

I hope you keep us informed through out the trip, pics and all.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

plumbob wrote:

I hope you keep us informed through out the trip, pics and all.

It would be interesting.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Been a long time but when I was stationed in Maryland in the early 70's we used to fish the Chesapeake for stripers and blues. Stripers we used them nasty pile worms and did pretty well. Blues, when they get to schooling can get into a frenzy and if you throw something out there and it's got a hook on it they're gonna bite it. Fished mostly around the bridge going over the eastern shore and at the mouth of the Pawtuxent River. That's a whole lot of water you're going to be covering. I would like to see some pictures. Be safe.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Be advised that down by the Key Bridge, they have had Bull Sharks up that far in the Bay. Talked to a guy that went out under the bridge and was catching Blues. Then his Kayak was pulled almost 90 degrees and he was looking down a a Bull Shark that had taken 1/2 his stringer of Blues. He said he just cut the stringer free and came back in. He told me the story when we were fishing from the Park near the bridge as it was too choppy for him to use his Kayak.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

audigger53 wrote:

Be advised that down by the Key Bridge, they have had Bull Sharks up that far in the Bay. Talked to a guy that went out under the bridge and was catching Blues. Then his Kayak was pulled almost 90 degrees and he was looking down a a Bull Shark that had taken 1/2 his stringer of Blues. He said he just cut the stringer free and came back in. He told me the story when we were fishing from the Park near the bridge as it was too choppy for him to use his Kayak.

That's why a cooler trumps a stringer any day.

Darn lucky he stayed in the yak.

Bonasa Loc: Coastal NC (Hampstead)

I recommend Lenny Rudow's Fishing the Chesapeake. Not specific to kayaks, but lots of maps & info on access. In addition to Kevin, see also pieces by Ric Burnley, especially in Kayak Angler magazine.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Admitted that it scared him, heck that would have scared me. I learned that you don't go in Salt water with a stringer back when living in Texas and fishing the gulf. Waded out and was nailing Blues and about waist deep and felt a "Bump" on my right cheek. Looked down and there was 4 foot of shark there. Left the stringer and did my best to do a "Jesus walk on water" back to shore. Since then I don't go swiming in Salt water either. I didn't know about Bull Sharks until I got to Maryland and found out that they can go up into Fresh water also. So my wading is to small streams or land locked lakes. But that's just me. Who says you can't learn when you get older. LOL

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

My wife was in the water at the lake of the ozarks in Missouri.

Said a fish bit her I have seen the walk you mentioned.

fishfinder Loc: Phila , no, eastern shore va

Lots of small towns with kayak oriented ramps on the eastern shore starting around pocomoke md all the way to the bay bridge tunnel. I’d consider checking with town managers to see if they could connect you with friendly folks who might host you along the way.
For fishing Virginia I’ve been luck with gulp minnows chartreuse or white on small bucktails.
Keep us informed about your trip . Goodmluci

Fishin Fool 69 Loc: Etowah, TN

Good luck to you, please keep us posted on catches and how it is going overall, and most importantly, stay safe.