Striped Bass on the Susquehanna Flats

It is mid-April and that means Striped Bass season in this part of the country. The Delaware Bay and back bays of NJ are of course great hunting grounds for these cows, but if you're like me, you like to get a change of scenery now and then. Maryland's Chesapeake Bay is a good place for that.

Being a Philadelphian means most outdoor activity is oriented towards a northern or westerly direction. Although there are certainly many folks in the tri-county area who make use of the Chesapeake, its not the first place that's on most people's minds in these parts when it comes to fishing.

My wife and I are celebrating the birth of our first child this month, so I won't be heading down. But certainly, next year I'll be checking out the legendary Susquehanna Flats for catch-and-release action.

If you choose to participate in this yearly event, please remember, treat the fish you catch gently. If you are taking pictures, do it quickly and if at all possible leave the fish in the water until the last second. Bear in mind these fish are spawning and if future generations are going to be able to enjoy this activity, the fish will need to be returned to the water asap after catching them.

Here are some potentially useful resources to get started this season.

Gear:

• Versatile surf combo rod/reel
• Topwater plugs
• Striped Bass flies

Rules and Regs:

• Maryland Fishing License
• Tide predictor for the area
• State run boat ramps
• Bay fishing regulations

Camping info:

• Elk Neck State Park
• Camping info: Woodlands Camping Resort