Although the Chesapeake Bay is probably best known for its Striped Bass fishing, there are plenty of other fish in the area, all of which are more than willing to take a fly or jig.

Probably the most challenging fish that we target is also, arguably, the most beautiful.  The Spotted Sea Trout, or Speck, is not only beautiful to look at but fairly elusive and challenging to catch.  Although it is a member of the Drum family, it has a very delicate mouth which can tear easily and takes a bit of finesse to land.  They generally appear in early May and can stick around until mid-November.

The Gray Trout, or Weakfish, is a close cousin to the Speck.  Usually spending their time in deeper water, they are fished with sinking fly lines and jigs.

Red Drum can show up as early as May.   Strong fighters, they also are very pretty and will give you a real tussle in the shallow water they inhabit.   Also called Channel Bass and Spot Tails, they will make the drag sing.

 Flounder and the ubiquitous Croaker are 2 other species that are found in good numbers.  Yes, you can catch Flounder on jigs and flies and if you’ve never caught a Croaker casting with light tackle you will wonder what the devil you’ve got on the end of the line!!  Croaker are pretty much the first to arrive in the spring and the first to leave in the late summer when they turn a gorgeous bronze color that is striking to the eye.

 And, of course, the Striped Bass.  They inhabit the Bay pretty much year long.  Fishing the shallows for these fish in the spring is a whole different experience.  With no room to dive, they will give the drag and the angler a workout.    You can catch these guys in the grass beds, around structure of most any type, and drop offs.  Fishing around structure can be a challenge as they will be more than happy to try and wrap your line around a rock or piling.  When they school up in the fall for their trip out to sea, there can be unbelievable surface action with some pretty good size fish.