Chesapeake Bay at the end of April

[webertime]

What phase are the Bass going to be in at the end of April?  Headed down for a few days and want to know what to expect. 

[casts_by_fly]

the striper phase.  That should be prime time for BIG stripers coming up the bay.  

 

If you mean largemouth, I'd expect prespawn into post spawn.  Water temps are low to mid 50's on the rivers feeding the bay.  the ocean temps are similar right now.  In a month I'd expect 60 degrees or so, maybe more.

[Fallser]

Any idea of where you are going to be on Chesapeake Bay?  I concur with casts_by_fly that the big stripers will be in the bay.   Just checking one of my magazines.  The Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay and it's tributaries are closed to striper fishing from April 1st to May 31st.  That leaves largemouth.

It's been a mild winter.  I might lean toward post spawn.  The largemouth are mainly centered in the Upper Chesapeake Bay tributaries.  A lot of them are tidal.  The fishing will depend on the tide.  Usually, the incoming and out going tides are the best time the fish.  My rule of thumb is the two hours before and after the top and bottom of the tide are the best times.  But that may vary.

  I've fished the Upper Bay tributaries, but that was years ago and not for bass.  It is nice country and the seafood is excellent.

[webertime]

In Maryland for Largemouth (or smallies)

[Logan S]

It'll be mostly prespawn with maybe an early wave of spawners if conditions are ideal.   Good time to fish the Upper Bay, if you hit it right with good weather and good tides you might have to remind yourself you're in MD and not FL or TX .