Sportfishing Weekly
Cover illustration for “Light Tackle Casting for Bay Rockfish in Shallow Water”

Essay Rockfish Tackle

Light Tackle Casting for Bay Rockfish in Shallow Water

How to cast light tackle to shallow rockfish and release them well.

Garrett Okonkwo8 min read

Fishing Regulations · Rockfish Seasons · Features

A blog and newsletter on Chesapeake Bay rockfish and seasonal fishing calendar and What to expect on a charter day.

Cover illustration for “Trolling Umbrella Rigs for Chesapeake Bay Rockfish”

Essay Rockfish Tackle

Trolling Umbrella Rigs for Chesapeake Bay Rockfish

This rig covers depth and distance by balancing frame design with trailing bait placement.

Marcus Thibodeau · 8 min read

Cover illustration for “Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing Prices and What They Include”

Essay Fishing Regulations

Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing Prices and What They Include

Know what's bundled into the charter rate before dividing the cost among your group.

Priya Subramaniam · 8 min read

Cover illustration for “What to Expect on a Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Charter”

Essay Fishing Regulations

What to Expect on a Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Charter

Learn when to book, what gear the crew provides, and how the season shapes your fishing method.

Priya Subramaniam · 8 min read

The trade-off is smaller fish in exchange for a more direct fight, with tackle sensitive enough to make each take and run distinct.
From Light Tackle Casting for Bay Rockfish in Shallow Water
Cover illustration for “Federal Waters Striper Rules Near the Bay Mouth”

Essay Fishing Regulations

Federal Waters Striper Rules Near the Bay Mouth

Boats must know whether they're in state or federal waters, as stripers are banned in the EEZ.

Delores Ybarra · 9 min read

Cover illustration for “ASMFC Striped Bass Management Plan Explained”

Essay Fishing Regulations

ASMFC Striped Bass Management Plan Explained

How slot limits, bag rules, and quota cuts work together to rebuild a depleted stock.

Marcus Thibodeau · 9 min read

Cover illustration for “Chesapeake Bay Fishing License Requirements by State”

Essay Fishing Regulations

Chesapeake Bay Fishing License Requirements by State

Freshwater licenses don't cover the Bay's tidal waters in Maryland or Virginia.

Priya Subramaniam · 10 min read

Cover illustration for “Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Catch-and-Release Best Practices”

Essay Fishing Regulations

Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Catch-and-Release Best Practices

Release mortality drives 40% of rockfish deaths, and here's how to cut it.

Delores Ybarra · 10 min read

From the archive

  1. 01Essay Fishing RegulationsVirginia Striped Bass Regulations on the ChesapeakePriya Subramaniam · 11 min read
  2. 02Essay Rockfish SeasonsChesapeake Bay Rockfish Population Trends and Stock AssessmentsMarcus Thibodeau · 9 min read
  3. 03Essay Rockfish SeasonsChesapeake Bay Rockfish Season Dates by StateDelores Ybarra · 9 min read
  4. 04Essay Rockfish SeasonsSummer Rockfish Locations in Deep Bay ChannelsDelores Ybarra · 10 min read
  5. 05Essay Rockfish SeasonsWinter Catch-and-Release Rockfish Season RulesMarcus Thibodeau · 10 min read
  6. 06Essay Rockfish SeasonsFall Striper Migration in the ChesapeakeMarcus Thibodeau · 10 min read
  7. 07Essay Rockfish SeasonsChesapeake Bay Rockfish Spawning Run TimingDelores Ybarra · 11 min read
  8. 08Essay FeaturesMaryland Rockfish Size and Bag Limits for the Current YearDelores Ybarra · 10 min read
  9. 09Long read FeaturesLive Lining Spot for Big Chesapeake StripersMarcus Thibodeau · 12 min read