Pacemaker Fishing Forum

I've never been sure what to think about this stuff. I do believe low or dropping barometric pressure is more conducive to a good bite and always prefer that, but I've had some shockingly good days at the other end of the spectrum too.

In 2017 I started using the VMRC's Online Saltwater Journal to log my trips, including moon phase, and with 250+ trips now logged I've yet to find any strong correlation to what the moon is doing and how good the fishing is. I've had great trips and terrible trips on every phase, and just when I think I've noticed a pattern the next outing will be a curveball. TBH it doesn't really make any difference to me anyway since I can't pick my days, my choices are usually "go fishing Saturday or don't go fishing". I know a lot of fishermen swear by the moon and will disagree, but for me it's not a big deal.

I've always picked my timey on the water basted on when the opportunity presents itself and made the best of them.

Osprey wrote:

Nothing against Capt Dale, but Capt Brady has the words FREE FOOD  painted in bold letters on the bottom of his boat.

Well, that day, Capt. Brady came over to help fix the problem so Capt. Dale could get us back out.

But to your point, no one better at sniffin' out fish than Capt. Brady. One of a kind!

I go when the conditions are tolerable and conducive to my vessel when fishing from a boat.  I do look at those charts, but they do not determine when I go.  Sometimes, they coincide with better days.  I think it matters more with some species of fish.  I know muskie anglers believe.

I have fished in rain and windy days in the past.  I try to avoid that now.

Ernie wrote:

Who is gonna get this one?

At my first RS rodeo, Hotcast (RIP) had one of these. 

Each day he would predict the success, or failure, of our fishing trip and most of the time was correct.  Wasn't always correct but a fan gadget to play with

darbrewe wrote:

Trying to remember who Hotcast was. Was he part of the PA crew?

No

His name was Roger Troupe.  He was a VP at H&K for spec ops.  Very knowledgeable about fishing and I learned allot from him.  He was part of the GrubThrower crowd.  If you went to a rodeo in the early days you probably met him

That is awesome, Bryan!  Congrats.  Any pics to share? 

I saw a video of a guy in PA hammering smallies on that same day during what seemed to be the same time.

Yeah I have pics. I have one more trip planned for this week, that will be my last one of 2025. After that I'll share all my pics and stuff. Fall was really slow for me but December has been awesome.

Luv it when they school

Cinderela session!

Ernie wrote:

I just read an article in CCA Tide Magazine about where specks go and hide in the winter. The article was about FL.

It said that "trout prefer water between 60-80dF. Once it falls under 50dF, they're on the move. The exact response depends on how fast the water cools, salinity, and oxygen levels". It goes on and says that "ground water inflows, power plants and tidal exchange provide what scientists call 'thermal relief'---warmer water."

Always wondered why they stayed up in the bay and it's tributaries and not head down to warmer waters. I think Bryan's trout are a bit more resilient than the ones in FL.

Years ago I assumed all of the speckled trout in the Chesapeake either migrated South or hung out in warmwater discharges during the Winter, but it turns out most of them don't go very far at all. When the water hits 50ish they'll move to the backs of rivers and creeks that have shallow muddy flats with some deeper water nearby. They seem to favor water with some color to it, I think this is both because it's warmer and it makes them less visible to birds. Mid-40s water temps are usually the fastest fishing of the year and I've caught them down to 38 degrees. If temps stay that low for more than a few days we start to see winterkill.

I think people would be surprised how far up the bay they spend the Winter. I'm convinced they're even in MD waters right now but I don't have the time to explore.