Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Ernie · Jan-13-26 9:33PM

This (below) comes from Capt. Cris Newsome. I've known him for many years (and have fished with him) and have lot's of respect for him.

"I feel lucky to be escaping the Virginia winter when I depart tomorrow for 3 weeks of fishing in New Zealand. Unfortunately, I was not so lucky with my 2025 guiding season on the Middle Peninsula of Chesapeake Bay. Other than some epic days for large redfish, last year produced the lowest number of gamefish on my home waters in recorded history.

It appears that 2026 will be another down year, so I will likely run an abbreviated guide season on my local waters. I will send a Spring Newsletter in March to announce the period of time I will be available for guiding and start taking new bookings then. I appreciate all the anglers who have fished with me over the last quarter century and hope we continue chasing fish into the future!"

hookup · Jan-13-26 11:02PM

Big question.

What caused the lowest number of gamefish on home waters?

Ernie · Jan-14-26 12:05AM

Many will say forage. The menhaden reduction industry in the bay. But...who knows?

Bryan · Jan-14-26 12:44PM

I heard several people who are regulars on the middle peninsula/Mobjack say the same thing last Summer. I'll usually make a trip or two down that way but I didn't even bother last year. It's really odd because the Northern Neck was fishing great at the same time, at least for trout. I think reds were a little down everywhere.

Apparently the fish went North last Spring, or the fish that wintered North never went South. A friend in VB was just telling me that the trout fishing is way below par in his area right now, while it's great up here.

Osprey · Jan-14-26 6:20PM

hookup wrote:
Big question.

What caused the lowest number of gamefish on home waters?

I think you can pretty much pick your poison. without spending research time other than reading fish stories and fishing reports. Depending who is on your local soapbox at any time you hear pollution, global warming, blue catfish, over harvesting menhaden? and habitat loss among others
I'll scratch pollution and habitat loss, they've always been a problem.
Global warming is causing changes whether the Big Dog agrees or not. Our stripers are definitely moving north, just like more and more southern species are showing up in the bay every year. Not so much a soapbox issue since there's nothing we can do about it.
Blue catfish are a big problem. it's been documented that 18" blue cats have been seen to have as many as 20 baby stripers in their stomachs. No idea how many white perch or blue crabs. I personally counted 23 little crabs in one. I'm afraid the ship for controlling blue cats sailed years ago. we're stuck with them.
Currently, the tallest soapbox of all is trying to end menhaden harvesting in the bay. There have been many different groups and individuals taking turns on this soapbox, and as yet none have made any difference. If you were around the bay in the 60s and 70s to see the acres of 12" alewives everywhere, you'd surely notice their absence now. The absence of food could be the biggest part of the problem, but just another part.

Is there a solution? I doubt it, but we could always go catfishing. there are plenty to go around.

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Jan-13-26 9:33PM

Middle Peninsula of Chesapeake Bay outlook

#2 Jan-13-26 11:02PM

Re: Middle Peninsula of Chesapeake Bay outlook

#3 Jan-14-26 12:05AM

Re: Middle Peninsula of Chesapeake Bay outlook

#4 Jan-14-26 12:44PM

Re: Middle Peninsula of Chesapeake Bay outlook

#5 Jan-14-26 6:20PM

Re: Middle Peninsula of Chesapeake Bay outlook

hookup wrote:

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