Chesapeake Bay Bridge

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the twin four-mile spans between Sandy Point and Kent Island, is probably the most famous striped bass structure in Maryland. Its pier bases, rock piles and concrete abutments hold stripers from late spring to December, and DNR's weekly report mentions it almost every week. The shallow ends near each shore are also reliable for white perch and summer spot.

When to fish

• Spring: catch-and-release stripers on paddletails and soft plastic jigs; the harvest season opens in the main Bay in May, when boats start anchoring up-current of the east-side piers.
• June and July: live-lining spot to the pier bases on a running tide. In midsummer low oxygen can push fish above about 20 feet. August is closed to striped bass fishing baywide.
• September through November: DNR's steadiest bridge season, with live spot, eels, soft crab or cut bait drifted to the piers, and jigging.
• Late fall and winter: stripers hold deep, 30 feet or more, by the rock piles and main span supports; big white perch school on the rock piles.

Where to fish

• The east-side piers near the 30-foot channel edge: DNR's most-mentioned striper spot at the bridge.
• The rock piles and deep pier bases: late-fall stripers and winter white perch.
• Behind the main concrete span supports.
• The shallow west end (Sandy Point side): white perch and spot all summer.

How to fish it

• Drifting baits: anchor up-current of a pier and let live spot, small white perch, soft crab, eels or cut bait drift back to the base; you need a strong running tide.
• Jigging: skirted soft plastic jigs cast or dropped to the pier bases, rock piles and abutments, especially in late fall.
• White perch: peeler crab or grass shrimp on bottom rigs in the shallows; in late fall, small but heavy jigs or shiny metal jigs to reach deep schools on the rock piles.
• Hooks: non-offset circle hooks are required when live-lining or bait fishing for stripers, and eels can't be used during catch-and-release periods.

Getting there

The bridge is fished by boat. Sandy Point State Park has 22 ramps at the western end, and Queen Anne's County's Matapeake ramp and Kent Narrows landings are on the Kent Island side. The piers draw crowds on good tides, so anchor with care and give other boats room. You need a Maryland Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License.