The Quest for Giant Migratory Striped Bass

[@DowntoEarthFishing]

The quality of this video is incredible. You guys deserve thousands of upvotes and subscribers just for this video alone. I love the Bay and one day I will be out there learning to catch one of these giants in the winter like y'all did. Learn a lot from this video! Thank you two for putting so much work into this special video!

[@FishingHoller]

Thank you so much for the kind words. The bay is a very special place that we ought to cherish and protect. It's and incredible fishery I wish you the best on your own journey! Thanks for watching.

[@welding4fun]

The pure stoke you guys had on landing those fish was the best part! Hard work and patience on learning a new fishery paid off! Congrats!!

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for watching! Just can't contain the excitement over these fish!

[@FixitFrank]

568!! You're getting there! This is awesome. What a good video Tom. seriously man

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks Frank! It was quite the adventure!

[@ondalevel1963]

Have you tried the MTK tackle flutter spoons..... I use them and they produce well... They have all the common colors plus 3-4 custom colors. I have a few of the 9" ones. They sell the blanks as well. That is what I purchased.... very reasonable... they are on the marketplace. Tight lines out there

[@TomyTekOutdoors]

Congrats to the both of you on the new PBs. Great way to stick it out. That time of the year is challenging, but can pay off big time when you find them. The video was well put together. I look forward to the next adventure.

[@FishingHoller]

The grind makes it even sweeter in the end! Thanks for watching!

[@Mh7272]

I’m surprised you don’t have more subscribers. Awesome content!

[@FishingHoller]

I appreciate it Matt! Hoping if I stay focus on putting out good content the subs will come. Glad you enjoyed! Take it easy!

[@dsaavedra628]

Great video guys. It was fun to see you learning along the way and having it finally pay off. I appreciate you showing the process - including the failures - as well as the successes. Congrats on the big fish, that excitement is real!! I had a lot of fun chasing these big migratory rockfish from my kayak this winter/spring - It was a lot of work but I got 10 of them over 40" in the kayak.

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for the kind words. I can only imagine what it is like catching these fish out of a kayak! Always glad to hear about other people getting on them.

[@staytight6340]

I wish I could get that excited when I catch 50lb stripers. Bluefin make me feel like that Great job guys

[@FishingHoller]

😁 the first is always special. We put in a lot of effort to figure them out and it's just so exciting when it finally comes together. Bluefins sound awesome, maybe we will get there someday haha. Thanks so much for watching.

[@fishhuntplay]

Good video fellas. To fish Chesapeake Bay is a dream of mine. Awsome fish you caught.

[@fatguylilcar2278]

Awesome video I’ll be out on the Chesapeake. Hope to see you guys.

[@baccoff3308]

Nice job!

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for watching!

[@minitruckinmedic4899]

I'm so ready for the may season

[@FishingHoller]

Always itching for the next chance to get after them. Thanks for watching!

[@basskandydelights5795]

Great video work! Enjoyed it! Love the raw excitement!

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for the kind words and for making baits these big fish can't resist!

[@basskandydelights5795]

@@FishingHoller there are lots of lures out there and we believe ours is second to none. Maybe not the best, but second to none. We are excited and proud when we see videos like yours. Thanks for fishing BKDs! We appreciate every customer!

[@djplayerproductions]

I like how you guys hung in there. Great Video.

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed!

[@phillymanpete]

Much respect on how you released those big girls. Great work and enjoyable content!

[@FishingHoller]

Gotta take care of these big breeders for future generations! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed!

[@LordCowbxyRDR]

Beyond blessed to grow up on the Chesapeake, I’ve caught some solid fish in January at the power plant, but my biggest came near point lookout at 46’… I was 10 years old and still haven’t gotten one over 41 since, (19 now) but even the mid 30s are fun on a 2500, love seeing y’all’s reactions, the best buzz

[@FishingHoller]

We are absolutely blessed to have such and incredible resource and fishery nearby! These fish always keep you coming back and wanting more! Glad you are able to appreciate it as much as we do! Hope you get on some this year!

[@jonathonwebster6301]

Nice job guys on your video! Awesome story!! Keep up the good work!

[@FishingHoller]

Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoyed! More to come for sure.

[@ilove3wheelers]

It's crazy I bet those big fish have probably been all the way up here in maine in the kennebec River last year I remember there was probably 100 yards of striper destroying smelt in a straight line it was a crazy thing to watch

[@FishingHoller]

So incredible the journey these fish take! I definitely want to go up to Maine and experience them sometime. What is the prime time of year for the Maine bite if you don't mind me asking?

[@davidpagan3643]

Hey there fellas! We are just getting deeper into rock fishing. I was curious what area you all are out of? Are you north of the bay bridge or south? We are generally up by the Key bridge. Although I grew up fish out of Chesapeake Beach. Love the videos!

[@reelsweetfishing]

Tight lines fellas..11:38 is what it's all about...here's to a great 2023!

[@FishingHoller]

Heck yeah! Same to you! Thanks for watching!

[@arthurgood7525]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed

[@gregcutshall4581]

That was awesome congratulations they were some nice stripers

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks Greg! It was well worth the grind.

[@DelcoRanz93]

That is one hell of a fish!

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks Dom!

[@ericcope8216]

Nice video guys, thanks!

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for watching Eric! Glad you enjoyed!

[@ericcope8216]

@@FishingHoller Hey, Can I ask were you guys were fishing on the bay? I just moved to the Eastern Shore of VA ( just north of Cape Charles) and I'm trying to figure out these waters.

[@FishingHoller]

@@ericcope8216 yeah we were fishing middle bay out of Maryland, but honestly had to move around a lot to find fish. The cool this is you can run into these fish just about anywhere this time of year. Out on the main bay near the mouth of major rivers where they are staging to spawn seems to be higher probably areas. It's really a game of looking for birds, bait and using your electronics to find these fish. We are still learning. For your location I'd definitely suggest learning the mouth of the Potomac I know it can be a hot spot. We tried to fish it one day, but it was blowing to hard.

[@ericcope8216]

@@FishingHoller Understood, thanks for the advice. Fish on!!!!!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

HELL YEAH!! I’m loving your energy! Keep it going boys!

[@FishingHoller]

Much appreciated Mike! Love your content, always learn something new. Thanks for watching!

[@HOWE2OUTDOORS]

Great video guys, great story telling and great fish. Nice hat Cody.

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks! Glad to be able to share the experience!

[@rockerneck]

Awesome fishing content guys. And nice cows!

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for the kind words! They are some magnificent fish. Happy fishing!

[@robbymacoutdoors.6250]

Great video. Good luck with the channel. Great content just subscribed. Maybe I’ll see you down there on my restored Whaler . Been refitting to film on for future videos on my channel. You guys do a great job. Keep them coming !! Love the end. Awesome backdrop with the sun going down!!

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for the kind words! Catch ya on the water!

[@lonellrodgers8539]

Subscribed! Awesome video!

[@FishingHoller]

Much appreciated! Thanks for watching!

[@cosullivan44]

Dannnnng, good thing the whole trip did t get blown out!

[@FishingHoller]

We will find a way to get after them no matter what! Thanks for watching!

[@bigvince3560]

Nice 🎯🎯💯🔥💥🎣🤟🏿

[@FishingHoller]

🤙thanks!

[@Boaters_hub]

I have never seen anyone jigg like that for winter striper🤔 now i am generally curious

[@FishingHoller]

They call it snap jigging. It's a little weird to get used to, but very effective. Look up Shawn Kimbro snap jigging he has some great how to videos!

[@caseyh6626]

Where did you buy them straigh tail swim baits, I dont see them on amazon or ebay, Can you send me a link please? Thank You!

[@FishingHoller]

Check out bkdlures.com! They make a 6 inch and a 10 inch in a variety of colors. The bigs were eating the 10in in chartreuse. I also like Zman Jerkshads, but the biggest they make is 7in I think. You can buy either of these on tackledirect.com too.

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for watching

[@phumsophonn9119]

What kind of jig and soft plastic ?

[@FishingHoller]

We were using 1 or 1.5 oz G-eye jigs or z-man headlockz jigs with 8/0 hooks. For plastics the 10in BKDs were doing the trick, but we also caught some on 7in zman jerkshads

[@juans3728]

NO, I THANKYOU GUYS, great depressing story then the magic began, BIG COWS. Peace👍👍

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for the kind words! So glad you enjoyed. Take care!

[@robertedwardn]

Suggestions: ditch the music and commentary. It’s more enjoyable when it’s just the fishing.

[@FishingHoller]

I respect that, but I've also had people tell me the opposite lol. They prefer the story telling and sense of shared experience. To each their own. Fortunately I have some other videos of pure fishing action. Feel free to check them out. Thanks for watching and the feedback.

[@kerihotarek1694]

Killed the 2 little guys and possibly one of the big ones. congrats. fish care is key with population declining keep big ones in the water.

[@kerihotarek1694]

good content though

[@courtneymi7869]

That's around where I grew up! Many people don't know but u can slay trophy stripers in the spring on topwaters near/along shore targeting especially Rocky points. Also when the weather starts to warm (feb-april)more than the water temp like in the spring then the fish will be right near the surface! Need some tips or locations let me know I'll point ya in a good direction!

[@FishingHoller]

That's so awesome thanks for the info. I dream of catching one on topwater haha. We noticed the other day that the first were mainly cruising high in the water column so that makes sense!

[@courtneymi7869]

Yall fished a power plant at one point so ya must be outside of Baltimore I say that because there's a nearby location called "the mud flats" with shallow water and ideal for what I'm talking about. My ideal bay fishing setup would be a 3000-4000 size spinning reel with 10lb -20lb braid(15lb is ideal), a 7ft St.Croix med/heavy to heavy rod (lure weight around 3/8oz- 1 ¹/²Oz) and u really don't need floro leader (20lb-30lb leader) about 18-24inch lenght mainly to grab onto while landing fish and can use snap swivels instead of tying knots everytime changing lures. I use surfcasting style lures. 6-9inch plugs and subsurface style, swimbaits like Storm lures work great. When the water is cleaner like right now I like natural/ white colors but many people striper fishing usually either choose chartreuse or white or combo them.

[@FishingHoller]

Thanks for the Intel. Sounds like we use some similar setups. Definitely be giving top water a shot!