Chesapeak Bay, Havre De Grace area help

[bassfever]

Looking for a little help with the Chesapeake Bay around Havre de Grace & Susq Flats area. I have no experience in this area.

I tend to be a bank beater, shallow fishing, for bass mainly. Mostly wacky senkos, some fly rod too. I plan to launch at Havre de Grace, at Tidings park/marina. I usually fish Marsh Creek lake, or Blue Marsh.

1. What areas should I concentrate on? Its a huge area, looking for a little guidance.
2. What types lures should I use? (not a bait fisherman)
3. This appears to be very shallow- Where can I go with a 17' Starcraft aluminum- where should I not go?

Any help appreciated
Thank you

[WalkingOnWater]

Try to find some maps of the flats online. Although its always changing look for ditches and little channels running through the flats..they are like the highway for all baitfish. Also check out furnace bay. you will find more down trees and cover in furnace bay .. depending on the time of year the flats will be covered in grass. just be careful you can go from 3ft to 8 inches very quickly.. also if you venture up the Northeast river there are alot of boat docks. in the past ive done well with spinnerbaits and texas rigged worms.

I have a place right across the bay on the eastern shore where i have my 18ft Chawk side console ive ventured around the flats a decent amount. id just say look up some maps/tide table/ trim your motor up.

[cumara]

1. Depending upon how much running around you want to do, I would pick an area that appeals to you and fish your strengths. It is helpful to drive around and see what is available on your initial visits, but time management comes in to play. Do you spend time driving around from spot to spot, or spend time fishing? There's no easy answer. There are no spots that are guaranteed to hold fish, especially when you factor in the tidal influence/timing, and the amount of fishing pressure that the obvious areas get. If you enjoy fishing shallow cover with a wacky worm, the good news is that there are plenty places to do that, and you can definitely catch bass that way. There are plenty of docks, pilings, rock etc. along Havre De Grace, up the Susky, as well as in the NE. If you can get down there on a weekday, I would highly recommend that over a weekend visit. When you factor in maybe a dozen boats versus more than a hundred boats, it can make all the difference.

2. All of the usual lures will catch bass there, so factor in the water temp and clarity/weather conditions/type of cover/time of year, and experiment. Various plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, topwaters, swimbaits, etc. all have their time and place. It is a good idea to experiment, but especially on unfamiliar water, I recommend primarily sticking to your confidence baits to put the odds in your favor.

3. As far as where not to go, do not try to run straight across the Flats, especially during low tide. Check the tide charts before you go, and be cautious if you go in to areas like Cara Cove, Furnace or Mill Creek when the tide is going out, as there are plenty of areas shallow enough to get you stuck. Here is a good map to help with navigation. If you have fishfinder with GPS/chartplotter, that will help you tremendously.

www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12274.shtml

[shellback]

Not sure where you are coming from, but if you have to cross the river to launch at HDG. Keep in mind it's a $12 toll coming home until you back track over to US 1. The town of Port Deposit has a fee launch, there's a private fee launch at Perryville and a town fee launch. Anchor Marine in North East has a fee launch, and Elk Neck St Pk has a fee launch. Charlestown has a free launch, but you have to pay to park at the Wellwood Club across the street.

[robh]

Does anyone happen to know if you need a fresh water license to fish the North East River and Elk or is that considered tidal waters?

[Midnitebasser]

That's tidal water and you need the bay sport fishing license.