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This week’s Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report stays focused on winter opportunity: Capt. Michael Hosang (Fishing4Mortgages) recaps a “little boat that could” bluefin bite window, including a heartbreak jumbo loss and a solid fish landed on a hard-swimming plug. Then Capt. Andy Kim (Sashimi Sportfishing) breaks down a dependable cold-season wreck pattern for tautog (blackfish): where to look, how to feel the bite, and the tackle details that make the difference when it’s deep and chilly. You’ll also hear quick mentions of Capt. Austin, Capt. Zay, and Addicted Angler from the tuna trip.
Conditions Recap
Cooler temperatures have fish on the move and have narrowed the “good weather” windows, especially offshore. When the wind lays down, the bluefin action can be lights-out around bait and birds, but those opportunities may be short-lived and crowd-driven. On the wrecks, cold water pushes tautog efforts deeper and makes bite detection and boat positioning even more important. Plan trips around the best weather breaks, and be ready to shift between offshore tuna and deep wreck fishing depending on the day.
Offshore Report: Bluefin Tuna Window (Capt. Michael Hosang – Fishing4Mortgages)
NOAA rule changes have tightened up harvest on the biggest class fish, but crews are still finding bites when conditions line up. Michael and friends eased into the first fishable days with a simple spread and quickly learned how fast the offshore mood can change: one day looked lifeless (no birds, no bait), and just a couple days later the ocean “lit up” with life and multiple boats hooked up at once.
Michael’s setup is built around making a smaller boat winter-friendly. He’s running a 24-foot Sea Hunt with wraparound curtains to cut the wind and create a warm “greenhouse” when the sun is out. Typical troll speed was 4–5 knots, and the spread stayed manageable without outriggers: a couple of baits far back and a couple shorter to cover the water column.
Their first big shot ended in heartbreak: a true jumbo that chewed up line and forced a long tug-of-war before it finally pulled free after roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes. Not long after, the crew connected again and put a quality fish in the boat—about 71 inches and roughly 180 pounds—thick, round, and extremely fatty.
What worked: the fish that made it to the deck ate a Nomad DTX Minnow (blue/silver). The lure ended up pinned in a way that likely limited the fish’s ability to fight hard, with hooks seated cleanly and minimal risk of line chafe.
Favorite table fare: Michael’s top cut was the belly. His simple prep was to bring it close to room temperature, lightly season with salt and pepper, and warm it gently in a pan with butter before serving over sushi rice—just enough heat to melt the fat and keep the texture rich.
Gear & tackle mentioned in this segment:
Penn Senator (referenced), 130-class and 80-class conventional setups, Islanders, ballyhoo, Mojo-style lures, and the Nomad DTX Minnow. Michael also noted “resource sharing” among friends—boat, fuel, and tackle—to make these winter tuna shots more realistic.
Wreck Report: Winter Tautog (Blackfish) Strategy (Capt. Andy Kim – Sashimi Sportfishing)
While tuna gets the headlines, Capt. Andy Kim says the winter wreck bite can be just as exciting—especially for anglers who haven’t experienced tautog. In colder stretches, he’s pushing to deeper wrecks where water temperatures are more stable, and he treats tautog as “our Northeast grouper” because of how hard they pull.
Where to fish: When the water temp is down around the mid-to-high 40s and below, Andy likes wrecks 70 feet or deeper. If it gets extremely cold, the chew can shut down, so picking the right window matters as much as picking the wreck.
How to fish it: Andy’s approach is controlled and patient. You’re not trying to “work” the bait—set it in the zone and let the fish come to you. The key is learning the bite cycle: light taps become a distinct “crunching” sensation as the fish commits. He recommends new anglers intentionally letting one fish fully strip the bait early in the trip so you can learn exactly what the bite feels like before you start swinging.
Tackle recommendations (as discussed): Andy prefers a small conventional reel over jigs in deeper water, spooled with 40–60 lb braid and a 50–80 lb leader depending on how snaggy the structure is. He’s typically using 8–10 oz of weight and a 2/0 to 4/0 J-hook (not circle hooks) so you can drive the hook home when the fish starts that committed crunch.
Bait: Any crustacean can work—Andy mentioned various crabs and general “crustacean” options as staples. The bigger focus is presenting the bait precisely on the structure and building a bite by keeping scent and food in the area.
How long to sit: If you’re learning or not seeing steady action, Andy recommends giving a wreck about 30–45 minutes. Communicate with the boat. If nobody is getting meaningful bites, pick up and move—especially if you have a trolling motor to reset quickly.
