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This week, host Luke Barton checks in with Capt. Brian Lockwood, who brings a one-of-a-kind perspective on fishing the lower Chesapeake Bay — from the seat of his Sea-Doo personal watercraft. Brian shares a stellar report on the recent bite around the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel, where he found both red drum and striped bass stacked up despite challenging weather windows. Later in the show, Luke is joined by Andrew Kiser of Troy Marine to break down Yamaha’s revolutionary Helm Master EX joystick and autopilot system — a deep dive into the future of marine technology.
Conditions Recap
Cooler fall temperatures are moving in, holding the water around 62°F this week. Winds have made for choppy and sloppy runs between short weather windows, but the payoff has been excellent for anglers who’ve been able to get out. Bait remains thick around structure, with birds lightly working over schools near the Monitor-Merrimac and James River Bridge. Expect activity to stay strong for another couple of weeks before striped bass become the main target as the water dips closer to 55°F.
Inshore Report – Capt. Brian Lockwood
Fishing from his Sea-Doo PWC, Capt. Brian Lockwood delivered one of the most exciting reports of the fall. Launching from the Huntington boat ramp by the James River Bridge, Brian made a quick 15-minute run to the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel (MMBT) and found the fish stacked up. He started by trolling a Tomic lure — a floating plug trolled on a three-way swivel with an eight-ounce sinker — and quickly hooked into several striped bass near the pilings in 25–30 feet of water. But it was the red drum bite that stole the show.
In just a few hours, Brian boated 14 red drum between 32 and 44 inches, all while trolling the same single Tomic lure. He reported nonstop action, with the fish hanging tight to a ledge where the bottom dropped from 25 to 30 feet. Birds and bait were visible on the surface, and his Garmin sonar showed heavy marks along the contour lines — likely large drum ambushing bait as the tide turned.
Brian fished with one rod in hand, using 35-pound braid and a 30-pound mono leader on a seven-foot medium-heavy rod, paired with an Avet reel. His slow-trolled setup allowed him to feel every tap, and nearly every pass produced a hookup. After the redfish flurry, he tried for tautog near the rocks but only managed a few oyster toads and sea bass.
He shared that his water temperature gauge read 62°F, ideal for drum and early stripers. Once the water cools to around 55°F, he transitions to live eels and cut menhaden for stripers. Last year, he was still catching drum around Thanksgiving, and he expects a similar pattern this season.
For anglers looking to connect, Capt. Lockwood regularly shares his fishing adventures and PWC setup on Facebook at Brian M. Lockwood. His approach highlights how efficient and effective small-watercraft fishing can be, offering mobility, stealth, and a front-row seat to some of the Bay’s best fall action.
Offshore & Technology Spotlight – Troy Marine and Yamaha Helm Master EX
In the second half of the show, Luke sat down with Andrew Kiser, Director of Service at Troy Marine in Carrollton, Virginia — Yamaha’s certified key dealer for the Tidewater region. Andrew provided an in-depth look at Yamaha’s groundbreaking Helm Master EX system, an integrated digital control and joystick suite that brings precision steering, autopilot, and dynamic positioning to boats from single outboards to quad setups.
Helm Master EX includes four levels of upgradeable technology: digital electronic controls, electronic steering, autopilot features, and full joystick control. The joystick system’s “Stay Point,” “Fish Point,” and “Drift Point” functions allow captains to hold position, maintain a heading while drifting, or move in controlled patterns over structure — perfect for targeting wrecks, trolling live baits, or working in tight dock spaces.
Andrew also shared an exclusive preview of Yamaha’s upcoming wireless handheld joystick slated for 2026, which will allow captains to maneuver their vessels remotely — an exciting development for both charter and recreational boaters.
For those considering repowers, Troy Marine is currently scheduling winter projects, offering full Yamaha rigging and Helm Master installations.
