Captain Tom Weaver of Tom Weaver Fishing Guide Service joins the Fishing the DMV Podcast for an information-packed conversation about more than 35 years of fishing and working on the Chesapeake Bay. Operating from the Annapolis area, Captain Weaver offers light-tackle fishing, Chesapeake Bay fly fishing, and family-friendly fishing charters targeting everything from shallow-water rockfish and winter pickerel to bluefish, cobia, red drum, and other seasonal species.
Captain Weaver shares how he arrived in Maryland in 1990, just as striped bass fishing reopened following the moratorium, and immediately fell in love with the Chesapeake Bay. Before becoming a full-time Chesapeake Bay fishing guide, he spent approximately 25 years racing sailboats professionally, competed in America’s Cup campaigns, raced around the world, helped lead an Italian America’s Cup team, and later started a boatbuilding company. He also spent more than a decade guiding during the winters in Key West before earning one of Maryland’s limited-entry guide licenses and building his Maryland fishing charter business.
The conversation takes a detailed look at how Chesapeake Bay fishing has changed since the 1990s. Captain Weaver explains how major schools of striped bass gradually shifted north from traditional Mid-Bay locations such as The Hill near Poplar Island toward Love Point, Swan Point, Tolchester, Baltimore, and the Susquehanna Flats. Rather than following those fish farther north, he adapted by locating smaller groups of rockfish in extremely shallow water around Eastern Bay and the Choptank River. He now regularly fishes in three feet of water or less, sometimes sight-casting to wary striped bass in water barely deep enough to float his boat. He also discusses the growth of the Severn River chain pickerel fishery, improving water clarity, expanding grass beds, oyster restoration, striped bass spawning conditions, and serious concerns surrounding white perch recruitment.
Captain Weaver also breaks down his favorite Chesapeake Bay fishing techniques. During the summer, he frequently throws topwater lures throughout the day—even under bright afternoon sun. His preferred spinning lures are the Heddon Super Spook XT and Heddon One Knocker, modified by replacing the treble hooks with inline single hooks. For fly anglers, he recommends eight- or nine-weight equipment, accurate presentations, clear fly lines when fish are especially wary, topwater poppers, and learning to use a proper strip-set instead of lifting the rod with a traditional trout-set.
Captain Weaver also shares memorable Chesapeake Bay fishing stories, including catching large winter striped bass near the Bay Bridge, targeting pickerel on fly tackle, encountering a group of huge tarpon south of Taylor’s Island, and getting shots at 17 cobia near Poplar Island during a single fly-fishing trip. He explains why late summer can bring opportunities for cobia, red drum, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and speckled trout, while winter offers catch-and-release opportunities for trophy striped bass and chain pickerel.
The episode also explores Captain Weaver’s fisheries advocacy work. He explains why he supports responsible winter catch-and-release fishing, how seasonal closures can protect striped bass during periods of high water temperatures, and why keeping anglers connected to the resource is important for the long-term future of Chesapeake Bay conservation. His observations come from decades spent on the water, but he also emphasizes the importance of listening to fisheries biologists, managers, and scientific research.
Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast
If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at fishingtheDMV@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishwithweaver/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fishwithweaver?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Website: https://fishwithweaver.com/home
FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt
LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/
Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/
Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/
Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech
Phone Number: (757) 566-1278
Email: lin@fishingprotech.us
Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168
Max4 Fishing: https://bit.ly/4unuiOs
Flint Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/43t8h5N
#FishingtheDMV #FishingReport #ChesapeakeBayfishing
Support the show
