Chesapeake Bay Fishing Gear & Tackle

In the spring of 2017, Capt. Greg Buckner was very fortunate to be sponsored by Shimano and asked to become a member of the PRO TEAM!

Captain Greg had been exclusively using Shimano Reels for a few years and they have been instrumental to his success on the Chesapeake Bay.  As far as rods are concerned, 2017 was an eye-opening experience for Captain Greg.  He had some good solid spinning and bait casting rods that were doing a good job but when Shimano sent samples to find the perfect rods for the two major methods we use for (live lining and bottom fishing), the results were incredible. We found the perfect combos! 

Bottom Fishing/ Jigging Combos:

• Shimano Trevala fishing rod
• Shimano Stradic 4000 fishing reel
• Power Pro Maxcuatro fishing line

Shimano Trevala 6ft 3in ML action (TVSS63ML) rigged with Shimano Stradic FK 4000 size Spinning Reels spooled with 20lb Test (4lb test Mono equivalent) Power Pro Maxcuatro

This extremely lightweight combo packs a powerful punch and don’t let the ML (Medium Light) rating fool you, this rod has plenty of backbone to set the hook when using a jighead and plastic bait combo. Captain Greg says that the Trevala Series feels like a very strong MH and a ML feels like a lighter-feeling MH or a stout M action rod. This rod excels at bottom fishing and jigging. This rod does not overpower a tasty white Perch and yet has plenty of “oomph” to set the hook on a 30 Striper. For bottom fishing, a 6ft 3inch rod is perfect because it allows clearance from the side of the boat while fishing, but is still easily stowed away when not in use. The Stradic FK 4000 is the perfect fit for this very versatile rod. Super Lightweight, solid drag, and as smooth as it gets. And as far as casting goes, this combo can cast a country mile!

Light Tackle Live Lining Combos

• Shimano Northeast Teramar spinning rod
• Shimano Thunnus Baitrunner reel
• Tactical Fluorocarbon fishing line

Shimano North East Series Teramar 6ft 6in MH Spinning(TMSE66MH) rigged with Shimano 4000 size Thunnus Ci4 Baitrunner Reels spooled with 17 lb Fluorocarbon line

Simply put, this is the finest light tackle live lining combo that money can buy, it is 100% perfect for the type of live bait fishing that we do in the Chesapeake Bay. Captain Greg has been using the Shimano 4000-size Thunnus Reels with great success over the past few years. In 2023 he began using the NE Series Teramar 6ft 6in MH Spinning Rod and WOW! GAME CHANGER! This rod is perfect for live lining for the following:

• The rod does not have an extra fast tip, which allows for a more solid hook set when using live bait
• The full taper of the rod aids significantly in casting because casting a live bait can be tricky and the slower taper helps avoid tearing hooks out on the cast
• This fishing rod has the guts, power and forgiveness when you do hook into a monster striper yet this rod is still playful and fun on the smallest of stripers to latch on
• This combo will change the game and make you a better live bait fisherman or fisherwoman.

Baitcasting combo

• Shimano Northeast Teramar casting rod
• Shimano Calcutta Baitcast Reel
• Tactical Fluorocarbon fishing line

Shimano North East Series Teramar 6ft 6in MH Baitcasting (TMCE66MH) rigged with Shimano Calcutta 400 B’s spooled with 17 lb Fluorocarbon Line

Captain Greg’s original love for freshwater Bass Fishing may be why he always has a few baitcasting combos on board. He discovered over the years that these combos are easier for younger kids to use than spinning combos. Of course, the captain or mate will have to cast out the live bait for the little angler but once the bait is in the water a bait caster is preferred because of the way a bait caster is set up with guides on top of the rod allows a little angler to rest the rod on the rail of the boat without pinching the line between the blank and the rail. With a spinning rod/bait runner reel combo kids often have a tough time because the line does get pinched between the rail and the rod blank when they get a bite.

If you are a baitcasting person or just want to have a baitcasting live-lining combo on your boat, this is the combo to have. The rod performs exactly like its Spinning brethren above. The 400B Calcutta has a clicker button that works perfectly as a bait runner button when the reel is in a free spool.

Trolling Combo

• Shimano Tallus Trolling Slick Butt Ring Guided Fishing Rod
• Shimano Tekota 700 Fishing Reel
• Power Pro Fishing Line

Trolling on the Maryland Chesapeake Bay for Stripers is wild and crazy and part of what makes it crazy is that during the Spring Trophy Season, it is common to troll as many as 30 plus lines at one time. This includes as many as 12 lines attached to each Planar Board dragging off to each

side of the boat. Over the years of streamlining this method of fishing Shimano Reels and Rods have risen to the top and are truly the quality type of gear that keeps on ticking even though it sees abuse and wear and tear daily. For many Captains (Captain Greg included) adjusting to the massive number of trolling Rods and Reels needed for a proper Trolling Spread was all about finding a bargain and buying quantity products. This method works for a little while for some and for others who fish a lot and catch fish, this method leaves you highly disappointed because of the high failure rate of trolling tackle when used daily. These trials and tribulations have led Captain Greg to this advice…. BUY SHIMANO! Here is the complete list of the Trolling Combos we use and the why.

Planar Board Combos

Shimano Tallus Trolling Rod w/Slick Bitt Ring Guided 5ft 9in Heavy Action (TLC59HSBBLA) rigged with Shimano Tekota 700 reel Rigged with 150 lb Test Power Pro

This is the perfect planar board combo because:

• It can take the abuse. Planar Board Rods catch most of the big fish in the Spring Trophy Season and they fight!
• The level wind can be used to determine how far a line is out before clipping it onto the Planar Board two-line 
• Planar board rods are often kept in roof rack holders or rail-mounted rod holders and the 5ft 9inch length is perfect and makes stowing a bunch of these rods in the cabin easy. 
• The power of the heavy action allows for the mate or angler to easily pop the rubber band or release the clip when a fish is hooked. Softer rods flex too much and absorb all the impact when the first mate attempts to pop a rubber band. 
• Quality guides don’t break out and the slick butt is a must! 
• Smooth, the Tekota 700 reels are as smooth as it gets and they make the fight much easier

Long Line and Front Heavy Rod Combos

Shimano Tallus Trolling Rod w/Slick Bitt Ring Guided 7ft Heavy Action (TLC70HSBBLA) rigged with Shimano Tekota 700 reel Rigged with 200 lb Test Power Pro for Long Lines & 100 lb Test Power Pro for the 4 Front Heavy Rods

7ft rods work well for the long lines because they help keep these lines up and away from the other lines. The 200 lb braid helps with this as well as the thicker diameter rides up higher in the water. 7ft rods also work well for the front, heavy rods that stick out and run parallel to the water surface. This is key because it decreases the amount of friction there is between the line and the boat while the lures are being dragged through the water.