The catching by a long-time fishing friend who asked not to be named because he wasn't supposed to be fishing on the particular day I'm about to describe, is an example of the possibilities out there on the Chesapeake these days. I've known him for 50 years and can attest he doesn't exaggerate when talking fishing.

He wasn't thinking much about rockfish and blues when he left the docks with a 9-year-old angler aboard. The party caught more than a few Norfolk spot and perch early in the day, and after thinking things over he thought of giving live-lining a whirl though recent previous efforts had been quite disappointing.

He...