The Powroznik family hideaway

Tournament-ready Toyota Tundras and bass boats are a common site at the Powroznik family’s seaside home.

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A GPS is handy in finding your way to the Powroznik family hideaway on the south end of Chesapeake Bay. Expect to see a lot of blue on your screen when you get near.
A GPS is handy in finding your way to the Powroznik family hideaway on the south end of Chesapeake Bay. Expect to see a lot of blue on your screen when you get near.
The uniquely named Potato Neck Road leads to the Powroznik’s driveway.
The uniquely named Potato Neck Road leads to the Powroznik’s driveway.
Many spiritually reassuring signs hang inside the cozy home.
Many spiritually reassuring signs hang inside the cozy home.
Less than 300 yards from the home sit seagulls, a boat ramp, and a backwater passage to the Chesapeake Bay.
Less than 300 yards from the home sit seagulls, a boat ramp, and a backwater passage to the Chesapeake Bay.
Neighbor and close friend Wesley is a full-time man of the sea – he’s grading crabs in this photo based on shell color – deciding which are near molting to be ready for ideal eating – and which need a few days to soften-up in his float basket.
Neighbor and close friend Wesley is a full-time man of the sea – he’s grading crabs in this photo based on shell color – deciding which are near molting to be ready for ideal eating – and which need a few days to soften-up in his float basket.
Wesley seldom runs out of customers, because it seems every food item in the region is fair game for crabmeat – including breakfast biscuits.
Wesley seldom runs out of customers, because it seems every food item in the region is fair game for crabmeat – including breakfast biscuits.
Just behind Wesley, three anglers try their luck in a small boat in the Bay’s protected inlet
Just behind Wesley, three anglers try their luck in a small boat in the Bay’s protected inlet
Evan Williams Bourbon pro Hank Cherry pulls a rope to help Powroznik raise the tower. Powroznik and Cherry are good buddies, and Cherry jokes that Powroznik treats him like a poorly paid rookie first mate.
Evan Williams Bourbon pro Hank Cherry pulls a rope to help Powroznik raise the tower. Powroznik and Cherry are good buddies, and Cherry jokes that Powroznik treats him like a poorly paid rookie first mate.
Powroznik spends most of his time up top on the tower where he can see Cobia near the surface far better than if steering from the console below.
Powroznik spends most of his time up top on the tower where he can see Cobia near the surface far better than if steering from the console below.
Nearly all successful saltwater anglers start their day by making sure there’s plenty of live bait onboard. Powroznik prefers live eels for Cobia fishing.
Nearly all successful saltwater anglers start their day by making sure there’s plenty of live bait onboard. Powroznik prefers live eels for Cobia fishing.
A 7/0 ‘octopus’ style hook snatches the eel through the head. A towel must be used to grip the super slippery bait for rigging.
A 7/0 ‘octopus’ style hook snatches the eel through the head. A towel must be used to grip the super slippery bait for rigging.
Once rigged, the eel is placed in a bucket of water to be kept alive, but also so that it’s ready to be cast in a fast second if a Cobia is spotted.
Once rigged, the eel is placed in a bucket of water to be kept alive, but also so that it’s ready to be cast in a fast second if a Cobia is spotted.
Huge buoys or “cans” are prime targets for Cobia to swim near. They often swim just under the surface beside the buoys. Powroznik says they appear colored like an Aaron’s Magic finesse worm from his boat’s tower, but sized like railroad ties.
Huge buoys or “cans” are prime targets for Cobia to swim near. They often swim just under the surface beside the buoys. Powroznik says they appear colored like an Aaron’s Magic finesse worm from his boat’s tower, but sized like railroad ties.
Another boat circles a ‘can’ in search of Cobia.
Another boat circles a ‘can’ in search of Cobia.
<p>Huge freighters are a common site in the Chesapeake Bay, and the reel of choice is a size 60 Quantum Cabo spooled with 50-pound braid, and a 50-pound fluorocarbon leader.</p>
Huge freighters are a common site in the Chesapeake Bay, and the reel of choice is a size 60 Quantum Cabo spooled with 50-pound braid, and a 50-pound fluorocarbon leader.
Cobia fishing proves frustratingly tough. So like he does with such proficiency as a top-ranked pro bass angler – Powroznik adjusts, and begins to cut strips of Cobia belly saved from a previous trip – to be used as bait for flounder.
Cobia fishing proves frustratingly tough. So like he does with such proficiency as a top-ranked pro bass angler – Powroznik adjusts, and begins to cut strips of Cobia belly saved from a previous trip – to be used as bait for flounder.
The strips of Cobia belly trim the back of a 2-ounce bucktail jig, and are cast on standard bass fishing rods and reels.
The strips of Cobia belly trim the back of a 2-ounce bucktail jig, and are cast on standard bass fishing rods and reels.
The plan works as Powroznik scores a Flounder from beneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge – which he refers to as “The Brushpile of the Bay.”
The plan works as Powroznik scores a Flounder from beneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge – which he refers to as “The Brushpile of the Bay.”
Whatever giant creature Livingston Lures pro Hank Cherry hooked-up with was never seen. It took him for a short ride with a bent rod, and a bead of sweat on his forehead, before finally breaking his line.
Whatever giant creature Livingston Lures pro Hank Cherry hooked-up with was never seen. It took him for a short ride with a bent rod, and a bead of sweat on his forehead, before finally breaking his line.
Each day ends at the Powroznik house on Potato Neck Road with a richness of friendship, family, faith, lots of fishing chatter, perhaps a cold adult beverage or three – and great food. Powroznik is preparing Ceviche using lots of lime juice.
Each day ends at the Powroznik house on Potato Neck Road with a richness of friendship, family, faith, lots of fishing chatter, perhaps a cold adult beverage or three – and great food. Powroznik is preparing Ceviche using lots of lime juice.