Maryland & Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report
Reel Chesapeake Fishing Report – Annapolis, MD
The Reel Chesapeake Fishing Report is written and compiled by writer and media professional, James Houck. Find the full report here, at reelchesapeake.com.
The week’s middle Cheapeake angling scene has been pleasant, near picture perfect, and fairly settled weather-wise. Save for a couple quick blowers passing through with sweeping winds up to 25 knots on the main Bay, most days have had relaxing puffs in the 5- to 10-knot range. There’s been nary a drop of rain, too. As you can imagine, boat traffic—even for this time of year—has been above average, especially this past weekend.
With reports of a major gull blitzes still occurring in the Pooles Island, Patapsco, Eastern Bay, and Choptank vicinities, it’s small wonder why the charters and rec boats are condensing in those areas lately. There’s a good striper bite with very good fish in the mid-to-upper 20s most mornings and evenings. When you’re in the blitz, you can throw just about anything and get a bite: jig-n-pigs, lipless cranks, X-Raps, big Clouser or Deceiver flies if slinging line is your game…you name it. Have a light tackle jigging setup with heavier heads rigged (1 to 2 ounces) to get under the schools for the larger fish lurking deep. This deeper bite can remain active during high-sun, too, as long as there’s current where you’re fishing. This means paying attention to the tide cycles and wind patterns. And good news, with the new moon incoming this Monday, the tides will be running strong with the most water moving overnight.
At Sandy Point State Park, groups of anglers show up after the sun sets and fish deep into the night, hoping to pluck the larger stripers roaming the shallows and feeding. I spoke with one angler on such an outing last Wednesday. He lasted until 3 a.m. the evening before we met and connected with several mid-20s…so he said. I did not have such luck (but only stayed ’til 7:30 p.m. on my visit).
Also tried bottom fishing with chunk bait at Sandy Point for blue catfish, but no luck. The blue cat reports have been solid in the Potomac/Anacostia rivershed, Patuxent at Jackson’s Landing south, the Choptank, Nanticoke, and the Eastern Shore’s darling tributary…the Marshyhope. Last weekend, the 2nd Annual Madness on the Marshyhope Invasive Catfish Tournament & Food Festival was hosted by the Town of Federalsburg and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. More than 50 registered anglers boated 198 blue catfish, with the winning/heaviest fish coming in at 26.9 pounds. Use the freshest bait possible (bunker, panfish, gizzard shad, eel).
River jigging has been my best bet lately for striped bass. Similar light tackle principles in slightly shallower water. I found a few nice stripers recently, from 19 to 22 inches at a few consistent locations within the Severn River. The Route 50 bridge pilings continue to produce (Navy Bridge could, too). I used a 1-ounce head with 5-inch paddletails in color-combos of white/silver/chartreuse. When that bite dies off, I move to deep water docks and pitch 1/2-ounce bucktails around and under them. This has been a go-to, productive pattern. Last Sunday was very good in this regard (both bridge and dock patterns).
The pickerel fishing is picking up. Lots of fish are being caught in the creeks, saltponds, and grassbeds of the Severn and Magothy rivers by enticing them with all-manner of spinners, paddletails, or combo of both. The jerkbait bite hasn’t been as effective yet. The water temperature has hovered around 57F and there’s a slight warm-up Thursday/Friday. When there’s another cooldown and that temp dips to the low-50s, I believe jerkbaits will pick off more fish.
Bonus: I’m seeing the largest white perch of the year still in the upper and middle Severn creeks, having caught a consistent number of 10-inchers, and one going 12.25 inches this past Saturday afternoon. Amazing. And the autumn yellow perch bite is just starting. It will improve with colder weather.
Black sea bass remain a hot ticket for anglers willing to target them in the middle Chesapeake, especially at the Bay Bridge pilings. Most of the fish are under the 13-inch creel size, but anglers are picking through the littles for a few keepers. Baited top/bottom rigs that reach deep, or even slim-n-heavy diamond jigs or spoons, can pull these fun fish up. Good luck!
View the full Reel Chesapeake Fishing Report, written and compiled by writer and media professional James Houck, at reelchesapeake.com.
Angler’s Sport Center Fishing Report – Annapolis, MD
The Angler’s Sport Center fishing report is compiled and written by Anglers Team Member, A.J. Lewis.
Upper and Middle Bay
In the upper and middle Bay, anglers are having good success fishing for striped bass, especially in proximity to river mouths and along channel edges. The recent drop in water temperatures has initiated the migration of young menhaden, compelling striped bass to follow them into the tidal rivers. Anglers employing soft plastics or metal jigs are finding success, with the prime action unfolding in waters hovering around the 60-degree mark. Furthermore, the tried-and-true method of trolling umbrella rigs, equipped with heavy inline weights, deep along channel edges continues to maintain its status as a favored and efficacious approach among the angling community.
As November unfolds in the upper Chesapeake Bay, blue catfish take center stage. These formidable fish are making their presence known, providing ample opportunities for exciting and rewarding angling experiences. Anglers targeting blue catfish are finding success in various locations across the upper Bay. Key areas include the mouths of rivers and along channel edges, where these catfish congregate in search of prey. Cooler water temperatures are influencing the behavior of blue catfish, prompting an increase in activity. The migration of baitfish, including gizzard shad, menhaden, and white perch, is attracting blue catfish to these areas.
As the fall season progresses, pickerel activity tends to increase. Cooler water temperatures contribute to their heightened activity, presenting excellent opportunities for anglers. Overcast days and low-light conditions, such as early morning or late afternoon, can enhance pickerel fishing success. Pickerel are being found in various locations, favoring shallow areas with submerged vegetation, sunken structures, and near the mouths of tributary rivers. Targeting these specific zones has proven fruitful for pickerel enthusiasts. Anglers have reported success using a variety of baits and lures. Live minnows, spinnerbaits, soft-plastic swimbaits, and topwater lures are enticing pickerel strikes. Experimenting with different colors and sizes can help identify the preferred choices of pickerel in the middle Bay.
South Bay
In the lower Chesapeake Bay, blue catfish have maintained their reign, offering anglers an exhilarating fishing experience. Their abundance, coupled with their thrilling strength, has been a highlight in the fishing scene. Anglers have found success using fresh cut bait, with a diverse selection including gizzard shad, menhaden, white perch, and bluegills. This enticing array of bait continues to be the preferred choice for luring in the robust population of blue catfish in the Lower Bay. So, whether you’re casting near the mouths of tidal rivers or exploring channel edges, the lower Chesapeake Bay promises an exciting adventure with these dominant and powerful blue catfish.
In the lower Chesapeake Bay, striped bass are actively roaming in search of forage. The migration of baitfish, notably menhaden, has played a pivotal role in drawing a concentration of striped bass to predictable locations where they can ambush their prey. Trolling, a time-tested and effective technique, remains a favorite among anglers targeting striped bass. Reports indicate success using umbrella rigs trailed by substantial inline weights, particularly along the edges of channels. Fresh cut bait, specifically menhaden, stands out as the go-to choice for luring in striped bass, while anglers are also achieving positive results with artificial lures designed to mirror the movement and appearance of the prevalent baitfish in the area. Optimal locations for striped bass pursuits in the lower Bay include the mouths of tidal rivers and the edges of channels. Exploring zones with concentrated baitfish populations further elevates the likelihood of encountering and engaging with hungry striped bass.
In November, red drum remain a thrilling target for Chesapeake Bay anglers throughout the lower Bay area. Renowned for their robust fights, these prized fish offer an exhilarating angling experience. Anglers seeking red drum have had success employing a diverse array of baits and lures. Whether it’s cut bait, live offerings like finger mullet or menhaden, or soft plastic lures mimicking those baitfish, all have proven effective in luring red drum to the hook. Red drum tend to frequent areas with rigid structure, such as oyster beds, marsh edges, and the shoreline. Navigating these zones, especially those close to deeper water, heightens the likelihood of encountering these impressive fish. Effective strategies for red drum include casting near submerged structure and employing a variety of retrieval techniques to entice a strike.
The Angler’s Sport Center fishing report is compiled and written by Anglers Team Member, A.J. Lewis.
Maryland DNR Fishing Report
Maryland DNR Fishing Report is written and compiled by Keith Lockwood, fisheries biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Freshwater
Although the fall trout stocking program is completed, there are still plenty to be found in the put-and-take waters. Given time they will spread out, for those using spinning gear, switching from Powerbait to small spinners and spoons to help cover plenty of water is a good tactic. For fly fishing, bead head nymphs, wooly buggers, and streamers are great choices.
Water flows and levels have been low these past few months and unfortunately the trend continues this week. Stream flows are down and some bodies of water such as the Cunningham Falls reservoir are experiencing a fraction of their normal levels. The upper Potomac River is no different, and anglers are finding low clear water that can make for challenging smallmouth bass fishing.
Largemouth bass are aggressively feeding during much of the day this week due to cool water temperature and seasonally weakened sun. The shallow grass beds are in their seasonal retreat, and baitfish and crayfish are moving to deeper waters to find cover for the winter months. The largemouth bass are waiting to intercept them when and where they can. Transition waters between those shallower and deeper waters is where a lot of activity can be expected to occur. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits and soft plastic craws are all good choices to target the largemouth bass.
Declining grass beds and cooler waters are also bringing fishing for chain pickerel into focus. They can be found holding near sunken wood and similar structures. The small to medium sized pickerel will often be found along shorelines and the lunkers will be in deeper cover. Lures rigged with inline single hooks are a good idea for this mostly catch-and-release fishery, since chain pickerel will often engulf baits. Paddletails, spinners, spoons, and jerkbaits are all good lure choices. Northern snakeheads are also holding near structure wherever they can find it. Shoreline brush that has fallen in the water, fallen treetops, and sunken wood are good places to look for them.
Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays
Anglers are enjoying good fishing for a mix of striped bass and bluefish by casting soft plastic jigs and drifting cut baits in the Ocean City Inlet this week. Sheepshead and tautog are being caught near the jetty rocks and bridge piers on sand fleas and pieces of crab. There is also some catch-and-release striped bass action – the fish are measuring less than 28 inches – at the Route 90 Bridge, for anglers using paddletails and soft plastic jigs.
Flounder are moving out of the back bay waters and through the inlet, heading for their offshore wintering grounds. The channels leading towards the inlet and offshore shoals and lumps are great places to look for them.
The anglers headed out to the offshore wreck and reef sites are experiencing excellent fishing for black sea bass. Limit catches are common around the rails of Ocean City party boats. The boats headed out to the canyons are fishing deep for swordfish and tilefish. Bluefin tuna are due to move through the region in the next couple of weeks and will be providing some exciting fishing opportunities.
Maryland DNR Fishing Report is written and compiled by Keith Lockwood, fisheries biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.