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 fishing reports and more at reelchesapeake.com.
What a difference a week makes. Though all the chatter in the Chesapeake Bay region has been focused on the most excellent striped bass bite of the past month, there had been little chit-chat about winter storm potential and how such patterns can disrupt the fishery and fishing.
And then…we got walloped pretty hard this week with a monster combo of heavy rain, gale-force winds, and the new moon’s strong tides. This winter storm shut down the region Tuesday into Wednesday, with the windward side of the Bay especially getting slammed. Significant damage was reported along properties, bulkheads, docks, and the shoreline in general. So, it’s been a week for some folks.
The fishing? Before the storm, quite good. The reports and social media feeds of anglers in the mid-Bay continue to showcase the migratory mega-bass bite that dreams are made of. Large fish up to 50-inches continue to be jigged up from depths in the 35- to 70-foot range. Even a few reports of fish from 90 feet (maybe). Boats have been heading to the eastern side of the bay, from Kent Island south to Taylors, and working the depths mentioned, from shallow to deep into the channel. This time of year, expect most of the fish to be sitting near the bottom, if not hugging it. Sonar is an essential tool for locating these fish. Deep water jigging with heavy spoons, diamond jigs, and big plastics on 2- to 3-ounce heads has been effective.
Boats have also worked trolling patterns, zig-zagging down the channel sides with heavy tandem rigs and umbrellas. You’ll probably want to use a downrigger to get the rigs as deep as possible. The channel buoys, from 88 to the 70s are good starting points to reference when charting your course.
Will the fishing be good post-storm, heading into the weekend? With another major system pushing into the region Friday evening, it’s likely the answer will remain murky at best. The water is still unsettled, especially in the the rivers and creeks, and plenty of debris has been moving down the main stem of the Bay from the Conowingo/Susquehanna overflow. There’s likely to be more gale-force winds and Coast Guard advisories/warnings Saturday through Sunday.
And the cold…will get colder. Overnight temps next week will remain below freezing. Any fishing will be a grind. Low and slow will be the name of the game, not only for striped bass. Other target species include pickerel and yellow perch in the headwaters of many rivers (Magothy, Severn, South, Nanticoke) and blue catfish near the mouths (Bush, Magothy, Choptank, Potomac). Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources continues to stock trout in many western, central, and southern locations. There was a focus on Calvert, Charles, and Prince George’s counties this week. Check the Dept.’s Trout Stocking page for updates. Susquehanna smallmouth bass and walleye also remain a viable option on a fair-weather day. And if you really have a hankering, take a light spinning outfit to a nearby creek and toss small stingers on 1/32 up to 1/8-ounce heads for a shot at crappie and fallfish. The likes of the upper Patuxent, western Patapsco, and Tuckahoe Creek are ideal locations to try. Remember, all fish still need to feed, so any day with settled conditions is a day to target on the water.
My advice. Until we see these winds push out the region, saddle up with a coffee in hand and cue up a few Babe Winkelman and Lindner brothers videos on the ole Youtube. Think about how those Minnesota boys have to fish through the ice in some of the coldest parts of the country and thank your lucky stars that you still have a shot at big stripers in Chesapeake country. If not today or tomorrow, perhaps the day after next. Good luck!
View the full Reel Chesapeake Fishing Report, written and compiled by writer and media professional James Houck, at reelchesapeake.com.
After the heavy wind and rain combined with the storm swell and high tides this past week, many waterfront areas were left damaged by flooding. Local angler and environmental photographer James Ronayne—who goes by the handle @fv_porkchop on Instagram—shared some photos of downtown Annapolis that he took while bobbing around the flooded streets in his kayak.
We hope everyone faired okay through the storm! More photos are available on James’ Instagram page.
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
With the Chesapeake Bay temperature averaging 46 degrees Fahrenheit, the water remains cold to the touch, yet blue catfish are thriving in the upper Bay area. Anglers are experiencing success with a mix of channel and blue catfish in various tidal rivers, particularly in and around the Susquehanna River. These catfish exhibit an indiscriminate appetite, making them responsive to a diverse range of baits and lures. Targeting channel edges, shallow water structure and grass beds has proven effective for locating these active catfish.
Pickerel fishing in the middle and upper Bay areas is currently at its peak, providing anglers with exciting skinny-water opportunities. Reports indicate successful catches of pickerel in almost every tidal river. These aggressive predators become particularly active in the winter, making them an ideal substitute when other species like spot and white perch move to deeper waters to escape the cooling temperatures. A variety of lures can attract pickerel, and at Anglers, our favorites include a 3.75-inch Gambler Paddletail with a Willow vibe or an in-house-made Pickerel Spinner! Look for pickerel around shallow water structures like fallen trees, rocks, and short docks that extend into deep water, as they prefer areas where the depth increases rapidly.
The striped bass activity is showing a slight decline, with anglers experiencing a variable bite from day to day. School-sized striped bass are prevalent around the Bay Bridge, and as you head further south, larger fish are being caught. Anglers note that the bite is generally decent in the early morning, with exceptional success in the later evening just before sunset. Jigging remains the most successful method for catching striped bass in the current conditions!
South Bay
With the recent jump in water temperature, the white perch bite is showing increased activity, particularly around the mouth of the Potomac River. The Potomac hosts various species, with striped bass being the current highlight. Anglers are still reporting a strong striped bass bite, although its consistency varies from day to day. Similar to other bay areas, the bite is generally strongest just before sunset and in the early morning.
Locating these trophy fish can be achieved by following diving birds or marking them as they travel from bait ball to bait ball. Jigging and trolling are the two main methods for targeting citation-worthy fish, with jigging being the favored technique. Just a friendly reminder to quickly snap your photo and release these beautiful fish back into the water as soon as possible to preserve the health of the fish!
The Angler’s Sport Center fishing report is compiled and written by Anglers Team Member, A.J. Lewis.