Maryland and Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report
From West Ocean City, Captain Monty Hawkins of Morning Star Fishing reported great sea bass fishing last weekend before high wind and poor sea conditions from passing hurricanes kept them at the dock for a few days. They had boat limits of sea bass on back to back days, with Friday’s limit coming just minutes after noon and plenty of double-headers hitting the deck. Saturday’s trip started out much slower despite marking loads of fish, but at their third spot, anglers on board enjoyed over 2 hours of drop and reel action. The skipper noted that this is not typical of early fall sea bass fishing, but due to brisk bottom temperatures throughout the summer, he believes there were many fish left “on the table” that refused to chew in cold water. The sea bass season is temporarily closed until October 10, so in the meantime, give them a shout at (443) 235-5577 between 8 AM and 8 PM to reserve your spot on the rail once it reopens.
From Ocean City, Taylor Bakke of Always Bent Fishing OC said the flounder fishing continues to be good out front on the inshore wrecks. He and Willie Hausman went just a few miles off the beach, where they drifted Gulp in 50 feet of water and picked up a handful of keepers to 23 inches. Bakke said they opted for light tackle, using 7′ and 7’6″ medium-heavy spinning rods and 4000-size reels to drop 2-ounce jigheads tipped with Gulp Swimming Mullets and Grubs. High winds and rough seas have kept most anglers from breaking the inlet over the last few days, but he’s hopeful the flounder bite will pick up right where it left off in the days to come. Stripers and bluefish have been active in the backwaters and around the Route 50 bridge, which has been a nice option for locals while waiting for calmer ocean conditions. There has also been a decent bite for big red drum in the surf, so there’s no shortage of inshore and shore fishing options heading into the weekend. Check out their website for detailed local fishing reports and more.
Anglers Sport Center Fishing Report – Annapolis, MD
The Anglers Sport Center fishing report is written by Anglers Fishing Manager & OTW Columnist, Alex Gallardo-Perez.
The striped bass bite has improved over the past week in the rivers and the main part of the bay. There has been more bird action, too; some anglers have reported encountering schools of striped bass feeding on peanut bunker, and the dead giveaway are the flocks of low-flying birds going crazy! Most of the surface action has been around the mouth of Eastern Bay down to the Choptank River. The bulk of the fish are in the mid- to upper-20-inch range with some in the low 30s, and anglers are casting 5- to 6-inch paddletails on 3/4- to 1-ounce jigheads into the feeds with good results. The topwater bite is still strong in the mornings and evenings over any shallow structure.
Further south, there are still some bluefish around, most of which range from 4 to 8 pounds, especially in the Target Ship area. Bottom fishing is changing as spot begin to move south and perch start to transition to deeper water, which has made it difficult to find a consistent bite in the upper Bay.
Maryland DNR Fishing Report
Maryland DNR Fishing Report is written and compiled by Keith Lockwood, fisheries biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read the full DNR report here.
Middle Bay
Striped bass fortunes have been tough in the middle Bay, but prospects are looking better this week. Live-lining spot and other bait at the Bay Bridge piers has been more productive in the past week. The 30-foot channel edge on the eastern side of the bridge has been one of the more productive spots. Casting soft plastic jigs at pier bases during the morning hours is also a good way to target striped bass. Casting jigs at Thomas Point and paddletails and topwater lures near Poplar Island, the lower Choptank, and promising Bay shorelines are also good tactics for striped bass this week. Water temperatures in the lower tidal rivers are now in the low 70s; when they decline to the lower 60s, bay anchovies and juvenile menhaden will begin to exit the tidal rivers, and the fall pattern of striped bass fishing will begin.
Bluefish can still be found in the middle Bay along the channel edge from Buoy 83 south past the Sharps Island Light to the False Channel. Trolling surgical tube lures and spoons behind planers and inline weights is the most popular way to catch them. At times breaking bluefish can be encountered and catching them by casting metal jigs on light tackle is always fun.
White perch can still be found in the middle to lower sections of the region’s tidal rivers and creeks this week. Fishing with grass shrimp near docks and oyster reefs is a good way to catch them. Casting small spinnerbaits along promising looking shorelines during the evening hours is another good way to target the larger white perch.
Lower Bay
Bluefish of various sizes are a driving force in the lower Bay, with bluefish up to six pounds or more being found in the main part of the Bay and the mouth of the Potomac River. The channel edge along the east side of the Bay from the HS Buoy past the Target Ship is an excellent area for trolling surgical tube lures and spoons behind planers and inline weights. The west side of the Bay from Point No Point to the mouth of the Potomac River is also offering good trolling action for bluefish. Casting metal jigs to breaking bluefish can provide plenty of action.
Anglers are finding striped bass by jigging along the channel edges of the Potomac River near the Route 301 Bridge and near the Route 4 Bridge on the Patuxent River. They are also catching striped bass in the shallows of Tangier Sound and shallow areas near Hoopers Island and Cedar Point. Casting poppers is an exciting way to fish early in the morning, and paddletails are effective in the shallower waters for striped bass. The use of umbrella rigs is becoming more popular as striped bass begin to become suspended along deep and steep channel edges.
Large red drum are finding the cooler water temperatures much to their liking and are being found in the shallower waters along marsh edges, grass beds, and creek mouths. The Hoopers Island area and Tangier and Pocomoke sounds are some of the better places to get in on the exciting catch-and-release action this week. Casting paddletails and using soft crab baits are popular.
Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays
Ocean City anglers will see the ocean stirred up with strong winds and heavy surf this week, but it is expected to diminish by the weekend. Anglers had been catching and releasing some nice red drum before the ocean became stirred up. Bluefish, croakers, and flounder have also been in the mix recently.
Fishing for sheepshead near the inlet’s jetty rocks has been good, although wave action may cause dangerous conditions. Sand fleas, pieces of crab, and peeler crab have been good baits to use. Flounder fishing in the back bay channels may decline due to cloudy water conditions. The incoming tide may bring clearer water and fishing close to the inlet may be a choice.
It is doubtful that any boats will clear the inlet until the weekend. The black sea bass season is closed and taking a rest until October 10, when it reopens until December 31. Anglers were making some impressive catches of large flounder before the weather moved in and that good fishing should continue once boats are able to comfortably take anglers out to the wreck and reef sites. The canyon fishery will also be on hold until the ocean calms down.
Maryland DNR Fishing Report is written and compiled by Keith Lockwood, fisheries biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read the full DNR report here.