Maryland and Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report
Captain Jamie Clough of Eastern Shore Light Tackle Charters reported that the striped bass fishing has been okay this week, but it hasn’t been on fire. Where they find the fish and how the bass are responding to different presentations has been very dependent on conditions. Lately, on calm, bright days, they’ve been getting up into the shallows and casting small jerkbait-style minnow plugs like Rapala X-Raps, which the fish have been pretty responsive to—mostly when the wind is low and the sun is high. When the conditions are a little snottier—gusty wind and overcast—the bass are a bit more fired up, but they have to look in slightly deeper areas since the fish are no longer laid up in shallow where the sun’s rays warm the water quickly. He said it takes a bit of work, but they’re still finding some quality fish—patience and persistence is key. The conditions look great on Saturday, so the skipper plans to sight cast for striped bass in the shallows. They have some availability coming up, so head to the ES Light Tackle Charters Facebook page to jump on those open spots.
Taylor Bakke of Always Bent Fishing OC reported that the back bays around Ocean City are coming to life. Striped bass and more recently, flounder, are being caught consistently while the tautog bite is picking up inshore and at the wreck sites out front. Water temps in the ocean are still cold, but early spring fishing patterns are in full swing. There have been a few fishermen soaking baits like bloodworms, clams, and sand fleas in the Assateague Island surf, which has yielded both black drum and 34- to 38-inch striped bass. Bloodworms are the more common striper bait right now, but sand fleas, Bakke said, seem to be producing the best results—especially when the hook is tipped with a small piece of FishBites. If you don’t have frozen sand fleas, throw on some waders and do a little digging.
Anglers Sport Center Fishing Report – Annapolis, MD
Written by Anglers Fishing Manager & OTW Columnist, Alex Gallardo-Perez.
Striped bass are in full spawn mode and the fish have been moving up the rivers. There is a lot of bait around the shipping channels, but the fish have been spread out with most anglers seeing smaller schools of bass in the shallows, moving fast and not as willing to eat. The power plant at Calvert Cliffs has become a safe spot to find fish that are willing to bite. Large baits like 7-inch Diezel Minnowz, along with Rapala X-Raps, are getting the job done.
Perch fishing in the Patuxent River was good this week with most anglers using grass shrimp and bloodworms. The bite over on the Eastern Shore is still productive, and there are hickory shad mixed in. The shad bite in the Potomac River picked up this week with a good wave of hickory shad pushing in too. Mattawoman Creek also produced a good amount of shad, and more are starting to been seen in the Patuxent River.
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
Anglers wishing to practice catch-and-release fishing for striped bass in the middle Bay will be trolling along the steep channel edges of the shipping channel. Anglers will be limited to six lines when trolling, lures must be barbless and no stinger hooks. Jigging with large soft plastics will also be popular. Schools of menhaden are reported in the region, and they will be important when trying to locate striped bass. Fishing from shore is a good option for many anglers.
The striped bass have been actively spawning in the Choptank River above the Dover Bridge and for more than a week. Water temperatures are approximately 60 degrees in the Choptank River. Many of these striped bass will be exiting the Choptank River towards the end of the month. Anglers are reminded that the Choptank River is closed to catch-and-release fishing. The striped bass are under a lot of stress and catch-and-release in these low salinity waters can be a major problem for the spawning striped bass.
Lower Bay
Striped bass anglers looking for catch-and-release opportunities in the lower Bay have plenty of options. The steep edges of the shipping channel hold promise for anglers trolling tandem large bucktails and sassy shads. There are schools of large menhaden in the region, and they will often be swept along the steeper channel edges by swift currents and the target of large striped bass. Anglers are also reporting striped bass moving through the shallower waters, perhaps seeking warmer water temperatures. Casting large lures during the evening hours can offer shore bound anglers a chance at some of the catch-and-release action.
Anglers should be prepared to release fish properly and quickly. This means releasing the fish in the water is best. If a picture must be taken, make sure someone is ready with a camera and rubber landing net. Hold the fish horizontally and make it quick. A refresher on the best catch-and-release practices can be found on the DNR website.
Jigging is another popular way to catch and release striped bass this week when fish can be spotted on depth finders suspended under schools of menhaden or channel edges. The Potomac River is open to catch-and-release and offers numerous opportunities.
Hickory shad continue to be found in the Potomac River below Little Falls and the Mason Branch of Mattawoman Creek. Small flashy spoons and shad darts cast near current breaks and channels are a fun way to enjoy this Catch-and-release fishery. The first American shad are reported near Fletcher’s Landing this week. Maryland anglers must purchase a District of Columbia fishing license to fish above the DC side of the line.
The white perch spawning runs in the Patuxent, Potomac, Nanticoke, Wicomico, and Pocomoke rivers continue this week and there is plenty of good fishing. The large female white perch are reported to be in the spawning reaches. The most popular way to fish for them is by casting small 1/16 to 1/8 jig heads tipped with grass shrimp, lip-hooked small minnows. Pieces of minnow or bloodworm and allowed to sink close to the bottom and worked in an arch as the current sweeps the jig down current.
There are plenty of good fishing opportunities for blue catfish this week in the tidal Potomac, Patuxent, Nanticoke, Wicomico, and Pocomoke rivers. Cut bait is a very popular bait, but scented baits will work well also.
Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays
Water temperatures in the Ocean City area are still in the 40s but anglers are beginning to see some welcomed fish move into the area. Surf anglers are catching a few black drum on sand fleas or clams. Unfortunately, clearnose skates and dogfish are a big part of the mix too.
Tautog are moving inshore to the jetties, bulkheads, and bridge piers in and around the Ocean City Inlet. As usual there are fish that don’t meet the 16-inch minimum, but there are enough that are legal to take some home for dinner. Sand fleas and pieces of crab are the most popular baits.
Flounder are moving through the inlet and headed to the warmer back bay waters. The channels leading from the inlet are popular places to drift along with a variety of baits. Squid strips and Gulp baits on bottom rigs with spinner blades are popular.
Fishing for striped bass at the Route 90 and Verrazzano bridge piers has been a fun catch-and-release experience for anglers. Most of the striped bass being caught measure just under the 28-inch minimum, but occasionally one will. Paddletails tend to be the most popular lure being used.
Anglers venturing out the Ocean City Inlet are finding tautog on many of the inshore wreck and reef sites as well as flounder. The flounder are also being found on some inshore lumps and shoals.
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.