6 minute read
Fishing Reports
CHESAPEA k E & M ID - ATLANTIC Fishing rePorT
by Mollie Rudow
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Editor’s Note: We all know printed fishing reports are generalized, and days or weeks have passed before the report gets into your hands. For timely, up-to-date reports, visit our web site FishTalkMag.com. Current reports will be published every Friday by noon—just in time for your weekend fishing adventures.
way north
We spoke with folks at Herb’s Tackle Shop and Sarge’s Bait and Tackle and heard that up north anglers have been catching perch and striped bass. Local anglers found success earlier this spring using grass shrimp for white and yellow perch, and minnow for rockfish and yellow perch; although at times the fishing was slow this winter. Warming weather is expected to bring fish back to the upper reaches of the Chesapeake soon.
upper Bay
If you`re looking to catch some big ole striped bass this season, be ready to go on opening day. Many local anglers are predicting a quick season due to the warm weather the Mid-Atlantic experienced this past February, which brought the rockfish into the Upper Bay earlier than they`d usually run. However short this season may be, according to the folks at Fishbone`s Bait and Tackle in Pasadena, MD, anglers have been catching and releasing massive amounts of large pre-season striped bass. Anglers have been using parachutes, tandem rigs, and umbrellas to target these monster fish.
In addition to going after rockfish, fishermen in the Upper Bay also had a good shot at loading up on white perch this season. To target them, head to Beachwood Park or the upper Magothy. White perch had been biting on grass shrimp, but keep in mind that the early spawn could also mean an early departure from these areas for this species, and they could shift to late-season spots sooner than normal.
middle Bay
Anglers pre-fishing the middle Bay have reported that the rock are in! An early spawn this year means fewer fish with eggs should be caught once the season opens. Dave from Island Tackle Outfitters, located in Chester, MD, recommends using parachutes with nine-inch shad, umbrella rigs, and soft plastics to go after striped bass this April. Dave also shared that catch-and-release fishermen have successfully been finding working birds, including gannets. Soft plastics with a one- or two-ounce jig head have been the ticket, from Bloody Point down to the Choptank.
Lenny Rudow recommends that anglers looking to chase birds this season invest in gyroscopically-stabilized binoculars, which will give them the ability to clearly spot birds from miles away. The folks at Angler’s Sport Center in Annapolis agreed that stripers appeared early and in good numbers and say warm water discharges were popular for pre-season anglers. White perch are also expected to be plentiful in the middle Bay this spring,
# Light tackle anglers have been getting in on the pre-season striper action, too. Travis Long caught this pretty fish on a seven-inch Bust ‘em Baits rigged with a skirt.
having spawned early this year. Grass shrimp and blood worms have been successful for targeting white perch, which will move to deeper water after spawning.
lower Bay
Although it`s been a long, slow winter, look forward to the return of a plentitude of migratory species in the lower Bay. Despite the lack of fish in the southernmost parts in late March, anglers have been catching white perch and catfish. To catch some cats, the guys at Bishops in Yorktown, VA, have reported using cut bunker in the James River to be effective. For catfish, you can take out your boat or fish from shore in some areas. White perch have been found around Solomons and in back creeks, according to Alvin at The Tackle Box in Lexington Park, MD. He recommended using grass shrimp to target whites during the upcoming season, based off of the store report.
Tangier sound
The guys at Sea Hawk, located in Pembroke City, MD, reported that the variety of species we`ve seen as winter wraps up should stick around into spring. White perch, yellow perch, small striped bass, and crappie have been abundant in the Pokomoke, as they`d already moved into shallower waters to spawn. To target these species, use either grass shrimp or bullhead minnow. Moving into spring, anglers fishing the Tangier Sound can look forward to the return of flounder and hopefully some speckled trout, in the shallows.
way south
From how this winter’s gone, it looks like guys located around the mouth of the Bay are gearing up for a great year of fishing, both bayside and oceanside. Ocean`s East reported tog, stripers, speckled trout, and puppy drum have been abundant in the area. If you’re looking for a good day of tautog fishing, your best bet is to fish concrete structures, offshore wrecks, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, according to local reports. Target the tog with green or peeler crab—just drop a nice, juicy chunk on your hook, and you`ll be catching ‘em up in no time.
Inshore fishing in both bayside and oceanside inlets have produced a decent amount of fish recently, and as the weather warms up, it’s only expected to get better. Both inlets are holding puppy drum and stripers. The drum and rockfish have been biting on cut mullet and crab. Specks have been caught in the inlet, as well. Local anglers have found success using minnow, shad, and crab. In addition, our friends at Chesapeake Bait and Tackle located in Chesapeake, VA, reported that trout are in the North West River.
coastal
If you`ve had a slow winter fishing coastal waters, get ready for an action-packed spring. Captain Brian Esteppe owner of Y Knot Fishing Adventures located in Chincoteague, VA, attributed a slow start to the recent cold. However, as the water warms up, he said anglers should expect the return of flounder and stripers to the coast. Once the fish return, Capt. Esteppe recommended targeting flounder in the shallows, where water warms up the fastest. Flounder are currently being found from the Chincoteague to Wachaprague. Flounder are responding well to large bull minnow and four-inch white or chartreuse twister-tail Gulp. Stripers in warm shallows have been eating up cut bait, such as bunker. As the water warms up, anglers should find success using four inch plastics with a one-and-ahalf-ounce head, in chartreuse or white.
Freshwater
When Loch Raven opens up in April, head over there for some killer bass fishing. Rumor has it, they became active quite early this season. The guys at Set’s Sport Shop recommend using plastic worms and imitation lizards to catch bass. They also said to look for structure in the lake, where fish may be gathered.
Low water levels in mountain streams has had an effect on trout fishing this season, but if the Mid-Atlantic area receives a decent amount of rain this spring, rising water levels could contribute to more trout for fly-fisherman. Mossy Creek Fly Fishing reported that fish have been near the surface, but spook easily. For fly-fishers targeting them, Mossy Creek recommended using wooly buggers, nymphs, and killer bugs. #
# Spring means flounder, along the DelMarva coast. # Although the lower Chesapeake itself has been slow, big catfish in the rivers are keeping anglers occupied.
