Cover Image: Left: There is some incredible catch and release action going on in the lower Bay! Travis Long of Schooled Up Guide Service caught this beautiful fish jigging with a 1.5 oz G-Eye Jigs jig head! Right: Anglers employee Lyndsie caught a few pickerel in the Severn River using a Shimano World Minnow this week!
Rockfish: We are still getting some reports of nice, 20-30 inch fish around the bay bridge and the rock piles, but most anglers are headed south for exciting catch and release action! Fish in the mid 40 inch range, and even some up to 50 inches are being caught in deep water anywhere from Chesapeake Beach down to Point Lookout and into Virginia waters. While you can troll for them or drift live eels, the majority of the fish are being caught jigging. You’ll want to use a larger profile bait, such as a 10″ Boss BKD, 8″ Zman Streakz XL or Bust ‘Em Baits Fat Boys on a 1, 1.5 or 2 oz jig head. A skirt can also help to bulk up the profile to attract those larger fish!
Pickerel: The pickerel bite continues to be great in the Severn River, Magothy and Patapsco, although a lot of anglers are choosing to head over to the eastern shore mill ponds such as Smithville, Unicorn, Tuckahoe or Johnson to target pickerel up to the mid 20 inch range! A variety of lures are working well from jerk baits to paddletails. Live minnows always work well too!
Catfish: Catfish are always a fun fish to target from shore and in the northern part of the bay during the winter months! Pick up some fresh alewife and give it a try!
Yellow Perch: More and more reports are coming in of Yellow Perch being caught in creeks and upper parts of the rivers on both the western and eastern shore. A minnow on a shad dart under a bobber is the way to go to target them right now! You can also use gulp artificial minnows if you don’t have time to stop by for live minnows.
Crappie: Crappie fishing in Eastern Shore ponds is also really starting to pick up! Target them around shoreline and structure and use the same shad dart bobber rig that you use for perch! Try live minnows, artificial minnows or little plastic stingers like our favorite from Bust ‘Em Baits.