Cover Image: LJ from G-Eye Jigs, his son Brandon and friend Scott caught tons of really nice rockfish in lower Maryland waters using metal jigs and flutter spoons!
Rockfish: Bigger migratory fish continue to move up the bay from Virginia waters into Maryland waters to Point Lookout and just north. Eventually these fish will move into the tributaries, but right now they are still being caught in the main bay in deeper water, typically between 45-60 feet. The big fish are on the bottom, so heavier 1.5 or even 2 oz jig heads with larger, 7-10 inch plastics are necessary to get down there. Two to three ounce jig metal jigs, and 8 inch flutter spoons are also doing well. Be sure to take a heavier rod and reel set up to target those bigger fish too!
Yellow Perch: We are getting reports of yellow perch being caught locally in the Severn and Magothy River. As the weather warms up in the coming weeks, we expect this bite to really pick up all over including the typical eastern shore spots like the Upper Choptank, Little Choptank, Tuckahoe Creek and Upper Nanticoke. Live minnows are always a great way to catch them!
White Perch: White perch move into the rivers and creeks after Yellow Perch, so right now they are still in deep water in the main bay, and people are actually catching them right along with the big rockfish!
Pickerel: There’s still a really good pickerel bite in local rivers such as the Severn and Magothy and in all of the Eastern Shore mill ponds. As the weather warms up next week they should get even more active, so you can speed up your retrieve on your paddletails and fish jerk baits! Like minnows still work well too. It’s not too late to win big in our calcutta of the CCA Pickerel Championship!
Trout: Tuckahoe Creek and Unicorn Branch were both stocked this week! Use powerbait trout dough on a small treble hook, or small spinners like a Mepps 0. For updates on DNR trout stocking, click here.