Cover Image: Rich Nelson and Anglers Employee Lyndsie got out fishing with LJ of G-Eye Jigs this week and found a very productive rockfish bite using metal jigs in over 50 feet of water! They caught fish up to 31 inches!
Rockfish: Catch and release fishing for rockfish is still permissible and those who have been willing to brave the cold have found a fantastic bite! Fishing is very different this time of year though. Fish are sluggish and are in very deep water, 50-60 feet, holding tight to the bottom. There really isn’t one specific spot or area in the bay to target. If you can find a gradual slope from 50-70 feet, the fish will most likely be there, right on the bottom. Using metal jigs can be very effective. You will want them to be pretty heavy, 2-3 ounces to get down to the bottom, and you will need to use a much slower jigging action than we do during the summer. Make sure that you can always feel the bottom, and slowly lift and lower your rod to entice them to bite in this cold water. You can also use plastics, such as Bust ‘Em Baits 7″ Fat Boys, on heavier 1, 1.5 or 2 oz jig heads.
Pickerel: Warmers temperatures and rain have thawed out some of the creeks on the Western Shore Rivers and the ponds on the Eastern Shore, so we may have a window of opportunity to fish them before they most likely freeze over again. As with rockfish, a slow presentation is key. You can slowly work a jerk bait, pausing it periodically, or just very slowly retrieve a weedless paddletail. Live minnows also work especially well in this cold weather!
Yellow Perch: Yes! They are starting to show up in the upper parts of creek and rivers on both the Eastern and Western Shore! As with pickerel, the challenge is going to be finding an area that isn’t iced over. If you can find some open shallow water, use shad darts and live minnows!
Ice Fishing: If you feel like making a trip to Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland, the fishing has been fantastic. Ice Fishing anglers have been catching very nice sized yellow perch, walleye and pike!
DNR has also been out stocking trout this week! Check out the locations that have recently been stocked here