Maryland Fishing Report
July 5th, 2019
We hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July! This weekend’s forecast is looking hot and muggy but the fishing has been just as hot! This past week we saw a significant uptick in rockfish being caught as well as a better grade of fish. If you’re planning on heading out, stop by the shop to grab fresh bait, supplies and any other last minute items you may need!
Rockfish
Live-lining spot or perch continues to be the most productive way to catch rockfish right now. We noticed the HOT bite moved north of the bridge around Love Point and Rock Hall. There are still plenty of fish being caught at the bridge pilings but a better grade of fish is out there to be caught! Podickory Point, Thomas Point and Bloody Point were also areas where anglers are catching fish, just not the same grade or as many. For a few hours of fishing, bring a Chum Log or two, a dozen spot or a few bags of FRESH Bunker, in-line 6/0-8/0 circle hooks and an ounce or two of weight on fish-finder rigs.
If you’re fishing around the Bay Bridge, look to use Soft Crab bait banded to a circle hook with enough weight to get it to bottom. Keeper size fish are being caught pretty regularly with some throw-backs and one or two overs mixed in.
The topwater bite has been on fire this past week. Anglers are finding breaking fish early in the morning around the same areas as the Chumming fleet. The Bay Bridge rock piles have also been a decent spot to target them. Look to use either a Smack-It, Chug Norris or a Whopper Plopper and hang on!
Jigging has also been good this past week. Anglers are finding fish around the Bay Bridge pilings, around the Triple Buoys in the Love Point area and further north in the Patapsco around the Key Bridge. Popular colors have been chartreuse/white as well as natural bunker colors.
The Trolling bite has been much like others, it continues to trend northwards. Focusing on the channel ledges around the mouths of the rivers in 25′-40′ of water has been ideal. Bouncing surgical tubes off the bottom or pulling spoonbrellas were the two most popular rigs this week. Red, Green or Blue tubes were all good color choices this week.
Perch
The Perch bite has been on fire. Anglers fishing the creeks/rivers around this area are finding some fish early in the morning around shallow structure. Using spinnerbaits or small jigs tipped with either a soft plastic or grass shrimp are the best ways to target them.
Ideal spots are going to have grass, bait, structure and should have easy access to deep water. With water temps increasing the best times to fish are going to be early in the morning or later in the evening. Look to use spinner baits in shallow water or bait fished on the bottom in deeper water. Good baits to use are the Perch Pounders in your favorite color, Bloodworms, Soft Crab or Razor Clams on top & bottom rigs.
If you’re looking for an awesome/fun tournament to get into, we have opened registration for our 4th Annual White Perch Open on August 18th. You can head over to our WPO page to register now! There is an adult & children’s division so sign the whole family up!
Freshwater
As water temps rise, fish are finding deeper holes and structure to retreat to. Look to find fish around vegetation, fall-downs or submerged stumps. Present an easy meal with a flipping jig, stick worm or spinnerbait. Fish these baits slow but deliberate. When the water is hot, fish get lazy. You’ll need to give them a larger easy presentation to entice a bite. Be patient and persistent. Keep your color choices simple. Black/Blue in stained water. Green Pumpkin in clear water.
Show us what you caught!
We’d love to see your catch! Send your photos with some simple info (your name, location, bait/technique) and any other info you’d like to share to kevin@anglersannapolis.com. By sending your images you are giving us permission to use them online.
If there are any children under 18 we need their parents permission before posting any images online!