Cover Image: Anglers Employees Mike and Lyndsie caught six spawned out yellow perch and released two with eggs while fishing at Red Bridges at the very top of the Choptank River. They were fishing holes along the shoreline that were protected from the current, and were lightly bottom bouncing live minnows.
Yellow Perch: Our experience and reports indicate that the yellow perch spawn has already happened. As noted above, there were spawned out perch at Red Bridges yesterday, but they are on their way out. We also know that the spawn occurred in the upper Magothy this week. Your best bet in the coming week is likely going to be to move closer towards the mouths of the rivers. Live minnows are by far the best thing to use for them, although small plastic stingers or gulp minnows can work well.
Pickerel: Pickerel fishing is still very good in rivers such as the Severn, Magothy and Patapsco, and in the Eastern Shore ponds. The fish are more active now that the water has warmed up. Live minnows will still work well, but you can also mix it up with all different types of lures like jerk baits, paddletails and chatterbaits.
Rockfish: The rockfish are still in their typical winter pattern, tight to the bottom in deeper water, 30-60 feet, and big fish are being caught in the typical winter hot spots such the power plant and the mouth of the Potomac. Heavy 1, 1.5 or even 2 oz jigs with larger profile baits like 10″ bkds or Bust ‘Em Baits Fat Boys are the way to go!
Catfish: It’s an incredible time of year to catch catfish, and they are catching big ones all over the bay! Use alewife, fresh shrimp, or gulp catfish bait just about anywhere that you can fish from shore!