Image: Left: Brecken Ellington caught this 29″ Catfish with a soft shell claw just off of Gibson Island! Center: Corey Brandt Sr. caught this 40″ rockfish off of Poplar Island in 40-45 ft of water. They were running their rods 12-15 feet deep. Right: Aiden Jones caught this Rockfish on a charter trip out of Deale Md!
Rockfish: Trolling has been the most productive way to catch keeper (35 inches or larger) sized rockfish! We are hearing great reports from the ledges near Chesapeake Beach, Bloody Point, the mouths of the Patuxent and Potomac and off of Poplar Island! Umbrella and tandem rigs are popular, but a daisy chain can work quite well too. Use inline sinkers to vary your depth. White has been the hot color! If you prefer to chum, there has been some success chumming at Podickory, Hacketts, Tollys and Thomas points, but it will be a bit more hit or miss. Use fresh alewife and a chum log, and be sure that you have circle hooks! Most fish have been caught in 40 feet of water or more, and be sure to check the tides and fish on an incoming or outgoing tide.
Catfish: Catfish are still prevalent in the rivers and the main bay. You will most likely catch a few while chumming for rockfish!
Perch: White Perch are starting to move into more in to the middle of the rivers and the mouths of the rivers! It’s still a little bit hit or miss but it will really begin to heat up in the coming weeks. You’ll want to use a spinner like a perch pounder or a rooster tail!
Snakehead: We are moving into pre-sprawn and spawning season! The bite typically slows down around a full moon, but give it some time and it will heat back up. Minnows are always a good bet (especially our Snakehead Destroyer minnows from the Bait Boys!) particularly when the bite is tough. Other than that, we’ve had success with top water frogs and buzz baits recently! Also try a white gambler on a Hyabusa swimbait hook!
Tautog: Tautog are starting to move into the inlet at Ocean City and we are getting great reports! Use green crab or peeler crab.
Bluefish: We are also getting reports of the first bluefish moving into the inlet! Use metal jigs and Gotcha Plugs.