Your weekly fishing report for the Chesapeake Bay~

Rockfish

Over the last week we’ve had a decent cold front come through which shut the bite down for a couple days. The front dropped main bay water temps down to the high 40ºs in the upper bay and the low 50ºs in the lower bay. With that, many of the better quality fish have been caught in the southern bay area near Solomons, Point Lookout and the Hoopers Island area. In the middle bay area, we’ve seen the best fishing between the Magothy River and the Chester River.

Trolling

Trolling in the middle bay area has produced not only the most fish over the last week, but the best quality fish as well. Anglers trolling the Addiction Baits 6oz (4oz/2oz) tandem Purple head/White Shad rig had good success. Areas like the mouths of the Magothy and Chester rivers as well as the Eastern Bay area. One thing we’d like to suggest this week is GO BIG! Over the last couple days we’ve had anglers report fish over 40″+ so the 9″ baits can start to come out!

Topwater

Overall, topwater has been relatively slow going this year. One of the better areas that is still producing some decent topwater action would be in the Patapsco near the Key Bridge and the Inner Harbor. Anglers in 5′-10′ of water near submerged structure in the Magothy, 7ft Knoll, and even in the Eastern Bay near Poplar Island have all had success. Try using baits like poppers, walk the dog baits and the new Lane Changer by River-2-Sea. One of the best areas to catch fish on topwater from shore this past week was Thomas Point Park.

Jigging

The Jigging bite has been good this past week especially in deeper water. Anglers fishing the deep shipping channels near the target ships have had success with some fish over 30″+. We’re recommending throwing larger baits this week like the 10″ BKDs in Chartreuse or Natural on a 1.0oz-1.5oz. jig head. Some of the better areas in the middle bay area were between the Magothy and Chester rivers specifically near Baltimore Light. Overall the bite seemed to be better further south near Solomons, Point Lookout and Hoopers Island.

Live Bait

Fishing for Rockfish with live bait this past week was most successful with live Eel. Anglers live-lining eels around bridge pilings and deep drops had lots of fun catching fish over 30″ in the Narrows as well as in the Magothy River.

Yellow Perch

The Yellows are starting to pre-stage for their Spring spawn. You’ll start to find them in the creeks and in some tidal rivers in the area. As the water temps continue to drop, we’ll start to see more and more of them. Some of the better spots to try would be Tuckahoe Creek, Beachwood Park in the Magothy and near Greensboro. Try baits like live minnows, spinnerbaits like the #3 Mepps Spinners and Shad Darts tipped with Bloodworms or Minnows.

Pickerel

More and more river dragons have been caught this past week! The new Savage Gear swimbaits we just stocked are going to be a sure-fire way to get some big ones to bite! These baits look super realistic and even have a little garlic scent to them! Mepps #3 Spinners are also going to be a good way to target them and as always live minnows will also work really well. As far as location, areas like Tuckahoe Creek, Magothy River and other tidal rivers in 2′-8′ of water have been good places to start.

Show Us What You Caught!

We would love to share your photos in our next Fishing Report. To submit a photo, please email your name, photos, location info and any additional information you would like to kevin@anglersannapolis.com.

Important Note: If anyone in your picture is under 18 years of age, we must have a photo release signed by a parent/guardian before we can post your picture. By sending any photos to Anglers Sports Center you are giving us permission to use the image(s) online.