Image Left: Photo courtesy of Travis Long with Schooled Up Fishing Charters!
Image Right: Photo courtesy of Travis Long with Schooled Up Fishing Charters!
The Anglers Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report has ARRIVED!
Upper and Middle Bay
- It can be challenging to pinpoint the location of striped bass as they have dispersed across the upper Bay. A reliable strategy at the moment involves keeping an eye out for birds on the surface, actively flying and diving in pursuit of baitfish. This behavior serves as a valuable indicator, signaling the presence of striped bass that are actively chasing the migrating baitfish as they move southward. Observing and following these avian cues can significantly enhance the chances of locating and engaging with the striped bass during their seasonal migration.For anglers looking to catch a significant number of striped bass, specific areas that prove fruitful include Love Point, the Key Bridge, and the mouths of rivers such as the Severn or Magothy River. Anglers have been employing a diverse range of tactics, with trolling and jigging emerging as favorites. Trolling offers the advantage of covering a larger area, while jigging allows for a more targeted and interactive approach. These versatile strategies have proven effective in enticing striped bass in the mentioned areas, providing anglers with a variety of options to enhance their chances of a successful catch.
- White perch have undergone a significant migration to deeper and warmer areas, venturing beyond most tidal rivers. While a few native ones may still linger within certain river systems, the majority are transitioning to channel edges. Anglers are effectively targeting white perch using bottom rigs, specifically favoring the Chesapeake Sibiki Rig, which is often tipped with either live or artificial bait. Among the preferred baits, bloodworms have proven to be particularly enticing. To optimize your chances of success, casting near deep water structures or drop-offs in deeper waters is crucial. This strategic approach aligns with the white perch’s movement pattern and increases the likelihood of a productive angling experience.
- As the Striped Bass bite continues to slow down, anglers are adapting their focus to catfish, with Blue Catfish becoming more prominent in colder waters. The increased activity of Blue Catfish in these conditions offers anglers an opportunity for a fruitful alternative. To target smaller catfish, worm-type baits like bloodworms prove effective, while those seeking larger catches are turning to cut bait such as soft crabs or cut bunker. This transition in fishing strategy aligns with the changing dynamics of the season and allows anglers to make the most of the changing conditions, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience!
South Bay
- In the lower bay area, Striped Bass can often be spotted chasing baitfish near the mouths of tidal rivers. Prominent hotspots include the mouths of the Potomac, Patuxent, and Cedar Point. Anglers are employing a diverse array of methods to capture Striped Bass, with trolling emerging as a favorite technique. Tandem or Umbrella rigs are particularly popular choices for this purpose. A key strategy involves targeting areas with diving gulls, as these birds indicate the presence of baitfish and, subsequently, Striped Bass. It is important for anglers to troll the perimeter outside of the gull-populated zones, demonstrating courtesy to fellow anglers and ensuring a more considerate fishing experience for everyone involved. This approach increases the chances of success while respecting the shared space on the water. While trolling remains the favored method for catching Striped Bass in the lower bay area, many anglers are actively turning to jigging with soft plastics as an alternative technique. Surprisingly, the success rates with jigging are almost comparable to those achieved through trolling. This showcases the versatility of strategies employed by anglers, allowing them to adapt to varying conditions and preferences while still achieving satisfying results in Striped Bass fishing.
- White Perch fishing in the lower bay area has undergone a complete transition to deep water environments. The majority of white perch are now located in deeper and warmer water structures, such as drop-offs or oyster beds. Anglers targeting white perch are advised to focus their efforts in these deeper areas to maximize their chances of a successful and rewarding fishing experience. For anglers targeting white perch in the lower bay area, bottom rigs with an appropriately sized sinker have proven to be the most effective method. Given the tendency of these fish to school up in large numbers, success with this approach often translates into multiple catches. When you hook into one white perch, you’re likely to reel in numerous others, making bottom rigs a highly efficient and rewarding strategy for anglers pursuing white perch in these deep water environments. Anglers have reported significant success in the Patuxent River, Potomac River, and the Wicomico Rivers when targeting white perch. These rivers have proven to be highly productive for anglers seeking to catch white perch, with many enthusiasts enjoying plentiful and rewarding fishing experiences in these particular waterways.
- As the water temperature drops, catfish have become more energetic and productive, offering anglers exciting opportunities for successful fishing. Key areas to find these fish include throughout the Potomac River and Patuxent River. Anglers targeting smaller catfish are using smaller cut bait and worm-type baits, while those chasing the larger specimens are opting for bigger cut bait such as Alewife or gizzard shads.Blue Catfish, being invasive and with no creel limit, make for a perfect target as they provide ample meat for anglers. The combination of favorable fishing conditions, strategic bait choices, and the potential for a plentiful catch makes pursuing blue catfish an appealing and rewarding experience for anglers when the Striped Bass bite slows down!