Rockfish: “Rocktober” continues to be an exciting month! We are seeing large rockfish being caught in both the main bay and the rivers. The mouth of the Chester River, Swan Point, Love Point and inside the Patapsco and Severn Rivers are hot spots. Top water fishing has been popular in shallower water, especially in the rivers. In deeper water fish can be caught jigging or trolling. Jig the drop offs, and troll the channel edges from the mouth of the Chester to the Shoals, and around Podickory Point and the mouth of the Magothy. Even in 30 feet of water, most of the fish will be in the upper water column, in the top 10 feet. We are also seeing fisherman using live eels with success. The evening bite (the last two hours of daylight) has been the best time of day!
Pickerel Fishing: As the water gets colder, pickerel fishing in the rivers and creeks heats up! Fish for them in shallow water, as low as two feet, with live minnows on slip bobbers and hot skirts. If you prefer to fish with a lure, try a smaller sizes jerk bait.
Speckled Trout: The southern bay and the Potomac are still hot spots for speckled trout! 1/2 oz Bucktail jigs with paddletails work well for targeting them, typically in shallow water.
Snakehead: In spite of flooding at Blackwater this week, the snakehead bite has been hot! Addiction Chatter Baits, especially their new “thumper” style, and mepps spinners have been the lures of choice for many anglers. Live minnows are also working well!