Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, September 27, 2019 Update:
Wednesday was the first day of fall, but we sure are still feeling summers’ heat. Across the Chesapeake, fish remain in their typical summer modes of behavior, keeping to shadowed areas near shore and often becoming lethargic as day wears on and the sun beats overhead. Despite this, the hot weather we’ve seen this September isn’t stopping the bite. Herb’s reported that catches in the Conowingo Dam pool and on the Susquehanna Flats are persisting, and anglers have been enjoying plentiful early morning and late afternoon action. Getting to the dam early or just after golden hour and tossing topwater lures near the generation unit has been providing steady bites. On the Flats, topwater lures have been working well throughout the morning and evening. Clyde’s reported that some anglers are opting to cast and retrieve or bounce soft plastics off the bottom, typically near the channel edges on the Eastern side, near the Elk River. Six-inch chartreuse and white BKD or Gulp! lures on a half-ounce jig head have been effective, but some anglers are opting to go a bit smaller. A reader reported doing well bouncing five and a quarter inch white Bust ‘em Baits off the bottom on the Eastern side of the Flats. Although many fish have been undersized, they’re providing exciting action and an excuse to spend the remaining warm days on the water.
Further south, Taylored Tackle reported that the bite around Hodges Bar, Pooles Island, and down to the Key Bridge has been steady for live-liners and trollers around the channel edges. Live-liners are opting to use spot or small white perch, which can easily be located throughout the mouths of the tribs. White perch have also been hanging in shallow and shaded water in the rivers, can easily be accessed from shore, and both species will take bloodworms on a bottom rig. Trollers are typically opting to pull small spoons and bucktails and enjoying plenty of action throughout the day. Still, most fish are undersized with some keepers in the mix.
Herb’s also let us know that channel catfish are strewn through the northern Chesapeake. Many have been exceptionally large, and shore-bound anglers looking for a good fight should target cats. Plenty have been around the 10-pound mark, and will take chicken breast or menhaden.
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, September 19, 2019 Update:
Clyde’s reported that most guys coming in are still recounting tales of non-stop schoolie action in the Conowingo Dam pool, as the sun breaks the horizon. Most anglers are sticking to topwater plugs and soft plastics thrown far into the Dam pool or near the generation unit. As usual, chartreuse and white BKD or Gulp! lures have been most anglers' first choice. The same is holding true on the Susquehanna Flats, where the bulk of the action is also in the morning. Most fish have been undersized, but providing lively action. Clyde’s let us know that a few reports of keeper fish have come in, but most boats returning to the docks have just been satisfied by the quantity of fish being caught. Most boats more serious about hitting the docks with keepers in the box are running to Hodges Bar and Pooles Island, where the fishing isn’t as steady, but larger fish can be located with patience and searching. The majority of fishing in these areas has been livelining or jigging.
Catfish remain in the mix as well, and their scope is not limited to these areas. Turkey Point has been a stand-out hotspot but truth be told they’ve been hanging out in rather huge numbers throughout the Susquehanna, the smaller tribs, and the northern sections of the Bay, and are easily tempted with cut menhaden or chunks of raw chicken breast.
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, September 13, 2019 Update:
Although the same areas in the Bay’s northernmost reaches have remained productive, their consistency has fluctuated recently. Now summer days are waning, but those of good fishing have extended yet again. This week was marked by trips to the Conowingo Dam pool and Susquehanna Flats that provided anglers with more than relaxation - the bite remained on the up-swing, this week. Taylored Tackle let us know that stripers are providing steady enjoyment for those in pursuit of them and although many have been undersized, they’ve been hitting steadily and are great fun to catch. This is especially true in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Most anglers are using topwater lures and watching explosion after explosion of stripers breaking the surface. Those who are using soft plastics are enjoying steady, although less visible, action as well. Clyde’s Sport Shop reported that most guys have been using white, chartreuse, or pearl six-inch BKD or Gulp! lures, and throwing them deep into the Dam pool or near the generation unit. The further you can get into the Dam pool the better, and the bite has been best for anglers casting their lures far out before retrieving them. Clyde’s also mentioned that catfish have been present in the Dam pool as well, and throughout the Susquehanna, and will gladly take cut menhaden or if they’re especially large - as many have been - live white perch. Aside from these locations, stripers are still around Hodge’s Bar and Poole’s Island, but the fishing is best described as “eh”. Anglers live-lining these areas are reporting that the bite has dropped off a bit. Still, running out allows for a day spent soaking up brackish water and sunlight with the possibility of landing a keeper, which isn’t a loss in my book.
White perch are remaining active in the tributaries and creeks, providing easily accessible action for anglers willing to head out at dawn or dusk. They’ve typically been around structure or in shade, and once you find a pocket of them, there are usually plenty. As in, double-headers are not uncommon. Bloodworm or grass shrimp on a bottom rig is their favorite food, however, they’ll take little spinners and two-inch tube jigs too.
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, September 6, 2019 Update:
Anglers willing to wake up early and seize the day have been enjoying the best striped bass fishing up north, with the bite primarily occurring in the hours just after the sun breaks. Most guys have been headed to the Conowingo Dam or the Susquehanna Flats, which are sustaining the active bite they’ve been experiencing this summer. Although the majority of the stripers have been undersized throughout both of these areas, they’re providing steady action and excitement. Rockfish breaking the legal limit for keepers have been scarce, however, anglers who have demonstrated persistence are landing them with a bit of luck. The majority of anglers are still fishing with topwater plugs, swim shads, and soft plastics. Taylored Tackle reported that throwing a six-inch BKD or Gulp! lure far into the Dam pool or near the generator has been producing plenty of fish during the morning and throughout early midday. They also mentioned that most guys are sticking to the traditional white and chartreuse, but overcast days call for switching over to purple or other darker colored lures.
Aside from the striper bite, the ever-consistent catfish and white perch fisheries are providing anglers with great outlets for action. Both species are strewn throughout the tribs (finding them has been simple as heading to your local dock or pier) and catfish have remained thick in the Susquehanna from the dam on down. White perch are eager to take bloodworms on a bottom rig, and catfish will swallow cut menhaden or chicken breast. Lower surface temperatures recently have extended the time white perch are biting. The best times to go after them are still early morning and dusk, however, landing them in the shallows and shade midday hasn’t been impossible.
Striper fishing around Hodge’s Bar and Pooles Island has remained so-so. The bite is a bit unpredictable and oftentimes slow, but more keepers are coming in from these areas than on the Flats or at the Dam. Clyde’s let us know that most guys are still sticking to using live eels, however, others are opting to liveline spot or small white perch.