Way North Fishing Report, May 31 Update:
Water clarity in the northern waters of the Bay still aren’t ideal, and Herbs reported that fishing on the Flats has been spotty at best the past week. Most fish being caught are in the lower 20-inch range, and although they’ve been providing some action, they’ve been difficult to track down. Most guys looking to bring home their catch are heading south to Love Point, Podickory Point, and Swan Point. Trolling spoons, bucktails, and umbrellas has been commonplace along the channel edges. Chumming has been common as well, and though catfish are still a nuisance if you’re focused on stripers, they’re a welcome diversion for anglers who are most interested in consistent action.
White perch have been throughout the Bay and tribs, and are eager to take bloodworms on a bottom rig. Sarge’s suggested heading to your local dock during the early morning or at dusk to target them if you’re shore-bound. Angler’s looking to spend time floating and perch-catching should consider heading to the mouths of the rivers, and locating a hard bottom. Regardless of where you are, catfish will likely end up being part of your catch as well.
Way North Fishing Report, May 24 Update:
Herb’s says perch have been prevalent, and are mostly feasting on bloodworm and grass shrimp. Anglers are having good luck fishing deep areas in and around the mouth of the Susquehanna with bottom rigs. Despite stained water Sarge’s said there have been larger numbers of stripers around as well, but unfortunately, most have also been smaller in size and only a few make the slot. Most anglers have been casting jigs and bucktails and some are heading to the channels to jig soft plastics over suspended fish. Some anglers have also been heading south to just north of the Bridge, where trolling has been a popular option. Umbrellas, parachutes, and six-inch tandems in chartreuse and white have been common.
With the worst of the wash-out behind us (at least for the moment) both American and hickory shad are also being caught in the still-off-color waters, though still in smaller numbers then most anglers had wished for, in places such as Deer Creek. Small tandem rigs with silver and gold spoons and darts have continued to be the best arrangement for targeting the shad. The run can be expected to reach its conclusion any day now, so if you want to take a last shot at catching these fish, the window of opportunity will probably be closed in short order.
Way North Fishing Report, May 16 Update:
Despite poor water conditions, fishing has faired well in the northern reaches of the Bay. Herb’s noted that starting on the 16th of May, anglers are allowed to take home one striper between 16 and 26 inches and plenty are around. They suggest casting white, chartreuse, or purple BKDs. Sarges suggested chumming or chunking the Podickory Point and Love Point channel edges. They also note that with tons of blue and channel catfish in the mix, it’s wise to bring some extra cut menhaden - there are few things worse than running out of bait when the bite turns on.
Light tackle jigging has been popular in these areas as well and anglers are allowed to keep two fish between 19 and 28 inches. In the rivers, Clyde’s reported that the white perch are running. They’re available from shore and boat, and are often hanging around piers. The best baits have been bloodworms and grass shrimp on bottom rigs. but be forewarned: even perch anglers are running into the catfish, too.
Way North Fishing Report, May 10 Update:
Moving into May, not much has changed regarding the bite in the northern regions of the Chesapeake. The Flats are closed for stripers until the 16th and the folks at Clyde’s Sport Shop say there are still plenty of fish up there in the 20 to 30-inch range, so there should be good action when it reopens. Meanwhile, there are some largemouth being caught on topwater.
The shad runs seem to be about done, but Fort Smallwood Park and Downs Park have been hotspots for anglers looking to get in on the white perch and catfish bites. White perch over 12 inches are being caught in these areas on bloodworms and night crawlers. Catfish are taking the usual cut menhaden and raw chicken, among other things. Cat reports also came in from the Canal and Turkey Point this week. There are still plenty of catfish in the Susquehanna as well, and speaking of Susky cats, Jeff Bonawitz’s 50 pound, seven ounce flathead (caught in April) was announced this week as a new official state record for Pennsylvania. Congrats Jeff, that’s one heck of a catfish!
Way North and DE Fishing Report, May 2019:
Keeping with the trend in recent weeks, fishing has most commonly been described as “slow” by anglers headed out in hopes of catching a trophy striped bass. Although the pickings are slim, Herb’s reported that some guys were heading to the Susquehanna Flats where the tail end of catch-and-release fishing (the season closes Friday the 3rd until May 16) for schoolies has been the best bet for seeing stripers. Most guys were fishing with BKDs, Bass Assassins, and other soft plastics.
Using cut bait has been inspiring a healthy catfish bite. Channel cats and blues are still abundant throughout the Bay and its tribs and are not choosy about what they’re eating. Reports have come in from virtually everywhere, ranging from the C & D Canal to the Upper Bay, of cats, cats, and more cats. Sarge’s reported that using cut menhaden or chicken has been the most popular method, however, some guys are sticking to catfish dough. Another option for area anglers is to head for Deer Creek, where there’s still decent if not spectacular action for catch-and-release shad fishing on small spoons and darts. The snakehead bite is still strong as well, and reports are coming in of catches in just about all the tributaries while many anglers headed to Blackwater have been met with fish that are either turned on or turned off; when the bite is hot it's red-hot, but when the fish shut down it can be very slow.