We all know printed fishing reports are generalized and weeks have passed before the report gets into your hands, so for timely, up-to-date reports, visit our Reports section. Current reports will be published every Friday by noon — just in time for your weekend fishing adventures. In the meantime, here’s our monthly prognostication.
COASTAL FISHING FORECAST
The dog days of summer can make for a tough bite, but hopefully the Atlantic won’t be as quiet this August as it was last year and there will be some yellowfin around. If not, at least we can depend on two species to keep things busy offshore: mahi-mahi, and tilefish. Inshore we can hope the bass bite is decent, and flounder fishing at the wreck and reef sites holds up. On the beach things might be in a summer doldrum as well, but with a little luck the surf fishing will hold up with panfish and maybe a flounder or two.
FRESHWATER FISHING FORECAST
In the reservoirs think: early, late, and deep. Or shuffle the deck entirely and go night fishing. Whenever you go, remember that the fish are looking for relief from the heat just as much as we humans, and shallow areas bathed in direct sun are not an awesome option right now. One potential exception, of course, is the snakehead. Expect to find ‘em deep in the thickest of cover, but willing to smash topwater. As for river fishing, a lot will depend on water levels. At the very least, wade fishing can be quite pleasant this time of year.
WAY NORTH CHESAPEAKE FISHING FORECAST
If this year is anything like 2023 this will be a banner month for catching mega-monster blue catfish. Set up over deep water anywhere within sight of the Rt. 95 bridge, cast out a few chunks, and hold on tight. We do want to note that last season we heard from a lot of readers who were fishing at night and they did exceptionally well. You may remember that late in the month there were some decent rockfish on the Flats, too, mostly hitting right at daybreak.
UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING FORECAST
As we go to press the bite in Striper City… errr, we mean Baltimore, had begun to slow down, but after the closure and a corresponding drop in the boat traffic there’s a good chance this month will see an improvement. If not, remember that the west side creeks and tribs are chock-full of snakeheads, and they won’t mind this summer heat.
MIDDLE BAY FORECAST
Anglers in the Middle Bay zone have undoubtedly been waiting to see just how many Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and ribbonfish worked their way north this summer. A smattering of rock should be around, too, though at this time of year you can expect the action to be early or late in the day. And, what about the big red drum? If they’re going to make a showing in this area now is prime time so keep your eyes on those reports.
LOWER BAY FORECAST
It may be hot out there, but the cobia don’t mind. Hopefully, we’ll have plenty of ‘em swimming around right about now. Note that the Windmill Point area has been a highlight in recent years for chummers, trollers, and sight fishers alike. Big redfish may well be around in the mainstem, too, and all summer long there’s a good shot at finding slot reds in the rivers.
TANGIER, POCOMOKE, AND LOWER SHORE FORECAST
The shallows will likely have slowed by now thanks to the heat of summer, but those fish won’t be far off. Expect to find speckled trout and stripers on slightly deeper structure, and remember that last year at this time there was a nice smattering of pompano holding in the same areas. Or head out for open water—there will likely be plenty of blues and Spanish mackerel chasing the bait.
WAY SOUTH AND VA FORECAST
We’re in the height of the summer, and that means we’re in the middle of cobia season. Though they can get tougher to find at this point in time there’s no doubt they’ll be the prime target of hordes of anglers. Keep track of where the bull reds have been going, too. Last year it was possible to find them on and off through the entire month and hopefully we’ll get a replay of that action. Then, there are the sheepshead, flounder, triggerfish, spadefish, and more that are sure to be hanging around the pilings of the CBBT this month. Who knows, we may also continue to see an uptick in the weakfish action that’s been slowly building the past couple of years.
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