7/28/2017 Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
Fishbones reports that Podickory Point, Love Point, and Swan Point are still the places to be. Fishing has been consistently good, and these hot spots have been reliable places to pick up dinner. Podickory has had the greatest numbers (of both fish and boats), while Love and Swan have been producing fewer but larger fish. Chumming has been the tactic of choice, and most of the larger fish have been biting at the back of chum slicks, on bottom. Many smaller fish have been mixed in with keepers, however the fish are so non-stop that limiting out hasn’t been an issue. Baits are now being taken by bluefish and catfish, as well. Catfish have been stealing baits from down on bottom, while blues have been hitting baits drifting down towards bottom.
Most anglers have stopped trolling, however Tochtermans reports a trolling bite producing 26 to 32 inch fish for those working deep ledges around Swan and Podickory Points. Most anglers sticking with the troll have been using Tsunamis and red hoses.
White perch fishing has been good in all local rivers and creeks, however hot weather has forced most perch into slightly deeper water. As usual, grass shrimp are the bait of choice.
Crabbing picked up with the recent hot weather, and most crabbers are taking home at least a dozen or three crabs. Chicken necks and razor clams have been the best baits this season.
7/21/2017 Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
There's some great striper fishing to talk about in the Upper Bay again this week, but before we get there, Maryland anglers will want to check out todays' Angler Alert: New Summer Striper Tournament With Serious Cash Potential!
Warm waters and plenty of fish have allowed dolphins to move up the bay, all the way to the bridge this summer. Not only has this been pretty cool to watch, but it’s been good for the upper Chesapeake fishing. At least, that's what many of us are guessing. It seems like the dolphin have been driving fish north, trapping large numbers in the upper bay region. Fishbones reports that right now, there are multiple hotspots anglers can visit to catch dinner. The mudflats, Snake Reef, and Podickory Point, Love Point, and Swan Point have all provided consistently good fishing. It is true, however, that many small fish have been mixed in with keeper-size ones. Chumming has been the tactic of choice, and most larger fish have been biting at the back of chum slicks, on bottom. A few baits are now also being stolen by bluefish, some of which have moved into the area, as well. A few catfish have been mixed in with the chumming bite, and most of these fish are taking baits on bottom. We have had at least seven separate reports from readers this week who limited out within an hour or two on fish up to 28-inches while chumming at or near Podickory. The only down-side other than the large number of throw-backs is that there's a huge fleet on-station in this area, especially on weekends.
Not as many anglers have been trolling, however, trolling along deeper ledges around Podickory and Swan Points have produced some larger fish for anglers looking to catch them. The best trolling rigs have been Tsunamis, red hoses, and small spoons.
Perch fishing has been good throughout the entire upper bay, and most are biting blood worms. Many perch are currently in shallower water, along shorelines and structure, and for some fun action can be targeted with small lures like spinners, tube jigs, and Beetle-Spins on ultra-light gear. Crabbing has been hit or miss, some crabbers are taking home dinner, while others are taking home empty baskets.
7/14/2017 Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
The Upper Bay is STILL the place to be for anglers who want to fill coolers with rockfish and bring home dinner. One of the best early summers of fishing for the upper Bay zone in recent memory, 2017 will go down as the year to be north of the Bridge. Many tackle shops we've been speaking with farther south, like Marty's Bait & Tackle in Edgewater, have been hearing that most of their successful customers have been heading north. Podickory Point, Love Point, and Swan Point have all been hot for weeks now, and are holding large schools of rockfish varying in size. Podickory does seem to be the most reliable for large numbers of fish, while the Love Point to Swan Point area is holding fewer but larger fish. Chumming is the best bet for catching larger fish, and most big ones are down on bottom. Bottom baits are also picking up a catfish now and again, though fewer than in recent weeks. Lots of throwbacks are still mixed in with the keeper catch - we recommend bringing extra bunker, and then some more, because nothing is worse than running out of bait.
Schools of rockfish are holding channel edges, and are typically in 18 to 20 feet of water. However, schools of fish are staging through the area, and if you can locate a school, they often stay put long enough to drop anchor and chum right on top of them. For anglers who prefer trolling, making sure your spread is close to bottom has been key to hooking up larger fish. Most guys trolling have been using red hoses, just North of Podickory Point and in 28 to 30 feet of water. Ian from Tochterman’s Fishing Tackle let us know that anglers fishing Eastern Bay and around the Chester River are catching also encountering some larger fish, even up into the 30 to 35 inch range. Though fewer in number these fish are typically being caught by anglers fishing light tackle, casting topwater and jigging. Holographic swim shads have been the most popular lures, especially in chartreuse and silver. Jiggers are also working the Bridge rockpiles (both eastern and western), center spans, and eastern shore pilings, as well as the Sewer Pipe, with some success. Most of the fish are throw-backs, however, and the ratio of fish you have to weed through to find keepers is 10 or 15 to one.
In addition to great rockfish fishing throughout the upper bay, white perch have been plentiful throughout all local rivers and creeks. Ian reported that locals catching 15 to 20 perch over 10 inches is not an uncommon occurrence this season. Catfish are also abundant in most local creeks, and have been taking whatever bait is thrown at them.
Crabbing has been hit or miss, and most crabs are in the rivers a bit farther south.
7/9/2017 Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
Podickory is still the spot! Two anglers fishing there today reported good catches with a one-in-five throwback ratio. The largest fish was 30-inches. All were caught on bunker baits in the chum slicks, and there's a LOT of chum going into the water right now. One of these anglers reported counting 80 boats anchored along a half-mile stretch, the other thought there was around 60.
7/8/2017 Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
Lenny Rudow reports that there were good numbers of fish, but all 19 inches and under, around the bridge's eastern shore rockpiles last night at dusk. White was working far better than chartreuse (or any other color) and most of the fish were stacked in 35 to 45 feet of water on the north side. A dead tide left them rather lethargic, but snapping jigs near bottom did get the fish biting. The biggest fish of the evening had feathers...
7/7/2017 Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report:
Tochterman’s let us know that Love Point, Podickory Point, and Swan Point have been the focus of most anglers within running distance. This week, chumming these points has produced a large number of rockfish in the 16 to 22 inch range, with huge numbers of throw-backs. However, waiting out the little ones has proven to be worth it for most guys who are willing to wait patiently. The best strategy for chumming has been to let the baits drift down to the bottom and create a hefty chum slick. (Read Chum Tricks, to learn more). Although this may mean that catfish will be mixed in with your rockfish bite, larger rockfish will be closer to bottom due to high water temperatures. For those headed out to the points, also make sure to check your tide charts to get a good bite. Lenny Rudow chummed Podickory over the holiday weekend and reported continual bites with a 10-to-one throwback ratio. Still, even while sorting through the small fish, the three anglers on the boat had a limit by 9:30 a.m. with fish up to 24 inches. The fish weren't moving much so it was important to be sure to anchor right over a school. Baits set on bottom or just above it did best, and the 18' to 20' zone was hottest.
Trolling has fallen out of favor for most anglers as chumming has really taken off in the upper Bay, but a few die-hards are still pulling Tsunamis, small umbrellas, and hoses. Perch and catfish are filling up almost all the local rivers, and can make for a fun, easy day of action packed fishing. Just drop down a bottom rig with bloodworms or grass shrimp and you`ll be pulling `em in in no time.
Crabbing in the Upper Bay was crowed this weekend, with Fourth of July bringing many anglers out on the water. However, those who set their trotlines or dropped their traps in the right spot avoided long lines and the frustration of sold out crabs at their local seafood store.