8/24/2017 Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
The Tackle Box reports that cobia have continued to hang around the target ships this week. Some bluefish, rays, and small sharks have become a part of the mix, attracted to the chum slicks put out by anglers. Chumming has been the most popular tactic for catching the cobia, and using live eels as bait has caught some anglers their dinner. Spanish mackerel present another option, and if you can find working birds, casting to them or trolling small spoons through the fray is the best way to get 'em.
Schools of breaking with with Spanish mixed in have been popping up near the mouth of Parker's, usually between 20 and 30 feet of water, but the action is unpredictable and sporadic. Spot are also in the area, and a productive day of spot fishing has been leading to a great day of rockfishing for many anglers. The trick at times is finding spot small enough to live-line with, as many are a bit large for the stripers (though many are also eating-sized!)
Rockfish can be found throughout the lower Potomac, and are being caught live-lining and on jigs off bottom. Sea Hawk Sports Center reported that chartreuse and white GULP! Lures on a half-ounce jig head jigged just off bottom have been producing some rockfish in the 22- to 26-inch range. The Potomac is also holding large numbers of croaker and white perch, which are being caught on bottom rigs and bloodworm. Some of the white perch are nice but unfortunately, the bulk of the croaker have been small to tiny.
8/18/2017 Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
The Lower Bay has been full of life the past few weeks, with everything from cobia to croaker in its waters. Cobia and bluefish are around the target ships, however not in the same numbers that they were in previous weeks according to the Tackle Box. Most fish have been smaller in size and are primarily taking chunks of cut bait, although live eels have been working for those after the cobia. The trolling bite has dropped off, but some anglers trolling channel ledges have had a mixed bite of rockfish and cobia around steep channel ledges. Some larger bluefish have been caught by anglers lucky enough not to be just feeding them. Using spoons to target bluefish can help remedy the stolen baits problem, as well as producing some rockfish mixed in with the catch.
There have also been some Spanish mackerel in the vicinity of Point No Point and to its south off St. Jerome Creek, with some small blues and stripers in the mix, but the fish are up and down and tough to locate when not breaking water. Anglers targeting them should bring a good pair of binoculars to look for birds and be prepared to burn some fuel, searching over a wide area. A few anglers jigging deep under the frenzy have encountered redfish, and although this species is being found in better numbers in the Tangier right now, there are decent numbers of them in the open Bay under the bluefish.
Croaker and perch are bountiful in most rivers, and croakers have been in some deeper water as well. Croaker in deeper water have typically been caught mixed in with the spot bite. The mouth of the Potomac has been a good area to look for them, and has also been producing more keeper stripers lately.
8/13/2017 Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
Team FishTalk ran down to Point Lookout and chummed the Middle Grounds for cobia today. The bite was very slow, but Scotty Hyers did pick up one awesome fish. It ate an eel set on bottom, right behind the chum pot. We also tried bottom fishing off Point No Point in 30, where we found tons of eating-sized spot (too big for striper baits!), lots of throw-back croaker, and some very small flounder. Next came the edge by the red #2 west of James Island, where there are hugs schools of blues and mostly small rock hugging the drop-off from 18' to 30'. The False Channel was loaded with live-liners, too.
8/11/2017 Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Update:
The Lower Bay has continued to hold a variety of species as we move into mid August. Cobia have continued to hang out near the target ships. Most have been smaller in size and the bite is beginning to drop off. As with the rest of this summer, chumming has been the method of choice to catch cobia. That being said, bluefish are in large numbers near the target ships, making chumming rather difficult due to stolen baits. The Tackle Box suggested targeting bluefish with spoons, and this also may produce Spanish mackerel plus some rockfish when fishing near or in the mouth of the Potomac. The Spanish have increased in number in the past few weeks, and anglers will do best on this species by adding gold spoons into the mix and kicking up trolling speed a couple MPH. Red drum have been abundant south of the Choptank, and as the season progresses, their bite should pick up even more. Look to find the reds beneath schools of breaking blues.
The September edition of FishTalk, due out late this month, includes a feature article on how to target bull reds in the bay by local captain Pete Dahlberg (Walleye Pete) of Four Seasons Guide Service. Here's an excerpt, to get you started on your redfishing endeavors:
The number one clue which has lead me to giant bull reds is finding and catching the biggest blues in an area. Stripers, blues and Spanish mackerel are demolishing bay anchovies in the late summer, and I look for birds and working fish on the surface. All this activity is great for guiding, because we catch lots of fish in these wild outbreaks. Where the biggest blues are is typically where giant reds are lurking below. The locations I’ve had the best luck in include an area from Flag Harbor across the bay to Taylors Island, up to Sharps Island over to Breezy Point, and back south to Flag Harbor. Remember, this is not a structure game, it’s a feeding bluefish game. I use binoculars extensively while searching for surface activity, and every day is different; fish are constantly on the move. Today is not yesterday and yesterday is not today.
On the bottom fishing front, the Potomac and Patuxent have held large numbers of white perch, croaker, and spot. The shell bottom areas around St. George's Island and the mouth of the St. Mary's River have been good bets. Dropping bottom rigs baited with bloodworm has been the best way to bring them in.
Crabbing has been great, and most running trot-lines are coming home with full bushel baskets. Read Crabbing: 10 Trot-Lining Tips to pick up some pointers before you go crabbing this weekend.
8/3/2017 Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report
The Tackle Box reports that a good run of Spanish mackerel has now begun moving through the Lower Bay, and it has been possible to catch large numbers of them when using spoons. Anglers using spoons will also have a mixed bag of bluefish and rockfish taking them, making for an interesting day of fishing. Red drum also are beginning to bite, and are heavy in areas South of the Choptank.
Chumming near the target ships had produced some cobia, however most are rather small and the bite has been slow. Bluefish and spot have been mixed in with the catch, however, providing plenty of fast-paced action. Rockfishing has been great on the Potomac for anglers casting light tackle or chumming. Many fish have been small, but are providing an action packed day of fishing.
Bottom fishing for spot, croaker, and perch has held up well in the mouths of the Potomac and Patuxent rivers. Bloodworms on bottom rigs remains the best way to fill the cooler, and the livewell. Fishbites bloodworm flavor is also working well.
Crabbing has been stellar, and crabbers are filling bushel baskets in just a few hours out on the water.