Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 26 Update:
Several readers (including kayak anglers) checked in and let us know that they enjoyed some catch-and-release striper fishing with a few biggies (up to 44”) being caught in the lower Potomac. No one had more than a couple, but they are out there. Remember that in Maryland waters, targeting stripers in any way including C&R becomes verboten as of Thursday April 1. Farther up the river (much farther) contributor Eric Packard hit Fletcher’s this week and enjoyed a steady catch of hickory shad on small shad darts and spoons tied into tandem rigs. Shad reports (hickories) also came in from Fredericksburg, with catches of up to a dozen and a half fish.
On the James and Rappahannock Rivers the spring blue cat bite is going strong, with many fish reported on gizzard shad and menhaden baits including some in to the 40-plus-pound class. We also had a reader report on blue cats from the Potomac this week, but of a slower bite there, with just a handful of blues willing to come out and play; they’ve been known to shift up-river to feast as the shad move in, so this may be taking place right now.
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 19 Update:
The yellow perch run has been in full swing in many of the Western Shore tributary creeks but already may be slowing down from its peak of last week’s warm spell, with particularly good reports coming from Allen’s Fresh off the Potomac. Considering how the weather abruptly cooled off, however, there could be another wave on the way if we get a warm-up. Plus, as yellows head down river post-spawn we’re expecting that they’ll continue to be caught well throughout this week. The Tackle Box mentioned that on the eastern side the Nanticoke and Pocomoke are having solid runs which should continue for at least a bit longer. Crappie were hitting well in Potomac waters, too, and the guys at Apex Predators in Fredricksburg reported some excellent action.
The Tackle Box also let us know that there have been solid blue cat catches recorded in the Potomac, and of course many anglers on the Rappahannock and James also continue to fish for the blue monsters with excellent success rates. This has been ongoing throughout the winter and is showing no signs of slowing down. Cut bait on bottom is the number one way to catch them.
With regards to stripers, we had a reader report of a 42-inch fish off Point Lookout caught this week and also that some were being caught up the Potomac in DC waters, but otherwise haven’t been hearing a whole lot about the catch-and-release fishery. In the Virginia tribs, there have been some reported stripers caught alongside the shad which are currently running fairly well. Reports from the Fredricksburg area the past week were of pre-peak shad action, but solid catching on shad spoons and darts.
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 12 Update:
Yellow perch are gaining steam as the weather heats up! Although the catch remains a bit erratic in many areas depending on the tide and time of day, full-stringer reports are now coming in from the major tributary’s creeks and feeders. Minnows are the best bait for them by far. Allen’s Fresh, Nanjemoy, Occupacia, and Fredericksburg all popped up in the reports (Contributor Eric Packard enjoyed a banner day at Allen’s on Thursday), and downriver towards the 301 bridge on the Rap, white perch have been found as well by those fishing deep with grass shrimp and bloodworms. However, fishing bottom in any of these areas, baits are often rapidly being inhaled by catfish rather than perch. In fact…
Catfish are absolutely the dominant fishery in the Lower Bay tributaries right now. Hanging around all the Western Shore rivers in great numbers, they’ve been proving the bend in the rod. Maybe it’s due to the lack of normal winter activities because of COVID, but anglers have really honed-in on how to catch the big guys this winter. The Potomac has been especially hot recently and is producing well for anglers using fresh cut bait. Aside from being plentiful, catfish are providing such stellar opportunities for anglers due to their ease of access. Many of the anglers catching big ones haven’t stepped aboard a boat this winter, but instead are geared up on the shoreline. While we’ll never pass up an opportunity to get on the boat, there’s something very primal and satisfying about propping your rod in a Y-shaped stick that we can’t quite explain. Just remember to keep your live-liner ON or your drag loose so that rod doesn’t go flying into the river!
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 5 Update:
It’s amazing how a fish so seemingly innocuous as the catfish can sustain an army of anglers — but they’ve been doing it for the past several weeks, and continue to. Although we’re hearing the first solid and hefty reports of yellow perch popping up in the tribs, many anglers have been drawn to the temptation of landing a large cat. They’re hitting all around, in the waters of the Nanticoke, Potomac, Rap, and James, for those armed with plenty of fresh, savory chicken liver, gizzard shad, cut menhaden, and chicken breast. The Wicomico has also been a great area for cats plus perch (both yellows and whites in the reports from anglers hitting this river; try bloodworms on a bottom rig), providing an excellent mix of species. Many of the cats across the Lower Bay region reported recently have been impressive, ranging from a solid 20 pounds to FaceBook-worthy 40-pounders. While bites between cats may take a while and many of the guys catching have narrowed down to their favorite watering hole, there’s plenty of opportunity to be found in the catfish department right now.
As mentioned earlier, yellow perch are becoming far more common. The warm weather this past week has upped their activity, and they’re now more willing to bite bloodworms and bull minnow. Holes and pockets throughout the Tribs are holding them. It’s difficult to give exact locations as to where they are, however, poking around a bit and switching spots when the waters are dry is leading to success. The Tackle Box let us know that they heard of far more reports of yellows this week than last, indicating that they’re on the upswing in a big way in the creeks off the Potomac. If you need a refresher on spring perch fishing, be sure to check out our how-to video: