Way North and Delaware Fishing Report, 5/25/2018:
Checking the weather today we were disappointed to see rain in the forecast, especially since runoff from last weeks’ storms created reduced water clarity in many of the areas' waterways, and produced large amounts of floating debris. With that being said, use caution while cruising this weekend because little could be worse than starting off the fishing season with your boat out of commission. Despite the rain, however, fishing this week has held up. The Susquehanna Flats have been alive with action in the mornings, when rockfish are willing to hit topwater plugs. The mouth of the river, Port Deposit, and up near the line have been top spots, for topwater as well as livelining. Herbs reports that livelining perch has brought in a large number of trophy-sized fish, and reminds everyone to check the new circle hook regulations (scroll down to last week's report to see more on the topic) for the 2018 season if they haven’t already.
Those doing their part to eradicate the invasive snakehead have also been enjoying some fast action. They've been in particular abundance around the Laurel Spillway and in the Nanticoke, according to Captain Bones. Anglers who have had action-packed days of fishing are primarily using minnow, which has been creating a pretty nice by-catch of channel and blue catfish, as well. Fishing for largemouth in the area's norther rivers is a bit off from past weeks thanks to stained water, but anglers casting swimbaits and plastics are still taking a few. Remember that in dark or stained waters, darker colors will usually out-produce lighter ones. Purple has been mentioned more than once as a good option right now.
Anglers in search of big black drum are still heading up into the Delaware Bay, where black drum are taking clam baits fished on bottom off Slaughter Beach and at the coral beds. Dusk and after dark are the best times to fish. Some large stripers have also been popping up as bycatch.
Way North and Delaware Fishing Report, 5/18/2018:
ANGLER ALERT: Remember that circle hook regulations have now gone into effect! All anglers chumming or live-lining in the Maryland portions of the Chesapeake MUST use in-line circle hooks. Read Maryland Chesapeake Bay Circle Hook Regulations, to get the full scoop.
This week Herb’s Bait Shop gave us some interesting information on the fish up north. The bass bite has been more or less consistent in the last week, and anglers have said they’re a good target species to fish for right now. With cool weather behind them the bass are on the move for food, hungry because of the spawn, and have been very active. Perch have also been a common species recently, mostly feasting on bloodworm and grass shrimp. Sarge’s said that with catch and release season for striped bass over on the flats, they are ready for the size-drop. There have been bigger numbers of fish, but unfortunately, they have also been smaller in size. Fortunately, they’ve also gotten reports that the Lower Susquehanna has been a great target spot for white perch recently.
Both American, and hickory shad are also being caught (though still in smaller numbers then most anglers had wished for) in places such as Deer creek. Ignoring all this rain, hopefully with warmer weather the shad bite will pick up. Small tandem rigs with silver and gold spoons and darts have continued to be the best arrangement for targeting the shad. But... we can't ignore all that rain - remember that with the deluge we’ve had recently, conditions in many areas are likely to deteriorate.
Some anglers in the northern reaches of our territory have shifted their attention to the Delaware Bay, where good numbers of big black drum have shown up for anglers fishing sea clam in the zone between Slaughter Beach and Fowler Beach.
Way North and Delaware Fishing Report, 5/10/2018:
Herb’s Bait Shop tells us that the bass bite has been quite significant this past week up North, catching them on a multitude of small lures. Perch have also been biting, primarily on bloodworms. As for catfish, Herb’s said it seems people haven’t had a hard time finding that species at all. Sarge’s Bait & Tackle said even though catch and release season for striped bass is over on the flats, fortunately, they’ve gotten reports of white perch all around, primarily feeding on bloodworms and night crawlers, and on shad darts. The Lower Susquehanna has been a great target spot for white perch recently.
A very surprising string of reports from the flats is of snakeheads being caught. In the past week we've heard of four, so it seems these critters are now working their way north. A bit less unusual is that both Hickory shad and American shad are being caught in the usual rivers and creeks (Deer, Octararo), but the run is still a bit lackluster compared to what we'd hope for. The recently warming weather, however, will hopefully provide a shot in the arm for shad anglers. Small darts rigged with small spoons in tandem rigs are the main armament for the anglers currently having success for these fish.
Anglers more interested in taking home stripers have been running south, to locations like the Triple Buoys and Love Point, where there are some keeper fish being caught on the troll. Interestingly, however, anglers casting light tackle in the shallows have also discovered some fish - ones which will be considered quite nice in a few weeks - have already started prowling points and rip-rap.
Way North and Delaware Fishing Report, 5/4/2018:
The fishing we've been waiting for since rockfish season opened has finally begun - anglers up and down the area are reporting catching trophy fish. Most people catching in the northern reaches of the Bay have been trolling the sunrise bite, and just after as the day begins. Herbs reported that using chartreuse parachutes and nine-inch soft plastics in tandem rigs has been the most popular tactic. Meanwhile the Susquehanna Flats have been steadily producing fish with an ever-improving bite thanks to the sunny warm days we've had. Though the vast majority of the fish have been smaller males, a few big fish have been in the mix. Clydes Sport Shop reports that anglers running south a bit to Love Point have discovered it's a hotspot for larger fish. Although many anglers are getting their first taste of rockfish for the season, many undersized schoolie fish are also in the mix, and although they are disrupting rigs meant for their larger counterparts, can provide some fun action. White perch are still hanging around rivers but the main run has passed us by, and catfish have continued to be a bycatch for those fishing with blood worms on bottom.
Most of the reports from the flats indicate that jigs and soft plastics are the way to go. Chartreuse and white have been the go-to colors. However, water temps are now in the low to mid 50's and topwater is going to become more and more effective as water temps continue to creep up.
Many area anglers also have been distracted by the reports of shad from Deer Creek. The run has begun, and although it hadn't yet hit full swing as of yesterday, we've been getting steady reader reports from anglers catching a couple-few on their trips casting inch-long spoons and shad darts. Any day that will change to non-stop action, when they kick into high gear.