Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, November 7 Update:
Water temperatures in the Tangier region of the Bay are hovering between the upper 50s and low 60s. The cooler water has striped bass feeding hard, and anglers are finding them in the shallows along marsh banks, tidal creeks, stump fields, and other shallow cover. The tidal creeks in the Nanticoke, Wicomico, Manokin, and Pocomoke are holding stripers and some white perch. The perch are schooling in the deeper holes and have been much more willing to hit bait as opposed to lures. Bloodworms and grass shrimp have been the ticket. Captain C.L. Marshall of Tangier Sound Charters reported that a recent trip to the waters near Deal Island proved productive for stripers. They found them in the tidal creeks aggressively hitting Freedom Baits USA paddletails.
The upper Pocomoke River should be on anglers radars from here through the winter as it hosts an excellent fall and winter fishery for several species, including crappie, yellow perch, pickerel, and largemouth bass. The annual Pickerel Championship, hosted by Maryland CCA, has also kicked off, so anglers should start logging their catches if you want a chance at some great prizes and bragging rights. The tournament runs through February 2026, so there is plenty of time to climb the leaderboards. The mill ponds around the Salisbury area of the lower Eastern Shore are known for producing big pickerel. Temperatures should be cool enough now for these fish to be active and feeding. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, and any lures with flash work very well. Live minnows are also very effective; just make sure to use heavy enough line to hold up to their sharp teeth.