Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 29 Update:
Action on the northern reaches of the Bay has been picking up but it looks like things are going to slow back down for a few days as the remnants of Hurricane Ian are expected to make their way up the coast this weekend, bringing heavy rain and persistent wind to our region. This will likely muddy the water and make fishing unfavorable as runoff from the Susquehanna flows into the Bay. Prior to the weather, Herb’s reports that anglers at the Conowingo Dam pool and the edges of the Susquehanna Flats were seeing a slight improvement in striped bass fishing. Boats were able to score some keeper stripers, but they were thin in number. Early morning bites have been the best for those fishing from shore and throwing poppers, crankbaits, and paddletails have been the most productive baits. The mouths of the tidal rivers have had steady action for rockfish as well. Casting along shoreline structure has been working great for anglers as the fish wait to ambush baitfish swimming by.
There is always one fish that is reliable for anglers to go after in the northern reaches of the Bay. This would be catfish. Channel catfish and blue catfish are making for ample fishing opportunities. Any of the tidal rivers, the flats, and main stem of the Bay will have catfish willing to bite. Fresh cut bait and chicken liver are preferred by the cats. The dam pool has some good-sized flathead catfish that put up a hefty fight for anglers who get a hook up. If you are looking to target them, be prepared to lose some rigs as the area below the dam is littered with rocks and other structure that can easily snag your line.
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 22 Update:
The incoming cold front will hopefully have fish feeding hard as we move into the start of fall. A few rockfish are still being caught at the Conowingo Dam pool and some more fish are being caught on the flats. Early morning sin the pre-dawn hours have been producing the best bites. Topwater baits, jerkbaits, and paddletails have all been working. Cooling water temperatures should push more fish into the shallows as they feed on a variety of baitfish.
Catfish are the main contenders in this region as they are the most abundant and most willing to bite right now. Some good sized flatheads can be caught at the dam pool along with blue cats and channels. Herb’s says the blue cats can be found pretty much everywhere you search for them. From the lower Susquehanna to the Elk, and all the regions tidal rivers there will be blue cats willing to bite. Fresh cut bait, chicken liver, and a variety of other baits have been working for the cats. If you are looking for some steady action and heavy tugs, catfishing is the way to go in the northernmost reaches of the Chesapeake.
Fishing for largemouth bass is excellent in many tidal areas where grass beds are declining, forcing bass to seek existing beds and other types of structure. Casting spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits around the edges of grass is a good tactic. On the flats, dropping wacky rigged stick worms through thick floating mats of grass is another good tactic as the sun climbs into the morning sky.
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 16 Update:
The fishing in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay has not changed much since last week. Many anglers in this area are continuing to enjoy excellent catfishing. Flatheads are being caught in the Conowingo Dam Pool and blue catfish can be found in great numbers from the Dam pool and the lower Susquehanna River to the main stem of the Bay. Channel catfish are also spread throughout this region. Sarge’s recommends using fresh cut bait such as gizzard shad, menhaden, or spot as they are the most popular baits to throw out but they say chicken liver and clam snouts work well too. Catfishing can make for a fun day on the water as there are plenty in the Bay and tidal rivers. Most fish will be in the five pound range but when it comes to blue cats, there is always the chance for a big one exceeding 30 pounds.
The tidal rivers in this area are holding good numbers of perch and should continue holding them throughout the month. When fishing from boat or shore, bottom rigs or Chesapeake sabiki rigs tipped with bloodworm flavored Fishbites usually gets them to bite. Rocky shorelines and docks are good areas to target the perch in the shallows while casting spinners or jigs. Herb’s let us know that a few rockfish are also being caught at the Conowingo Dam Pool. Most fish have come in the early morning or late evenings by casting topwater lures or jerkbaits. As water temps cool this month, the shallows should start to hold more fish as they move in to feed on baitfish. Fishing along shorelines with points, rock jetties, and other structure is a great tactic this time of year. If you can find deeper, moving water, close to shoreline structure, there will likely be rockfish nearby.
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 9 Update:
The Upper Chesapeake Bay is in good shape right now for some good largemouth fishing, but note that the St. Croix Bassmasters Open is taking place through Saturday, so the waters may be heavy with competition. The recent rains have made the water muddy and stained in some areas but focusing in on clean water will give anglers the best chance for bites. The Susquehanna Flats, Elk, Bohemia, and the Sassafras and all good options but the Northeast River is a favorite of anglers. Although it is smaller than the other rivers nearby, it has a variety of structure and grass that holds lots of baitfish and good numbers of quality bass. All these rivers have areas with docks and grass flats that are good places to fish during low and slack tides. The main baits typically used are jigs, frogs, buzz baits, chatterbaits, and soft plastics. All These areas also have good numbers of snakeheads, and they can be caught in the same places where bass will be found.
The perch bite is still going well in the way north rivers. Sarge’s recommends using bottom rigs baited with bloodworms, grass shrimp, or FishBites in the same flavors. Casting spinners to rock jetties and docks is also effective for catching these tasty fish. Catfishing continues to be a popular pastime for anglers in this region as the fish are abundant and willing to bite. While dropping down cut bait anglers can expect to catch mix of blue and channel cats. Herb’s says many of the cats have been in the five- to 10-pound range but there is always the chance to hook into a blue cat pushing the 30-pound range. The preferred cut bait for these bottom dwellers is spot, bunker, or soft crab. Rockfish will also take these baits and some more have been caught on the flats this past week. As we approach fall the striper bite should pick up in the shallows and topwater baits will produce some explosive bites. Nevertheless, bottom fishing with cut bait is providing the most action for anglers right now.
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 2 Update:
If you are looking to catch an abundance of fish, catfish are the way to go on the upper reaches of the Chesapeake. They can be found in all the rivers and tributaries as well as the main stem of the Bay. Blue cats and channels have all been willing to bite on a variety of cut baits. Some favorites to drop down are cut bunker, peeler crab, and chicken liver. The Susquehanna flats has a high concentration of cats for those anglers looking for a fun day on the water. In addition to the cats, some other fish have been willing to bite on the northern Bay. One reader checked in with a chunky 25-inch snakehead from the Elk River, which struck a skirted jig intended for rockfish—no species-based complaint in this case, tho! Snakeheads have been hanging close to grass beds and topwater frogs have been producing the best bites early. Chatterbaits are a great open water bait to get the frankenfish to eat.
Rock fishing has been steady up north and the action is picking up on the flats. Sarge’s says eels are still their favorite bait right now. They recommend hooking the eels behind the head so they don’t wrap around the line. A reader made a nice catch of note up by the Conowingo dam, cranking up a 28-inch rock on a green bucktail. Bottom fishing for white perch on shoals and deeper channels of rivers was good this past week. Most fish are in the 10- to 12-inch range which makes for some great eating sized fish. Casting spinners and jigs towards shoreline structure like rock jetties and dock pilons is a fun way to target them on light tackle. If you get on a good school of perch, it won’t take long to fill a cooler and have enough for a family fish fry.