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Fishing Reports
Weekly fishing reports for the Chesapeake Bay and Mid-Atlantic and surrounding region. If you would like to be notified via e-mail when our weekly fishing reports are updated, click here to sign up.
FishTalk fishing reports are presented by Costa Tequila, Anchor Boats, Brown Dog Marine, CCA MD, Riverside Marine, Suzuki Marine, and Tri-State-Marine
Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
Spring surf fishing is firing on all cylinders along Assateague and Ocean City, with anglers scoring on multiple fronts as black drum, striped bass, and even bluefish keep rods bent in the suds. Drum are still around but tapering off, while larger stripers are stealing the spotlight, and flounder action in the bays remains hit-or-miss due to wind and dirty water despite some standout catches. Inside the inlet and along the coast, tautog are… Read more from Coastal...
Freshwater Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
Low water conditions are making the shad bite a challenge across the region, with bank anglers struggling and boaters finding only scattered success in deeper holes despite fish being visibly active. A lack of rain could cut the run short, though a few solid catches are still coming from the upper Potomac and Susquehanna. Meanwhile, freshwater action is shifting into a more reliable spring pattern, as snakehead and bass fishing remain productive with… Read more from Freshwater...
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
The Way North region is offering a mix of quantity and anticipation this week, with white perch biting well on the lower Susquehanna—mostly smaller males for now, but larger females are expected to arrive soon. Blue catfish remain a reliable target throughout the tidal rivers, especially near deeper holes and around the dam where they’re feeding on baitfish, while bass action on the Susquehanna Flats is heating up as emerging grass fuels a… Read more from Way North...
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
Striped bass season is underway in portions of the Upper Bay, with slot fish showing around classic structure like the Bay Bridge, lighthouses, and channel edges, and even the chance of a lingering trophy still in the mix for a short window. Meanwhile, blue catfish continue to provide steady action—especially farther north in the Bay and tidal rivers—while white perch are transitioning out of their spawning runs and beginning to stage in… Read more from Upper Bay...
Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
Striped bass action in the Middle Bay is providing a mix of steady slot fish and some overslot surprises, with bites coming from bridge pilings, island shallows, and shoreline structure on paddletails, topwater, and trolled plugs—though reports suggest the bite can vary day to day. Meanwhile, big black drum have pushed into the region, with anglers targeting moving fish around current edges and finding success on fresh crab during tide… Read more from Middle Bay...
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
With striped bass season now open in parts of Maryland and Virginia waters set to follow shortly, anglers are finding a promising early bite around structure in the Potomac and Bay, with fish holding in the shallows and responding to jigs, soft plastics, and topwater during low-light conditions. Blue catfish are providing steady action throughout the river system, while low water levels are making shad fishing a challenge and could shorten the… Read more from Lower Bay...
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
Warming water temperatures are ushering in a classic spring transition across the Tangier region, with big black drum leading the charge as they push up the Bay and provide shots at true trophy fish, though the bite has been inconsistent day to day. Smaller, better-eating drum and increasing numbers of red drum are expected to follow soon, while striped bass action is also heating up as post-spawn fish move through the shallows… Read more from Tangier and Lower Shore...
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 1 Update:
The Virginia coast is lighting up with the arrival of multiple spring and early-summer species, as big bluefish and increasing numbers of red drum headline the surf bite, with even more bull reds expected to push in over the coming weeks. Bottom fishing remains productive with steady croaker and kingfish action, while tautog are providing consistent opportunities around structure both inshore and offshore, including some true jumbos.… Read more from Way South...