Coastal Fishing Reports

Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, October 18 Update:

October fishing along the coast offers plenty of opportunities for all types of anglers. The beaches, back bays, and offshore grounds have all been productive, though windy days have proved problematic at times. A reader let us know that deep-dropping skirted eels in 1,200’ to 1,500’ near the Washington Canyon produced three swordfish bites during a break in the wind, with a pup released and one fish around 100 pounds ending up in the box. Fishing squid on the edge in about half that depth produced several golden tilefish up to 25 pounds on the same trip. We also had a report that a boat found a mix of yellowfin and albies at the Hot Dog.

Sea bass reopened on the 10th in Maryland waters, and on the inshore grounds Captain Monty on the Morning Star reports very mixed action from one day to the next. One day the fish were biting well, the next great, and the day after that things were slow. Weather remains a problem and afternoon winds have limited time on the water recently, which hasn’t made it any easier to find fish willing to bite. On the bright side, sea bass season for both Maryland and Virginia will remain open through the end of the year. Captain Chris Mizurak of the Angler also found good inshore fishing as gusty winds kept him from heading too far offshore. His anglers caught plenty of sea bass and a few bull red drum.

Fish In OC had several reports this week that indicated the Ocean City Inlet was a productive location this week for a variety of species. On The Run Charters had a crazy-good day at the inlet catching red drum, flounder, and sheepshead. The totals on the day consisted of 12 sheepshead, two tautog, eight flounder, a slot drum, and a few rockfish that were released. Over on the beaches, Dave Moore reports that there are still some very big red drum running in the surf, though their numbers are thinning as compared to last week. Cut mullet has worked well to tempt the bulls to bite. Anglers are also catching plenty of rays, a few sharks, and even a few pompano have showed up.

Sea Hawk Sports Center let us know that bull redfish have been making a strong showing along the beaches with multiple anglers catching fish over 40 inches. The bulls have been running from the Delaware beaches down to Virginia Beach. Fish finder rigs baited with cut mullet has been the go-to setup to get the bronze brutes to bite. Small sharks and plenty of rays have been a consistent bycatch for those tossing out cut bait. The seaside bays have also been holding plenty of puppy drum that seem to be biting best on high tide. Sea Hawk also mentioned that the fall flounder bite has been good when the water isn’t too stirred up. The stiff winds recently haven’t made for muddy water, but there are pockets of cleaner water that should offer up a steady bite. Flounder rigs baited with minnows, squid, and Gulp! baits are working well to get the flatties in the net.

Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, October 11 Update: There is some great fall fishing going on along the beaches from Delaware down to Virginia. Dave Moore of Shark Whisperers says strong currents, wind, and rough surf have presented challenges to surf anglers at different times this week, but when it’s possible to hold bottom there’s a bite for bull redfish and in the past week he’s tugged on numerous bulls above the 40” mark and one that hit 52”. Peak high tide to the first three hours of the outgoing have been best. He noted that flounder and blues up to 15” are also present. In the OC inlet, he’s still catching sheepshead on an incoming tide and recently reeled in a 23-incher. Other surf anglers have also reported a good run of reds along the beach with one beachgoer landing five reds between 45 and 50 inches during a few trips to Assateague. Cut chunks of mullet and bunker seem to be working the best for the big fish in the surf. This run wont last long, so get there if you can.

Offshore anglers, we finally have some better tuna action to report with both yellowfin and bluefin in the mix this week. Fish In OC reports that there was some pretty good offshore fishing last weekend; a private boat out of OC and another running from Chincoteague put together impressive meat hauls consisting of swordfish, blueline tiles, golden tiles, and mahi. Captain Chris Watkowski of the Spring Mix II had an excellent trip out to the canyons putting his crew on two yellowfin tuna and a boat limit of mahi. And a boat running out of Wachapreague fought three bluefin to the boat and then found lobster gear balls that were loaded with (relatively small three to five pounder) mahi.

The Ocean City Inshore Classic took place last weekend and there were some very impressive inshore catches brought to the dock. Participants checked in several rockfish, bluefish, tautog, sheepshead, and flounder that made for a competitive playing field. Away from the tournament, Lucky Break Charters had a great day of inshore fishing catching 12 keeper sheepshead and a slot red drum. Another boat found a hot flounder bite in the East Channel putting six keeper flatties in the box between 18 and 21 inches using live spot. October is a great month to fish as we still have many of our seasonal species around and most fish are feeding hard to get ready for winter. Now is the time to hit the water people.

Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, October 4 Update:

Persistent northeast winds have made the ocean rough the past week and kept many boats off the water. There have been a few breaks in the weather and the Angler in Chief says a recent trip to the Poorman’s Canyon area produced an exciting day that began with mahi-mahi on the balls, as well as on weed concentrations. Most of the weed was scattered but where it had formed up there was a mix of small triggerfish and plenty of peanut dolphin. Fish on the balls were slightly larger but still on the small side (“big” ones were six or seven pounds), but at times seemingly endless in number and more than willing to hit small jigs, freelined squid chunks, and also topwater. Deep-dropping skirted (pink and blue/white) eels and fresh mahi belly strip baits for swordfish during the afternoon hours resulted in slow-paced but productive and exciting action, with three bites leading to two solid hookups. A barely-legal swordfish went into the box and after an hour and a half long battle, a 67” fork-to-jaw sword joined it. A rise from 1500’ to 1100’ was holding the fish and all the bites came in the 1100 to 1200 range.

Inshore fishing has been more manageable as anglers are able to find protected waters from the wind. The inlets, bridges, and other hard structure areas have been fishing well for a variety of species. Fish In OC got a report from an angler fishing at the inlet who caught keeper tautog, bluefish, sheepshead, and released a few flounder and rockfish. Lucky Break Charters also reported good success at the inlet this week putting their anglers on a mess of sheepshead and a few keeper flounder. Anglers fishing the Route 50 Bridge have had good luck while throwing Roy Rigs. Several out of slot striped bass were reported this week with fish up to 33 inches. One boat caught the back bay slam with slot rockfish, keeper flounder, and nice sized bluefish. Any form of structure with current in the back bay seems to be holding fish right now.