Tangier and Lower Shore Fishing Reports
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, November 6 Update:
The Tangier region is offering plenty of variety, from crappie, yellow perch, and pickerel in the Pocomoke River to striped bass throughout the Nanticoke, Wicomico, and Big Annemessex systems. Rockfish are responding to both topwater and soft plastics, with some quality fish coming from deeper creek bends and marsh channels.
Striped bass fishing throughout the Tangier region is transitioning toward a deeper-water pattern, although plenty of opportunities remain in the tidal creeks and marshes. The Nanticoke River, Wicomico River, Manokin River, Big Annemessex River, and the waters around Fishing Bay and Deal Island are all holding fish. Creek mouths, marsh points, submerged stump fields, and channel bends are particularly good places to look, especially around moving tides when baitfish are swept out of shallow marshes. A reader checked in after fishing some tidal creeks around the mouth of the Nanticoke River and said that they found rockfish in several deep holes around creek bends in eight to 15’ of water. Bouncing various soft plastics around the deeper holes produced several slot and over slot fish. Their best action came on an outgoing tide where the current was moving around two miles an hour, creating some nice seams and current breaks. Another reader checked in after doing some fishing around Deal Island and the Big Annemessex River at the end of last week. They caught several mid-20s stripers on topwater lures in the evening and several slot and under slot fish on paddletails during the day. They also caught some small speckled trout. They also mentioned that the water clarity was great, and at one point they could see the bottom in 13’ of water.
As water temperatures continue to fall, expect more fish to move away from the shallow shorelines and gather along deeper channel edges and structure in the sounds. Once fish begin schooling in open water, vertical jigging with soft plastics or metal jigs is an excellent way to target them, while trolling tandem bucktails and umbrella rigs behind inline weights can help cover water when fish are scattered. Bear in mind that last season they began moving deep and schooling by mid-month, and a few weeks later the big migratory fish made an excellent showing first from Kiptopeake to Saxis and then in the open waters of the Pocomoke. Considering how warm it's been and that action in the NY/NJ region is just heating up, the arrival of these fish could be a bit later this year, but a major shift in the weather could change that up at any time.
The Pocomoke River is an excellent destination for a mixed-bag freshwater trip as cooling temperatures bring a variety of species into predictable fall and winter patterns. The stretch between Pocomoke City and Snow Hill is particularly productive, with crappie, yellow perch, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, and catfish all available. Crappie are a prime target, often holding along deeper channel edges, submerged timber, and bends in the river in 10 to 15 feet of water. Slow trolling small live minnows beneath bobbers is a reliable way to locate fish, while 1/16-ounce micro jigs and small curly-tail plastics worked around fallen trees and deeper holes can produce equally well. Yellow perch and pickerel can be caught on minnows, small spinners, and suspending jerkbaits, particularly around woody shoreline cover and creek mouths. Largemouth bass will continue feeding around remaining vegetation, lily pad edges, and submerged wood, making spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and compact jigs good options. Further downstream, the stretches around Shad Landing and Milburn Landing offer additional opportunities to explore the river's deeper bends for blue catfish. As winter approaches, expect crappie and perch to become increasingly concentrated around deeper structure, making electronics especially useful for locating schools.
Bonus intel: There's a new premium access subscribers only video to check out: Secrets of Lenny's Tacklebox.
