Tangier and Lower Shore Fishing Reports

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, August 15 Update: 

The weather has cooled off, and the fishing has picked up as we approach the end of summer. The Tackle Box reports that a lot of undersize flounder have moved up the Bay and are now being caught on ledges and bars. Many anglers are starting to encounter them when fishing the shallows for perch. Lizardfish, pufferfish, and northern kingfish have also shown up in this region and are being caught by anglers bottom fishing and throwing small lures in the shallows. Sea Hawk Sports Center reports that the fishing has picked up since the cool off at the beginning of the month. Water temperatures have dipped into the upper 70s and low 80s, which has drastically improved the shallow water bite. Topwater action has been good in the mornings with striped bass and speckled trout smashing plugs and poppers. Grass flats and creek mouths are two areas to key in on right now.

On the main stem of the Bay, bluefish are still abundant, but they are feeding on the surface less and cruising around close to bottom more. There have still been some feeding frenzies this week, but not as widespread as a few weeks ago. The big change has been the arrival of cobia around the Maryland/Virginia line. Anglers are reporting a lot of undersize fish, but some keepers in the mix too. Trolling, chumming, live lining, and sight fishing have all been productive methods to catch these fish. From now through the first half of September, cobia numbers should be good in this region from Tangier Island up to the Target Ship. Bull reds are still out there as well, but the larger schools will begin to push south in the coming weeks. The ledges from Tangier Island down to Cape Charles have produced some very big fish for those chunking baits of cut spot or bunker. Croaker are abundant right now and make for excellent live bait for bull reds as well.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, August 8 Update: 

The cooler weather created better fishing conditions for Chesapeake Bay anglers, especially in the Tangier region. The expansive grass flats offer excellent habitat for several species including striped bass, speckled trout, and red drum, but when water temperatures surpass the mid-80s, fish often vacate the shallows to move into deeper water. Water temperatures spiked into the 90s in July, and fishing success dropped off significantly. We are seeing the shallows come back to life as water temperatures have receded back into the upper 70s and low 80s. Early morning topwater fishing has been good over the grass flats and near shoreline points. Speckled trout have been very eager to hit Lonely Angler topwater lures, and anglers fishing with Captain C.L. Marshall of Tangier Sound Charters are experiencing their affinity to hit those lures firsthand.

Bluefish have been the open water highlight as blitzes are popping up periodically each week. These fish have ranged from two pounds up to 10 pounds. The Tackle Box reports that trollers have been finding an excellent bluefish bite in the waters around the Target Ship. They have taken a liking for both metal spoons and rubber hoses. Blues are also hanging around the various wrecks around tangier Island. They have been willing to hit topwater plugs and rap-10’s. Cobia have been scarce in Maryland waters, but the fishing has been better farther south along the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Sight fishing boats have been able to spot fish cruising on the surface, but getting them to bite has been more challenging. Schools of bull red drum are also marauding around the Eastern Shore. Angler fishing with fresh cut or live croaker have been reeling some in around the Cape Charles area. The Kiptopeke concrete ships will also be a hotspot for bull reds in late summer and early fall.