Tangier and Lower Shore Fishing Reports

Tangier, Pocomoke, and ESVA Fishing Report, May 3 Update:

It was a beautiful week around the Chesapeake region, and the fish responded well to the summer like temperatures. The shallows are warming up quick with the warm weather and light tackle guide Pete Dahlberg of Four Seasons Guide Service reported that the speckled trout are showing up on the Eastern Shore. He was out a few times during the hot days this week and found multiple areas with specks. No huge fish or huge numbers of fish, but solid catching for this early in the year. The speck bite should only continue to improve through May. A reader report came in of a nice species mix while fishing in the Pocomoke early this week, including a gorgeous 26” speck, a redfish, and multiple white perch and stripers. Captain C.L. Marhsall of Tangier Sound Charters made the trek into Virginia waters in search of bull reds without any luck earlier in the week. Instead, him and his anglers caught over a dozen trophy-size striped bass up to 50 inches, which were all safely released. Although they weren’t the target species, I don’t think anyone would complain about that.

Many anglers went over to the sea side to target the flatties this week and good fishing was reported from Wachapreague up to Ocean City. A boat fishing behind Assateague landed three keeper flounder up to 21 inches during a mid-week trip. Anglers looking for a better chance at catching their limit should consider heading to Chincoteague and areas south as that zone has been a flounder hotspot. Sea Hawk Sports Center let us know there have been a number of fish in the four-pound range caught in depths of less than 10 feet and some fish have even hit the six-pound mark. Fishing the outgoing tide is still best as water temperatures are on the cooler side. Flounder rigs with Gulp! baits and silversides have been the ticket with a heavy emphasis on pink and chartreuse teasers.