Tangier and Lower Shore Fishing Reports

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, April 17 Update: 

Striped bass are starting to wrap up their spawning activity in the Chesapeake Bay, which means they are starting to head south and will be passing through the Tangier region. Large schools of these fish often migrate through the shallows on their way out and present opportunities for anglers to catch. Bull red drum are also starting to move into the Bay and will soon make their way into the Tangier region. This presents a unique opportunity to catch two trophy fish species in the shallows, not to mention the chance for a big black drum too. Many anglers fish the shallows near Bloodsworth Island, Smith Island, and Tangier Island. Anchoring up near shoals or grass flats and tossing out peeler crab is how most anglers prefer to target them. You can also fish from shore along marsh points using the same setup. Another hot tip is to fish at night during the spring when targeting these big fish as the cover of darkness usually draws them into shallow water in search of baitfish and crabs.

It is time to start searching the Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds for black drum as the fish have been running in the surf for a few weeks now. Not all of the drum stay along the coast, and many migrate up the Bay to this region, where they can be found near reefs, wrecks, and shoal sites. Fresh peeler crab or chunks of hard crab on fish finder rigs are how most anglers target them. There are several reef sites along the Eastern Shore of Virginia that are good places to search for drum in the spring. The VMRC artificial reef website shows exact coordinates and are a good source for locating these reefs. The surf bite has cut loose as the black drum run is in full swing. We are also seeing several reports of striped bass being caught in the surf, which is a bit early, but makes sense given the above average temperatures we have had this spring. Many striped bass have already spawned in the Chesapeake Bay and are making their way back north up the coast. One angler fishing on Assateague this week reported an excellent day soaking bait in the suds, catching four black drum and a 30-inch striped bass that fell within the 28-31-inch slot limit, so it went home for dinner. Dave Moore from Shark Whisperers Guided Trips also checked in after spending some time on Assateague this week. Dave said that he scouted multiple spots and tested a few with some friends. They managed 16 black drum between the three of them. They also caught more clearnose skate than he would like to admit and ran into some big smooth dogfish too.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, April 10 Update: 

Black drum are beginning to arrive in the Chesapeake Bay as water temperatures approach the 60-degree mark. We have good reports of black drum being caught near Cape Charles and the mouth of the Bay, so the drum should be arriving in the Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds any day now. These fish tend to hangout near shoals and reef locations where they can be tempted with chunks of crab. If you can find peeler crab, that is often the best bait, but chunks of hard crab will also work well. Warming waters will also bring striped bass back into the shallows over the next few weeks. Schoolie sized fish will begin to return to their summering areas near grass beds, stump fields, creek mouths, and shoreline points. The large migratory fish have already been observed spawning and will start making their way south soon. There will be opportunities to catch these fish over the next several weeks in the shallows of the Eastern Shore on their way out of the Bay. Most anglers target them will peeler crab. This also gives you a chance to hook up with a black drum or red drum, especially as we get closer to May.

The white perch are still spawning in the lower Eastern Shore tidal rivers, including the Nanticoke, Wicomico, and Pocomoke. These fish are at various stages of their spawn with some fish already spawned out. They are most likely still in the upper reaches of the rivers, but they will start to spread out as they wrap up spawning activity later this month. Blue catfish can also be found in these tidal rivers right now. Any choice of fresh cut bait will work. Fishing near deep channels or holes close to shallow flats will put you in a good area to find catfish this time of year. On warm days, these fish will move into the shallows in search of an easy meal.

Last year’s flounder fishing was some of the best we have seen in many years, and this year is also off to a hot start. The bite is still best in and around the Virginia coastal inlets, but fish are also being caught well north of there. Both Sea Hawk Sports Center and Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle have reported boats checking in with double-digit keepers. The colder weather starting this week did slow the bite down a bit, but it looks like air temperatures are going to jump right back up, so the bite should turn on again this weekend into next week. Anglers should still plan their trips around the tide cycles if possible. In the early spring, the outgoing tide is usually best for flounder fishing as the cold ocean water brought in by the incoming tide has been warmed up on the shallow flats. The warmer water temperatures trigger the flounder to bite.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, April 3 Update: 

As water temperatures are heating up, so is the flounder bite. Early in the season, the better action is usually south along the Eastern Shore of Virginia with hotspots including Oyster, Wachapreague, and Chincoteague. A boat fishing out of Chincoteague this week managed to box nine keepers during one of the warmer days. Ocean water temperatures are still cold, so you should try to plan your trips around the tide cycle to hit the outgoing tide. The incoming tide will bring in cold ocean water that usually shuts down or slows the flounder bite. That water then gets heated up on the shallow flats and water temperatures warm considerably on the outgoing tide. This triggers the flounder into a more active feeding patter and is the prime time for the early spring bite window. You can still catch fish throughout the tide cycle, but the outgoing is usually best in early spring.

The black drum have arrived right on schedule as we heard the first few reports of fish being caught in the surf this week. Surf fishing expert Dave Moore checked in with us after catching his first drum of the season on the Maryland side of Assateague Island on Wednesday. The 39-inch fish was caught using sand fleas. There were also black drum reports from Sea Hawk Sports Center and Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle of fish being caught along the beaches in both Virginia and Maryland. Sand fleas are usually the most effective bait, but the other top performer is chunks of blue crab.

Big news came out of Virginia this week as the Virginia Marine Resources Commission closed down recreational speckled trout harvesting from April first through June 30th. This decision is in response to the cold stun event earlier this year that makes two consecutive years in a row with significant speckled trout die offs in Virginia. Catch and release fishing is still permitted, but if you want to take a fish home for dinner, you will have to target other species. Speckled trout harvest is still allowed in Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay, but we will have to wait and see how many fish push up the Bay.