July 25, 2024
Smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskie are three exciting species of gamefish that freshwater anglers can target above the fall line of the Chesapeake region’s Western Shore rivers. The states of…
July 14, 2024
Cutlassfish, AKA ribbonfish, AKA hair-tail, seem to be on a serious tear. Once they were an occasional oceanic catch, then they invaded portions of the southern Chesapeake in big numbers, and last…
June 26, 2024
Before you put a bait on a hook, you’ll have to go and catch it, and that’s why last month in Hit the Spot Part I, we looked into how to catch live spot, one of the most common rockfishs live baits…
June 26, 2024
Fishermen are amazingly creative when it comes to rigging baits, especially baits for billfish. There are several methods to rig ballyhoo on circle hooks, and they all may work. Some people use…
June 24, 2024
You say there's only one "right" way to catch trout? Step aside, fly guys. Conventional fishermen can experience the thrill and beauty of brown trout, too. Catching browns on spinning gear is not…
June 23, 2024
You want to catch more Spanish mackerel? They may not be in our Mid-Atlantic waters for more than a few months out of the year, but when the Spanish are in town, it’s always nice to enjoy the…
June 23, 2024
Many of the black drum caught in the Mid-Atlantic this season will top 50 pounds, a 90-pound fish or two will surely be caught, and some lucky angler out there could peg the 100 mark. The Maryland…
June 17, 2024
Few things set off a chain-reaction of mental imagery like the thought of catching a blue catfish of 40 pounds, 50 pounds, or more — even a new PB. And when it comes to blue catfish, we can add…
June 14, 2024
A jig head is a jig head is a jig head, right? It has a hook and a lead head. Done deal. Well, sort of. You’ve undoubtedly noticed that there are about six kajillion different shapes, sizes, and…
June 9, 2024
Spring crappie fishing is a glorious thing — meaty slabs that taste great, bobbers going under, and the tug of a big panfish coupled with the joys of family fishing. Great times, great memories. But…
June 1, 2024
There’s no mistaking the “rattle-rattle-THUMP” of a feisty flounder attacking your bait. These oddly shaped bottom dwellers strike with authority and fight with a unique combination of vibrating head…
May 21, 2024
This month we pose some questions about early summer trolling for rockfish to Captain Billy Gee, of Ebb Tide Charters based in Deale, MD.
Captain Billy, one of his best buddies, and one of his…
May 17, 2024
If you live anywhere near Chesapeake Bay and you like fast angling action that results in tasty fish on the plate, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself fishing for blue catfish in the near…
May 16, 2024
If you're serious about offshore fishing and you’ve ever had a bigeye tuna inhale your bait, considering the fight that’s surely embedded into your memory, this fish’s scientific name - Thunnus…
May 16, 2024
Chesapeake Bay fishing is best known for great light tackle striped bass action—there are not many places on earth where a person can get into huge slugs of predatory fish and catch them one after…
May 16, 2024
The small creeks and streams of Southern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland like Antietam, Big Pipe, Marsh, Conococheague, Conewago, Gunpowder, Codorus, Toms, Yellow Breeches, Octoraro, Monocacy,…
May 11, 2024
Kayak fishing is fun, no matter what you’re fishing for — it’s productive, scenic, and offers much to soothe the soul as we paddle along our varied waterways. The same can be said for fishing from…
May 9, 2024
When someone says the word “spring” to a saltwater angler who enjoys fishing in the southern Chesapeake, the run of bull redfish immediately comes to mind. Before indulging in the bite there are some…