Early Summer Fishing Report

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — Anglers across the lower Chesapeake Bay are finding no shortage of opportunities on the water as striped bass, red drum, bluefish, croaker and speckled trout provide action throughout the region.

With all tidal waters now open to striped bass fishing, recreational fishermen are reporting strong catches using a variety of methods from the lower Potomac River to Tangier Sound.

The shallow-water striped bass fishery has been particularly productive during the cooler morning and evening hours. Anglers working grass beds in the lower Potomac, St. Marys River, Hoopers Island waters and Tangier Sound are finding success casting topwater lures such as poppers and Zara Spook-style baits. Speckled trout, bluefish and large red drum have also been mixed into the catches.

Deeper channel edges throughout the Bay and its tributaries continue to attract striped bass and other game fish. Soft plastic jigs in the 5- to 6-inch range have been effective for striped bass and bluefish, while larger soft plastics are producing trophy-sized red drum.

Several well-known fishing locations are drawing attention, including the waters near the Target Ship, Buoy 72, the lower Patuxent River near the Route 4 bridge, and the lower Potomac River between the Route 301 bridge and Point Lookout.

The Target Ship area has also emerged as a hotspot for black drum and red drum. Anglers using soft crab baits and relying on depth finders to locate fish are reporting good success. Additional catches of large red drum have been reported near Point Lookout and throughout Tangier Sound.

Trolling remains productive along major channel edges, where umbrella rigs and tandem-rigged bucktails are producing striped bass. The arrival of bluefish in greater numbers has prompted many anglers to add Drone spoons to their trolling spreads.

Meanwhile, spot and croaker continue moving into lower Bay waters, expanding fishing opportunities for families and light-tackle anglers. Although most fish remain relatively small, spot are reaching ideal sizes for use as live bait when targeting striped bass. White perch are also abundant in many of the same areas, including Tangier Sound, Hoopers Island and the lower Patuxent River.

White perch fishing has been especially good around creek mouths, docks and other structure, with grass shrimp and bloodworms producing steady catches.

Along Maryland’s Atlantic beaches, surf anglers are enjoying what may be the final push of large migratory striped bass moving north for the summer. Cut menhaden and mullet are producing striped bass, while large red drum and bluefish are also appearing in the surf zone. Black drum, kingfish, clearnose skates and sand tiger sharks are providing additional excitement for surf fishermen.

At the Ocean City Inlet, anglers casting paddletails and soft plastic jigs around jetty rocks, bridge pilings and bulkheads are finding steady action from striped bass and bluefish, particularly during low-light periods. While many striped bass fall short of the 28- to 31-inch slot limit, legal-sized fish are being caught.

Flounder fishing also continues to improve in the coastal bays, with fish moving through channels connecting the inlet to back-bay waters. Traditional bait rigs remain effective, but some of the largest flounder are being caught on pink and white Gulp artificial baits.

For Eastern Shore anglers, the combination of warming water temperatures and the arrival of summer species is creating one of the most diverse fishing periods of the year, with opportunities available from shallow grass flats and tidal rivers to open Bay channels and coastal surf.

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Wayne Creed

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