Summer is finally here, and with it comes a flurry of fishing activity in the Chesapeake Bay. From striped bass to bluefish, flounder to red drum, the bay is teeming with a variety of species. In this report, we’ll take a closer look at the current fishing conditions and highlights from around the region.
Fishing Conditions
Calm conditions prevailed on Tuesday’s sea bass trip with Morning Star Fishing, with light wind against tide leading to a slow drift. However, anglers were still able to land double-digit catches, and the fish were happy to take rigs baited with clam and jigs fished with teasers.
On Wednesday, Creative Concepts enjoyed a pleasant day of bottom fishing for sea bass, thanks to light southwest wind and little to no swell. The skipper is now ready to sail for offshore sea bass whenever conditions permit.
Fishing Reports
- Taylor Bakke of Always Bent Fishing OC reported that locally, anglers are catching slot and over-slot bass using jigged paddletails or live spot and eels. The bluefish are also in thick, and the inshore flounder bite is still good.
- Captain Walt of Light Tackle Charters out of Crisfield said that striped bass are being caught in the shallows of the central Chesapeake Bay, casting various lures during low-light conditions. The water is still pretty cold, but speckled trout will soon be added to the action.
- Alex Gallardo-Perez of Anglers Sport Center Fishing Report reported that fishing has been good around the upper and middle Bay areas, with striped bass holding around the inside of the old Key Bridge and all around the port to inner harbor area.
Middle Bay
| Location | Striped Bass Action |
|---|---|
| Bay Bridge Piers | Good striped bass action, with anglers catching them around the channel edges and hard structure. |
| Rock Piles | Good striped bass action, with anglers catching them around the channel edges and hard structure. |
| Shallow Waters | Good striped bass action, with anglers catching them using poppers, paddletails, and jerkbaits during the morning and evening hours. |
Lower Bay
- Striped Bass Anglers
- Anglers are finding a lot of action in the lower Patuxent and Potomac rivers, using a variety of fishing methods. Jigging is very good along channel edges with soft plastics, and live-lining spot is also effective.
- Shallower Waters
- Shallow waters in the St. Marys River and around Point Lookout can yield a mix of striped bass, speckled trout, bluefish, and puppy drum.
Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays
- Surf Anglers
- Surf anglers are enjoying good fishing for a mix of striped bass and red drum, with most catches being made on cut mullet or menhaden.
- Flounder Fishing
- Flounder fishing has been good near the mouth of the inlet and some of the inshore wreck sites, with anglers catching black sea bass and limiting out.
Highlights and Reminders
Some highlights from the past week include the good striped bass action at the Bay Bridge piers and rock piles, as well as the excellent flounder fishing in the lower bay.
Anglers are reminded to report their catches and fish they release on the DNR Volunteer Angler Survey, as this information is very important to the striped bass biologists.
Also, be sure to check the NOAA bulletin for updates on bluefin tuna retention limits.
Definitions
Striped bass are a popular game fish in the Chesapeake Bay, known for their strong fighting ability and delicious flavor.
Bluefish are a common species in the Chesapeake Bay, known for their strong fighting ability and ability to jump out of the water.
Flounder are a flatfish species found in the Chesapeake Bay, known for their delicate flavor and flaky texture.
Speckled trout are a popular game fish in the Chesapeake Bay, known for their strong fighting ability and delicious flavor.
Red drum are a common species in the Chesapeake Bay, known for their strong fighting ability and ability to jump out of the water.
Black sea bass are a popular game fish in the Chesapeake Bay, known for their strong fighting ability and delicious flavor.
Golden tilefish are a deep-water species found in the Chesapeake Bay, known for their strong fighting ability and delicious flavor.
The Chesapeake Bay is a world-class fishing destination, offering a wide variety of species and fishing conditions.
