Maryland Fishing Reports sponsored by Solomon's Charter Captain's Association and Tri State Marine.
Big tautog have been caught off Ocean City, while many of the stripers caught and released on Susquehanna Flats so far have been smaller fish of 14 to 24 inches. Water temperatures on the flats have been in the low to mid-50s, and water conditions are good, so anglers remain optimistic that the big fish bite will turn on any day now, perhaps even by the time you read this. Spoons have triggered many of the striper strikes on the flats, including Tony Accetta and
Crippled Alewife spoons, while fish have also been taken on Bass Assassins and Bomber and Rebel plugs.
The big date is quickly approaching. On many calendars in Maryland and beyond, Saturday, April 21 is circled in red. That’s the opening of the springtime Chesapeake Bay trolling season, and anglers are getting geared up and more and more excited to go!
(Photo: There’s been a lot of discussion about striped bass fishing on Susquehanna Flats. Many anglers have reported slow and inconsistent action during the early catch-and-release season, despite a mild winter and early spring and warmer-than-normal water temperatures for this time of year. Other anglers say there have been a few days mixed in when the bite has been very strong. One of those fishermen is Tidal Fish poster Gone_fishn87 who posted this photo and wrote: “Last night, April 3. God bless the flats! The fish are here! C’mon!”)
Fishing shows, Fishing Seminars, and other Fishing Events
April 7
Spring trolling lure rigging demonstrations
Marty’s Sporting Goods, Edgewater
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (410) 956-2238
April 21, 2012
11th Annual Boatyard Bar and Grill 2012 Opening Day Rockfish Tournament
Register online here
Captain's Meeting at Boatyard Bar and Grill
Friday, April 20, 2012
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Tournament
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Tournament: Fishing begins at 5:00am - DNR rules apply
Measure-In: 1:00 – 4:30 pm – no exceptions
Awards After Part
Saturday, April 21, 2012
4:00 – 8:00 pm Party
5:00 – 8:00 pm Live Music – Gypsy Collective
5:00 pm Awards
Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reports:
From Captain Walt at Light Tackle Charters:
“The Susquehanna Flats has been inconsistent at best since the hot action experienced the last week in March. The larger females have become extremely elusive with fish over 33 inches not seeing the sides of my boat for a week.” Walt said many more 15- to 24-inch stripers have been caught than larger 30-inch fish. “Some days we've been able to come tight on 30 fish in a day, while other days we've only come tight on a half dozen fish. I believe the most encouraging sign is the weather forecast. The 10-day forecast is for high and low temps to remain consistent which should keep the water temps on the flats in the mid 50-degree range and prolong the action toward the end of April and maybe into May.”
Herb’s Tackle Shop in North East reports:
Eleanore reported that the Susquehanna Flats “heated up quite a bit” this week. “Some folks caught 100 plus stripers, but others had no luck at all.” She said productive lures have included Bass Assassins and spoons, including Tony Accettas (size 17), Drones and Crippled Alewives, and plugs including Bombers, Yo-Zuri’s and Rebels. “Most fish caught
Captain Kevin Josenhans:
Captain Kevin is now fishing Susquehanna Flats and hoping for more consistent action with bigger fish. While smaller 15- to 30-inch stripers have been caught from time to time, locating larger 20- to 30-pound stripers has been a challenge so far this spring on the flats.
Tyler’s Tackle in Chesapeake Beach reports:
This is the beginning of a big week at Tyler’s Tackle, as their popular annual sidewalk sale will be held this Saturday and Sunday (April 7) and also next weekend (April 14 and 15). Just in time for the highly-anticipated opening of the Chesapeake Bay springtime trolling season on Saturday, April 21.
Ocean City, Maryland, Fishing Reports:
The following report is from Sue Foster at Oyster Bay Bait & Tackle:
“More stripers are being reported inshore and in the surf. Tautog bite was pretty good as long as you were on the right tide and fishing in the right place! First black drum have been reported from the surf. Lots of wind this week made fishing offshore difficult. Let's see what Easter weekend brings!”
Captain Monty Hawkins on the Morning Star:
“Dredging's done, channel's clear; we're back in our regular slip at the Ocean City Fishing Center,” according to Captain Monty. He has tog trips scheduled for Easter Sunday and Monday, April 9, Wednesday, April 11, and Thursday, April 12. The pool-winning tog on a recent trip weighed more than 14 pounds, “We’re so spoiled. That fish looked average.”
Captain Sean Welsh on the Restless Lady:
Captain Sean Welsh on the Restless Lady said, “Restless Lady will start fishing April 13 for stripers, tautog, sea bass, cod and sharks.”
Potomac River Fishing Reports:
POTOMAC RIVER - D.C. - Herring, hickory shad, white perch and striped bass are in the waters above Key Bridge, although the water is still a little high and muddy. Anglers at Fletcher's Boathouse are catching shad, stripers and catfish, along with the herring and white perch, when they can get out. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish and carp are also actively foraging throughout the area. Slow-rolled spinnerbaits, rattling crankbaits and plastics are taking good numbers of bass throughout the city. Most of the bass are located in weedbeds or on shallow rock or gravel points and banks, adjacent to deeper water. As the sun warms the water, the bass come into the shallows to feed. Better areas for bass are Columbia Island Lagoon, Blue Plains, Oxon Cove, Washington Channel and the Spoils. White perch may be taken on bloodworms or night crawlers. Cut herring is the bait of choice for catfish. Crappie are available around any shallow brush or boat docks.
POTOMAC RIVER - BELOW WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE - Most of the bass are on points on the main river which contain rocks. Fish the shallow water during the high incoming tides and the drop-offs during outgoing tides. The creeks are holding their share of bass. Concentrate on shallow gravel banks dropping off into deeper water, and on lily pad fields on creek bends. Main river grass beds are also holding lots of bass. Small plastic baits and topwaters will take fish. Better fish are holding in deeper water on isolated clumps of grass off the main grass beds. Rattling crankbaits and spinnerbaits are the better choice here. Better areas are Wades Bay, Blue Banks, the mouths of Aquia and Potomac creeks, and Chickamuxen Creek.
That’s it for this week’s report, new fishing reports coming on Friday. Have a great fishing week!
You can get daily updated Maryland Chesapeake fishing reports on TidalFish.com's Maryland fishing forum by clicking here , Ocean City, MD Offshore Fishing Reports on the Mid Atlantic Offshore Fishing Forum and Ocean City inshore fishing reports on the Mid Atlantic Inshore Fishing Forum.
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