Fishermen in the bay area are currently enjoying a bountiful season, with Spanish mackerel and bluefish plentiful across several fishing spots, notably around Cedar Point and Point No Point. Anglers using planers to troll small spoons are reporting successful catches of mackerel and bluefish straight out from these locales. Additionally, medium-sized surgical hose lures are proving effective for landing big bluefish, bull reds, and cobia.
Despite the favorable conditions for fishing, rough weather occasionally disrupts the activity, posing the only significant challenge to fishermen. Elsewhere, anglers setting up below the Target Ship are encountering willing cobia, which are increasingly present in the bay, attracted to live eels and cut bait. The presence of cobia and bull reds in the Mud Leads area further highlights the bay’s rich fishing opportunities, with schools occasionally passing through, leading to all trolled lines simultaneously catching bull reds.
The bay’s heavy boat traffic, driven by many pursuing these fish for sight casting, tends to make the fish skittish and constantly on the move. Perch fishing is reported to be very good in the rivers and exceptional in the bay when the weather permits. However, creek fishing has declined due to lazy tides, sea nettles fouling lures, and fouled water from last week’s storm, which is expected to cleanse gradually.
Bottom fishing is on the rise, with fishermen catching increasing numbers of keeper croakers, jumbo spot, and even some whiting. However, numerous tiny croakers and spots are proving to be a nuisance, aggressively competing for baited hooks. These smaller fish are seen as next year’s potential bounty.
Shore fishermen continue to find success with rockfish, redfish, and trout, particularly during the optimal fishing times of daybreak and sunset. The slot reds have become more elusive following recent turbulent weather, with improved tide flows anticipated with the changing moon phase, expected to enhance fishing conditions significantly. Some lure casters along the Patuxent’s shoreline above Half Pone Point have reported abundant eager redfish in the slot, with similar reports emerging from around the mouth of Helen Creek.
As the season progresses and conditions improve, the bay’s fishing community remains optimistic about the ongoing opportunities provided by its waters, promising continued excitement and success for local anglers.
