The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are teeming with fish activity, offering anglers a diverse catch as water temperatures cool. Bluefish weighing between 4 and 8 pounds have been abundant in the bay for the past two months, particularly responsive to surgical hose lures resembling eels.
Charter boats and experienced trollers using number 2 planers are reporting successful outings. The prime fishing area extends from the PR buoy south to Hooper’s Island Light, continuing to marker 72 and beyond to the Target Ship. Larger vessels capable of deploying extensive lure spreads and navigating rough waters have a distinct advantage in these conditions.
The bluefish aren’t alone in the bay. Anglers are also hooking cobia, bull reds, and slot reds. When bull reds engage in surface feeding frenzies, they become targets for light tackle enthusiasts. Some boats are adapting their strategies, pulling in trolling gear to drift among the feeding fish, allowing anglers to cast lures directly into the action.
While Spanish mackerel were scarce in the bay this week, they made a strong showing in the Potomac River. The Virginia side, from Ragged Point to the 301 Bridge, proved particularly productive, with a concentration of activity near Machodoc Creek. This area yielded a mix of Spanish mackerel, rockfish, and bluefish. Jiggers targeting rockfish found success by locating schools on their electronics, while surface-feeding blues and mackerel attracted birds, signaling their presence to observant anglers. Slot reds and puppy drum also make occasional appearances among these other species.
For those preferring to fish the shallows, the Potomac and Patuxent rivers offer excellent opportunities, especially during dawn and dusk. Redfish, rockfish, and the occasional large trout are responding well to surface poppers, soft plastics, and swimming plugs. Shore-based anglers are also finding success in these areas. The St. Mary’s River continues to be a hotspot for this type of fishing.
Perch fishing in the creeks has been inconsistent, with some days proving highly productive and others less so. Puppy drum numbers have decreased in certain creeks, but undersized specimens can still be found along river shorelines, alongside white perch and slot reds. Rockfish are gradually returning to their familiar habitats, with feeding activity increasing as water temperatures drop.
Spot and croaker are widespread throughout the rivers and creeks, though many are undersized and prone to stealing bait. Anglers seeking keeper-sized croaker and jumbo spot should focus their efforts on oyster bars and deeper holes, though locating these larger fish may require some searching.
The current fishing landscape in the Chesapeake Bay region offers diverse opportunities for anglers employing various techniques. From trolling in open waters to casting in shallow areas, fishermen are finding success with a range of species. As autumn approaches and water temperatures continue to change, fishing patterns are likely to evolve, potentially bringing new challenges and opportunities for those casting their lines in these productive waters.
