After a severe storm earlier in the week brought rain, high tides, and heavy winds, anglers feared the worst for local fishing conditions. However, by Thursday, clear skies returned, and to the surprise of many, so did the fish, eager and plentiful.
Ken Lamb of the St. Mary’s Tacklebox reported that rockfish, or striped bass, were feeding aggressively throughout the Patuxent River, particularly around the outfall at Cove Point Nuclear Plant and Piney Point. Breaking fish—schools of fish feeding near the surface—were observed in multiple locations, with topwater lures like poppers and Bomber Wind Cheaters drawing consistent bites from the hungry rockfish.
In addition to rockfish, white perch and puppy drum, a juvenile form of the red drum, were biting in rivers and creeks. Anglers using both bait and spinners found success in catching these species, which appeared more active as the weather improved.
Fishing at Point Lookout, particularly in Cornfield Harbor, also saw a significant boost, with trout, bluefish, rockfish, and puppy drum responding well to soft plastic baits. These lures, known for their ability to mimic the appearance of injured prey, were particularly effective in the clearer post-storm waters.
Meanwhile, slot-sized red drum, those within the legal size limit for keeping, were being caught in the Patuxent River near Fishing Point, specifically at the old seaplane basin, which was recently opened to the public for fishing. One angler reported catching a 17-inch croaker on shrimp bait using a double-hook bottom rig in this area on Thursday. Croaker, known for their distinct “croaking” noise when pulled from the water, are a popular target in Maryland’s waters, though Lamb noted that the larger, more prized specimens have been elusive lately. Smaller croaker and spot—another popular saltwater species—are abundant, but their larger counterparts are proving more difficult to locate.
Bluefish, another mid-Atlantic favorite, continue to linger in the Chesapeake Bay, taking surgical eel lures from trollers. These artificial eels, often used in tandem with trolling rigs, have long been effective at enticing blues, especially in the deeper, mid-bay waters. However, Lamb cautioned that bluefish numbers are starting to dwindle as fall transitions into winter. An occasional cobia has been seen mixed in with the bluefish schools, though they are moving southward quickly as colder temperatures set in.
The lower Chesapeake Bay remains a hotspot for anglers targeting cobia and bull reds. According to Lamb, these species are still abundant below the Target Ship, a well-known fishing location, and into Virginia waters, where the warmer currents have kept them active. However, as winter approaches, these species are expected to migrate further south into the Atlantic.
One notable species missing from the local waters in recent days is the Spanish mackerel. Lamb confirmed that mackerel, which had been providing solid action for anglers earlier in the season, have now migrated south to the Atlantic, making their way out of the region as temperatures cool.
For anglers in Southern Maryland, this week has provided an unexpected resurgence in fishing activity, and the post-storm conditions appear to have revitalized many of the popular species in the area. Lamb encouraged local fishermen to take advantage of the prime conditions while they last, noting that the cooler temperatures of winter will soon limit opportunities.
“The mackerel have skedaddled south, heading to the Atlantic,” Lamb noted, but he also emphasized that blues, reds, and rockfish are still available for those looking to capitalize on the remaining mild fall weather.
With the onset of winter looming, this period may be one of the last chances for local anglers to enjoy the variety of species that are still biting in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Lamb’s advice to fishermen is simple: get out while the fishing is good, because the cold months ahead may slow the action dramatically.
