As October progresses, local fishermen are still finding success across the region, with new patterns emerging as the seasons change. While the weather cools, fish activity remains high, offering diverse opportunities for anglers to bring in catches from bluefish to red drum. Here’s a closer look at what’s biting across Southern Maryland’s waters.
Bluefish Move South, Still Active in Potomac
Bluefish activity has shifted further south as larger chopper bluefish have now concentrated in the Smith Point area. However, smaller bluefish remain active in the lower Potomac, providing good fishing opportunities for those working the waters near Cedar Point. Surf fishermen are also enjoying some bluefish catches, with these smaller blues extending their range northward.
Speckled Trout and Puppy Drum Thriving in Shallows
Speckled trout are showing up in the shallows of the Potomac River and its tributaries. These fish are giving lure casters plenty of action, particularly when using jig heads paired with 4-inch Gulp Jerk Baits. Popular colors like white, silver, and chartreuse are proving to be the most effective in bringing strikes from not only speckled trout but also puppy drum, rockfish, slot reds, and even white perch.
For those seeking puppy drum, the Patuxent River creeks remain hot spots. Anglers like Ken Lamb, who ventured into the creeks near Cedar Point on Sunday evening, report impressive action during the rising tide. Lamb shared his experience of landing seven puppy drum, ranging from 10 to 15 inches, using small spinner baits and a popping rig. He also hooked one larger drum that slipped away at the boat but estimated it to be within the 18- to 27-inch slot.
Potomac River Offers Steady Rockfish Action
Rockfish, or striped bass, remain a solid target for anglers, particularly in the Potomac River. From the 301 bridge down to Ragged Point, trollers are reporting consistent success with keepers over 19 inches, though many undersized fish (around 17 to 18 inches) are also being caught. Popular lures include tandem rigs and small umbrella rigs, as the rockfish begin their migration southward.
These stripers are on the move, heading towards Smith Point and the Triangle where they will spend the upcoming winter months feeding on the abundant schools of baitfish. Fishermen looking to take advantage of this migration are likely to see more action in the coming weeks.
Red Drum Dominating the Bay
The fall has also brought a surge in red drum activity, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay. Anglers, including Lamb, have reported excellent fishing in recent weeks. Over the course of three trips, Lamb and a fellow angler caught 40 red drum, with four of them measuring within the slot size (18 to 27 inches). Most of the fish were undersized puppy drum, but the sheer number of catches highlights the red drum’s growing presence.
In addition to red drum, these outings brought in a mix of other species, including three speckled trout (all keepers over 14 inches), eight undersized rockfish, and two perch. The red drum are competing with species like striped bass for the same baitfish, making them a prominent target for fall anglers.
Advocacy for Liberalized Red Drum Regulations
With the increasing population of red drum, some fishermen are advocating for a revision of Maryland’s current regulations on the species. Currently, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission allows five red drum per day per person, with a slot size of 18 to 25 inches. In contrast, states like Georgia have more lenient limits, allowing a daily bag limit of five red drum with a minimum size of 14 inches and a maximum of 23 inches.
Ken Lamb, who provided this report, argues that adopting a regulation similar to Georgia’s would be beneficial for Maryland anglers. A 14-inch red drum is a strong, powerful fish that weighs approximately three pounds and makes excellent table fare. Lamb suggests that allowing anglers to keep smaller red drum would provide more opportunities for bringing home dinner while also alleviating pressure on the striped bass population, which shares the same forage with red drum and blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay.
“The preponderance of blue catfish and red drum are competing with striped bass for the same forage,” Lamb explained. “The striped bass are the weak sister to these bigger, tougher species in the major spawning grounds of striped bass, the Chesapeake Bay.”
Lamb believes that liberalizing red drum regulations could both provide fishermen with more food and help conserve striped bass populations, making it a win-win situation for Maryland waters.
Conclusion
As we move deeper into the fall, Southern Maryland continues to offer a variety of fishing opportunities. From bluefish in the Potomac to speckled trout and red drum in the Chesapeake Bay, there is no shortage of activity. Anglers are encouraged to enjoy the bounty while also considering the benefits of regulatory changes that could improve the future of fishing in the region.
