LEONARDTOWN, Md., June 18, 2025 — Anglers in St. Mary’s County are reeling in impressive catches of striped bass, spot, perch, croaker, bluefish, and cobia across the Patuxent and Potomac rivers and Chesapeake Bay. According to Ken Lamb of St. Mary’s Tacklebox, favorable tides and improving weather are creating ideal conditions for both shore and boat fishing.
In the Patuxent River, striped bass are hitting jigged lures around the Solomons bridge pilings, with the best action during tidal changes when water movement begins. The river’s mouth and upstream shorelines are hotspots for slot-sized stripers, responding well to swimming plugs, plastics, and bucktails. Shore anglers are finding success with peeler crab, razor clams, cut bait, bloodworms, and shrimp or squid. Trollers in the Patuxent and Potomac are also catching stripers as weather stabilizes.
Spot, perch, and croaker are abundant in both rivers. In the Patuxent, prime spots include Hawk’s Nest, Kingston Hollow, Sandy Point, and the Three Legged. Captain Bernie Shea, aboard his charter boat Shea-D-Lady, reports strong catches of spot, mixed with white perch and croaker. Spot have moved upriver to Benedict and into creeks, including the St. Mary’s River, where they bite bloodworms along shorelines and off piers and docks.
White perch are plentiful in local creeks, with anglers using small spinner baits like Beetle Spins and Pech Hounders. Puppy drum are expected to arrive soon, promising even more variety for fishermen.
In the Chesapeake Bay, bluefish ranging from 18 to 24 inches are being caught by trollers using surgical eel lures. A cold front disrupted fishing on Sunday and Monday, but the Target ship area yielded large cobia, caught and released, before the weather shift. Starting June 17, 2025, mid-bay fishing resumed for trollers, chummers, and live eel fishermen targeting cobia, with excellent conditions forecasted for the week.
The diversity of fish species reflects the health of St. Mary’s County waters, making it a prime destination for anglers. Striped bass, a favorite among sport fishermen, thrive in structured areas like bridge pilings. Spot, perch, and croaker support both recreational and commercial fishing, while bluefish and cobia signal peak summer opportunities. Timing is critical, with tidal changes enhancing catches, and local charter services like Shea-D-Lady offer guided trips to maximize success.
With favorable weather ahead, St. Mary’s County remains a top fishing spot. Anglers can rely on local expertise from sources like St. Mary’s Tacklebox to navigate the best locations and techniques, ensuring a rewarding experience for all skill levels.
