CHESAPEAKE BAY, Md. — Bluefish have dominated the Chesapeake Bay from Hooper’s Island Light to Smith Point, with schools breaking on peanut bunker throughout the first week of July 2025, according to Ken Lamb of The St. Mary’s Tacklebox. The fish, larger in southern waters but sizable across the region, have drawn anglers using spoons and surgical hose-type eels for trolling, while lure casters favor spoons, Gotchas, and flashy, moving baits.
Steady catches of striped bass, or rockfish, are reported at the mouth of the Patuxent River, where anglers casting bucktails, plastics, topwater poppers, and swimming plugs have found success. Jiggers targeting rockfish at the Solomons Bridge pilings continue to report eager bites. Trollers working the Patuxent shoreline with small bucktails have also landed notable catches.
Bay.
Cornfield Harbor, at the mouth of the Potomac River, offers rockfish, trout, and redfish for lure casters working drop-offs and shallow waters. In Breton Bay, lure casters targeting docks and shoreline structures have reported strong white perch catches, with similar success in the Patuxent River.
Bottom fishermen are finding spot, croaker, perch, and occasional flounder from Point Patience to Half Pone Point, Green Holly, Drum Point, and off the O’Club. In the Potomac, spot are abundant at Ragged Point, Cobb Island, and Bushwood. Cobia fishing is improving, with keeper-sized fish caught off Point Lookout and below the Target Ship, while undersized cobia, ranging from 25 to 35 inches, are present in the Potomac’s mouth.
The bluefish surge has been particularly notable for its consistency, with schools feeding aggressively on juvenile menhaden, known as peanut bunker. Trolling with spoons and eels allows anglers to cover large areas, capitalizing on the bluefish’s schooling behavior. Casting lures that mimic the flash and movement of baitfish has proven effective for those targeting breaking schools closer to the surface.
Striped bass, a prized species in the bay, remain a reliable target, particularly in the Patuxent. The Solomons Bridge pilings, a known hotspot, attract rockfish due to the structure’s ability to concentrate baitfish. Jigging with soft plastics or metal jigs near these pilings requires precision but yields consistent results. Trollers in the Patuxent benefit from working shallow waters, where small bucktails imitate the forage preferred by rockfish.
Cornfield Harbor’s diverse fishery reflects the Potomac’s productivity, with drop-offs providing ideal ambush points for predatory fish. Breton Bay’s perch fishery, bolstered by docks and shoreline cover, offers accessible opportunities for shore-based and small-boat anglers. White perch, a smaller but abundant species, are a staple for light-tackle enthusiasts in both Breton Bay and the Patuxent.
Bottom fishing remains productive across multiple locations, with spot and croaker dominating catches. Flounder, though less common, add variety for anglers using cut bait or jigs. The Potomac’s spot fishery, concentrated at key locations, supports both recreational and bait-fishing efforts, as spot are a preferred live bait for larger predators like cobia.
Cobia, a seasonal visitor to the bay, are becoming more prevalent as water temperatures rise. Keeper-sized fish, meeting Maryland’s minimum size limit of 40 inches, are concentrated in southern waters, while smaller fish in the Potomac offer hope for future seasons. Anglers targeting cobia often use live bait or large jigs, focusing on areas with strong tidal flow.
Anglers are encouraged to follow Maryland Department of Natural Resources regulations, including size and creel limits, to ensure sustainable fisheries. The St. Mary’s Tacklebox, a trusted local source, provides ongoing updates on bay conditions and tackle recommendations.