LEONARDTOWN, Md.— St. Mary’s County’s rivers and Chesapeake Bay are alive with fish, delivering a vibrant angling season, according to Ken Lamb of The Tackle Box in Lexington Park. Rockfish, bluefish, spot, trout, and catfish are thriving, with a storm-free forecast promising clear skies and calm winds from Thursday through the weekend, ideal for fishing.
Rockfish swarm shallow waters near mid-bay salt islands on the Eastern Shore side, with creek mouths pulsing on outgoing tides. In the Patuxent River, jiggers hook stripers at the Route 4 bridge pilings, using live spot or eels to spark frenzied strikes. The Potomac yields rockfish at Ragged Point’s stone piles for lure casters, while trollers dominate at Swan Point. On September 21, anglers trolling near Point No Point Lighthouse reeled in stunning stripers during the falling tide, their scales glinting under the sun.
Spot flood the Patuxent, biting relentlessly day and night. Lamb fished a creek off the Patuxent Sunday evening, landing spot, speckled trout, white perch, and black drum with nearly every cast of a Sabiki rig tipped with bloodworm bits. Yet, a Monday noon trip at dead low tide yielded nothing, highlighting the need for tidal movement in creeks. Meanwhile, Capt. Bernie Shea’s charter boat, working the main Patuxent channel, hauled spot two at a time, proving the river’s consistent action.
Bluefish electrify both bay and rivers. In the Chesapeake, chopper-sized blues, weighing 7 to 8 pounds with some topping 10, charge at lures. River and creek blues range from 8 inches to 4 pounds, offering varied thrills. Speckled trout pack the salt islands, joined by puppy drum and slot-sized red drum, while the lower Potomac teems with speckled trout. White perch remain elusive, with sporadic catches but no steady hauls. Blue catfish dominate the upper Potomac and the Patuxent above Benedict’s bridge, their numbers thick and aggressive.
A recent storm veered offshore, sparing St. Mary’s and setting up perfect fishing conditions, with temperatures in the mid-70s and light breezes forecast. The county’s 400 miles of shoreline, including Point Lookout State Park and St. George Island, provide prime access. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources enforces a one-rockfish daily limit (19-31 inches), 25 spot, 50 white perch, and 10 bluefish, requiring a fishing license, available at The Tackle Box.
The Tackle Box, at 22035 Three Notch Road since 1982, equips anglers with bait, Sabiki rigs, and expertise. St. Mary’s maritime heritage, rooted in colonial-era fisheries, thrives today, bolstered by Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts that enhance water quality and habitats. The 115-mile Patuxent and 405-mile Potomac offer diverse ecosystems, with creek mouths and bridge pilings as hotspots. Anglers should target moving tides, using live spot, eels, or bloodworm-tipped rigs for multi-species success. Charter boats from Solomons or Point Lookout, like Capt. Shea’s, guide novices and experts alike.
Public ramps at Piney Point and Bushwood Wharf ease access, while Point Lookout’s $5 entry includes ramp use. Solomons’ Calvert Marina offers rentals, and tide charts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration help plan trips. Local eateries like The Pier in Solomons serve fresh catches, tying St. Mary’s fishing to its culinary scene.