St. Mary’s County anglers are finding success with striped bass despite a cool start to the fishing season, according to Ken Lamb of the St. Mary’s Tacklebox.
Lamb reports that stripers remain active in the cold water. The fish are hitting jigs in the channels and drop-offs around Piney Point, where catch-and-release fishing remains in effect until May 16.
Shore fishermen in the St. Mary’s River are also catching keeper-size rockfish using jigs and swimming lures such as Rapalas, Yo-Zuris and Bomber Windcheaters. Many of the fish are in the 26- to 32-inch range. The cool water, which has just reached 60 degrees, has the stripers in fighting shape.
The fish are especially active at night when they feed in the shallows without fear of ospreys in the crystal-clear water.
Water conditions remain cold and clear. The normal murky conditions that occur when the water warms and crabs and perch move into the creeks have not yet arrived.
Lamb expects summer to bring very active crabs and fish to make up for lost time. The length of daylight triggers their instincts to feed, spawn and migrate. There are two full moons in May this year — May 1 and May 31, known as the Blue Moon. The first crab shed of the year is expected at the end of May, and the crabs will be intensely active. Fish will be looking for a crab dinner in the shallows, and the bite will be on.
Freshwater fishing is excellent right now. Crappie, bluegill and bass are hitting a variety of lures and bait in St. Mary’s Lake and local ponds. Live minnows and night crawlers are working particularly well.
