ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — Large schools of red drum in the 35- to 55-inch range have moved into the mid-Chesapeake Bay this week, according to local fishing reports.
Hundreds of these oversized “bull” red drum were observed moving from Smith Point to Point Lookout. Because the maximum keeper size is 27 inches, all fish are being released back into the breeding schools. Anglers are sight casting to the schools using large, colorful jigs.
Cobia are also active on the Middle Grounds and below the Target Ship. Chummers are using ground alewife and fresh alewife chunks to draw fish into the slick. Live eels remain the preferred bait, though live spot and cut bait are also producing strikes. Cobia tend to stay in the first chum line they encounter, so late arrivals to a spot may find fewer fish. More cobia under the 43-inch minimum size limit are present than over it.
Rockfish action is improving as the moon waxes. The lower Potomac River from Point Lookout to St. George Island has produced good catches this week. Lure casters working weed beds in the St. Mary’s River have also done well. In the Patuxent River, rockfish are biting in the shallows for both trollers and casters during cool, calm periods at daybreak and sunset. Trollers working the 15- to 40-foot edges are finding success with small umbrella rigs and tandem setups.
Bluefish are plentiful for both surf casters and trollers. Most fish are in the 15- to 20-inch range, with some larger chopper-sized blues (25 to 30 inches) scattered throughout the area.
Spot are in good numbers at the mouth of the Patuxent River, with some keeper-sized hardhead mixed in. Smaller 2- to 3-inch spot are abundant in creeks and rivers on sandy bottoms in about 18 inches of water. These smaller spot can be caught quickly on Sabiki rigs tipped with bits of bloodworm on moving tides and make excellent bait.
