LEONARDTOWN — Summertime fishing is heating up across Southern Maryland waters, with pier anglers at Point Lookout State Park enjoying some of the best action of the season, according to Ken Lamb of The Tackle Box.
Pier fishermen reported catching spot and bluefish in good numbers this week. Smaller spot are holding in the shallow water near the shore end of the pier. Anglers using bloodworms or lugworms are catching these fish and keeping them alive in buckets of bay water for use as cut bait or whole for targeting bluefish farther out on the structure. Blues of various sizes have been plentiful at the deeper end. Larger spot are also showing up consistently on the outer sections.
Bluefish activity remains strong throughout southern Maryland waters. Many of the fish are falling in the four- to eight-pound range and are responding well to trolling, casting, chumming and bottom fishing techniques.
Spanish mackerel are beginning to appear, though the largest schools remain farther south in the lower bay below Smith Point. Anglers should see improving numbers as waters warm.
Striped bass provided steady action for lure casters and trollers all week, with the best bites often coming in shallow water around daybreak. In the mouth of the Potomac River, casters found rockfish mixed with some impressive speckled trout. One experienced angler also reported success jigging lures on the bottom near the Navy Pier at the Patuxent River Recreation Center.
Cobia fishing continues to deliver exciting opportunities. Anglers are having success with sight casting, chumming with live eels, and trolling big surgical eels. Red eels have been particularly effective, though the fish will strike a variety of colors. Trollers often pick up bonus bluefish while targeting cobia. Action can be inconsistent day to day — with strong surges followed by slower periods — but bluefish provide reliable action in between.
White perch fishing has turned on nicely in local creeks and rivers. Bottom fishermen and those casting small spinners are reporting good catches, marking the start of consistent action for the species. Small puppy drum are also beginning to show in the creeks.
Spot and croaker are widespread in the Patuxent River. Captain Bernie Shea has been finding strong numbers of larger spot and keeper hardheads out of Solomons. This bottom fishery is expected to strengthen and produce even bigger fish through September.
As summer progresses, the combination of warming waters and active baitfish is creating excellent opportunities across the region. Whether fishing from piers, boats or shorelines, anglers have multiple species to target in St. Mary’s County and surrounding waters.
Local experts like Ken Lamb at The Tackle Box in Lexington Park continue to provide up-to-date reports and advice for those looking to get in on the action. Proper gear, fresh bait and attention to tide and time of day remain key to success.
