6/30/2017 Update:
With cool waters flowing out of the Conowingo Dam, many fish have moved up close. Striper anglers casting into the pool are having some success though many of the fish are throwbacks. Herbs Bait and Tackle confirmed that rockfishing has slowed down, and that many of the fish being caught are undersized.They also said, however, that the North East River has been packed with catfish and bass. In the rivers and on the flats, the rockfish have been hitting topwater lures. Most of the action comes at daybreak and again, many of the fish are small. The bass have been biting artificial grubs and poppers. Catfish are biting cut bunker and clams, and are often being caught in deeper river water.
The upper Delaware Bay and the C & D Canal are still producing good white perch and catfish action. Grass shrimp and bloodworms fished on bottom rigs are best for the perch, and cut bait does the trick for the catfish.
Crabbing has been slow, however as waters warm up more crabs should move further North and be caught.
6/23/2017 Update:
Larger fish have left the Susquehanna due to rising water temperatures this week. However, the Susquehanna is still packed full of catfish and small perch. Most perch left in the rivers are smaller in size, post spawn males. The largest perch reported this week was 13 inches, and was caught on bloodworm. If you`re looking to catch some larger catfish, you might consider heading down to the Delaware portions of the Nanticoke River and fishing the channel. On Wednesday the 21st, Captain Bones Bait and Tackle weighed in a 26 pound blue catfish, and a 36.20 pound blue catfish, the latter setting a new Delaware state record. Both fish were caught on night crawlers in the morning.
Although windy weather this week kept many anglers off the Bay, those who did get out enjoyed catching plenty of large rockfish. Herb’s Bait Shop reported that anglers running to the Upper Bay and fishing around Rock Hall were catching 28 to 34 inch striped bass, often times limiting out within the first hour of being on the water. Charter boats who came home with coolers full of fish used cut bunker as bait, and were chumming.
There haven’t been many crabs up the bay, however about two weeks from now they should move in. Reports from farther south indicate crabbing should only get better!
6/17/2017 Update:
Yesterday evening a dolphin was spotted just a mile south of the Bay Bridge, and it was headed north! If you see one in the area you're fishing, a move may be in order - they do chase stripers, and the fish seem to get mighty sketchy when dolphin are around. Still, this is pretty unusual and an exciting sighting for many people, so keep your cameras at the ready.
6/16/2017 Update:
Waters have been crowded in the Northern part of the Chesapeake and tributaries with bass tournaments going on this week, but that hasn't put a damper on the bite - largemouth bass have been caught in large numbers since the beginning of June, and show no signs of slowing down. For those looking to catch the bass, most anglers are catching them on lures rather than bait. Rat-L-Traps, spinner baits, and poppers in the shallows have produced the most bass. Catfish are not only in abundance near the Conowingo Dam, but they`re also quite large. Herbs Bait and Tackle reported that they saw anglers catch 37- to 40-inch catfish at the base of the Dam this week, and that most local anglers are using shrimp for bait. However, as usual, catfish will bite just about anything you drop down in front of them.
Perch are being caught around Port Deposit in 25 feet of water, as well as in most local creeks. Perch fishing has been good since April and shows little sign of slowing down, with most anglers bringing home dinner. Both white perch and catfish are still biting in the C & D Canal, as well, with bloodworms being best for the perch and cut fish or chicken livers taking most of the catfish. Rockfishing has also been steady up north this past week, with most caught on bloodworms around Port Deposit. Many of these fish have been smaller in size, however, with just a few keepers in the mix, and they have been showing a clear preference for bait over lures.
6/9/2017 Update:
With warm weather the past few weeks and schoolie season in full swing, angers have been able to catch their fill of rockfish. Herbs Bait and Tackle reports that local anglers are catching rockfish in the Susquehanna live lining small perch, and using Rattle Traps and jigs. Blue, chartreuse, and white color combos have all been successful this season in bringing in fish. Rockfish are also being caught near Perryville, in Carpenters Point. Many smaller fish are up on the flats, as well as catfish this season. Catfish are hitting cut bunker, mullet, and herring not only in the Susquehanna but in the upper Nanticoke as well, according to Captain Bones Bait and Tackle. Another good spot for both flatheads and channel cats has been up in the dam pool.
Largemouth bass fishing has picked up around shorelines in the northern reaches of the Bay tributaries, but when the warm weather hits next week it should truly take off. This holds true for the crabbing as well – rising water temperatures should bring remaining crabs further up the bay, allowing for a great catch this year.
As always, perch are being found throughout local rivers and creeks, and are biting on bloodworm and grass shrimp. They've also been numerous in the C & D Canal the past couple of weeks, as well as up the Delaware from New Castle to above Wilmington.
6/2/2017 Update:
Sarge’s and Herbs Bait and Tackle report that despite the weather making things difficult the past week, there have been lots of Stripers out on the flats nailing stripers lures like BKD’s with white or chartreuse heads and tails, skirted plastics, and popper or chuggers early and late in the day when the fish are willing to come up and bust topwater. Chartreuse, white, and white/blue have been good color choices. Poppers are proving to be especially effective. Catfish and perch are just about everywhere, both in the rivers, the headwaters of the Bay, and also the C & D Canal. Anglers are using bloodworms and night crawlers for the perch, and cut bait for the catfish. Those using cut herring or bunker have been the most successful. Flatheads are all over the dam.
Anglers have also been targeting largemouth bass in many of the up-river portions of the tributaries. Fishing the edges of grassbeds has been the best tactic, and this should remain a good bet until the heat gets oppressive. Crappie are also active in some up-river haunts, especially around deadfall, and are taking shad darts and marabou jigs tipped with small live minnow.