Tangier Sound Fishing Report 3/30/2018 Update:
We still don't have much news to report for Tangier anglers, although stripers should be starting to show up around the marsh islands to provide us with some catch and release action any day now. Captain Walleye Pete gave us a great run-down on how to take advantage of this fishery in his article Eastern Shore Catch and Release Trophy Stripers in Pre-Season article, so be sure to check it out if you want to partake in this opportunity.
The other interesting tidbit to come from the area is that the first keeper flounder of the season was caught, on the sea-side in Virginian waters. We don't expect this bite to really kick in for a bit yet, as water temperatures along the coast are still in the mid 40's, but a week or two of warm weather will get things started for real.
Area anglers may also want to head up-river, to the fresher headwaters of the Nanticoke and the Wicomico. Both are still producing white perch for anglers casting shad darts tipped with grass shrimp or small minnow. Some small stripers have also been mixed in with the catch.
Tangier Sound Fishing Report 3/23/2018 Update:
The cold, harsh weather has shut down the Sound, making fishing near impossible and terribly unproductive. Unfortunately word from the ocean side of the Peninsula isn't any better; check out the Coastal Reports for more info, but you've been warned, the news is not good. The best bet for area anglers is to head up the rivers and target perch, crappie, and pickerel. If you'd to target crappie, you may want to check out our latest video, 3 Tips for Crappie Fishing. The action shots were filmed right there on the Eastern Shore.
Areas receiving a lot of runoff can be expected to be muddy and high for the next few days. That said, the upper Wicomico and Nanticoke were the best bets prior to the snow. Minnow fished under a bobber was the most productive offering, with grass shrimp coming in a close second. Captain Bones was also reporting a few small rockfish mixed into the catch, in the Nanticoke near the Maryland/Delaware line.
With the rough start to spring we're looking forward to bringing you more exciting reports and tips as the weather warms up and we start to see more action. Until then, folks, sorry - we can't control the weather!
Tangier Sound Fishing Report 3/16/2018 Update:
While the Tangier itself hasn't had any hot fishing lately, Sea Hawk Sports Center has been getting reports coming out of the Nanticoke, Wicomico, and Pocomoke of white perch hitting blood worms. The Pocomoke has had the most action lately, where there have also been strong pickerel and crappie runs taking place. Sea Hawk is suggesting using small jigs with orange, pink, or chartreuse curly tail grubs or a minnow to target the pickerel and crappie.
Some of the more interesting reports have been coming slightly to the north of the Sound, from the Blackwater river system. We've heard unconfirmed reports - but several of them - that snakeheads have already begun biting. Although most people target these fish with lures when the water's warmer, the scuttlebutt says fishing with large live minnow has been getting them to bite in the chilly weather.
Tangier Sound Fishing Report 3/9/2018 Update:
The Sound took a severe beating during the windstorm we had earlier this week. Water has been near un-fishable, filled with debris, murky, and basically trashed. Options for heading to the coast have also been essentially non-existent thanks to the wind and the weather. You can check the Coastal Reports, but they're mostly just filled with more of the same bad news. Luckily, area anglers can head inland and target perch in the upper Nanticoke and Wicomico. The bite has been good for yellow perch and whites as well, mostly on small bull minnow on shad darts. Grass shrimp fished on a bottom rig or under a bobber will also get them biting. The Eastern Shore millponds are also still an excellent option, with mostly crappie but also some bass and pickerel head-lining the action. The best bet is simply drifting a bobber rig with a shad dart or marabou jig two to three feet down, tipped with a small minnow, out in open water. Better action will come later in the day after the sun has had a chance to warm the water's surface.
ANGLER ALERT: There's talk of re-opening the black drum commercial fishery in the Chesapeake. Maryland has proposed the opening to the ASMFC and public input is now open, plus there will be a public meeting on the topic next week. See Angler Alert: Maryland Commercial Black Drum Re-Opening Proposed, to learn the details and make your voice heard.
Tangier Sound Fishing Report 3/2/2018
Although fishing in the Sound itself hasn't been especially exciting lately, the surrounding Tuckahoe, Choptank, Wicomico, and Nanticoke Rivers have all been teeming with life. (See the Mid Bay report, for info on some of the areas just to the north of the Sound). Pre-spawn yellows have been abundant, as well as catfish and white perch. Minnow have been a great bait for all species, as well as bloodworms. Keeping baits close to bottom is a sure way to get the catfish, which have been hanging out in deep holes and channels.
Switching over to freshwater fishing may be a good move for the moment, as the ponds near Salisbury have been hot. FishTalk Art Director Zach Ditmars encountered excellent pickerel, crappie, and bass fishing this past Wednesday. While all is quiet on the Sound and the recent storm may have a negative impact on the rivers, heading inland is likely to provide the best action for the immediate future.