Tangier Sound Fishing Report, 9/28/2018 Update:
Finding the birds is still a top tactic in the Sound - be sure to check out Keepers in the Chaos: How to Catch Big Fish Under Working Birds, if you're being plagued by throw-backs without managing to fill the cooler. But the numbers of Spanish mackerel is on the decline and considering the recent drop in temperatures, this species will probably pull a disappearing act in short order. Small (often embarrassingly small) bluefish and rock are the bulk of the fish. And unfortunately, the drum and cobia that had been making things interesting just outside of the Sound appear to have already departed the area.
Bottom fishermen are still doing well, with a few spot, croaker, white perch, flounder (mostly undersized) and snapper blues in the mix. Peeler crab and blood worms are the top baits. The brightest spot in the area is really the crabbing, which continues to be excellent. Trot-liners working in the five foot range have been loading up their baskets, using chicken necks.
Tangier Sound Fishing Report, 9/21/2018 Update:
The birds are everywhere, so check for diving flocks which is a telltale for either Spanish mackerel or bluefish, which have been getting heavier and heavier populated in the Sound for a while now. In fact, reports indicate that the Tangier may be the top Spanish spot on the Bay for the time being. But with temperatures falling this won’t last long, so try pulling those small three and four inch gold and silver spoons, behind planers, while the action lasts. Light tackle addicts should try casting spoons into the frenzy, which isn't quite as effective as trolling most days but will still get you hooked up. There will be a few stripes mixed in, too, though not nearly as many as in points farther north.
Live lining in around 25 feet towards the barrier islands has been a great way to hook up with keeper stripers, especially with chum in the water. A rare cobia may also show up during outgoing tides, brought in with a heavy chum slick and caught on cut bait. Though we didn't have any verified cobia reports this week that's likely due to the weather we've been having and a resulting lack of effort; there should still be a few around here or there, at least for another week or two.
Some croaker have been getting brought in the boat, caught in the mix while fishing for spot and white perch; hard bottom really is the trick here so look for a nice patch in around 15 to 20 feet of water. Bloodworms and peeler crab have been the top baits. Bottom fishermen are also picking up a few (small) flounder with a occasional rare keeper in the mix.
Added Crabbing Side Note: the September crabbing has been a miracle, a saving grace really. We’re getting lots of reports of great hauls, and you have to get out in the mornings to see how well the population looks. Razor clams are doing better than chicken necks at the moment, but don’t fret too much about that, both are producing so go get ‘em while they’re hot!
Tangier Sound Fishing Report, 9/14/2018 Update:
Editor’s Note: Due to Hurricane Florence, some areas of our region (particularly to the south) will be unfishable this weekend while others may be fishable but with challenges like unusual tides on top of breezy conditions. Please note that while we’ve done out best to gather quality intel, basically, as this storm causes radically changing conditions, all bets are off.
The Sound has been under a mack attack, as the Spanish mackerel are making a strong appearance in many people's fishing days. Trolling has been bringing these guys over the gunwales consistently, especially on silver spoons. Trolling at six knots will about do the trick, and these fish make for a surprisingly good snack (just remember that like blues, they shouldn't be frozen and are far better when fresh). Birds have been marking the schools in some areas recently, in which case you're also likely to encounter small stripers and blues. Be sure to check out the upcoming October edition of FishTalk, which will be on the streets in a couple of weeks and includes a feature on how to most effectively fish under working birds.
The mouth of the Wicomico river is a great spot if you’re going after, well, spot! They’ve been hanging out in relatively shallow water, 15 feet seems to be the ticket. As an added bonus, croaker are being caught a fair bit at the same locations as the spot. Oyster beds are excellent places to find these guys, so give it a try if the striper bite slows down…
...which doesn’t seem likely, as the rockfish are chomping away at just about anything you decide to throw in the water. Topwater has been picking up in a variety of places during the morning’s outgoing tide, and jigging in 20 feet of water near structure has also been great when using a chartreuse or white BKD. As the Sound’s waters continue to cool a bit this action should only improve. Unfortunately, on the other hand we didn’t hear a peep about speckled trout, this week.
Crab Alert: Crabbing has been at its strongest yet this year, in five to eight feet of water in recent days. Full bushel catches of fat, heavy crabs are being reported.
Tangier Sound Fishing Report, 9/7/2018:
Bottom fishing has been excellent this week in the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds. Most anglers are using a mix of peeler crab, spot, and shrimp for bait, and have been catching a bountiful mix of spot, croaker, white perch, and small bluefish. Breaking fish can be seen at times in the area and are usually bluefish and Spanish mackerel chasing bait. If you see any breaking schools, toss a topwater lure to hook up with those blues and macks, or opt for jigs of the larger size in order to find the big bass and an occasional red drum, as well.
Many area anglers are running out to the Target Ship zone, where there are still some redfish to be found (though the bite has become tougher) and some cobia can be sighted. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and a few stripers are also in the mix for the trollers out there. Spoons and red and green hoses have all been effective.
The heat is still suppressing the bite in the shallows, but a few (mostly small) stripers and a very occasional speck can still be found. The smart move, however, is probably to wait for a bit of a cool-off before focusing on the edges of the marsh islands. In the meantime, for you Tangier lovers: keep your eyes peeled for the October edition of FishTalk, hitting the streets late this month. In it, we have a detailed Tangier Sound where-to article including marked charts and oodles of solid information on where and how to be successful in the Sound.
- By Parker Martin