Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Report, April 28 Update:
Excitement is building in these here parts, folks — we had a report of a single speck from the sounds last weekend, then a reader checked in after catching two (a 17” and a 19”) mid-week. We also heard from some anglers who looked for ‘em but found only stripers in the shallows. Plenty of stripers (mostly in the 20- to 26-inch range) are in the shallows where one might find the specks, and of course must immediately be released. However, effort directed towards these fish hasn’t been huge. Sea Hawk is noting that up until now many area anglers have been heading for the ocean side to get in on the spring flounder bite. Most of the catches have been good if not spectacular, ranging from a couple of keepers up to a catch of six (see the Coastal Report for more). With multiple trout now reported in the Tangier and Pocomoke it’s game on and we’d bet a lot more folks start gunning for them in the coming days, after these winds chillax and the water has a few days to settle out.
There’s also still a good bit of interest in heading for Eastern Shore sweetwater even as the salty options wake up for spring, simply because the fishing’s been so darn good. The millponds are producing great bass, crappie, and pickerel action, and the Blackwater snakehead picked up the pace this week as the weather warmed. We also got a report of constant action from Coastal Correspondent John Unkart after he kayak fished the upper Pocomoke using crayfish for bait and “everything ate them up.”
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Report, April 23 Update:
Woooohooo! It's ON with plenty of options in this neck of the woods, people. We saw plenty of reports of flounder this week from the oceanside in Chincoteague and Sea Hawk let us know that quite a few anglers had solid days, bringing in multiple flounder. On the sound-side the first speck report from the Tangier came in, so hitting the islands is now a realistic option. We note that the angler reporting the speck also was catching stripers, which of course can't be targeted right now, so be prepared to gently release those rockfish asap if you accidentally hook one while prowling for specks. From the surf, there were black drum caught throughout the week. Up the Pocomoke, the crappie, pickerel, and perch are still biting strong. Boats headed in or guys loading up their trucks at the end of the trip have had little excess room on their stringers. There are plenty of species biting right now, and plenty of fish to go around.
Some anglers are also heading inland to the millponds, which are providing peak action on crappie right now. AIC Lenny Rudow reports that a trip to Salisbury early this week produced over two dozen fat crappie plus smalls, plenty of pickerel action, and bass and bluegill, all in a driving downpour. The fish were hitting minnow on darts under bobbers, but better action came casting two-inch red and white tube jigs. Silver produced as well, but red/white was the bomb. Both casting and slow-trolling were very effective and most of the nice fish were out in three to four feet of open water with smaller fish on shoreline structure.
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Report, April 16 Update:
Sea Hawk checked in to let us know that white perch are still on in the rivers, plus a surprising number of crappie for anglers fishing minnow. The perch are coming in fair numbers, and although small, persistent anglers are enjoying bringing home full stringers. Most of the perch are solid mediums, with a few deviating beyond the bounds. Excitingly, there was rumor of a speck caught this week in the Pocomoke. This singular report is unconfirmed, but given the pace they’ve been headed up our Bay through Virginia already, plausible. The Sound also has also allegedly produced a few flounder in the past week, another indication that we may be in for a solid spring season this year. Stay tuned for confirmation!
Despite the early appearance of salty species, many anglers in this area are, of course, setting their sights on Blackwater and tributary snakeheads. While reports aren't indicating huge numbers as of yet some monster-sized fish were caught this week, and FishTalk kayak sharpie Zach Ditmars reporting a couple very nice fish striking on white paddle-tail swimbaits. Some anglers have surmised that a spawn may be underway, squelching the bite a bit... but that would only mean that soon we'll be spotting those fry balls!
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Report, April 9 Update:
Sea Hawk Sports Center reports that the Pocomoke has a strong white perch run right now. All throughout the creeks, they’re available from shore and by boat. Some anglers who headed out this week reported catches upwards of 30, with highly variable sizes. Lots of the perch have been little guys, but sticking at ‘em is producing enough big ones to take home for lunch and dinner. Otherwise, crappie are still running strong in the Nanticoke. Both species are happy to take bloodworms or small minnow on a bottom rig or under a bobber. They also noted that flounder reports continue to come in from the sea-side.
The Blackwater snakehead continue to pick up steam despite the slight hiccup in the spring warm-up last week, and the waters warmed back up enough over the weekend for angler to make decent if not spectacular catches. Readers report zero to six fish on paddle tails, swimbaits, and minnow, with four- to five-inch white paddle tails rigged weedless on weighted “spring-lock” hooks being a top producer recently. Two or three fish seemed to be about average. If you're headed for snake country, don't forget to register for the Great Chesapeake Invasives Count - it's free, and you can win all sorts of prizes (this month an Engel Live Bait cooler and a bunch of gift certificates to the Woolford Store are being offered up) for catching those sneks!
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Report, April 2 Update:
Sea Hawk reports that panfish are still a great option and the bite is kicking. Throughout the Pocomoke crappie, white perch, pickerel, and the occasional yellow perch are willing to bite. Shad darts tipped with minnow, tiny soft plastics, and bottom rigs with bloodworm are all working well. For the pickerel, a live minnow is the best bait. Bass are also occasionally being caught, but not with the same frequency as panfish. In the Snow Hill area, we heard mixed results regarding the panfish and bass bites, although some anglers were reporting good perch catches. There are also rumors floating around that the Pocomoke Sound also produced a few flounder this week! We didn’t get photo verification but considering how the fish have begun running early at the mouth of the Bay, it certainly is an intriguing report…
The Blackwater snakes are officially awake! FishTalk kayak fishing sharpie Zach Ditmars and Contributor Eric Packard both hit those waters and caught a couple/few snakes each, including a 28-incher, plus bass. Minnow and a white paddle tail did the trick, and one fish even came up top to hit a Whopper Plopper.