Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, November 25 Update:
Chesapeake Bay waters are clean and primed for some fantastic late fall fishing in the Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds. The shallow grass filled waters that are a signature of the sounds have been providing a fantastic fall fishery as a milder fall has kept water temperatures warmer than normal. We are finally starting to see water temperatures fall steadily and most areas are in the low to mid 50’s. Most of the anglers fishing this week have been targeting rockfish with plenty of success in the shallows but more quality fish are starting to school up while feeding in deeper water.
Sea Hawk Sports Center reports that rockfish are being caught in the shallows on swimbaits and shallow diving crankbaits. They recommend focusing efforts on creek mouths during high outgoing tides. Shoreline points and underwater structure like stump fields are also areas that the rockfish will frequent. Most fish are in the low- to mid-20s, which on light tackle makes for a fun fight. Larger concentrations of fish are being found in deeper waters of the sounds as they feed on schools of bait along channel edges. The open water fishery can be fantastic so anglers out on the water should keep a close look out for any concentrations of bird which may be indicating schools of rockfish are close by. Trolling umbrella rigs or bucktails is a popular method but light tackle jigging is a more interactive tactic that makes for a fun battle when you hook up. Depending on water depths and tide movement, you may need to use jigs between one and two ounces to get your bait down accurately. Most of the speckled trout and puppy drum have moved out of these areas to find warmer water down south. The farther south you fish, especially into the waters along the lower Eastern Shore of Virginia, the greater chance you have at late season specks and reds. Areas around Cape Charles have been red hot for the speckled trout this week. This season, let’s remember to be thankful for every opportunity we get to go fishing. Regardless of our successes, it is a blessing to enjoy the beauty and bounties in the outdoors of Delmarva. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, November 18 Update:
Eastern shore anglers fishing the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds have been blessed this fall with above average water temperatures and a superb shallow water striper bite. Colder temperatures are finally causing water temperatures to drop into the 50s this week, however, which means that fish in the shallows will begin to head to deeper water. Targeting creek mouths, shoreline points, and other structure is your best chance at catching the rockfish in the shallows before they school up deeper. Shorelines of Smith and Tangier Islands have ample areas of shallow water structure that is perfect for fish to lay near while waiting to ambush baitfish.
Anglers getting on the water during the pre-dawn hours have been rewarded with explosive topwater bites from quality rockfish. Fish into the mid-20s have been common and make for a fun fight on light tackle. Once the sun comes up, shallow diving hard baits thrown in these same areas are producing hook ups throughout the day. Tangier Sound Charters says that the rockfish have not been schooled up in big groups yet but there seem to be a few quality fish in a number of areas. They are also still seeing a few puppy drum in the Pocomoke sound caught using the same tactics for the rocks. Over the next few weeks, we will see the rockfish school up in the channels of the sounds. The open water fishery will turn on and searching for birds following schools of bait will often lead to hungry rockfish and tight lines. When in deeper water, jigging is a popular tactic for catching rockfish since you can get your bait wherever the fish are in the water column. Depending on water depth, a half ounce to a three-ounce jighead paired with paddletails or BKD’s is best for jigging on the schools of fish.
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, November 11 Update:
The fall weather has created some great fishing conditions in the Sounds of the Chesapeake Bay. Water temperatures are hovering between the upper 50’s and low 60’s this week and the rockfish are loving it. Baitfish are exiting the creeks and rivers to head for deeper water and the rockfish are in the shallows waiting to ambush them. Casting poppers, Zara Spooks, and paddletails near marsh edges, stump fields, and points are providing a lot of fun action for light-tackle anglers during the morning and evening hours.
Guide Pete Dahlberg of Four Seasons Guide Service has been enjoying spectacular fishing for rockfish in the shallows and in open water this week. He was finding water temperatures in the low to mid 60s before the cold front came in at the beginning of the week but the shot of cold air and cooling water temperatures hasn’t seemed to bother the fish. He has been catching lots of rockfish at sunrise on surface poppers and as the days progress, jerkbaits and paddletails have worked great. He says the key to being successful in the shallows of the Eastern Shore sounds is to find areas protected from the wind with clean water and a good moving tide. Stump fields, creek mouths, and points have been holding fish if the conditions are right. Dahlberg has been consistently putting his clients on plenty of quality rockfish in the mid 20’s. Captain C.L. Marshall of Tangier Sound Charters confirmed that the fishing in the shallows has also been great for him. What was surprising is that he has been catching fish in as shallow as one to two feet of water. The best bites have been coming during a rising tide. They have been catching rockfish, puppy drum, and speckled trout throwing BKD’s and paddletails. The shallow water fishery will likely remain good over the next few weeks just as long as the incoming storm doesn't muck things up too much, but as water temperatures get colder, the fish will move out to deeper water.
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, November 4 Update:
Fishing on the lower Eastern Shore is providing some of the best striper action of the year as water temperatures cool and days shorten. In the Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds, water temperatures have been fluctuating between the low 60s and upper 50s. This has turned the bite on in the shallows for the rockfish. Sea Hawk Sports Center reports that anglers have been throwing paddletails and shallow diving cranks near structure located in 10 foot of water or less. Stump fields, shoreline points, and creek mouths are all holding quality sized rock. The key to narrowing down an area to fish is making sure it has clean water and a moving tide.
Anglers willing to make it out to the fishing grounds before the sun rises have been rewarded with surface explosions on topwater plugs. Topwater action in the early morning has been incredible and rockfish smashing a surface lure is sure to get any anglers heart racing. Fish into the mid 20s have been common this week and catching them on light tackle makes for a fun fight. The rockfish action should remain good well into this month and the class of fish should continue to improve. Sea Hawk also mentioned that a handful of speckled trout and puppy drum are being caught on the same lures and in the same areas as the rocks.
Out in deeper water along shoals and lumps, white perch are schooling in their typical fall holes. Using a classic Chesapeake Sabiki rig or bottom rigs work best for the perch and bloodworms are one of their favorite baits. If you can’t find or don’t want to pay the price for bloodworms, Fishbites can work just as well. The perch offer a great opportunity to fill the freezer with tasty fillets that can be enjoyed during the colder months.