Tangier Sound Fishing Report, July 2017

7/28/2017 Tangier Sound Fishing Report Update:

Due to hot weather and rising water temperatures fishing in some areas of the Sound have slowed a bit, particularly for stripers, which are still around in large numbers but are mostly small. According to the folks at Sea Hawk chumming has been the best option for filling the box. A few blues are also tearing through chum slicks, as well as an occasional cobia, but the cobia bites in general have become fewer and farther between.  Those casting jigs and topwater in the shallows have been reeling in mostly small stripers plus some speckled trout. The speck bite in general has held up well through the summer but as we hit the dog days one has to expect the bite to be squelched, and judging by the numbers of fish that stuck around thus far, when the water cools off some the bite should improve quickly.

Bottom fishermen focusing on the edges off Jane's Island and Crisfield are also encountering some eating-sized spot, croaker, and fair numbers of kingfish. They’re mostly taking bloodworms and peeler crab, however, anglers using cut clam are doing best on the kingfish. We've heard the term "jumbo spot" used a few times but historically true jumbos were a foot long and weighed a pound or more, and we haven't seen any pictures yet that verify true jumbo status. Some flounder and even a few puppy drum have been mixed in, too, but not in good numbers. 

Crabbing remains good throughout the sound, however many crabs have been light and a molt is coming soon.

7/21/2017 Tangier Sound Fishing Report Update:

Sea Hawk Sports Center reports that most rockfish in the sound right now have been smaller in size, and primarily in 10 to 14 feet of water. Chumming has been the tactic of choice for getting them in the boat, however, anglers casting jigs are doing just fine. White perch are abundant in the sound, as are spot, and bottom fishermen are also encountering some kingfish. They’re mostly taking bloodworms and grass shrimp. A few croaker and flounder are in the mix as well, but not in the numbers we'd hope for.

Speckled trout are still being caught, and are still in shallow waters despite rising water temperatures. Casting four to six inch BKDs, topwater lures, and GULP Jerk Shad in white, pink, and chartreuse has produced the most fish. A few puppy drum and plenty of small stripers are also part of the catch for those casting lures to marsh islands, stump fields, and rockpiles.

A few cobia have been caught in the sound, however fishing for them has slowed down in recent weeks.

Crabbing remains good throughout the sound.

7/14/2017 Tangier Sound Fishing Report Update:

Shallow waters around marsh edges in the Tangier Sound are still (!) holding decent numbers of speckled trout and small rockfish. Casting topwater and using BKDs, Bass Assassins, and GULPs have been catching the most fish, particularly around daybreak and dusk. White, chartreuse, and pink are top color choices. Puppy drum pop up now and again too, but not in great numbers. One angler told us he had success on the puppies using GULP shrimp on white bucktails. Bottom fishermen are enjoying a good bite out in the open Sound, as kingfish and spot are now both plentiful and are taking bloodworms. Some croaker are also in the mix plus a bonus flounder now and again.

Creeks and rivers feeding the Sound still hold white perch, which are biting blood worms and grass shrimp.

Crabbing in the Sound has been excellent, and many watermen are coming home with full bushel baskets.

7/7/2017 Tangier Sound Fishing Report:

Matt at Sea Hawk Sport Center let us know that the speckled trout bite in the Tangier Sound has stayed hot this July. Despite rising water temperatures, speckled trout have been throughout the sound, and casting at structure and the banks of the islands has produced boatloads of fish for many anglers. Matt also told us that Bass Assassins in albino ghost and MirrOlures are what the specks have been biting. Plenty of small stripers are mixed into the catch, as well as a few puppy drum now and again.

Bottom fishermen in open waters have encountered kingfish (sea mullet) in decent numbers recently, along with some croaker and spot. Bloodworms remain the best bait for this mixed bag. Those working jigs (try five-inch chartreuse or white GULP jerk shad on a one-ounce head) and Fluke Killer rigs with minnow have also encountered some flounder. The Sound is also holding cobia, however, not in particularly high numbers. Anglers who have been catching them are chumming cut bunker, and the cobia catch is mixed in with sharks and small blues, depending on what depth anglers were chumming in. There still haven't really been high enough concentrations of these fish for sight-fishing to be incredibly productive.

Crabs are packed tight into the sound, but mostly in deeper, saltier water after the rain this week.