Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 31 Update:
Trolling still seems to be the most productive means of catching fish on the Eastern side, particularly around Love Point and from the LP buoy down to the bridge. Many anglers are gathering around the channel edges of Podickory Point and Love Point, as well. Tochterman's reported that a fair amount of angles have been light tackle jigging using white, chartreuse, and purple BKDs or other soft plastics. Both the bridge pilings and the sewer pipe have been holding some fish into the mid-20-inch range, for the jigging crowd to enjoy. Reader reports cumulatively seem to indicate that recently, white is the top color pick regardless of the tactics being employed.
Chunking and chumming are popular options as well, but once again we need to point out that there are large numbers of catfish around the area right now. We received a ton – yes we mean a ton – of reports and photos from chummers and bait anglers catching catfish in the Upper Bay over the holiday weekend, and it’s easy to underestimate the amount of bait needed to put rockfish in the box, when not taking into account the amount cats you’ll likely be snagging!
White perch have been throughout the Bay and tribs, and are easily accessible from shore or boat. Sarge’s suggested just heading to your local dock or pier and casting out a bottom rig with blood worms, which the perch are eager to take. Catfish are throughout the tribs as well, and perch fishermen shouldn’t be surprised if the rod starts bending a bit more than usual. To focus solely on the perch, the best bet is to cast Perch Pounders, Beetle Spins, or similar lures which the catfish rarely accost.
Crabbing report: We only heard from one trot-liner who tried north of the Bridge this week, but he did manage to put together a half-full bushel basket.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 24 Update:
Coming home with dinner has been easier this week than in the recent past, as the Upper Bay has been producing fish just north of the bridge. Trolling still seems to be the most productive means of catching fish on the Eastern side, particularly around Love Point and from the LP buoy down to the bridge. The fish have been on the move, so trying different locations is a good tactic. Fishbones recommends trolling light tackle, such as small tandems, spoons, and two to three-ounce bucktails. The median size fish has been somewhere between 19 and 24 inches, however, there have been a few of outliers. Chummers have also been doing well in these areas, but chumming has been stronger on the Western side of the Bay with Podickory Point, Six Foot knoll, Swan Point, and Belvidere Shoals all producing fish primarily in the earlier part of the day. Podickory is a top destination, with most of the chumming bites coming on deep lines set at or near the bottom in 20 to 30 feet of water.
Chummers should be conscious of the catfish situation, and bring extra bait. Plenty of baits on the bottom are being snatched up by this non-target species – in fact, we’ve heard from readers throughout the area who have been catching significantly more catfish than stripers, while chumming.
Anglers dropping bloodworms on bottom rigs are now finding white perch in the usual summer spots. Oyster shell bottom in 12 to 20 feet of water is best. They're also being caught by anglers casting around docks and piers in the Magothy.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 16 Update:
Although the catching has been tough in recent weeks, many anglers gathering around the channel edges of Podickory Point and Love Point are finding fish as we move from trophy season into schoolie season. Tochterman's reported that many guys have been light tackle jigging using white, chartreuse, and purple BKDs or other soft plastics. As the season opens up, plenty of anglers will be leaving the docks with buckets of chum and plenty of fresh menhaden, too. Chunking and chumming are popular options - but beware of the large numbers of catfish around the area right now. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of bait needed to put rockfish in the box, when not taking into account the pesky cats.
FishTalk Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow says he's caught as lot more catfish than stripers this spring, and notes that this week he filleted a five-pounder and found it made an excellent sandwich when rolled in corn meal and fried. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em - might as well take advantage of this stellar catfish fishery while it lasts!
Meanwhile in the tribs, Fishbone’s reported a strong white perch bite in the Magothy and across the Bay in the Chester. Bloodworms and grass shrimp on a bottom rig have been the most common ways to go after them.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 10 Update:
Trophy season catches have picked up slightly in the past week – anglers trolling around the Bridge have had some luck, but catching has required fairly long trips on the water and great patience. For those who stick at it, eventually it can pay off. Better trolling is going on down south around Point Lookout (see the Lower Bay reports for more details), and pulling umbrellas, large bucktails, and parachutes has been popular up and down the Bay. White and chartreuse are the most popular colors. Tochterman's reported that most guys coming in who have caught fish are traveling for them, making the run or the long tow south.
Light tackle fishing has picked up in the mouths of the tributaries and around the Bay Bridge Pilings. Although fish being caught in these areas have primarily been schoolie sized, once you get into them they’re providing steady action and great fun. The Magothy has been productive, and inside the river is holding white perch and catfish, as well. Actually, the blue and channel catfish are still everywhere throughout the Bay and tribs, taking cut bait, usually bunker, set on bottom. Virtually every reader report we received from anglers hoping to hook trophy stripers on bait included talk of catfish, catfish, and more catfish.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 3 Update:
Running south may be a good bet, for the weekend. Today's overall catch was up significantly, judging from reports coming in, our experience on the Ebb Tide this morning, and the chatter back at the dock. Fishing has not magically become red-hot, but many boats cranked a keeper or two plus some throw-backs. The best action came from Calvert Cliffs south, and from the sound of things, the farther south you ran the better. White and chartreuse umbrellas run from board lines did the catching.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, May 2019:
There’s been a lot of action in the Upper Bay this past week, but not necessarily the kind of action anyone was expecting. Trophy season is off to a lackluster start and many boats are still coming in without having had a hit after trolling the channels with umbrellas, tandems, and large spoons. Love Point, Podickory Point, and the channel south of the Bay Bridge to Thomas Point have been popular spots to try. Meanwhile, however, anglers soaking bait in search of a trophy have enjoyed steady hits – from catfish – just about anywhere they fish. Many are nice, up into the 10- to 15-pound range, and there’s a mix of channel cats and blues, with many boats reporting up to a dozen or more in a day. However, these same anglers aren’t having much success on stripers and there have only been a handful of trophies landed. There are reports of big stripers still up in the spawning grounds, so everyone's fingers are crossed for a sudden exodus that turns on the bite - it could happen at any time.
Tochterman’s reported that the slow striper bite has been driving many anglers to venture to freshwater sources for their fish dinner. Crappie, bass, and pickerel have been abundant at Loch Raven, as well as many other local lakes and ponds. See the Freshwater report, for more details.