Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, March 26 Update:
Perch and cats, perch and cats, perch and cats! The folks at Herbs note that the target has shifted from yellows to whites on the perch front, but those whites are already around in good numbers and fish up to 12-inches are hitting bloodworms cast from shore. Rocky Point was particularly good this week, with catches counted by the dozen plus some 20-inch rockfish in the mix as well. There are also some stripers on the flats, but if you want to shoot for ‘em you’d better act fast — remember, as of April 1 even catch-and-release fishing for rock is out of bounds.
Catfish? Yes, catfish. They’re still everywhere, in the river, around the flats, and in the C & D canal in great numbers. Herb’s noted that a commercial hook-and-liner went for catfish recently and broke 1,000 pounds in a single day. Who wants to try for a new cumulative catfish PB?
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, March 19 Update:
Although Clyde’s Sports Shop and Herb’s let us know that the waters have been fairly quiet in recent days, many areas are showing promise for the upcoming weeks. Herb’s identified the North East River, Turkey Point, Town Park, and Charlestown Pier as all having the beginnings of a solid yellow perch bite. These areas are also producing white perch and the (very) occasional crappie for anglers hitting them. Tochterman’s recommended using small shad darts tipped with bull minnow or jigging shad darts with a grub off the bottom for the yellows. Most anglers coming into their shop, as well as others throughout the region, are reporting these methods are working for them. Tochterman’s and Herb’s also suggested hitting up the lower Susquehanna or Port Deposit for a catch-and-release striper bite. Although it isn’t super great, it’s the best north of the Bridge right now. Herb’s mentioned that there have been some additional catches from Charlestown Pier south to the Flats.
If you’re looking for a more reliable bite, Clyde’s recommended heading across the Bridge to the mill ponds. They’ve had better action for pickerel, crappie, and perch than we’re seeing on the Western shore right now.
For blue cats, Tochterman’s recommended hitting up the Dam or Susquehanna Flats if you’re looking to stay local. As always, fresh-cut baits on the bottom are the catfish’s favorite treat. If you’re hoping for some real monster cats, they suggested heading south to the Potomac. They’ve heard excellent catfish reports from the area.
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, March 12 Update:
The changes in the weather triggered a supercharged yellow perch bite this week, and reader reports came in from Perryville, near Garrett Island, and the channel between the Route 40 and 95 bridges, of hand-over-fish catching. Minnows were reported to be the best offering but two-inch tubes and twisters were also effective when rigged on top-and-bottom rigs and jigged deep on or near bottom. Captain Bones confirmed these reports, and let us know that this week was the first truly solid run of yellows they’ve seen.
We also had a couple reports of fat cats on the Susquehanna Flats and throughout the Elk. The Dam Pool is holding cats as well, and regardless of location, cut baits are absolutely the way to go if you want to catch catfish. The winter season and demise of traditional wintertime activities due to COVID has given plenty of anglers time to hone in their cat-fishing strategies, we’ve heard absolutely excellent catfish reports throughout this winter, and there’s no reason to expect this to change any time soon.
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, March 5 Update:
Yellow perch were on this past week at Perryville and surrounding areas, with multiple anglers reporting a good bite in the deep water. Minnow at or on bottom were the best offering, either on a jig or on bottom rigs, and we have reader reports that they were producing much better than plastics or nightcrawlers recently. However, we heard some solid reports from other areas of the lower Susquehanna that yellow perch there are happy to take bottom rigs with bloodworms.
Readers are also reporting plenty of channel and blue catches in the deeper areas of the lower Susquehanna. They’ve continued to take chunks of cut menhaden, as well as chicken breast and liver. Whatever is juiciest and freshest seems to be best, although the cats don’t discriminate much.