Cool Start to Season
It has been a cool start for the fishing season. Fortunately, the striped bass are active in cold water and there have been some catches.
Eric Packard fishes from his kayak to catch and release hefty stripers in Piney Point. The season opens there May 26.
It has been a cool start for the fishing season. Fortunately, the striped bass are active in cold water and there have been some catches.
Powerful blue catfish will strike jigs in the upper Potomac.
Stripers (rockfish) are hitting jigs in the channels and drop offs around Piney Point where it is still catch and release until May 16. There have been some keeper size rock taken in the St. Mary's River by shore fishermen using jigs and swimming lures like Rapalas, Yo-Zuris, and Bomber Windcheaters. Many of the fish now are in the 26-to-32-inch range just over the maximum limit of 24 inches. The cool water that is just now getting to 60 degrees has the fish in fighting shape and ready to hit your lure and take off for the eastern shore. The fish are active at night when they can feed in the shallows without fear of ospreys attacking in the crystal-clear water.
The Potomac has catfish, big and plentiful.
The water is cold and clear. The normal opaque conditions have yet to occur when the water warms up and crabs and perch invade the creeks. Mother nature is testing our patience this year.
James Lallande leads The Tackle Box big Perch contest for May with this 12- and 14-inch beauty from St. Mary's Lake.
Summer will come and the crabs and fish will be very active to make up for lost time. The length of daylight triggers their instincts to feed, spawn, and migrate. There are two full moons in May this year: May 1 and May 31 (the Blue Moon). The first crab shed of the year will be at the end of May, and the crabs will be intensely active. The fish will be looking for a crab dinner in the shallows, and the bite will be on.
Largemouth in the Potomac mix with catfish.
The fresh-water fishing is excellent with crappie, bluegill, and bass hitting all manner of lures and bait in St. Mary's Lake and local ponds. Live minnows and night crawlers are excellent bait.