Patuxent River Now Open for Stripers
There were big catches of two-to-three-pound bluefish below the Targets in the Bay at the end of May before the ugly cold, rain, and wind closed us out.
Eric Packard with one of many stripers that hit his cast jig and paddle tail lure at 6am last Friday in Cornfield Harbor (Potomac).
*Note: This article was written June 2nd, 2025*
The Patuxent River opened up for rockfish catches on June 1. The daily bag limit is one per person, and the slot size is 19 to 24 inches. I know of some catches on opening day yesterday (as I write), so I will hopefully have more information next week.
Justin Bressler celebrated the opening of rockfish season with this striper from Clarke's Landing (Cuckold Creek) under the lights. Bait shrimp worked well.
Kyle Collins shows off rockfish from the St. Mary's River. They have been plentiful for trollers at sunup
There were big catches of two-to-three-pound bluefish below the Targets in the Bay last week before the ugly cold, rain, and wind closed us out. Bluefish are now on the shorelines for lure casters around Cedar Point and the mouth of the Patuxent.
Stripers, bluefish, trout and a handful of red drum are now in the lower Potomac. The summer weather that is finally predicted this week will speed the fish to all areas.
Shane Snyder was casting a top water (Zara Spook) last Thursday when this 26 inch bluefish smashed it. Hog Point, mouth of the Patuxent. There were willing rockfish too.
Perch fishing has picked up all over, with good catches for both bait fishermen and lure casters.
Spot are now in the mouth of the Patuxent up as far as Hellen Creek where some bait fishermen (bloodworm, Fishbites, and night crawlers) filled up a five-gallon bucket last Saturday off a pier. The spot and croaker are in the Potomac, too. The croaker and spot are still small in general but growing quickly.
Justin found white perch and spot hitting too.
Schools of big bull red drum are in the Bay and the mouths of the rivers. These cruise at high speeds and crash into schools of bait fish. The successful fishermen cruise around looking for them by sight and even smell. When located, big lures are thrown. These fish are not finicky and will hit anything that moves. Finding them is the key. The other technique is to simply troll them with big spoons, swimming plugs, or bucktails. Knowing where to troll is paramount. Below the Target Ship on the "humps", and on the Middle Grounds can be good, and off Smith Point.
Cobia are moving in; the season begins June 15.
Eighty-degree temperatures are predicted this week, and the high tides are early and late, setting up perfect conditions.
Let's go get them!
Trout have moved into the lower Potomac.