Rockfish Sparkle
This is the time to enjoy the best fishing of the year.
Rockfish in the Patuxent.
Matt I. with rockfish caught from shoreline of the Saint Mary's River this week.
Striped bass, that we call rockfish, are active in the rivers and bay as water temps hover in the low 60's. The Patuxent and Potomac have rockfish both in the shallows for lure casters and in the deeper areas for trollers. Breaking fish drawing crowds of birds are scattered throughout the Ragged Point area of the Potomac and near Point Patience in the Patuxent.
Captain Bernie Sheas party with catch of rockfish Sunday in the Patuxent.
Plenty of stripers like this in Patuxent. Caught on Captain Bernie Sheas Charter.
Jiggers who spot the fish on their electronics are able to find hefty stripers near the bridge pilings at Solomons. There are many big schools of undersized rock in the Potomac. Shore fishermen who seek stripers at dawn and dusk are doing well with top water lures, swimming baits, and jigs.
Mason catching rockfish in the St Mary's River casting top water lures while wading the shallows.
Paul Rodriguez finds rockfish in the sunset off the beach at Hog Point, Patuxent River.
Trout and spot were available in the lower Patuxent the last we heard. The tides were at flood stage last week with two levels, high and higher. The water was finally approaching normal levels and flow on Monday. We heard reports of small spot and bluefish in the Potomac at the Piney Point public fishing area. Live liners were able to catch small spot for bait this week at the Patuxent River bridge. Some of the charter boats have planned Wednesday trips for bottom fish and we will find out if any seasonal fish remain. White perch, however, are here year-round and will leave the creeks and school up in the deep holes for the winter. They love bits of bloodworms.
Eric has found that the Uni style lures work on largemouth bass when other lures fail.
Trout are still here for bottom fishermen.
The forecast for the next ten days is very favorable with no severe conditions. This is the time to enjoy the best fishing of the year.
The views expressed in this Fishing Report are those of Ken Lamb and do not necessarily represent the views of Visit St. Mary's MD, its employees or board of directors. This report is for informational purposes only and details on MD fishing regulations can be found in the Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing.