The lower Chesapeake Bay is currently seeing excellent action for cobia enthusiasts, with large fish approaching prime spots such as the Middle Grounds, the Target Ship, and the Mud Leads. Anglers are primarily using chum lines and cut bait, particularly alewife, to attract these big fish. Live eels placed in the chum lines have also proven successful. For those who prefer trolling, big surgical hose lures are yielding results as well. The key to a successful cobia fishing trip is to arrive at the fishing grounds at daybreak and set up the chum early, as the mid-day winds can make the process difficult and the heat can become unbearable.
The spot just keep on coming for Capt. Bernie Shea on his boat the Shea-D-Lady out of Solomons
Glenna Walker with string of perch from the Patuxent. That one in middle, 10 1/4 inches is leader in The Tackle Box big perch contest for July.
Makhai Hanna caught this slot redfish in St. Inigoes Creek on the Fourth of July with peeler crab.
The next generation of fishing Tippetts show off a cobia from lower bay.
Riley, Hunter, Maverick, and Walker.
Robert Wahrenbrock with a 30 inch striper that took his surface popper at daybreak in the lower Patuxent.
Eric Packard landed this 48 inch Cobia near Smith Point with cut bait , chumming.
Kevin Harris shows off a catch of perch from the Patuxent
Anticipation for Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel
While cobia action is strong, bluefish and Spanish mackerel have yet to appear in significant numbers in the waters. However, there is hope that large schools of these fish will arrive soon, as the hot and salty water conditions are ideal for mackerel.
Spot and Puppy Drum Abundant
Spot fish are plentiful and growing rapidly, promising a bounty of jumbo-sized fish by September. Puppy drum, ranging from 6 to 15 inches, are present in record numbers in creeks and rivers. Additionally, the keeper-sized "Slot Reds" (18 to 27 inches) are being caught daily, adding excitement for anglers targeting these prized fish.
Perch, Flounder, and Other Species in Abundance
Perch are abundant in creeks and rivers, providing ample opportunities for bottom fishermen and lure casters. Effective baits include Beetle Spins, small spinner baits tipped with peeler crab, fish bites, and bloodworm. Flounder have also joined the mix, along with redfish, rockfish, bluefish, and sea trout, especially for jiggers and lure casters in the mouth of the Potomac River.
Rockfish and Catfish Opportunities
Rockfish are present around structures in the rivers, particularly for lure casters during dusk and dawn. The midday heat drives these fish to deeper waters, but trollers using small umbrella rigs and tandems can still achieve success by targeting the bottom with heavy trolling sinkers.
For those targeting snakehead and catfish, these species are always available above the Benedict Bridge in the Patuxent River and the 301 Bridge in the Potomac River. Fresh cut alewife is particularly effective for catching these fish.
Information Source
The information for this report was provided by Ken Lamb of the St. Mary's Tacklebox, who offers valuable insights into the current fishing conditions and trends in the area.
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