Cobia, Cobia, Who's Got the Cobia?
We are five days into the cobia season and there are rumors of a handful of catches and numerous sightings.
The sightings range from Smith Point to the mouth of the Potomac. The catches are mainly centered south of Smith Point around Tangier. The bay temperature is only about two degrees above the ten-year low record. The prediction is for the temperature to hit 79 degrees in the next ten days, and that should make the cobia much more comfortable.
John Kerns with his first fish ever! A beautiful 10 inch perch from St.George Island, that took his cast white Beetle Spin lure from the boat dock.
Cobia seekers set up chum lines with chum blocks or tubes and drift live eels into the mix. The cobia love eels. They will also take chunks of fresh-cut bait or live spot. Others prefer to cruise around looking for the fish which swim just below the surface. When spotted, the fishermen present live eels, spot, or lures. The spot, alewife, and other bait fish are plentiful in our section of the bay. These bait fish will bring the cobia and bluefish up the bay quickly.
Robbie Evans with fine largemouth from a farm pond.
The stripers (rockfish) are scattered in the bay and rivers. There are really good catches reported by local guides who fish the shallow waters of the Honga and backwaters of Tangier Sound. The Point Lookout Bar has been very good. There were trollers who did well on both Potomac and Patuxent this week.
Sturdy rockfish like this are in the mouth of the Potomac, on Point Lookout Bar.
Bottom fishermen are doing well with spot and perch all over. There are trout in good numbers south of us and they are heading this way. Trout are in the Honga River and in the mouth of the Potomac. There are lots of skate (cow-nosed rays) in both deep and shallow areas. The cobia like to hang around skate schools and fishermen often hook up with the rays when targeting cobia. This is considered a nuisance, but a good test to see if your tackle is adequate.
Jason Coat shows a catch of white perch from the Patuxent.
We have excellent reports of bass, bluegill, pickerel, and crappie in freshwater ponds and at St. Mary's Lake. Catfish are a mainstay up the rivers where they have fled from the salty water of the bay. Plenty of crabs are reported from crab pots off waterfront docks and by trot liners and chicken neckers.
The weakfish are coming! These came from Virginia River just below the Potomac.
Little blues are here. This one took lure in Mill Creek, Solomon's on Tuesday morning.