Cool August; Hot Fishing
The combination of perfect weather and active fish has created a paradise for fishermen.
Cobia were cooperative for the big tournament last weekend. Trollers did well with surgical hose lures; chummers using live eels and cut bait scored too. Even novice fishermen were blessed with beginner's luck.
The Leonards tried trolling for cobia for the first time Saturday and hit the jackpot!
Jessica Leonard with keeper Cobia, first time out!
The mackerel bite was off due to cool temperatures (mackerel are hot weather lovers) but enhanced the bluefish bite.
Mackerel and bluefish on the Miss Susie. It doesn't get much better than this!
The redfish phenomenon continues with puppy drum everywhere in the creeks, slot reds in the rivers, bay, and creeks, and bull reds breaking in the bay.
Dickie Wose with 22 inch redfish that took his spinner bait while casting for perch in St. Leonard's Creek off the Patuxent.
These wonderful fish have taken over the east coast all the way to New Hampshire where bull reds are eating the menhaden in big top water thrashes. We need new regulations on these fish. My suggestion is: two red drum per day; 15 inch minimum, only one over 27 inches. Our striped bass have been on the decline and having to compete with this insurgence of drum can hinder their return to dominance. Increased recreational harvest on red drum can help keep a balance.
Redfish on the Miss Susie.
Perch are in the creeks, spot are in the rivers, a few trout are around, but scarce (bull reds love young trout as appetizers).
Ribbon fish are taking trolled lures in the Patuxent.
Crabs are plentiful and huge.
Cobia on the Miss Susie.
Labor day is here; let's go fishing!!