Cool September, Hot Fishing
Last week was a bit of a puzzle as the fishing in the creeks and rivers for lure casters seeking perch, puppy drum, and redfish went stone cold.
The closed-mouthed fish came out of their coma mid-week and things were back to normal by the weekend. We had several accounts of slot reds in the St. Mary's River around points and creek mouths. The white perch were hitting spinner baits there too. Some spanish mackerel ventured up the Potomac and were jumping and breaking in the mouth of the St. Mary's. Some were caught by casting small spoons and reeling in as fast as possible.
Carlos Falcon found Spanish mackerel leaping and breaking in the mouth of the St. Mary's River last week.
Bay fishing continued to be excellent although hindered by high winds early in the week, giving way to smooth seas later in the week. Big bluefish, hefty spanish mackerel, cobia, and bull reds were plentiful and many excellent catches made. A good sprinkling of slot reds are mixed in. The fish are scattered from the PR buoy south to 72, the Ship, Mud Leads, and down to Smith Point.
Capt. Bernie Shea scored a keeper Cobia that took a trolled surgical eel on Saturday. The Shea-D-Lady (301-672-3282).
Big spot caught on the Shea-D-Lady Sunday.
This cool weather may send the fish south to the Atlantic soon, so now is the time.
Bull reds caught daily by experienced fishermen. As many as 18 in one trip.
Check out these hefty bluefish!!
Bottom fishing is good up the Patuxent. The spot are now jumbo-sized, hardhead are keeper-sized, and there are whiting mixed in. The problem of tiny croaker taking bait immediately continues. One just has to try different locations.
A sea bass that found it's way to the Patuxent.
Shore fishermen are doing moderately well at Point Lookout Pier for bluefish and some small red drum. Surf casters around Cedar Point on the Naval Air Station are consistently getting blues, reds, and rockfish on bait and lures.
Gabrielle and baby (on the way), with rockfish that took a jigged lure in the Patuxent.
Caleb Schmidt with Slot red from the Potomac.
This is a great season; don't miss out!