October 31, 2018 - This Week

Trollers in the bay, Potomac and Patuxent did very well. There were breaking at Cedar Point, Flag Harbor, and east of Buoy 76. There was a mix of sizes from 16 to 30 inches.

The shorelines had excellent catches with top water lures and swimming plugs.

All of that was in the middle of the rain and wind and overcast. The clouds moved out, the high pressure came in, and the fish quit on Sunday. Except for the 45 minutes or so of activity after sunrise and before sunset, the action slowed to a crawl. This pattern of fish activity is normal when a front of magnitude finally clears the area. It takes several days for the fish to act right when frontal barriers pass. The forecast is for sunny days with temperatures in the 70's mid-week, and each day will improve the fish appetite.

We have yet to see any sea-run fish in the 40 inch range, but the time is right for the first of them to arrive. Trollers in the Smith Point area will find them first. Big tandem rigs and umbrellas will be the key to the huge stripers heading our way.

White perch are in the rivers in good size and quantity. I caught several little perch in a local creek on Sunday on beetle spins, so they have yet to clear out of the shallows completely.

Fish picture

Eric Foler is star of the week with fine rockfish from Cedar Point.