Peak of Summer Heat
It's August and it's hot.
So, we have spanish mackerel, bluefish, cobia, redfish, speckled trout, and spot in continuous supply.
Johnny Caldwell landed this 36 inch Cobia at Target Ship on Saturday. Quickly released.
Ken Lamb with a 63 inch, 50 pound Cobia that found its way into a pound net near the mouth of Smith Creek in the Potomac last Saturday.
The rockfish and white perch are seeking clean water and the cool of daybreak to bite. The scorching mid-day finds them sulking in deep water waiting for a good running tide of clear water to activate feeding activity.
Dave with speckled trout from the shallows north of Cove Point, where specks and slot reds were mixed in good numbers.
His buddy Russ proves the point.
The hot salty water is a boon to the tropicals that visit the bay, rivers, and creeks in summer and is also the breeding ground for sea-nettles (Chrysaora chesapeakei), or also called jellyfish by the non-native. The nettles are very thick this year.
Capt. Bernie Shea out of Solomon's has blues and mackerel daily in the Cedar Point, Targets area.
Filling the Fish Box!
I ventured out on the creek Sunday evening when the temperature dropped from the high of 91º to 86º. It was nearly 6pm and daylight was waning. I found the tide stopped and water stained. The nettles were hindering my lure on every cast. I caught about nine puppy drum eager to hit my Fish-bite tipped Beetle Spin, one of which was 14 inches long. Redfish love heat and will eat anything in murky water or clear.
Excellent Bluefish.
They are getting bigger!
My only perch hit my lure in the shade where the smallest of tide movement provided some cooler, clear water. Consistent with this day's outing, the hefty fish got off the hook right at the boat. I knew conditions were bad and would improve for excellent perch hunting of the tide at daybreak, but one can only utilize the time allotted.
I'm describing the conditions on a smaller creek with only a small opening to the river. River and big creek fishing is much better.
Great eating size!
Fall approaches and the perch and rockfish will be excellent. October brings the best of all possible worlds with all species rejuvenated.
Plenty of Spot in the Patuxent.
There are pockets of speckled trout and slot reds lurking everywhere. It is a banner year for spot. They will begin migrating to the ocean in mid-October. You have 60 days to fill your freezer.
Specks are there for the casting.