September 23rd, 2020 - Cool, Windy Weather

The perch are in the creeks and rivers in abundance for both bottom fishermen and lure casters.

Spot are still taking bait on the oyster bars and edges in the Patuxent and Potomac. They are steadily getting bigger and we have warming temperatures by mid week, giving us all a chance to catch a mess for dinner before they begin to migrate out of the bay on the fall migration to the Atlantic.

Rockfish are now schooling up and breaking into bait fish in the rivers and in the bay. There were breaking fish in the Potomac at Piney Point this week near the bridge at St. George Island. There are breakers in the mouth of the Patuxent from the line marker at Hog Point to Cedar Point. About a third of these stripers are lengthy enough to keep. Trollers are doing well with tandems and small umbrella rigs.

The cobia were active on the middle ground below the Target Ship in 18 feet of water last week through Wednesday before the cool wind drove the boats off the bay. The same goes for the Spanish mackerel. As conditions return to normal this week, we hope that these tropical fish are still here and eager to bite.

Puppy drum are still in shallows taking bait and lures. Reports of keepers in the slot between 18 and 27 inches are becoming more common. Remember, you can keep only one per day in the slot.

Crappie will be active in the fresh water, especially at St. Mary's Lake, on the cooling temperatures. They love live minnows.