Submit your own catch of the week here and keep an eye out for your catch to be featured in one of our next Resource, Reports, and Fun Fish Fact articles!
Did you know?
Even though Jellyfish and Crayfish both have 'fish' in their names, neither of them are actually fish. Jellyfish are part of the cnidarians group, and crayfish are crustaceans just like crabs.
Weather (Click Here)
Along with checking the tides before you hit the water, take a last second look at the most updated weather report.
Today's Moon Phase according to NASA (Click Here)
First Quarter - “When half of the Moon’s disc is illuminated, we call it the first quarter Moon. This name comes from the fact that the Moon is now one-quarter of the way through the lunar month. From Earth, we are now looking at the sunlit side of the Moon from off to the side.”
Public Angler Access (Click Here)
Use the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Angler Access map to find new fishing spots in Maryland. Here's an example:
Terrapin Nature Park: Queen Anne’s County (Stevensville) on the Chesapeake Bay; Open Year-Round, sunrise to sunset, fishing for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Spot, Flounder, Croaker, and White Perch
Morgnec Road: Kent County (Chestertown) on the Morgan Creek; Open 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. year ‘round to fish for Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, White Catfish, White Perch, Yellow Perch, and Chain Pickerel
Allens Pond Park: Prince George’s County (Bowie); Open Sunrise to Sunset year ‘round to fish for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Rainbow Trout
Claiborne Landing: Talbot County (Claiborne); Open 4 a.m. - 11 p.m. Year ‘round to fish for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Spot, Mackerel, Flounder, Croaker, and White Perch
Maryland Fishing Report- August 21st compiled by Lyndsie Pratt from Anglers Fishing and Hunting (Click Here)
Mackerel: Mackerel are as far north as the bay bridge! The mouth of the Severn, Hackett’s, Tolly’s, and Thomas Point are all great spots. If you head further south to Poplar Island or below, their numbers will increase. Trolling spoons on #1 or #2 planers has been a popular way to target them. Troll at least 7 mph. Since rockfish season is closed, keeping your speed up will prevent you from catching rockfish. Follow schools of bait, diving birds or breaking fish, but remember that it’s good boating etiquette to avoid trolling directly through the center of breaking fish or birds. You can also cast at the breaking fish with metal jigs. Remember that you have to reel extremely quickly!! Investing in a high speed reel would help!
Redfish (Red Drum): Small puppy drum are all over the bay. They have been caught in both the South River and the Severn River! Use perch lures to target them. Further south near Taylor’s Island, the Target Ship and the middle ground you will find large bull reds. Troll for them with surgical hoses or cast heavier jigs with plastics. We recommend pre-rigged options from Captain John or Hard Head Custom Baits.
Bluefish: Bluefish can be caught while trolling for mackerel and also by casting metal jigs. They are all over the bay from the bay bridge south. Their size and numbers will both increase the further south that you go!
Cobia: The cobia bite has slowed down, with most of the action now being in Virginia waters. Try chumming and using cut bait, or troll surgical hoses, and keep a cobia rigged with a bucktail in your car in case you spot them!
White Perch: White perch are still everywhere! Bottom fish with grass shrimp, razor clams or worms, or cast spinners towards structure.
Snakehead: There is a great snakehead bite going at blackwater, with most of the fish holding around structure such as branches and stumps. Chatterbaits have been the most popular lure. Top water, walk the dog style lures have also worked well in the morning and evening.
This Weekend's Tide Predictions (Click Here)
Keep an eye on this weekend’s tide schedule. These are the predicted tides for the Western Shore of the Chesapeake from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Wednesday 8/26:
Low tide starting at 7:04 a.m. and 5:42 p.m.
High tide starting at 11:44 p.m.
Sunrise: 6:30 a.m.
Sunset: 7:45 p.m.
Thursday 8/27:
Low tide starting at 8:14 a.m. and again at 6:42 p.m.
High tide starting at 12:59 a.m. and again at 12:48 p.m.
Sunrise: 6:31 a.m.
Sunset: 7:43 p.m.
Friday 8/28:
Low tide starting at 9:16 a.m. and again at 7:46 p.m.
High tide starting at 2:03 a.m. and again at 1:55 p.m.
Sunrise: 6:32 a.m.
Sunset: 7:42 p.m.
Saturday 8/29:
Low tide starting at 10:09 a.m. and again at 8:49 p.m.
High tide starting at 3:04 a.m. and again at 2:58 p.m.
Sunrise: 6:33 a.m.
Sunset: 7:40 p.m.
Sunday 8/30:
Low tide starting at 10:56 a.m. and again at 9:49 p.m.
High tide at 3:59 a.m. and again at 3:56 p.m.
Sunrise: 6:34 a.m.
Sunset: 7:39 p.m.
