Article by Capt. Matt Abell
Other than the excitement of the White Marlin Open the fishing scene around the southern Eastern Shore has been quiet and quite breezy. But even when a strong westerly gust lets the air out of ( or maybe puts air into) your fishing plans that you have had all week, there is still fun to be had and fish to crank on in the waters of the greatest place on earth!
The offshore scene has been bumpy in regards to seas but flat when we talk about furious fishing action. The tuna and mahi bite has carried the bulk of the buzz from the deep but reports of bills that could be worth millions of bills are coming in for a dramatic end to the Open.
Closer to shore, a structure oriented flounder bite is still under way for those tough enough or crazy enough to plow their way through the seas of whitecaps. The rough conditions have lent themselves to jigging (with a short period wind driven chop, you really have no choice), 2-4 oz. jigs with Gulp and or strip bait like flounder belly.
Along with flounder our sea bass season has reopened. Our regs include a 13 inch minimum size and a creel limit of 15 fish per person. This is sure to add an additional aspect and fillets for the table to upcoming offshore excursions.
The inshore flounder bite has been stunted by turbid water. Steadfast summer flounder fishermen have been reaching for their landing nets usually during the brief periods of clear water around high water. The usual baits of minnows, silversides, squid strips, and Gulp have continued to be he primary choices fished on some pretty loud and bright teasers to lure keepers from the murk.
The shallow waters of the seaside also have provided a backup plan of small croakers, kingfish, spot and of course the summertime standby….sharks. The spot and kingfish have been caught on small hooked t&b rigs both with and without attractor floats tipped with small pieces of bloodworm or Fishbites. The sharks have taken cut bait like bunkers, mackerel and even the spot and croakers that have been readily available in the same waters.
The Chesapeake has seen a brief reprieve with slightly lower water temperatures. This has cultured a spec bite in the shallows from the Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds south. Fishing is not hot and heavy, but there is enough action to give it a cast. You may just luck into a slot sized red or a warm weather rock, which is legal in MD again.
The southern bay has still blessed us with a few cobia, sheepshead around the reefs, and spanish on the troll. We also are starting to see evidence of the annual spawning run of red monsters with spots on their tails. These fish can be found in 15-30 foot depths around the sloughs and hills of the lower Chesapeake from Watts Island down to Hungers Creek. A fish finder rig with a 8/0 octopus circle is all the tackle you need to line up a battle with one of these fish of a lifetime. An offering of cut spot, croaker, and kingfish is the only invitation needed to spend time battling with a dinner guest that will make your drag sing and the grumpiest of us all smile in delight.
This week a year ago, after a windy week just like this past, Michelle, Sammy, Belle and myself went down to test the waters and see if some magnum reds wanted to play. We had a night that we will remember for the rest of our lives. It wasn’t just the awesome fishing, ( although that helped cement the memory) it was the laughing, dinner on the boat, and watching a beautiful Eastern Shore sunset TOGETHER. Now, with Sammy busy working and with friends and Belle working and riding horses, I am starting to realize just what I may take for granted. So get out there and make some memories in this wonderful place we call home! §
