Weekly So. Md. Fishing Report

By Ken Lamb, The Tackle Box


Recent catches in So. Md. Photos taken at the Tackle Box in Lexington Park. Click on the slide show to open a new window with larger photos and captions.

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. (May 26, 2009)—Croaker fishing changed for the better very quickly last week. The bottom fishing, both from the boats and piers in the Potomac proper, was very good in the Piney Point area staring on Thursday night. John Lewis and his son from Bowie, Md., caught 50 or so croaker from a private pier on the Potomac. The largest was 16 and 1/2 inches. John Chapman ventured out of Herring Creek on Friday evening and caught 48 croaker and some small spot. The biggest croaker here measured a reported 20 inches. George Quade reports that the area off St. Clements Island near the new lighthouse was the site of excellent croaker catches on Sunday. Some of these fish were 20 inches. The action up the Wicomico near Bushwood remains slow as the fresh water from rain runoff is keeping the fish in the Potomac. The fish will return to the tributaries with drier weather.

The Patuxent has croaker up as far as Hellen's Bar. A 17 inch croaker was checked in this week caught off Solomon's Island.

Rock fishing has changed over to smaller fish which are very active all along the western shore from Parker's Creek to the mouth of the Patuxent and from the Targets to Point Lookout. The fish are in the 18 to 22 inch range and are breaking in the baitfish. These fish can be caught trolling or jigging. On June first, next Monday, all Maryland waters are open for rockfish; two per day, 18 inch minimum, only one over 28 inches. There are still fish in excess of 40 inches for patient trollers; most of that action is in the southern regions below Point No Point.

Big black drum are being caught at Stone Rock. The trick is to find the fish and present half a soft crab.

Spot are filtering into Southern Maryland Waters. The Patuxent has spot and croaker mixed at Hawk's Nest where small to medium spot can be caught in the 20 to 30 per hour and croaker ranging 9 to 12 inches coming over the sides at about 6 to 10 per hour. This is pretty good bottom fishing (bloodworms are the bait to use), and will get better everyday.

Bass fishing at St. Mary's Lake is excellent with plenty of action on plastic worms. There are plenty of small fish and some whoppers are always possible. Bream fishermen are finding plenty of action with fly rods and popping bugs.

Read more local fishing news at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/ .