Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November, 2020

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November 27 Update:

Hi anglers, we hope you all enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving! In the northern reaches of the Bay a mix of stripers, perch, and catfish continue to provide targets for those in search of a non-turkey dinner, with stripers of course the headlining species. Despite all the rainfall in some sections of the region the Susquehanna flows remain on the low side, and the Conowingo dam pool is beginning to see a drop in the action that had remained steady throughout the fall. Herb’s reported that the striper bite is now mostly limited to morning hours, when anglers tossing soft plastics and topwater plugs are doing well as the sun rises. Most have been schoolie-sized, with a couple of larger outliers. Clyde’s Sport Shop reported the bulk of the keeper bite is coming from channel edges on the Flats and heading south throughout the open Bay. Larger fish are down low and can best be reached by jigging or trolling. Most anglers right now are favoring jigging six-inch white, chartreuse, and pearl Gulp! and BKD lures on a half-ounce jig head. Keeping a depth finder on to locate and target the fish has been essential, especially for jiggers.

north chesapeake catfish
You want bites, period? Catfish continue to off the highest reliability, period.

Readers fishing within sight of the Rt. 95 bridge with chunks of fresh cut fish, chicken livers, or clam snouts continue to catch all the catfish they can handle. We also had a report of a good catfish bite in the North East this week.


Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November 20 Update:

Well, folks, the balmy, 70’s November days moved out in favor of chilly, in-season weather. Blustery winds heavy rains, and cold temps this week mixed up the fishing scene as well. We saw the first large, migratory stripers headed up the Bay this week. While they aren’t in the northernmost waters, as of yet they can be found further south in the Middle to Lower bay. For now, most of the striper fishing up north is still relying on schoolies for the bite. Most fish are coming off the Flats and out of the Conowingo dam pool. Clyde’s let us know that morning and evening remain the stead-fast best time to go out. And while the catches might not be huge, they sure are exciting. The topwater bite has been consistent in both areas. In the body of the Susquehanna, anglers are reporting topwater success as well. If you’re planning to stay out for the warmer hours of the day, Clyde’s recommended switching over to jigging. Along the channel edges, there has been a pretty rockin’ bite if you can find the fish.

catfish north chesapeake
Hey, it's mister you-know-who!

If you’re having trouble locating stripers or need a change of pace, our ole reliable catfish are around to save your trip. Channel and blue cats are in abundance, and bait for them is easy to come by. Cut menhaden, chicken liver, or clam snouts are all fan favorites. Shoreline anglers have been reaping the benefits of their resistance to the cold, and tugging ‘em in from hotspots all up and down the Susquehanna. Boat anglers are concentrating their efforts in the channels and within sight of the 95 bridge.

White perch are no longer available close to shore. Cold weather has pushed them into deeper water, where they can be enticed by bloodworms on a bottom rig.


Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November 13 Update:

Anglers hitting the Conowingo Dam pool this week enjoyed a steady striper bite throughout early morning and evening hours. Although the stripers are primarily short of the 19-inch mark, there are a few making it over which can make a few hours at the Dam pay off. As per usual, white, chartreuse, and pearl soft plastics are favorites.

angler with a rockfish
Steve found kayak trolling with soft plastics can do the trick!

While casting and retrieving is the ticket to landing them at the Dam, anglers hitting the Flats are finding that jigging and trolling the channel edges are the best way to get into ‘em. There are a healthy mix of stripers with keepers available. Fishing is good throughout the day, and Clyde’s reported that in the mornings, the topwater bite is on fire.

If you’re hoping to catch some monster catfish, you’ve got a pretty good chance at landing them in this neck of the woods. Blues and channel cats are all throughout the lower Susquehanna and on the Flats as well. Putting a chunk of menhaden on bottom is a great way to land them. They aren’t picky, and when the striper bite is falling flat, they’re a great backup plan to ensure you’re not going home with a skunk in the box.


Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November 6 Update:

Although we had some wacky weather this past week, the fishing hasn’t tapered off or slowed down. Schoolie stripers and plenty of fat cats are still coming out of the dam pool, with the area near the generator still providing the biggest chunk of the catch. In the morning, casting topwater is the best tactic for the stripers by far. Clyde’s Sport Shop reported that although early in the day has been the best time to fish, the bite later in the day is picking up for anglers choosing to lob soft plastics far into the pool. Six-inch white, chartreuse, and pearl Gulp! and BKD lures on half-ounce jig heads have been doing especially well. Although most stripers are undersized, a few keeper fish are in the mix. Additionally, boats hitting the channel edges to troll and jig have been having some success landing keepers— a fair amount of fish hitting or exceeding the limit are coming out of deep water. Jigging the Flats is producing as is trolling the eastern side of the Flats.

jigging for striped bass
White and pearl people, white and pearl!

Anglers choosing not to focus on the fall rockfish bite continue to enjoy the hefty and consistent catfish bite throughout the region. Landing the cats remains easy for those equipped with clam snouts, cut menhaden, or chicken breast. Finding them hasn’t taken much effort — they’re all over the northern Bay and its tribs.

Although white perch are largely moving into deeper water, they can still be caught occasionally from shore. Blood worms on a bottom rig should do the trick. From here on out, though, parking the boat over channels, holes, and deep structure, or fishing from piers that reach deep, will be the best bets.