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Fishing Reports
Weekly fishing reports for the Chesapeake Bay and Mid-Atlantic and surrounding region. If you would like to be notified via e-mail when our weekly fishing reports are updated, click here to sign up.
FishTalk fishing reports are presented by Costa Tequila, Anchor Boats, Brown Dog Marine, CCA MD, Riverside Marine, Suzuki Marine, and Tri-State-Marine
Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, April 17 Update:
We have been blessed with some excellent weather for flounder fishing this week. Highs along the coast reached the mid 70s and even 80 degrees a few days this week. The flounder bite responded well, and we heard of several boat limits caught between Quimby and Ocean City this week. Hot spots right now seem to be Wachapreague, Gargatha, and Chincoteague. Flounder rigs tipped with bull minnows, silversides, squid, or Gulp! Baits are all… Read more from Coastal...
Freshwater Fishing Report, April 17 Update:
The shad runs are still going strong in our region’s tidal rivers. Anglers are reporting success in the lower Susquehanna, Potomac, Rappahannock, and James Rivers. Low river flows from lack of rainfall have made the bite tough at times, but fishing in the mornings and evenings usually produces some bites. Near Fletcher’s Cove on the Potomac, we have reports of some American shad being caught closer to Chain Bridge along with plenty of hickory shad.… Read more from Freshwater...
Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, April 17 Update:
The water clarity has been fairly dirty this spring on the Flats, but the submerged aquatic vegetation is starting to grow back, which is helping clear things up. Once the grass mats mature on the flats for the year, water clarity will greatly improve, pending any big rain events. The Flats will be a hotspot for spring bass fishing over the next few weeks. Largemouth will be cruising along the edges of these grass beds searching for… Read more from Way North...
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, April 17 Update:
The blue catfish bite in the Upper Bay has been very good this month. The bulk of the action has been north of Baltimore, but we have some recent reports of more fish being caught closer to the Bay Bridge. The areas around Middle River, Bush River, and the Gunpowder River are a hot zone for these invasive bottom feeders. Charter boats and recreational boats have been catching fish as big as 50 pounds over the past few weeks. Fresh cut bait… Read more from Upper Bay...
Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, April 17 Update:
The AIC says there are still some B-I-G rockfish around, but they have been finicky at times. He found a small group of fish in the mouth of the Miles milling around multiple pods of good size bunker, saw one roll on the surface, and had huge marks on the meter 15’ to 20’ down in 30’ of water. However, despite the best efforts of everyone aboard they had only one missed hit and no solid hookups. He also reported finding (smaller) fish at… Read more from Middle Bay...
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, April 17 Update:
The tidal river blue catfish bite has been excellent in the Lower Bay tidal rivers this month. These invasive fish are moving into the upper reaches to take advantage of the shad and perch runs. If you know where to catch the shad, then you are in the right zone for catching blue catfish. Several reports have come in from the Fletcher’s Cove area where anglers are finding blue catfish in the 20-to-40-pound range with regularity. Another hot… Read more from Lower Bay...
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore Fishing Report, April 17 Update:
Striped bass are starting to wrap up their spawning activity in the Chesapeake Bay, which means they are starting to head south and will be passing through the Tangier region. Large schools of these fish often migrate through the shallows on their way out and present opportunities for anglers to catch. Bull red drum are also starting to move into the Bay and will soon make their way into the Tangier region. This presents a… Read more from Tangier and Lower Shore...
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, April 17 Update:
Black drum have moved into the Bay, and Oceans East Bait and Tackle is reporting that some big fish have been caught around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The high rise on the east side of the bridge is a good location to catch drum this time of year as there are some shoal areas. Anglers should beware that the current can be very strong here. If you want to fish more protected areas, you can also catch drum around the rock islands… Read more from Way South...