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.
Coastal Fishing Report, July 18, 2019 Update:
Coastal fishermen are enjoying a vibrant fishery in the Atlantic waters. The yellowfin count is still up and down but most canyon-runners are scoring at least a few every day and hitting the lobster pots along the way has proven productive for anglers looking to score mahi, which will gladly take fish or squid chunks. Skirted ballyhoo have been the most popular baits. A decent number of boats are heading in with blue marlin flags, as well. All the… Read more from Coastal...
Freshwater Fishing Reports presented by District Angling
Freshwater Fishing Report, July 18, 2019 Update:
With oppressive heat bearing down on the region, depth has become the name of the game. There’s been a bit of a slow-down in the area reservoirs for anglers who aren’t shifting away from the shallows once the sun has cracked the horizon. (Though there is still a dawn bite on topwater, for early risers). Whether you’re targeting bass, crappie, or perch, all the fish are looking for cooler pockets where there’s structure in the depths. Species… Read more from Freshwater...
Way North Fishing Reports presented by Clyde's Sports Shop
Way North Chesapeake Fishing Report, July 18, 2019 Update:
If the heat weren’t enough of a deterrent from heading out this weekend, the bite in the Chesapeake’s northernmost reaches has dropped of significantly this week. We had few reports of stripers being caught on the Flats, and those that were caught typically were schoolie-sized. Herb’s Tackle Shop suggested that if you’re going to head out on the Flats, fishing topwater at dusk or dawn might be the best option. The fish they heard of… Read more from Way North...
Upper Bay Fishing Reports presented by Riverside Marine
Upper Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, July 18, 2019 Update:
What can we say? It's another epic year for Upper Bay anglers, and the traditional summertime hotspots in the Upper Bay have remained the go-to destinations for fishermen up and down the Chesapeake’s shores. Tochterman's let us know that most boats headed out to Podickory Point, Love Point, Swan Point, the Bay Bridge Pilings, and the Sewer Pipe have been stocking up on bucktails with rubber skirts, small tandem spoons, and live-baiting… Read more from Upper Bay...
Middle Bay Reports presented by Deeper
Middle Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, July 18, 2019 Update:
See the Upper Bay Report, rinse, and repeat – the Bay Bridge is still uber-hot and uber-crowded as both Upper and Middle Bay anglers head there in great numbers. On top of that it’s supposed to be obnoxiously hot this weekend, but luckily the best bite in other areas of the Middle Bay seem to be in the evening when the sun isn’t beating down overhead. As the sun sets, Bay Country Crabbing Supply suggested heading outside the mouth of… Read more from Middle Bay...
Lower Bay Fishing Reports presented by The Tackle Box
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, July 18, 2019 Update:
The Lower Bay is packed with a variety of species right now, all of which are on fire. Going from north to south, the standout in northern parts of the Lower Bay has been cobia, which are slowly working their way further up north. Although they’re not quite at the Middle Grounds yet, the Tackle Box reported fishing below Smith Point can be solid – that said, the closer you are to the mouth of the Bay the better your chances of landing… Read more from Lower Bay...
Tangier Sound and Lower Shore Report, July 18, 2019 Update:
Spot! The waters of the Sounds have become a common destination for anglers looking to stock up on spot this week. They’ve been on solid bottom in eight or 10 to 20 feet of water, and will eagerly pick up bloodworms on a bottom rig. A few (undersized) croaker and some oddball species are also in the mix including blowfish, sea trout, and even some flounder. Unfortunately, the desirable types in that list all seem to be thoroughly… Read more from Tangier and Lower Shore...
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, July 18, 2019 Update:
Cobia are the name of the game in the Chesapeake’s southernmost waters, and as we’ve moved into the second half of July, the fishing is steadily improving. Sight casters and chummers are both having success. The most common destination for boats looking to land them has been off Cape Henry to the rock shoals near the Highrise. Both of these locations are producing fish steadily, and more are seen by the day. Although sight casters have… Read more from Way South...