Article by Capt. Matt Abell
Well, if you couldn’t figure it out, summer is here. The water temps are rising faster than a tide during a stiff nor-east blow. So hurry and get out there before the summer duldrums chase away fin and fun!
The biggest change ( other than the weather) is the arrival of a few tuna on the local docks. Yellowfin and bigeye have made an appearance on the rod and the dinner plate. The action is still deep with the canyons but is a welcome change to the bottom fishing that was carrying the load for deep sea, satisfying smiles.
The inshore reefs and wrecks are starting to produce more flounder activity , as anglers jig up some tasty fillets. The quantities of eager flat fish has been less than expected, however, the quality is pretty good. The best reports have come from a bucktail, such as a spro, tipped with a curly tail gulp. Hopefully in the next week bites will become more frequent and coolers a little heavier.
The inshore wrecks have also had a few spades and triggers swarming about. A piece of clam on a small hook with fluorocarbon leader is all that is nessasary to engage in a battle with these tropical tussler’s .
The seaside has also offered some action inside the inlets. Flounder have actively taken Sea Hawk flounder rigs during the last of the flood and first hour or so of the ebb. The new size limit of 17.5 inch have definitely reduced the number of fish invited to dinner, however, there is still a good chance at a family flounder feast.
If flounder isn’t your fancy and you desire fast fighting foes. The inshore seaside shark fishery is in full swing. If you would like to take a kid and make a memorable experience that points them in the direction of a fishing future… then this is for you. Large sharks are making their way inshore and this is the time of year to enjoy a catch and release fishery that is second to none. All you need is a bucket of chum and some cut bait and you shall find yourself in a battle with a toothed trophy that will make permanent bite mark in the memory of a young fisherman.
The Chesapeake is still producing specs and reds in shallow water. Anglers offer chunks of crab to entice puppies as well as mature bulls into the net. There has still been a structure oriented bluefish bite that has yielded some awesome sport that is super on the smoker. The structure from the CBBT to the targets and rock piles of the Tangier have also relinquished a few quality sheepshead. These striped subjects have succumb to bottom sweeper jigs tipped with peeler crabs.
The cobia have been fairly consistent. The middle bay south to the CBBT have seen a good number of brown suits. A fishfinder rig tipped with bunker in about 15-25 feet of water along the natural sloughs as-well as man made structures have produced rod bending brawls. Site fishing has also produced good results as anglers offer everything from live eel to brightly colored cobia jigs to entice an arial battle that brings a smile to every angler with a bend in their rod.
While the temperature is high and the weather is muggy don’t forget it’s pretty cool to be able to enjoy this wonderful place we call home! §
