Southern MD / St. Inigoes - Rockfish Topwater - A few Reds - 08/20/17

[Fishtank]

On the water at sun-up. Aside from a couple shorts, St. Inigoes was essentially dead. (Usually not the case) Headed a couple miles down river and anywhere from half to a mile offshore there were acres of breaking rockfish. Bailed them for well over an hour. Surprised they stayed up that long. Getting below the schools didn't matter. All but one was short. Moved into the breakwaters along Lawsons Point looking for reds. Found one 18", then moved into Rowley Bay and found couple more. (22"/23" inch). Snagged a blowfish in the process. Headed to the mouth of Potters Creek 1.5 miles further down river. Usually consistent with a variety of fish. Not today.

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[baitball]

That blowfish is pretty cool!

[Big Mike]

Well done and beautiful red fish. This year has been special for them. I don't know what is going on in Smith Creek, but it's been tough sledding this year in the creek.

[Fishtank]

Well done and beautiful red fish. This year has been special for them. I don't know what is going on in Smith Creek, but it's been tough sledding this year in the creek.

You're right Mike. Worst I've seen it. Can only speak for when I've been there, but bait in the creek just doesn't seem to be around.

[ronaultmtd]

Excellent report...been an exceptional year for keeper redfish and speckled trout- looks like you put some miles on your yak to find fish- well done- congratulations...

[Jacksoncuda12]

Smith Creek

You're right Mike. Worst I've seen it. Can only speak for when I've been there, but bait in the creek just doesn't seem to be around.

You don't suppose those pound nets with leaders to the shore have anything to do with it? They've been there since spring and the fishing hasn't been nearly as good as last year.

[Big Mike]

No way of telling but obviously it is taking some amount of fish. I'll need another year of observation to say if it's impacting fishing or not. Yesterday there were vast schools of rocks and blues breaking outside the creek and the day before I marked a school of bait 100 yards long inside the creek. In place of rockfish we've seen a huge increase in speck and red catches this year. Could be warming waters are pushing rocks further north and more southern fish taking their place. Of course I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express so take my words for the science there worth.