Where are the fish?

[hobieadventure]

I have been busy and have stayed away for a few years. Has anyone been to PLO lately? Are the blues and croakers still around and where is the best place for catching them?

[Big Mike]

Small blues are pretty much everywhere in the slower lower right now. Biting off paddle tails with regularity in the Patuxent and Potomac. Reports of croakers for bottom fisherman in the Patuxent, so I’m sure they’re at PLO. There have been a few, emphasizing few, specks caught recently and no reds.

PLO is one of my least favorite spots to fish so I haven’t gone this year. I’d try St Inigoes over it.

[hobieadventure]

Thank you Big Mike. Is there Kayak launch there? What are the hours ? I appreciate any extra info you can provide.

Small blues are pretty much everywhere in the slower lower right now. Biting off paddle tails with regularity in the Patuxent and Potomac. Reports of croakers for bottom fisherman in the Patuxent, so I’m sure they’re at PLO. There have been a few, emphasizing few, specks caught recently and no reds.

PLO is one of my least favorite spots to fish so I haven’t gone this year. I’d try St Inigoes over it.

[Big Mike]

St Inigoes is a public boat ramp in St Mary’s. In theory sunrise to sunset but we launch at first light all the time. No gates or fees. You can find it on the St Mary’s website for launches.

Recommend trying the edge of grass flats to the right of the launch, the flats themselves and rip rap at Kitts Point.

[moc]

I had a friend fishing from shore on Sept 2, 2918 at the Kent Narrows and caught a 12 inch croaker on blood worms.

[hobieadventure]

I had a friend fishing from shore on Sept 2, 2918 at the Kent Narrows and caught a 12 inch croaker on blood worms.

Thanks moc. I got busy as usual and didn't have a chance to go but fishing is always in the back of my mind.

[Mark]

Unless folks are just being quiet about their successes, my suspicion is that tidal kayak fishing has reached a lull until the water cools. Bay and tributary water temperatures on my most recent outings have been between 82 and 84 degrees. I have not had a remarkable kayak outing for weeks. I fish shallow. Perhaps those who go to deeper waters have done better. I think this is the time of year when power boaters have a real advantage over those of us who paddle and pedal because they can cover larger areas.

When the water temperatures fall and the stripers head en masse to the tributaries to chase the bait that is clearly present in those locations now, our odds will improve greatly.

[mchottie]

... folks are just being quiet about their successes...

I think there may be some truth to that as well...

When the water temperatures fall and the stripers head en masse to the tributaries to chase the bait that is clearly present in those locations now, our odds will improve greatly.

And we must be ready to 'pounce' once the temp change happens!

[ronaultmtd]

It has been tougher than some years past...but I have found fish that keeps me going back at least once or twice every week...I don’t post as much to allow others their time on the forum...the speckled trout finally have started to show up...in Southern Maryland but only a few have been caught and only a couple of redfish have been landed...so no where near what it was this time last year...trotline crabbers have been very active as have the commercial watermen with crab pots dotting the edges of channels near every spot I like to fish...it is a real PIA dodging crab pots trying to troll when the only clear water is the navigation channel and the extreme shallow water of less than three feet deep...

[Cluelessandfly]

some schoolies have made it up my local rivers, but not in force yet. Last year it wasn't until mid October when I started catching them on every cast, but boy is it a lot of fun. I just throw 2-3 inch baitfish imitations and BOOM! Fun on lightweight gear in the back of rivers

[nhunter344]

Kent Narrows was loaded with schoolies this past weekend. They were still holding fairly deep and I got zero action in shallower areas.

One thing I noticed this year is that I haven't seen any jellyfish around. When do they normally start making their appearance?

[ronaultmtd]

Jellyfish need salt water...

[nhunter344]

True. I didn't bother to think of the obvious. I just checked the salinity levels at various sites around the bay and there are parts of the bay that would barely qualify as brackish.

[Jmoye]

some schoolies have made it up my local rivers, but not in force yet. Last year it wasn't until mid October when I started catching them on every cast, but boy is it a lot of fun. I just throw 2-3 inch baitfish imitations and BOOM! Fun on lightweight gear in the back of rivers

Sounds like fun, enjoying your posts!


Jackson Kraken 15.5
Lowrance Hook 2 5

[Mark]

Although this thread is over two weeks old, its title remains current. Indeed, where are the fish?

I have not written a complete Snaggedline report for weeks. Part of that is because my outings have been severely limited due to family obligations. But I have made four trips total to these locations: Goodhands Creek, the Severn, and the Bodkin. I've spent about 12 hours on the water. Not one of those trips has been remarkable. In fact, finding white perch has gotten harder. I have not caught a legal striper during this time. My best catch was the channel cat in the Bodkin that I posted on this forum. Also, I hooked a small flounder in the Severn on one of my perch spinners. That was a surprise.

On some of my trips, baitfish which should have enticed the stripers to the tributaries have been prevalent skipping along the surface. On others, they have been absent.

I believe the annual fall migration of stripers to the tributaries has not begun in full. But my outings have been limited and my observations may not indicate reality. I've caught only a few 12 to 14 inchers casting paddle tails, jig spinners and topwater.

The water temperatures have dropped to the mid and low 70s and that should bode well for better striper action. The temps were 10 degrees higher just a few weeks ago.

So, I hope the striper bite breaks out soon.

If it already has for you, continued success.

Good luck to all.