What's the farthest north you've ever caught a sea trout or red drum?

[Red_Beard]

Hey everyone. I just wanted to throw out a general question to everyone. What is the farthest north in the Chesapeake that you have ever caught a sea trout or red drum? I would love to do more fishing for these species, but living in the DC area all the well known spots where they can be caught consistently - lower Potomac and Patuxent, Tangier Sound, Honga River, Lower Bay - are a real haul to get to. I'm not looking for anyone to burn their spots, but I'm just wondering if any of you have had much luck catching these species consistently in any rivers north of the ones I just listed.

[rugbyfish]

In the last 5 years, I’ve caught two (both shorts) from the Kent Island launches south of the Narrows. I used to fish these areas almost weekly from late summer through the fall, so I’d say it’s fairly rare. That being said, specks seem to be showing up in greater numbers in the bay than they have in the past, so your odds might be slightly better now. Hopefully others who have fished that area more recently can chime in.

[J.A. Veil]

I caught more specks in Maryland waters in 2021 than in any previous year. I caught them as far north as the Chester River. This year, I had not caught any specks north of Hoopers Island until this morning, when I caught one in Prospect Bay.

Smaller redfish seem to be cyclical in mid-Bay waters. They were around in Eastern Bay and the Severn during 2012 and 2013, but not again until 2020. I have not caught one in Maryland waters this year.

In my opinion, neither specks nor redfish are abundant enough in mid-Bay waters to actively target them.

[Big Mike]

The first puppy drum I’ve heard of was caught today in lower Potomac. Almost a month behind prior years. Given this I doubt they’ll be moving much further north. Trout are scare to non existent in the Patuxent. Yes, you’ll find a stray further north but it will be just a happy coincidence.

[DuffDynasty]

I managed to snag one about 12 years ago on a Rat-L-Trap while fishing for rockfish across from Ft McHenry near the cement plant. If memory serves me correct it was around early September and in the evening.

[Mark]

In 2020 I caught a redfish on one of my perch spinners in the back portiion of Church Creek off of the South River. It was in shallow water among underwater grasses. I had launched from Homeport Farm Park.

It's the only redfish I have ever caught in Maryland or the Chesapeake Bay.

I've caught just a few specks in Maryland but I don't think I've ever caught one north of the Crisfield area.

I've caught good numbers of both species on conventional gear and with flies in TX and FL. I wish they were as plentiful in the Chesapeake as they are in those states. They're fun to catch.

[J. Rentch]

I have caught small Speckled Trout in Weems Creek and a small Puppy Drum in Winchester Creek-off the Severn. Wasn’t targeting them, just hooked up.

[Mark]

I don't know much about fishing in the southern portions of the Chesapeake. I see reports of bull reds being caught on bait in deeper water at the mouth of the Bay. But I rarely hear about them showing up in shallow water in big schools here where you can sight cast to them. It's exciting to see a school of reds "tailing" in shallow water rooting out worms and shrimp. In NC, SC, FL, LA and TX, reds behave that way and actually become easy targets for kayakers and those who fish from skiffs.

Redfish have a high salinty tolerance and may even prefer it. Laguna Madre, TX, a redfish hotspot, is actually saltier than the ocean. Salintiy may impact their willingness to travel up the Chesapeake during times of drought which is not the case this year with our abundant rain thus far.

I don't think we offer the best conditions here in MD to encourage large redfish populations like in Gulf Coast states and southern Atlantic Coast states. A trip to those waters is the best way to experience what reds have to offer to anglers in my opinion -- a colorful exceptionally strong fish that will hit bait and lures and flies on top and bottom and pull harder than stripers of equal size.

Again, I wish they were common in our waters. But I think to really appreciate them, a plane ticket or long drive is required.

[dsaavedra]

I have caught or seen being caught speckled trout and puppy drum as far north as the Severn. I agree with others, they are a rarity this far north and not nearly plentiful enough to actually target them.