Specktacular

[Redyak]

As planned, my buddy and I headed down to Dorchester County yesterday morning. In a nutshell, we caught about 20 specks. Biggest was 20 1/2 inches. Caught a dozen or so croaker. Biggest was 15 inches. One of the best days fishing so far. I will post details on my blog later today.

Mike

[ictalurus]

Wow, that's a nice stringer. Congrats on the awesome day. Looking forward to hearing the details.

[J.A. Veil]

Good job on the specs and croakers. That will be some fine eating.

[chimo]

Beautiful Specks!

[mango]

Some beautiful fish

[Shady]

Nice work, can't wait to read the full report. Thus far in my kayak fishing career, I've only been able to catch sublegal specks...

[echo5oscar]

Very nice! Where do I need to go and what type of tackle is used up here to target specks? I grew up on the gulf coast and trying to get at some of those trout myself. Any help would be great!

[Redyak]

E5O, we used this. We did alternate jig head colors, from white to chartreuse. No difference in effectiveness. It is a chartreuse 4" Gulp Saltwater Swimming Mullet.

There are a few public boat launches in southern Dorchester County, that give you access to the Honga River and Fishing Bay. It is about a 2 hr. drive from Annapolis.

[echo5oscar]

Awesome. Thanks Red. A friend of mine wants to go down there with me. So I think we might head down there as soon as we can.

Also, are the specs in that area this time of year? Or is this something that isn't normal?

[Redyak]

Honestly, I don't know. I only started fishing for them last fall. From everything that I have read, this is a banner year for specks in that area. I think that the high salinity in the Bay has/will push the fish further north. I also think that the numbers are up, but I have no scientific data to support that. I hope that this is not a one off and the fishery thrives for years to come.

[echo5oscar]

I agree with you on the every year part. I think the salinity has something to do with it also. Growing up on the Texas gulf coast trout and reds were our main targets. During really dry summers it was common for them to move way up into the rivers and creeks from the bays. Once it rains some, it always seemed to push them back into the bays.

Live mullet or shrimp always worked great down there. Any suggestions on live bait and places to get it around the bay?

[Redyak]

I'm sure specks will bite on peeler and soft crabs. You may have a time keeping the croakers, perch and spot off though.

[ronaultmtd]

I love speck fishing- one of my favorite fish to put on the table, too- mild, flaky tasty fish- fun to catch on light tackle- I caught a nice mess of them last year with Bill and Kevin- congratulations on a nice stringer

[Southerly]

I'm sure specks will bite on peeler and soft crabs. You may have a time keeping the croakers, perch and spot off though.

right next to the choptank bridge is a marina (where the old ferry lays), and right on the water inside the marina is a red shack. it's a soft crab-shedding operation and they usually have good deal on the soft crabs. i never go by where i don't stop to get a couple to fry up for lunch.

croakers like crab, but rays love 'em too.

some really good lookin specs you got there - two thumbs up!

[echo5oscar]

How would I go about catching some live spot? I see these sabiki rigs a lot. Any ideas?