This week we have seen some great fishing in the Assawoman and Sinepuxent Bays. Clean water and great weather conditions have sparked the flounder bite in the bays. The flounder fishing has been great in many locations using a variety of techniques. There has been a decent striper bite on the jetties also, especially in the late evenings and early mornings on good tides. Live bait has been a good bet when targeting the stripers, but lures and flies have taken fish too in recent trips. The wreck fishing continues to be pretty good with some nice tautog and sea bass showing up regularly.
I hope to get some more photos posted soon and keep you up to date on the fishing.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Ocean City Bay and Inshore Fishing Update
The summer season is in now in full swing on the Maryland coast and we have been busy fishing in the coastal bays and inshore waters out of Ocean City , MD. The wind has had a way of blowing an awful lot all Spring and has continued blowing on into the early summer pretty regularly. We have had to take full advantage of the days we get when we have had good water conditions and manageable winds. Off colorwater has been an issuein the coastal bays all week , making the flounder fishing tough to say the least. Though we had some good success last week cacthing some nice flounders, this week we spent most of the time fishing on near shore wrecks and reef sites for tautog and sea bass.
The tautog bite has been great, and we caught some good ones this week up to 10 lbs, and the fishing was steady. We used sand fleas and crabs for bait, fished onconventional rods rigged with 50 lb braid. The fishing was good Tuesday and Thursday, and I hope we will see some more good fishing this week.
The tautog bite has been great, and we caught some good ones this week up to 10 lbs, and the fishing was steady. We used sand fleas and crabs for bait, fished onconventional rods rigged with 50 lb braid. The fishing was good Tuesday and Thursday, and I hope we will see some more good fishing this week.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Ocean City Bay and Inshore Fishing Update
It’s that time of year again, and I have made my annual migration to Ocean City, MD for a summer of fishing trips on the Maryland coast. Each year we fish for a variety of species along in the coastal bays and inshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Some of our common target species are stripers , bluefish, sea trout, flounder, tautog, and sea bass among others.
We began fishing over the weekend with hopes to catch some stripers, blues, and shad on the fly. These fish are common fly rod targets in the back bays each spring. But, as is fishing, the weather put a damper on those plans as we were dealt 20 to 30 kt winds which have continued blowing all week. We adapted our techiniques an went fishing for flounder in the South Bay for flounder where we the water remained clear and fishable despite the wind. We managed to land some nice flounder fishing jigs and fishfinder rigs along channel edges. The flounder fishing has continued to be pretty good all week.
The weather is set to improve as the week moves on into the holiday weekend as should he fishing conditions. The tautog bite has been great on the near shore wrecks and I hope to take advantage of this on some of the next few trips. Cleaner water and less wind will offer some fly rod fishing also. I’ll keep you posted.
Gunpowder River Fly Fishing Update
Finally, we have some good water flows in the Gunpowder due to spillover at the Prettyboy Reservoir Dam. And imagine that, the trout fishing has been awesome. We have seen good hatches of caddis for the last week along the river. The fish have been anxious to take the bugs, most of which are olive bodied in a size 16. They work on the dead drift or on the skitter. Here are a few shots of some fish we took on Friday while fishing caddis near the dam.
Sulfurs have started hatching also and offered even more good dry fly fishing. Look for both the sulfurs and caddis in and near the riffles throughout the stream. Pick up some of our favorite local fly patterns at the Backwater Angler fly shop in Monkton, MD.
Get out there and fish! Now is the time. Leave work and worry behind for the day. I fished the my last 2 trips on the Gunpowder above Falls Rd. during the week her in May. We caught fish steady both days and never saw another angler. Thats nuts! Stream flows are at 120 as of today, perfect for fishing.
We began fishing over the weekend with hopes to catch some stripers, blues, and shad on the fly. These fish are common fly rod targets in the back bays each spring. But, as is fishing, the weather put a damper on those plans as we were dealt 20 to 30 kt winds which have continued blowing all week. We adapted our techiniques an went fishing for flounder in the South Bay for flounder where we the water remained clear and fishable despite the wind. We managed to land some nice flounder fishing jigs and fishfinder rigs along channel edges. The flounder fishing has continued to be pretty good all week.
Gunpowder River Fly Fishing Update
Finally, we have some good water flows in the Gunpowder due to spillover at the Prettyboy Reservoir Dam. And imagine that, the trout fishing has been awesome. We have seen good hatches of caddis for the last week along the river. The fish have been anxious to take the bugs, most of which are olive bodied in a size 16. They work on the dead drift or on the skitter. Here are a few shots of some fish we took on Friday while fishing caddis near the dam.
Sulfurs have started hatching also and offered even more good dry fly fishing. Look for both the sulfurs and caddis in and near the riffles throughout the stream. Pick up some of our favorite local fly patterns at the Backwater Angler fly shop in Monkton, MD.
Get out there and fish! Now is the time. Leave work and worry behind for the day. I fished the my last 2 trips on the Gunpowder above Falls Rd. during the week her in May. We caught fish steady both days and never saw another angler. Thats nuts! Stream flows are at 120 as of today, perfect for fishing.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Susquehanna Flats Fishing Update
The catch and release fishing season on the Susquehanna Flats comes to a close today. The week long season extension was well worth it as we saw some really good fishing early in the week. We had a good fly rod bite over the weekend catching some teenage size fish on the east end of flats. Gray/white and Chartreuse /white half and halfs worked good fished on sinking lines in 7 to 10 feet of water. We caught a good number of teenage size fish to 26 inches with an occasional big fish bite.
A great topwater bite turned on Monday on top of the flats, and we had some of the best fishing of the season early in the week. We caught some beautiful stripers fishing fly rod poppers and big plugs on the spinning rods. We landed numerous fish in the 20 to 30 lb range and several over 30 our best weighing in at 34 lbs. Of course there are always those that got away, and I watched a few truly huge fish manage to shake the hook this week.
The Susquehanna Flats is an unpredicatable fishery by nature, one day you burn them, the next you struggle for a bite. Water conditions and varying early Spring weather always makes the fishing an adventure. For those of you who have caught it at it’s best the reward of a 30lb+ striper exploding on a topwater fly or lure in 3 feet of water is a reward worth fishing for.
Thanks to everyone who gave it a shot this Spring. Look forward to seeing you again next year.
A great topwater bite turned on Monday on top of the flats, and we had some of the best fishing of the season early in the week. We caught some beautiful stripers fishing fly rod poppers and big plugs on the spinning rods. We landed numerous fish in the 20 to 30 lb range and several over 30 our best weighing in at 34 lbs. Of course there are always those that got away, and I watched a few truly huge fish manage to shake the hook this week.
The Susquehanna Flats is an unpredicatable fishery by nature, one day you burn them, the next you struggle for a bite. Water conditions and varying early Spring weather always makes the fishing an adventure. For those of you who have caught it at it’s best the reward of a 30lb+ striper exploding on a topwater fly or lure in 3 feet of water is a reward worth fishing for.
Thanks to everyone who gave it a shot this Spring. Look forward to seeing you again next year.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Susquehanna Flats Fishing Update April 27
Great topwater fishing, but tough fly rod bite!
Once again this week we have had unpredictable fishing on the flats, go figure. Any days we have had heavy wind, the fishing has been poor. I find this mostly because most of the fish we are catching are really shallow, and the skinny water tends to dirty quickly during a blow. Except for an occasional morning or evening we have not had good fishing in areas other than the shallow flats.
It has been really tough catching fish on the fly this year on the flats. I have never caught so few fish on the fly in a season . The overall numbers of fish which showed up were down, especially the schoolie sized fish, so this did not help with the fly fishing. Also, with the amounts of grass present in the skinny water areas we are fishing it is tough to present anything but a popper or some other sort of surface fly. For some reason the fish will just not take the fly poppers like they will the larger spinning rod poppers. Even when trying bait and switch techniques and every pattern in the box, we have come up short. Thanks to those of you who came out and cast until your arms fell off trying.
The good news is that there has been an awesome topwater bite many days in the last week or so on light tackle. Large poppers have drawn some awesome strikes in 2-4 feet of water. Most of the fish we are catching are large, many over 20 lbs. We have had many days with multiple topwater strikes and on our best day landed over a dozen fish. I am hoping this topwater bite will hold up until the scheduled season end date of May 3. Here are a some shots from the week.
I have two of evening trips later this week still open for those of you who still might want to give the fishing on the flats a shot. Just let me know. We will likely be fishing with light spinning tackle and poppers.
Gunpowder River Notes
The fishing on the Gupowder had been good despite still low flows. One of my regular sports gave me a calll yesterday and reported catching 8 good browns from 10 to 13 inches on an evening outing earlier this week above Falls Rd. The fish were taking Hendrickson duns and midges. Water levels are still in the mid thirty cfs range, and recent rains should continue to help with water levels in Prettyboy. One thing is for sure, we are shaping up for a good late Spring and summer with a full reservoir on hand. Let’s just hope the city manages the water well.
Check out my friends at Backwater Angler in their new location on York Rd. in Hereford at the intersection of York and Monkton Rds. opening May 1. Stop in to shop for any of your fly-fishing needs, stream reports and friendly advice. Backwater Angler has served our local fly fishing community for 7 years as the regions “go to” fly shop for Gunpowder River fishing.
2008 Morel Hunt
As you may know my next favorite thing to fishing is mushroom hunting! This Spring has been awesome.
Once again this week we have had unpredictable fishing on the flats, go figure. Any days we have had heavy wind, the fishing has been poor. I find this mostly because most of the fish we are catching are really shallow, and the skinny water tends to dirty quickly during a blow. Except for an occasional morning or evening we have not had good fishing in areas other than the shallow flats.
It has been really tough catching fish on the fly this year on the flats. I have never caught so few fish on the fly in a season . The overall numbers of fish which showed up were down, especially the schoolie sized fish, so this did not help with the fly fishing. Also, with the amounts of grass present in the skinny water areas we are fishing it is tough to present anything but a popper or some other sort of surface fly. For some reason the fish will just not take the fly poppers like they will the larger spinning rod poppers. Even when trying bait and switch techniques and every pattern in the box, we have come up short. Thanks to those of you who came out and cast until your arms fell off trying.
The good news is that there has been an awesome topwater bite many days in the last week or so on light tackle. Large poppers have drawn some awesome strikes in 2-4 feet of water. Most of the fish we are catching are large, many over 20 lbs. We have had many days with multiple topwater strikes and on our best day landed over a dozen fish. I am hoping this topwater bite will hold up until the scheduled season end date of May 3. Here are a some shots from the week.
Gunpowder River Notes
The fishing on the Gupowder had been good despite still low flows. One of my regular sports gave me a calll yesterday and reported catching 8 good browns from 10 to 13 inches on an evening outing earlier this week above Falls Rd. The fish were taking Hendrickson duns and midges. Water levels are still in the mid thirty cfs range, and recent rains should continue to help with water levels in Prettyboy. One thing is for sure, we are shaping up for a good late Spring and summer with a full reservoir on hand. Let’s just hope the city manages the water well.
Check out my friends at Backwater Angler in their new location on York Rd. in Hereford at the intersection of York and Monkton Rds. opening May 1. Stop in to shop for any of your fly-fishing needs, stream reports and friendly advice. Backwater Angler has served our local fly fishing community for 7 years as the regions “go to” fly shop for Gunpowder River fishing.
2008 Morel Hunt
As you may know my next favorite thing to fishing is mushroom hunting! This Spring has been awesome.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Susquehanna Flats Update
We have been fishing steady on the flats the last week with varied success. This past weekend brought some good fishing for those who put forth the effort. The larger fish being caught on lures and flies are being taken in mostly shallow water. Early morning and late evening have been good for fishing these areas in 3 to 6 feet of water. Many fish are falling for large surface plugs and some taking other lures and flies. Though spotty, if you are in the right spot you can definately move some fish.
We had some schoolie size fish show up and they offered fast paced fly fishing action for a few days. We had some fish good fish on the fly up to about 12 lbs. We fished mostly staple patterns like half and halfs and decievers. This week has been tougher since the early week north winds, and I am hoping for some good action in the next few days.
Water conditions are excellent. We have good temperature and clarity, and really just need a good push of fish to make for some good fishing. I will keep you posted as we go. Trying to put together a video update to give you a look at some of the fishing. Good weather forecast for the next few days. Hopefully good fishing too.
We had some schoolie size fish show up and they offered fast paced fly fishing action for a few days. We had some fish good fish on the fly up to about 12 lbs. We fished mostly staple patterns like half and halfs and decievers. This week has been tougher since the early week north winds, and I am hoping for some good action in the next few days.
Water conditions are excellent. We have good temperature and clarity, and really just need a good push of fish to make for some good fishing. I will keep you posted as we go. Trying to put together a video update to give you a look at some of the fishing. Good weather forecast for the next few days. Hopefully good fishing too.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Susquehanna Flats Fishing Update
We started fishing on the Susquehanna Flats this week. Despite being open since March 1, the fishing is just now getting under way due to turbid water and cool water temps. Each year we deal with the same condition issues on the flats so you get pretty used to the unpredictable nature of the fishery. This week surface water temps hung in the mid 40’s to just over 50 degrees in a few spots yesterday afternoon. The water clarity ranged from one foot of visibility to an easy 2 feet in other areas.
The fishing was spotty to say the least. As typical the folks who choose to fish with cut or live baits are managing to catch some fish. The bait fishing was pretty consistent from all reports I recieved and from what I saw this week. Catching them on lures and flies, however, was another story. I had to cover lots of water to catch some fish. Most of our success was in shallow water, from 3 to 8 feet. We caught all of our fish this week on lures, large lures. The biggest swimming plugs we could throw brought the most success. All of the fish we landed were large, 34 inches+. We landed one Friday close to 35 lbs. Bites were few and far between. Hopefully this is just the beggining of some good fishing to come.
We have yet to land one on a fly yet this week, but I’m sure it’s only a day away. Water conditions are improving daily, and with a little luck we’ll have some awesome fishing this coming week.
Gunpowder River Quick Update
I have guided several trips on the Gunpowder River in the past week or two. Though water flows are still low, the fishing in areas has been great. We saw some awesome midge fishing on the upper river last week and were able to land good numbers of fish on each outing while fishing a variety of midge patterns. Dark midge patterns in gray and black fished dry on a 7x leader worked well on risers, as did pupae patterns fished short under an indicator. A bead head zebra midge in a 22 gray worked great.
I ‘ll keep you posted.
The fishing was spotty to say the least. As typical the folks who choose to fish with cut or live baits are managing to catch some fish. The bait fishing was pretty consistent from all reports I recieved and from what I saw this week. Catching them on lures and flies, however, was another story. I had to cover lots of water to catch some fish. Most of our success was in shallow water, from 3 to 8 feet. We caught all of our fish this week on lures, large lures. The biggest swimming plugs we could throw brought the most success. All of the fish we landed were large, 34 inches+. We landed one Friday close to 35 lbs. Bites were few and far between. Hopefully this is just the beggining of some good fishing to come.
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| This nice 20 lber fell for a 7″Bomber swimming plug in chrome/blue. |
Gunpowder River Quick Update
I have guided several trips on the Gunpowder River in the past week or two. Though water flows are still low, the fishing in areas has been great. We saw some awesome midge fishing on the upper river last week and were able to land good numbers of fish on each outing while fishing a variety of midge patterns. Dark midge patterns in gray and black fished dry on a 7x leader worked well on risers, as did pupae patterns fished short under an indicator. A bead head zebra midge in a 22 gray worked great.
I ‘ll keep you posted.
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