The sun is starting to show just how powerful it can be early this summer. It is not even July yet but the summer heat has started. The waters on the Bay have jumped up fast forcing the Stripers to feed early or late in the day. This keeps them on the move and makes it harder for the average angler to keep tract of his pry.
When the heat of the day starts to build the fish find it harder to enjoy the waters because it is so hot. So they feed more early in the mornings. The bait fish are the same and they also are up on top feeding. This allows both a meal in many ways. The bait fish feed on the surface filter feeding the materials from broken down vegetation. The Stripers see them on the surface and close in for a great meal. When you see the sea gulls working on the surface you know the fish are feeding and it is game on!
Right now the Stripers are feeding at Cove point every morning. Just look for the birds working or the Charter Boats fishing. The best time to be there is at day break, but 5 o’clock in the morning is early for some. That is when it starts and will last until about 8 o’clock when the tide changes and they go down for the last time. You will do better trolling for them and catch bigger fish as well. The smaller Stripers are splashing on top feeding, but the big boys lay lower. There has not been any Bluefish in the mix as yet.
Up the Bay near Taylors Island you can find birds working and small Stripers as well. At the mouth of the Choptank River they are trolling and catching the nice 18 to 22 inch fish in good numbers. They have more fish along the banks of Poplar Island in the mornings and they move out to deeper waters by mid morning.
Down the Bay near Hooper’s Island Light on the edge there is Croaker in 30 feet biting on Squid in the day time. No keeper Flounder have been reported but they found Croaker. There is loads of Croaker being catch near buoy 72A in the evenings and at night on most charter boats along with some Spot just before dark. Then the Croaker takes over and they are aggressive eaters.
Capt. Phil Langley on Chesapeake Charm is running evening trips there and can put on the fish. Down behind the Target Ship are Croaker, Spot and Sea Bass being seen coming over the rail. Many anglers on the bigger charter boats are being delighted with improved fishing in the Mud Leads. Bluefish are there as well for trolling and those that get their baits stolen by cut off hooks. Those Bluefish have a bad set of teeth and can cut fingers just as easy, so take caution when handling them. No Spanish have yet to show up but are just down the Bay a ways.
The water is approaching 80 degrees and they love hot water and will come here in time. Not hearing any work on Trout this season and that is why the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has changed the limit on Yellow fin Trout to one fish per angler per day 13 inches or larger. Guess they are in deeper troubles than was thought. Sure do miss those days catching them up to 30 inches and two at a time. But what has not changed in 25 years. As I always say, things are more like they are now, then they ever will be again.
