Tangier Sound waters are heating up, literally, so fishing has settled into it's usual summertime pattern, with some of the better catches being had during early morning and late evening hours. There are exceptions, of course. Snapper blues moved in recently and can often be observed feeding on the surface the first couple of hours after daybreak, and again the last hour or two before sunset. While most of the blues are in the twelve to sixteen inch size range, there are tackle-busters to twenty-one inches mixed in. The best tide has been outgoing. Specialized Baits Li'l Bunker jigging spoons in 3/4 oz. or 1 oz. have been the ticket for these toothy critters, so you can save your plastics for the rockfish and specks. Color doesn't seem to matter.
Speaking of rockfish, after a slow couple of weeks with the stripers, shallow water action seems to be picking up a little. Rock to twenty-seven inches have been caught while casting the grass flats of Tangier, Smith, Watts and Fox islands. As the crab shedding dies down, the rockfish are turning more to silversides and peanut bunker as their main food source. Cast soft plastics, such as, Hogy 4-inch Bunny Swimbaits in bone or tinker mac colors, rigged on a 3/8 ounce jig head for best results.
Speckled trout remain a pleasant memory, as precious few are being caught. It seems the past two winter's cold water kills was simply too much for the adult trout to overcome. Having said that, I still believe that we will see a fall run of last season's young-of-the-year specks, as there were so many around that I find it hard to believe they all succumbed to the frigid weather. I'm sticking to this forecast until proven wrong. There have been reliable reports of flounder joining angler's creels in lower Pocomoke Sound, so I plan to give that a try the next time I have a chance. Rumors of trophy red drum in the mid bay are ever-present, as they school-up for their fall spawning migration to North Carolina waters.There is so much variety here in Tangier Sound's diverse habitat that it's impossible to sample everything in one day. In addition, I'll begin to make the occasional foray to the small town of Madison on the Little Choptank in search of breaking stripers, blues and Spanish macks! Keep reading my blog for current fishing reports and photos.
Tight lines & calm seas,
Kevin
|
|
HUK Performance Fishing Red Trout Tournament
Charter Dates Available
|
Have you signed up for the 3rd Annual HUK Performance Fishing Red Trout Tournament yet? Don't have a boat? After first thinking I was going to fish this tournament as a private boat, I've had a change of heart and decided to run charters both days. After all, why should my clients miss out on all the fun! Anyone who is interested in booking one or both days of the tournament please contact me for details. We've finished in 3rd place each of the past two years so I'll be working hard to reach that 1st place pinnacle. Please contact me via text, email or phone at your earliest convenience.
This year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever! Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland has teamed with Somers Cove Marina, HUK Performance Fishing, and other tournament sponsors for a three day contest and party. The tournament will be held in Crisfield, Maryland, September 19 & 20, and will be headquartered at Somers Cove Marina. There will be a captain's meeting with a buffet dinner on Friday the 18th. Food and drink will be available all weekend! See here for the Tournament Event Schedule. There will be five species categories this year, so don't worry if the speckled trout or redfish are slow to bite. Striped bass, bluefish and flounder will net some fantastic prizes from some great sponsors!!
|
 |
|
|
|
