Southern Maryland anglers see abundant spot and bluefish in Chesapeake Bay

Anglers in Southern Maryland report that spot fish are ubiquitous this week, biting in the Potomac River, Patuxent River, local creeks, coves and the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay. In contrast, croaker (hardhead) have been hard to locate, with only occasional catches at Cedar Point during evening and nighttime hours.

White perch are biting only during the brief twilight periods around sunrise and sunset, while bluefish are active throughout the Bay and its tributaries. Larger bluefish schools have been observed near the Middle Grounds and buoy 72, and smaller schools are feeding on spot in the rivers, making cut‑bait tactics effective for shore anglers. Cobia and bull redfish are scattered across the lower Bay, and alewife are present in good‑sized schools, supporting the opportunistic predators.

Pound netters report an influx of bull redfish that exceeded legal size limits, forcing releases of numerous oversized fish.