Don Goff and Chris Walker found their special place on a calm sunset evening while fishing from their kayaks. Photo by Todd E. Burnett
As the month of November approaches its end, we have a lot to be thankful for here in Maryland. Outdoor opportunities abound from the mountain streams of western Maryland to the Chesapeake Bay and coastal beaches. Here’s hoping you find your own place in nature for reflection during this special time of the year.
Forecast Summary: Nov. 21 – 27
With Chesapeake Bay temperatures at 50 degrees and dropping, blue crabs are digging into the bottom sediments along channel edges to prepare for upcoming winter. Bay fish are also moving towards winter holding areas or migrating out of the Bay. With plenty of cool waters and oxygen from surface to bottom, anglers can avoid waters with poor water clarity from recent, heavy rains.
In addition, look for concentrations of fish in some of the slightly warmer bottom waters located from the Bay Bridge south to near the Maryland state line in areas with good structure such as underwater points, oyster bottom, reefs, channel edges and large schools of baitfish.
Temperatures will be moderate most of this week except for some colder weather on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. Another chance of rain rolls in on Saturday and again on Monday. Expect sunny to partly cloudy conditions most of the other days with air temperatures in the mid-50s and cool night-time temperatures in the upper 30s to mid-40s. At the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Maryland Department of Natural Resources buoys, water temperatures continue to cool, with Annapolis at 49 degrees, Gooses Reef at 50 degrees, Mallows Bay at 45 degrees and Point Lookout at 51 degrees. Water temperatures should continue to drop this week due to the cooling air temperatures.
There is still poor water clarity on the main bay down to the Bay Bridge and on the Potomac River down to near Colonial Beach. In addition, expect water clarity to decline localized and nearshore areas as another round of rain enters the area Saturday. There will be above average tidal currents all week as a result of the full moon Nov. 23-24.
Department monitoring crews will be out early next week to provide updates on bay conditions from surface to bottom.
For the full weekly fishing conditions summary and more, please be sure to check out Click Before You Cast.
In addition, look for concentrations of fish in some of the slightly warmer bottom waters located from the Bay Bridge south to near the Maryland state line in areas with good structure such as underwater points, oyster bottom, reefs, channel edges and large schools of baitfish.
Temperatures will be moderate most of this week except for some colder weather on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. Another chance of rain rolls in on Saturday and again on Monday. Expect sunny to partly cloudy conditions most of the other days with air temperatures in the mid-50s and cool night-time temperatures in the upper 30s to mid-40s. At the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Maryland Department of Natural Resources buoys, water temperatures continue to cool, with Annapolis at 49 degrees, Gooses Reef at 50 degrees, Mallows Bay at 45 degrees and Point Lookout at 51 degrees. Water temperatures should continue to drop this week due to the cooling air temperatures.
There is still poor water clarity on the main bay down to the Bay Bridge and on the Potomac River down to near Colonial Beach. In addition, expect water clarity to decline localized and nearshore areas as another round of rain enters the area Saturday. There will be above average tidal currents all week as a result of the full moon Nov. 23-24.
Department monitoring crews will be out early next week to provide updates on bay conditions from surface to bottom.
For the full weekly fishing conditions summary and more, please be sure to check out Click Before You Cast.
Upper Chesapeake Bay
Cooling water temperatures are having a dramatic effect on striped bass behavior, as their metabolism starts to slow down and they head for the depths of the bay to snooze out the winter. Surface water temperatures in the bay will soon dip into the 40s.
The Conowingo Dam is still releasing water far above the normal rate for this time of the year.
The water clarity has improved a bit in the lower Susquehanna River and some are having good luck casting a mix of crankbaits and soft plastic jigs near the mouths of the Northeast and Sassafras rivers as well as Turkey Point. Those who are jigging say they are allowing lures to work close to the bottom and bites have been subtle, which is not uncommon when the water is cold.
Trolling deep has been a popular option when fishing for striped bass this week along deep channel edges from 35 feet to 50 feet or better. The mouth of the Patapsco River has been one of the more productive places to troll in the upper bay. The deep edges ofSwan, Love and Podickory points are also worth checking out. Umbrella rigs rigged with spoons or chartreuse sassy shads have been popular with swimshads, spoons or bucktails as trailers. This requires stout tackle as it takes plenty of inline weight to get everything down to where the striped bass are holding.
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Don Goff caught this striped bass while fishing from his kayak in the upper bay. Photo by Don Goff
Cooling water temperatures are having a dramatic effect on striped bass behavior, as their metabolism starts to slow down and they head for the depths of the bay to snooze out the winter. Surface water temperatures in the bay will soon dip into the 40s.
The Conowingo Dam is still releasing water far above the normal rate for this time of the year.
The water clarity has improved a bit in the lower Susquehanna River and some are having good luck casting a mix of crankbaits and soft plastic jigs near the mouths of the Northeast and Sassafras rivers as well as Turkey Point. Those who are jigging say they are allowing lures to work close to the bottom and bites have been subtle, which is not uncommon when the water is cold.
Trolling deep has been a popular option when fishing for striped bass this week along deep channel edges from 35 feet to 50 feet or better. The mouth of the Patapsco River has been one of the more productive places to troll in the upper bay. The deep edges ofSwan, Love and Podickory points are also worth checking out. Umbrella rigs rigged with spoons or chartreuse sassy shads have been popular with swimshads, spoons or bucktails as trailers. This requires stout tackle as it takes plenty of inline weight to get everything down to where the striped bass are holding.
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