Allow your mind to drift into calm waters, with the sound of water tapping gently against the side of your boat, gulls calling in the distance…. then all of a sudden…Zzzzizzzz! the clicker on the reel peels out and prompts the crew to yell, “Fish on!” Oh yeah, life is good!
ABC’s of July fishing…
Anglers have distanced themselves from the negativity of the evening news and chosen to find enjoyment in the great fishing our region has to offer this month. A variety of species are available throughout the region. This presents options for both near shore and deep water fishing.
Bluefish action has improved greatly this month. Near shore there are good numbers of snapper blues in the one pound class swimming among schools of baitfish. Although trolling is the best method of catching them, casting lures works well when they are found actively feeding in the schools of bait. Larger bluefish can be found around areas of structure. These locations include the target ships off Smith and Tangier Islands, the many local artificial reefs and edges of the main shipping channel.
Cobia, one of the most formidable inshore fish, are known to grow to lengths of over 60 inches and amass weights up to 100 pounds. Since early June, the conversation among anglers has been centered around this species.
The Cobia bite is hot. Boats can be seen for several miles as they line up along contour lines in 20 feet or less of water. Creel limits are one fish per person (minimum 40 inches) with a max of three per boat each day. Only one fish per boat may exceed 50 inches each day. You can catch them between Windmill Point and the Great Wicomico River and from Smith Point up into Maryland waters as well as in the lower Potomac River. Most are found in relatively shallow water.
Early in the season, cobia prefer live bait to artificial lures. The best live offerings are live eels, spot and cut menhaden. The best way to present your bait is on a stout, sharp 7/0-8/0 circle hook on a 60-pound test leader. Both fish finder rigs as well as free floating baits will entice bites. Chumming helps to lure the fish near the boat and produces surprisingly rewarding results. My charters have landed several cobia in excess of 50 inches this season and with large schools still entering the bay, July looks very promising for this fishery.
We deploy artificial lures after the spawn when single fish are found prowling top water during late July. Cobia caught by sight casting with spinning gear is a light tackle dream.
Spanish mackerel have been rolling through the area since mid-June and should be in full swing by months end and peak by early August. They have a potential size of three feet in length and a weight of nearly 9 pounds. The local catches average between 16 and 24 inches in length.
Mackerel often school along with Taylor blues. As with bluefish, they can be found feeding along the flats leading to, and atop the edges of channel areas. Spanish mackerel prefer a quickly trolled spoon at speeds of 5-7 knots. Size #0 Drone and Clark spoons are deadly. Creel limits are 15 per person over 14 inches in length.
Spot fishing has been good. Catches have been plentiful in all the rivers. These fish will continue to increase in size and number into August and September. Hard bottom locations with oyster beds are the preferred structure for spot. Bloodworms outperform other baits by far.
Trout fishing has been good since June. Speckled trout are found in locations boasting skinny water (3 to 8 feet) with grassy structure or protection. Mobjack Bay, Piankatank River, Gwynn’s Island and the creeks between Windmill Point and the mouth of the Great Wicomico River are all traditionally good locations to find these fish. I find that small jig heads sporting rubber shad or worms are very productive. You may prefer drifting a live minnow under a bobber. Creel limits are five fish per person over 14 inches with only one fish over 24 inches per day.
Practice up this month and join in on the fun in the fifth annual Bay Bash Family Fishing Tournament Saturday, August 8, at Ingram Bay Marina. It is a multiple species contest that definitely puts the “fun” in fishing! For more information on that event, go to BayBash.com.
Boating provides a great opportunity for family time. Fishing is more than ‘catching’ it’s about the whole experience. Life is good!
Until next time…Fair winds.
Capt. Billy Pipkin, a saltwater fishing columnist, owns and operates Capt. Billy’s Charter Service and Ingram Bay Marina located in Wicomico Church 580-7292. www.captbillyscharters.com
