As the water begins to cool, northern snakehead start to move from the shallow waters to find deeper holes for the winter. You’ll need to switch up your baits to catch them. The baits I lean on heavily in the winter are simple but effective. They include chatterbaits and in-line spinners, as well as spinner baits and live bait. Always be sure to use the right baits for your location and purpose. I use the[...]
The popularity of snakehead fishing has been growing by leaps and bounds, and as this invasive intruder has expanded its presence in Maryland’s waterways in recent years people have begun flocking to the state from all across the region to get in on the action. Just about everyone in search of an explosive snakehead strike and the shockingly good fresh fish meal that follows has the same question: where can snakeheads be found? The bottom-line[...]
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will begin their annual fall trout stocking in October. Trout anglers can expect a variety of golden, rainbow, and brown trout to be stocked across the state. You’ll need a trout stamp if you are 16 years of age or older and will be fishing in a “special catch-and-return trout management area” or to possess trout taken from non tidal waters. Maryland residents with a valid Consolidated Senior Resident[...]
Tips for Taking Newbies Fishing Eliminate the Pressure – Prioritize the experience, rather than how many fish the beginner angler actually catches. Going out on a boat on the Chesapeake Bay, sitting on a riverbank, or paddling around on a pond are enjoyable experiences in and of themselves. Take advantage of this fact and make sure that having fun is “job number-one.” Use KISS Fishing Methods – Trying to explain the fine nuances of pin-point[...]
Twenty-two years ago, Chesapeake Channa (aka northern snakehead) were introduced to a small pond in Crofton, Maryland. Since then, their population has exploded—channa inhabit the murky shallows of just about every tributary of the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. While these fish taste great and are exciting to catch, doing your part to help remove these invasive critters from our local waterways is trickier than it may seem. Let’s dive into exactly[...]
Productive winter yellow perch fishing in upper Chesapeake Bay tributaries attracts many anglers. When the days get shorter and the chilly weather comes, yellow perch gather in schools and feed heavily. Yellow perch fishing starts in November and continues into March. After the yellow perch spawn in early March, they scatter and are harder to find. In the meantime, fun fishing can be had from piers and boats. And, fresh-caught yellow perch is tasty and[...]
As avid hunters, one of the best and most rewarding things we can do is pass the love for our sport on to the next generation. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to get kids interested, as many are naturally interested in wildlife and nature, but some will take to it slower than others. You can start by watching turkeys and deer at close range and show your kids the little things. Just[...]
Northern snakehead: a species that sparks both disdain and adoration. As controversial as they may be, there’s no denying the excitement of pitching flies into their path. These frankenfish, native to Asia, have been making quite the splash throughout parts of the Eastern Seaboard for two decades. Anglers are drawn to their explosive strike, raw power, and succulent meat. But here’s the catch: at the end of the day, they’re still an invasive species that[...]
The only vehicle you need to catch fish is your own two feet. Seriously. No boat, no problem. Any body of water in the State of Maryland with public access points can be fished from shore. I have been a land-based angler my entire life, and I have fallen in love with chasing fish from shore. With the largest percentage of anglers fishing from solid ground, it seems only fitting to share some secrets of[...]