As we all try to practice social distance to stay healthy, it’s a great time to get outside and spend a day fishing. Surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and filled with rivers, ponds and reservoirs, Maryland is full of opportunities to make a catch, including the invasive and tasty blue catfish.

Ten to 12 years ago Maryland anglers were just getting on a roll with big, barrel-chested blue catfish that were inhabiting the Potomac River. For many years following, these river monsters brought thrill-seeking, big-fish enthusiasts to the Potomac and a small but fervent clan of regional catfishers capitalized on big numbers of 25 to 50 pound fish. But over time, the adaptable blue catfish spread to many other tidal river systems in both the western and eastern estuaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Today, Free State anglers can fish any number of tidal flows that currently sport emerging populations of these giants.

 

Although the Potomac River remains the best option for Maryland anglers to encounter a true monster of 50 pounds or more, the river currently contains high numbers of smaller, “eater-sized” cats that will run from 5 to 15 pounds. The dynamics of the blue catfish size structure has changed, with smaller, more numerous fish making up the bulk of the catch. But as these fish distributed and migrated to other Atlantic slope and Chesapeake systems, new populations emerged and fish began to rapidly grow, offering catfish fanatics options to capture larger, average-sized fish that can run from 15 to 30 pounds and in some cases even bigger.  

While environmental concerns and commercial harvest strategies continue to evolve in an effort to curtail any further runaway blue catfish explosions, anglers are currently encouraged to enjoy both the excitement and table fare offered by these emerging “big fish” opportunities. At the current time, the Eastern Shore rivers of the Nanticoke, Marsheyhope and Choptank systems are yielding 10 to 30-pound blue catfish that can be targeted in the deeper channels and drop offs of each system. With the May to June spawning periods not too far away, anglers can cash in on pre-spawn catfish with a variety of cut baits fished in these deeper holes and channels. Fresh-caught gizzard shad or cut sunfish and other panfish all work well. But keep in mind it is unlawful to use any herring, white or hickory shad for bait as these restored species are still under a “catch and release” regulation. 

At the head of the Chesapeake Bay the Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam has stout blue catfish that can push 30 pounds along with a dynamic population of flathead catfish that also run from 10 to 30 pounds. Larger fish have been caught and released, as a growing number of “cat fanatics” enjoy boating, shoreline and kayaking adventures for the river monsters. Additionally, throughout much of the Upper Bay complex, a mixture of blue, flathead and channel catfish are showing up as regional salinities have declined in the past three years due to high volumes of freshwater in the bay, allowing catfish populations to disperse and prosper. And on the Western Shore the Patuxent River remains a sleeper with a well-established population of blue catfish.

When fishing for deepwater catfish that can exceed 30 pounds, stout gear with 30 to 50 pound test monofilament lines are required. We like to use economical Shakesphere Ugly Sticks from 6.5 to 8 feet that are rated for medium heavy to heavy action and can handle no-roll and in-line sinkers from 4 to 8 ounces to keep baits down in heavier tidal currents. Hook sizes can be a personal issue, but a 6/0 or 8/0 non-offset circle hook will handle the bulk of the catfish you would encounter. Simply run the sinker on your mainline followed by a plastic bead then tied to a 50 pound test barrel swivel. Then tie a 16- to 24-inch 50 pound monofilament leader to the swivel with the snelled hook at the end.

Either spinning or baitcasting gear can be employed with a 5000 series reel that will comfortably handle 30 to 50 pound lines. Some anglers may view this as overkill, and you can certainly land many quality fish on smaller, 20 pound class outfits. However, when Mr. Big shows up, you might want to have the odds in your favor. Kayak anglers will likely use lighter gear and may even use braided lines. Often, the choices are personal on tackle and gear.

Pieces of cut sunfish, gizzard shad or other panfish should be hooked as to allow complete exposure of the hook point for better hooksets and hook penetration. Permit the rod to rest in the holder and when a bite does occur allow the rod to “load up” and bend completely over, which indicates a larger fish that most likely has the bait completely in its mouth. Often, smaller catfish will tap and nibble on a bait for several minutes, never really committing. However, a larger 20 pound class and up catfish will bury the rod-tip, sometimes to the waterline, frequently hooking themselves. Then grab the rod from the holder and enjoy the fight.

Although each situation is different, we try to position our boats up-current from deeper holes, structure or marked fish. Large river eddys can hold fish throughout the duration of a tidal sequence and are always worth a look. Once anchored up, we like to set out a spread of rods to entice any wandering blue cats in the area. Traditionally, prime tidal phases have been the last two hours of an incoming or outgoing flow, with dead high or low tide catches being a bonus. Big cats like moving water.

There aren’t too many fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic that offer chances to catch multiple fish in the 20 to 30 pound range in a single day. But as blue catfish populations continue to expand and prosper in Chesapeake river systems the realization of big fish excitement can certainly become a reality.

You can purchase your Maryland Fishing License online, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. 

To help plan your fishing adventure, visit Fishandhuntmaryland.com.