There’s no better feeling than putting together a plan, hitting the water, and slinging your target species over the gunnel - especially when you manage to move on to the next species, and then the next. Every trip on the water may not be filled with multi-species madness, but if you pay attention to the rest of this article you’ll be prepared when the opportunity strikes.
There’s no better feeling than putting together a plan, hitting the water, and slinging your target species over the gunnel - especially when you manage to move on to the next species, and then the next. Every trip on the water may not be filled with multi-species madness, but if you pay attention to the rest of this article you’ll be prepared when the opportunity strikes.
Prep For Success
The research you do, before you hit the water, is arguably the most important aspect if you want to target multiple species - how can you plan on searching for different kinds of fish if you don’t even know what species are around? Plan on choosing three species you’d like to catch within a body of water that will inhabit areas within a range you can target, ideally fish that behave similarly so you don’t have to switch up tactics/areas too much. Another thing to keep in mind is time of year and seasons. You want to choose a time of year when all your target species will be feeding heavily at some point throughout the day.
Freshwater Fishing
Maryland is home to some spectacular freshwater fishing, which opens anglers up to a seemingly endless range of options. Lure choice is going to play a major role in what ends up on the end of the line. If you’re looking for a variety of species, small inline spinners are your best bet.
The vibrations sent out from the spinner help attract fish that hunt heavily using their lateral line, while the flash will help bring in visual predators. From carp to snakehead, inline spinners are one of the few lures you can tie on that will get bit by basically anything.
Whatever you end up throwing, relatively small lures will open you up to panfish like crappie and perch as well as your larger species, increasing your odds of catching multiple species. Live minnows under a bobber will also get eaten by just about anything out there, and make for easier fishing if you have inexperienced anglers or children along for the journey.
However you decide to fish, if you want to catch as many species as possible, go during the spring or fall. During the warmest and coldest months of the year, certain species tend to slow down and feed minimally. This can make for tough fishing for a single species, let alone multiple.
On The Bay
There are lots of options when it comes to catching multiple species in a single day in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. In the northern reaches, you’ll likely be filling your fish box with rockfish, catfish, and perch, along with the occasional oddity during the warmer months.
As you make your way south, your chances of running into our warmer water migratory species begin to develop. Redfish, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, cobia, and more call the Chesapeake Bay home and make their way into Maryland's waters during certain times of the year. Doing your research on when and where these species will be during certain times of the year, and matching up where they overlap is the key to success.
As a rule of thumb, stay away from targeting multi-species during the winter. Our warm water species have fled to the south while the waters cool and the bay gets filled with baitfish and rockfish preparing to spawn.
Speckled trout and redfish will make their way to Maryland in the spring, followed by cobia, mackerel, and more as temperatures continue to rise. May is a great month to target multiple species; it’s not too hot for rockfish, and not too cold for redfish and trout. During the heat of the summer, it’s best to stay away from rockfish. As the temperatures increase, so does the risk of post-release mortality. Luckily, by that time, the bluefish, cobia, and mackerel bite should be in full swing and occupying anglers' minds until rockfish are more comfortable.
White perch are a reliable option from the late spring through the fall and are a great backup if all else fails or you want to tack on another species for the day. If you have children aboard and are looking to play some mystery fish mania, tie on some bottom rigs with #6 hooks, get some bloodworms and fish bites, and head to the closest wreck or reef. Drifting them along the structure will produce all the bottom fish you can think of and then some.
Get Ready For Your Next Fishing Outing
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Be sure to acquire your license from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources if you plan on heading out on your own (charter passengers are covered by the captain’s license).
Visit our Planning Resources page for information on fishing charters and guides, lodging options, marinas, retailers, and more. And if you’re up for a quick getaway, be sure to check out Visit Maryland for places to stay, dining, and things to do while you’re here.
About the Author
If you are headed out on the bay and have any questions, or would like to follow up with me about this article, reach out to me on Instagram @reelinwithrudow or by email at [email protected]