The ride over to Smith Island from Crisfield alone is worth traveling to this Trail site, whether by ferry or mailboat or your own boat. You can even make arrangements for the transport of your own kayak or rent one on the Island.  

Be sure to make time to explore the Island and its towns, but don’t forget you also made the trip to hook into the striped bass, speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and bluefish found in the tidal creek and bays which surround and bisect the Island.  When the tides are ebbing and flowing, you will find no trouble finding places where the currents have attracted these predator fish waiting for more schools of fish to come flowing by.  Be sure to make advance arrangements for lodging on the Island as the marshes will be calling you back that next morning with the next change in the tidal cycle.

Site Location

Smith Island is located within Chesapeake Bay, directly west of Crisfield, Maryland in Somerset County on the Eastern Shore.

Address

Somers Cove Boat Launches Norris Harbor Dr, Crisfield, MD 21817 and Little Boat Harbor Boat Ramp Brick 102 Kiln Rd, Crisfield, MD 21817

How to Get There

A boat or ferry ride is required to access Smith Island with the closest ferry access in Maryland being from Crisfield. There are three different Smith Island ferries departing from Crisfield, Maryland. For more information click here. To get to Crisfield, take Route 13 South below Salisbury, Maryland and then take the exit onto Route 413/Crisfield Highway all the way into the City.

Parking & Launching

There are paved parking lots at the Little Boat Harbor and Somers Cove boat launches. You can launch your boat at Little Boat Harbor 102 Brick Kiln Road, Crisfield, MD 21817 and Somers Cove 715 Broadway, Crisfield, MD, 21817. 

Boat Rentals

Smith Island Inn offers complimentary kayaks to guests.  Otherwise, kayak transport is available via ferry. Fishing from a motorized boat is recommended.

Where to Fish

Fish sod banks around points and inlets around the island or rip-rap near the causeway entrance on the west side.

What to Catch

Spring: Striped bass and redfish

Summer and Fall: Striped bass, bluefish, speckled trout, flounder and redfish

Winter: Striped bass

What to Fish & How

Recommend using a  5 to 8 weight fly rod with no. 4 or no. 6 Clousers minnows or shrimp patterns with 10'–12’ fluorocarbon leader on floating line or shorter leader with sinking line.

Fly Fishing Organizations

Connect with local fly fishing organizations to learn about mentoring opportunities and to connect with others interested in fly fishing.