Official Flats/Spawning activity thread

[Charkbait]

Here is where I'll compile all the activity I hear or see this staging and spawning season. Schoolies should start showing up in the next two weeks and a 42" was caught at the bay bridge this weekend. Flats temps today and through the next few are a bit cold at just under 40*, as they start to hit 42-43+ they'll be there.

Also, when I say "start showing up" I mean a few will be caught each day, not the 100+ fish days that happen at the peak of the flats season. That's usually reserved for April.

My crystal ball says memorial day will be the last of them this season, early run! If it warms quick and early it could be a condensed run and a great two weeks of fishing at AI. 4/26 starts the VA strain trickle and the upper bay tributary slug of fish hits the beaches 5/10-5/24 this year.

It'll be interesting to see how I change my mind as the weather materializes and spawning reports pop up.

[Charkbait]

No change, but with the rain and snow in the northern Susky range it could be a slow start to the catching. If they get a decent amount of snow it will cool the flats temps and catching fish will be difficult and reserved for the bait dunkers and there will be slow reports. The fish will be there anyway just tough to catch and possibly below the C&R boundary.


They are still getting fish at the CBBT but my guess is not for too much longer. Maybe 2 weeks.

[Charkbait]

some decent fish are into the mid-bay area and the herring have begun to show in the rivers of the northern bay, they'll be up there soon.

there is so much mud and trash coming out of the susky it may be another 10-14 days before anyone does any catching. I was going to head out next friday but may bag that trip. Rough rivers and floating debris do not make for good first splash downs. Especially in my little dinghy.

[chip]

Ben have you heard any reports on roaring point as far as herring n or rock.

[Charkbait]

Originally Posted by chip

Ben have you heard any reports on roaring point as far as herring n or rock.

nope, where's that?

[chip]

ITS Salisbury in ties into the Nanticoke River some nice rock and white perch and lots of other fish come through there during spawning season.

[ffemtreed]

Originally Posted by chip

ITS Salisbury in ties into the Nanticoke River some nice rock and white perch and lots of other fish

I fished there once in early spring, saw a 8 or 9 year old pull in a huge rock on the equivalent of a snoopy pole (he was rigged up for perch).

Too bad roaring point is considered a tributary and thus no spring striper season there. Its SO close to the opening of the bay.

[pwf]

Hey Guys,
I have a week off work the end of March. I was thinking about heading out onto the Bay Bridge Tunnel pier to try my luck. My thinking was the stripers would be heading into the bay to spawn. Since you guys seem to know about spawning etc.. What do you think about the Sea Gull Pier?

My other option is to just hit Good Ol' Assateague and save the 1.5 hour drive.

Any info is much appreciated. Thanks, Pat

[ffemtreed]

Originally Posted by pwf

Hey Guys,
I have a week off work the end of March. I was thinking about heading out onto the Bay Bridge Tunnel pier to try my luck. My thinking was the stripers would be heading into the bay to spawn. Since you guys seem to know about spawning etc.. What do you think about the Sea Gull Pier?

My other option is to just hit Good Ol' Assateague and save the 1.5 hour drive.

Any info is much appreciated. Thanks, Pat

From what I understand, they are already in the rivers and bay. Except for the fish heading North to the DE bay and Hudson river. Those are the fish you will catch at AI during the very end of March.

I am not sure out the sea gull pier would fare during this time of year since i never fished there. One of the VA boy's will chime in and give you advice.

[Charkbait]

Jim is right,

I'd say a good shot for stripers will be at AI, otherwise try and fish some of the C&R spots inside the bay.

IMO hudson/DE run fish will be in the area for about a 2-3 week window from late March into early April. These are GENERALLY a smaller stock of fish then we see in May.

[chip]

Jim do you if they are in NANTICOKE RIVER .

[ffemtreed]

Originally Posted by chip

Jim do you if they are in NANTICOKE RIVER .

Its been almost a year since I was last there and I havn't heard any word from anyone if the fish are there.

I would guess they are there now (and have been for a couple weeks). They are just waiting for the right moon phase and temps to start spawning.

[trowpa]

Originally Posted by ffemtreed

They are just waiting for the right moon phase and temps to start spawning.

me too

[Charkbait]

Originally Posted by ffemtreed

Its been almost a year since I was last there and I havn't heard any word from anyone if the fish are there.

I would guess they are there now (and have been for a couple weeks). They are just waiting for the right moon phase and temps to start spawning.

The Spawn in the Choptank and other places does happen earlier than in the upper bay we are still a good bit away from them being "there" (meaning fully staged) and spawning. 4-6 weeks out but the trickle has started. I don't believe it is legal to target stripers in the Nanticoke, even for Catch and Release.

[ffemtreed]

Originally Posted by Charkbait

The Spawn in the Choptank and other places does happen earlier than in the upper bay we are still a good bit away from them being "there" (meaning fully staged) and spawning. 4-6 weeks out but the trickle has started. I don't believe it is legal to target stripers in the Nanticoke, even for Catch and Release.

Yes you are correct, there is NO spring season for the Choptank or Naticoke. Got to wait till June 1st to target stripers. Off subject, Roaring point is a very good spot to fish for perch in the spring.