August fishing: abundance and diversity
August offers a multitude of opportunities with a variety of species available in both the Chesapeake Bay and rivers. Fishing will peak this month with bluefish, Spanish mackerel, spadefish, flounder, whiting, speckled trout, red drum, spot, croaker and cobia.
Water temperatures have been rising steadily after a cool spring. Currently, the bay waters are 81 degrees and rising, with slightly higher levels in the rivers. The warm water has enticed a strong migration of surface feeding fish and bottom feeders.
Trolling action has been very productive for mackerel and blues. There’s been a strong showing of bluefish since early July and Spanish mackerel will be storming the region all month. These fish are often found schooling together. When found, they are both attracted to small spoons decorated with various colored reflective tape. Hot pink, silver, chartreuse and gold are among my favorite offerings. Both the Drone and Clark spoons offer a variety of colors.
Larger specimens of bluefish are located on the eastern side of the shipping channel between Smith Island and Tangier Island. When found, surgical tube eels will not only entice bites, but will hold up against their toothy grin.
Chumming is a popular method for catching bluefish, cobia and spadefish. For blues and cobia, the standard grind of menhaden chum works well. Tip your hooks with small chunks of cut menhaden and enjoy light tackle action. Spadefish will also gather with standard chum, but prefer clam offerings.
Blues can be found on the edge….
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