Fishing Report — May 3, 2026
Bottom line: Good day to fish at Indian River Inlet (tautog & stripers); decent but transitional at Rock Hall (slot stripers opening, full-moon tidal push). Watch for rain/NE wind moving in Monday.
Rock Hall, MD — Upper Chesapeake Bay
What's Biting
- Striped Bass — The big news: as of May 1, anglers in the Bay from the Brewerton Channel south may keep one striper per day in the 19–24" slot. Above the Brewerton Channel (which includes much of the Rock Hall/Swan Point/Eastern Neck area), harvest is still catch-and-release only. Fish are actively feeding mornings and evenings; good numbers along the main channel and shallower shore waters.
- Largemouth Bass & Snakehead — Catch-and-release bass action at the Susquehanna Flats grass beds and nearby tidal rivers. Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) also active in the same zones.
- Perch & Catfish — Background action in tidal creeks; typical for this time of year.
Hot Baits & Techniques
- Paddletails, soft plastic jerkbaits, glide/twitch baits (light tackle casting to shore structure)
- Trolling and jigging along the main channel for bigger fish
- Full moon this past week (May 1) = above-average tidal currents — fish moving bait aggressively
Best Spots
- Main shipping channel edges near Swan Point, Eastern Neck shoals
- Shallower Bay shore flats (casting to structure)
- Note: Susquehanna Flats and all spawning rivers (Chester River, etc.) remain closed to targeting stripers through May 31
Water & Tides
- Water temp: ~60°F (main Bay surface and river mouths)
- Tidal currents still elevated post-full moon — work transitions (incoming/outgoing changes) for best bite windows
Weather Outlook (May 3–4)
- Today (Sun May 3): High 62°F, NW wind ~11 mph — fishable
- Mon May 4: Rain moves in, low ~59°F, NE winds 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph — deteriorating, plan around morning
Regulations Reminder
- Chesapeake Bay slot: 1 fish/day, 19–24" (below Brewerton Channel only)
- Spawning tributaries (Chester, Choptank, Nanticoke, etc.) closed to striper targeting through May 31
- Trolling: 6 lines max, barbless hooks, no stinger hooks
Indian River Inlet, DE — Coastal Inlet
What's Biting
- Tautog (Tog) — Solid keeper action in the inlet; a few more keepers in the mix lately. Note: Delaware tog season closes May 16, so this is your last two weeks. Live green crabs and live sand fleas are the go-to.
- Striped Bass — Shorty stripers in the South Pocket in front of the Big Chill. Slot and over-slot fish showing on the end of the north jetty. Plugs and lead head/soft plastic combos working best.
- Flounder — Active in Indian River Bay. Outgoing tide is best — pull up on a sand bar and drift back. Keepers reported including a 6.8 lb, 26¾" fish at the Old Grounds and a 21.5" fish jigging on the south side of the inlet.
- Sheepshead — Several up to 8 lbs being caught in the inlet during daytime; live sand fleas and frozen shrimp producing.
- Bluefish — Historically bluefish blitz the inlet around Mother's Day; keep an eye out this week.
Hot Baits & Techniques
- Tog: Live green crabs, live sand fleas (shop sells out by mid-afternoon most days)
- Stripers: Plugs, leadhead + soft plastic combos
- Flounder: Drifting on outgoing tide over sand bars; bucktail + Gulp
- Sheepshead: Live sand fleas, frozen shrimp near inlet structure
Best Spots
- North jetty end — slot and over-slot stripers
- South Pocket (Big Chill area) — shorty stripers
- Indian River Bay sand bars — flounder on outgoing tide
- Inlet structure/bridge pilings — tautog and sheepshead
Water & Tides
- Water temp: ~54°F (warming; flounder bite will improve as temps push toward 60°F)
- Tides: Pattern running similar to this week — typical semi-diurnal; outgoing tide favored for flounder in the bay
- Live bait available: eels, minnows, fresh bunker, bloodworms, green crabs, sand fleas
Weather Outlook (May 3–4)
- Today (Sun May 3): Cloudy, chance of showers, high ~59°F, N wind ~10 mph — light chop, fishable (especially the inlet)
- Sun night: Clearing after 9 pm, low ~46°F, NW 5–10 mph
- Mon May 4: Sunny, high ~61°F, NW wind ~15 mph (gusts to 25 kt on outer coast) — good day, watch surf for chop
Regulations Reminder
- Delaware Tautog season closes May 16 — this is prime time to get your tog in
- Striped Bass DE regulations: check current DNREC slot/creel limits
- Flounder: DE minimum 12.5", creel limit 8/day (verify with DNREC)
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