Sunday, May 3, 2026

Fishing Report — May 3, 2026

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

Transitional

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 (whi

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, gli…Trolling and jigging along the main chan…Full moon this past week (May 1) = above…

BEST SPOTS

Main shipping channel edges near Swan Po…Shallower Bay shore flats (casting to st…

Water temp

** ~60°F (main Bay surface and river mouths)

Today

** High 62°F, NW wind ~11 mph — fishable

Monday

Rain moves in, low ~59°F, NE winds 15 mph with gusts to…

REGULATIONS

• 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

Firing

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 crab

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 c

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

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

TogStripersFlounderSheepshead

BEST SPOTS

North jetty endSouth Pocket (Big Chill area)Indian River Bay sand barsInlet structure/bridge pilings

Water temp

** ~54°F (warming; flounder bite will improve as temps push toward 60°F)

Today

** Cloudy, chance of showers, high ~59°F, N wind ~10 mp…

Monday

Sunny, high ~61°F, NW wind ~15 mph (gusts to 25 kt on o…

REGULATIONS

• 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)

SOURCES

Maryland DNR Weekly Fishing Report – April 29, 2026 · Maryland Fishing Report – May 1, 2026 (Southern MD Chronicle) · Maryland 2026 Striped Bass Season / Regulations · Old Inlet Bait & Tackle – Indian River Inlet Fishing Report · Delaware DNREC Fishing Report · FishTalk Magazine – Upper Bay Reports · Rock Hall, MD Marine Weather – US Harbors · Indian River Inlet Marine Weather – US Harbors · Indian River Inlet Tides – NOAA · Anglers Sport Center Fishing Reports

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)

Sources

Fishing Report — May 3, 2026

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)

Sources

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Rock Hall MD Fishing Report 5-8-25

Fishing Report for May 8, 2025

Location: Rock Hall, Maryland

Weather Conditions:

Air Temperature: 77°F
Wind: Light breeze from the SSW
Water Temperature:
- Swan Creek: 75°F
- Chesapeake Bay (off Rock Hall): 70°F

Fishing Experience: Today was a quiet day on the water with no boats in sight. I ventured out mid-afternoon, which is typically a slow time for fishing. Despite my efforts, the results were as expected—minimal activity.

I tried my luck with a spinner bait off Swan Point, a spot where I usually catch something, whether it's a catfish or a white perch. Unfortunately, today was different, and I didn't manage to reel in anything.

Upcoming Season: We are about a week away from the start of Rock Fish season on the Chesapeake Bay, which begins on May 16th. Hopefully, the fishing conditions will improve, and the activity will pick up as the season starts.

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Perch in Swan Creek and Stripers by the Love Point Rock Pile

I caught a Perch at the mouth of Swan Creek this morning. That's not such a big deal but I did catch him on my Mepps "Rasta" Lure, which has been a fish favorite for perch, puppy drum, and any kind of catfish. The Mepps name for this lure is the Hot Firetiger - Firetiger (#2 1/6 oz). I'll have to pick a few more up at Molly's Outfitters in Kennedyville. Speaking of which, they have really expanded their fishing department.

Later in the morning I took a ride out to the "Rock Pile" off of Love Point. There was only one other boat out there fishing close to the rocks. It was an outgoing time so there seemed to be some small rips on the northern side of the pile. Two people on the boat seemed to be jigging with two fish caught in a span of about 15 minutes. The first one was a schoolie the second may have been a keeper.

It was on the humid side with a slightly overcast and visible haze. At 8:40a the breeze picked up to about 8-10mph with a water temp of 78 degrees.

Sunday, August 25, 2024

Puppy Drum caught off of Swan Point

To my surprise, I caught a puppy drum by the mouth of Swan Creek. Surprised, as they aren't normally caught this far north of the Bay Bridge.

I caught the fix in about 4' of water close to the shore. I was using a Mepp's "Rasta" lure with a yellow deer hair tail. The water temp was about 72 degrees with a light breeze on a sunny morning. The morning bite is key and this fish was caught at 7:15am.

I also caught two catfish in this location. One was a channel cat, the other a blue cat.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Perch and Blue Catfish abundant on Swan Creek (Rock Hall)

It's been unusually hot the last few days on the Chesapeake Bay. So hot that back creek water temps were in the mid-80s. That doesn't bode well for rock fish but didn't seem to have an effect on perch and blue cats.

Here's a great video on how to get started with catching perch.