Croaker Fishing On The Chesapeake Bay
We launched on the Patuxent River on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 at 8:30 AM. We motored southeast down the Bay, moving swiftly at 42 MPH, heading towards a croaker hole that has been productive in the past. This trip, not much had changes, we drifted and caught croakers on circle hooks until 3:00 PM.
The action was non-stop even when the tide was slack. These croakers were hitting squid strips in water columns from 13’ to 32’. Some strikes were so furious they almost took the light tackle rod from our hands.
The majority of croakers were 12 inches in length with an occasional croaker
measuring in at 13 to 16 inch. The water temperature in the morning was 72.3
degrees and 74.2 degrees at 4:00 PM.
Water conditions were clear with visibility to 24” deep. Just before leaving we located some nice size croakers in the Patuxent River.
NOTE: I’m looking forward to a trip ‘down the Ocean’ to catch some slammers (bluefish) on light tackle and the long rod this month. My new 22’ catamaran planing hull boat will allow me to run offshore after these hard fighting predator. I have a picture of her is on the front page of my web site. As usual, a report will follow this trip.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Tom Hughes