Annapolis residents Bond Rivers (left) and his dad John enjoyed good cobia fishing with Capt. Harry Nield of Kingfish II Charters. Sport anglers and charter boats alike have experienced a good run in area waters of these prized game fish in recent weeks. [Courtesy of Kingfish II Charters.] (Kingfish II Charters)
Hopefully, by now you’ve weighed in on what path you think we should take to restore rockfish. If not, you have until Monday (5 p.m.) to chime in. Details are in the Outdoors Calendar listed below.
That said, debates and concerns about rockfish health have been somewhat tempered by good news about the excellent fishing for red drum, cobia, speckled trout and Spanish mackerel. Anglers tell the Department of Natural Resources they’re catching some Spanish mackerel even as far north as Man O’ War shoals. At the end of August, a buddy caught not one but three quality speckled trout inside Hodges Bar near Rock Hall. On the fly, no less.
Most experts — guides and charter boat who spend most days fishing — believe the influx of cobia (and to perhaps lesser extent red drum) further north has been driven in large part by higher salinity due to lack of rain in combination with high water temperatures. From Punch Island Bar to Southwest Middle Grounds and spots in between the fishing has been good.
