Upper Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries

Waters We Fish:
Upper Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries

The tidal Susquehanna River, North East River and “Flats” were at one time Maryland’s premier largemouth bass fishery. Guess what? It’s not that far off the mark today. What a great water to fish! We utilize big, comfortable Ranger bass boats powered by Mercury, and our Lowrance GPS and sonar provides invaluable assistance. We choose launch sites that suit the weather and tide. Our boats cover fishing license. While largemouth bass may be most sought after—you should see some of the smallmouth bass we catch—and rockfish too. March through November. One or two persons. Multiple guides available.

Sassafras River

One of our guides, Dave Covell, thinks enough of the Sassafras to own a vacation residence there—Dave loves this water. It is quite productive but can be fickle at times. Largemouth bass is the focus, and Dave’s big Ranger bass boat is a joy to experience. Our license covers you. One or two persons. June through October.

Choptank River

Only an hour from Washington or Baltimore’s Beltway, the Choptank River is a “decent” largemouth bass fishery—and highly underused. We launch from Martinak State park and fish a myriad of cover from wood to vegetation. We fish from excellent Ranger bass boats powered by Mercury. Tidal flow is very important with the outgoing tide most productive. Our boat license covers you. One or two persons. Multiple guides.

Wicomico River

The Wicomico River, accessed in Salisbury, is a terrific largemouth bass fishery. The best fishing lies within the “No Wake” zone of the city, and it’s not unusual to fish an entire day without using outboard motor power. Our Minn Kota trolling motors and Douglas marine batteries are all we need sometimes. While the outgoing tide is best, it’s not so necessary as some of the other tidal rivers on the Eastern Shore. Our clients have taken bass to five pounds and it’s not beyond reason to expect 20-30 bass per “good-day.” It’s a little noisy here, because of the town, but hook up with a fat bass and tell me you heard a horn honk. Our boat covers license. One or two persons. May through September. Multiple guides.

Nanticoke River

This can be a tough fishery without a falling tide but no visitor ever came away with negative emotions. The winding, marsh rich estuary has some productive tributaries to visit if the main stem proves difficult. Our modern bass boats negotiate the river miles effortlessly. If spring perch or pickerel appeal to you—this is the answer. Spatterdock in Broad Creek, or along the shores near Seaford or in the Marshy Hope is the best summer pattern for spunky bass. Our boat license covers you. Outgoing tide is important. One or two persons. Multiple guides.

Pocomoke River

You have to book at least two days for us to escort you, but what a jewel this river is. Many of our clients have summer homes in nearby Ocean City and book us for this water. The bass aren’t big by Potomac standards but they make up for that in numbers and fight—most days. The summer pattern is spatterdock and cypress roots but we have a few extra patterns to employ. Our boat license covers our guests. June through October. One or two persons. Multiple guides.