While the fine dining and quaint shops is reason enough to visit Annapolis, MD, fishermen also have good reason to stop here. One of the most consistent producers of rockfish, blues, and perch is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge connecting Annapolis to the Eastern Shore. I still hear from a few old timers that the “damn bridge” ruined the Eastern Shore, but most folks see the connection as an economic boom for just about everyone who lives on the shore.
While economics is fine, what we are interested in is fishing. The many pilings that support this bridge are fish magnets, along with some other locations close to the span.
It could not be any easier to access the Chesapeake Bay. Sandy Point State Park has a great boat ramp with lots of parking. This is not to say it can’t get crowded, especially on the holiday weekends, but most of the time there is room for everyone who wants to fish out of here.
The run from the ramp to the Bay is sheltered and short. You can start fishing as soon as you reach the first few pilings by jigging, live bait fishing, or trolling. As with any structure, some places may hold more fish than others. This can change with the tide, so if your first choice proves unproductive, keep looking.
As a general rule, the fish will be on the down current side of the bridge waiting for the tide to wash a hapless baitfish to their waiting maw. Live bait and jigs should be deployed so the current presents them in as natural a manner as possible. This can be above the piling or directly alongside the structure. Sometimes the rockfish will be close to the surface, while at other times they will be holding deeper. The deeper they are the more weight you will have to use to get the bait down to the strike zone.
Back in the day I fished with Keith Walters who liked to drift live eels for rockfish. He would anchor up-tide of a piling and then drift the eel around the structure to the rockfish. I found this effective but a bit nerve-wracking as we hoped the anchor held. Fortunately, it always did.
Just above the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is Baltimore Light. I have caught rockfish and blues by trolling the channel edge from here on up the Bay. This year tube lures in purple and red have been the hot trolling set up.
Just south of the bridge is Hackett’s Bar. This location is known as one of the better spots to set up a chumming operation. The last time I was here was with Harry Yingling and his son Harry. We had fair action as soon as the chum line got going, and while I don’t think we had our limit, we had a great time.
Shore fishermen can have a good shot at rockfish, blues, and perch from the beach at Sandy Point State Park. Folks fish from here all year, but when the swimmers take over during the day, the fishermen work the early morning and late evening shift.
Fishing tackle and information are available at Anglers Sports Center on eastbound Route 50. I have been dealing with these good people for many years and can recommend them to the beginner as well as the more seasoned angler.
There are several charter operations running out of Annapolis. They will target rockfish at all the locations listed above and use all the techniques we have discussed. The fish will dictate where and how they will fish on any given day.
Lodging and dining locations are abundant in and near Annapolis. You can select from waterfront locations right downtown or one of the hotels along Route 50 or off Riva Road.
One of my favorite places to eat is the Red, Hot, and Blue Bar-B-Que spot on Route 50 eastbound. They have great barbecue, and their chocolate cake is to die for.
Annapolis is loaded with other attractions including the U.S. Naval Academy, the World War II Memorial, the Maryland State House, and more gift and specialty shops than even my wife could visit in a week.
Come to Annapolis for its Main Street charm, but leave time for some fishing. You won’t be disappointed.
by Eric Burnley