| The Eastern Shore of Maryland has several fantastic | | | | spawn and post-spawn can vary greatly, so guides |
| rivers for bass fishing including the Pocomoke, | | | | often suggest checking the spawning areas and |
| Wicomico, Nanticoke and Choptank Rivers. Anglers | | | | migration routes leading to and away from them on |
| fish from private boats or fish with a local guide for | | | | every trip this time of year. Keep in mind bass prefer |
| largemouth bass and other freshwater fish in these | | | | a sandy or hard bottom and must have sunlight to |
| waterways. | | | | aid in hatching the eggs. Hard river bottoms are rare |
| The Pocomoke River is one of the most popular | | | | on this river but bass will make due with the best |
| fishing locations in Maryland, especially on the | | | | they can find. Productive lures during this period are |
| Delmarva peninsula. Guides offer fishing and site | | | | senkos, tubes, lizards and flukes. |
| seeing charters year round on the Pocomoke, even | | | | Summer is a favorite fishing season on the |
| in the winter months. Cold water fishing begins after | | | | Pocomoke River as the fish are very active. The |
| thanksgiving to around the second week in March | | | | river is tidal which affects where fish congregate. A |
| and can be surprisingly very good. Largemouth bass | | | | good low tide is at least three feet down. In summer |
| are a cold-blooded fish so their body temperature is | | | | this river is notorious for only dropping a foot or less |
| the same as the water temperature for the most | | | | and quickly filling back to high tide. Northeast winds |
| part. | | | | usually back up water at the mouth of the river and |
| Largemouth bass of the Pocomoke River avoid | | | | it's a good bet the next couple of days after that will |
| heavy current and prefer backwater areas where | | | | be really high tides. Largemouth bass can still be |
| they can suspend and conserve energy in cold | | | | caught by adapting to the conditions. Anglers can find |
| conditions. They might only feed a couple of days a | | | | containment areas like bulk heads, walls or high river |
| week due to their slow metabolism so slower | | | | banks the higher tides cannot get past. This holds the |
| presentations with your baits are critical. Targeting | | | | fish in an area you can still access. Also skipping baits |
| areas like oxbows, marinas, cuts or ponds give winter | | | | like senkos and frogs on the flooded shorelines, |
| anglers access to warmer water and low current. | | | | creeks and pad fields will still produce. If you are |
| Guides focus on local conditions for success. For | | | | lucky enough to get a good low tide, fish wood close |
| example, the sun hits the north and northwest | | | | to the channel drops, pad line drops and creeks with |
| shores most on the river in winter so your guide may | | | | jigs, senkos, spinner baits and crank baits. |
| target these areas looking for warmer water. A | | | | Fall is another preferred time to fish the Pocomoke |
| water temperature gauge is also useful for winter | | | | River. The bass are not affected as much by cold |
| bass fishing on the Pocomoke. Cool water lures | | | | fronts and very active in feeding up for tough days |
| include spin baits, crank baits, jigs and senkos. | | | | ahead. This is a great time to run way up the creeks |
| The next phase of fishing occurs in late March thru | | | | like Nassawango and even further north above the |
| June. This period includes all phases of the spawn. | | | | Snow Hill Bridge. An experienced guide will cover lots |
| Fishing guides look for spawning areas such as coves, | | | | of water in fall with crank baits, spin baits and buzz |
| flats and backwater areas. Bass fishermen also seek | | | | baits. Senkos, jigs and worms are always good for |
| out deeper water with cover leading to spawning | | | | the tougher days in fall with high barometric |
| habitat. The pre-spawn fishing can be great around | | | | pressures. |
| this structure. Water temperatures for pre-spawn, | | | | |