Maryland · Chesapeake Bay
STRIPED BASS FISHING
IN SOLOMONS ISLAND
Solomons Island is an outstanding destination for striped bass fishing, with peak season in April, May, October and good catches in March, June, July. Book a charter and target striped bass with local experts.
About Striped Bass Fishing in Solomons Island
The iconic striper is the most sought-after gamefish on the Atlantic coast. These powerful, line-ripping fish migrate from the Chesapeake Bay to New England each spring and fall, creating legendary fishing opportunities from Virginia to Massachusetts.
Striped Bass — called "stripers" or "rockfish" in the Chesapeake — are the most iconic gamefish of the Atlantic coast. Their silver body with bold black horizontal stripes, powerful build, and aggressive feeding make them a favorite from Virginia to Massachusetts. The spring and fall migrations create legendary fishing runs as massive schools move along the coast. Stripers are found in both salt and fresh water, and the Chesapeake Bay serves as the primary nursery for the Atlantic population. They are excellent eating, with firm, white, mildly flavored flesh.
Scientific name: Morone saxatilis
Striped Bass Seasonal Calendar — Solomons Island
Month-by-month availability for striped bass in Solomons Island, MD.
How to Catch Striped Bass in Solomons Island
Techniques & Bait
Live bait (bunker/menhaden, eels, mackerel) fished on a fishfinder rig or chunk rig near structure, rip currents, and drop-offs is the most consistent technique. Trolling umbrella rigs and tube-and-worm behind planer boards covers water during migrations. Casting topwater plugs (Pencil Poppers, Atom Poppers) into blitzing schools on the surface at dawn/dusk is the most exciting striper fishing. Fly fishing with Deceiver, Clouser, and Grocery Fly patterns during the fall run is world-class. Live eels drifted at night around rocky structure is the go-to for trophy fish.
Recommended Tackle
Medium to medium-heavy spinning rod (7-9 ft), 4000-6000 reel, 20-40 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader. For surf casting: 10-11 ft surf rod, 6000+ reel, 50 lb braid. Fly: 9-10 weight rod with intermediate line.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Solomons Island
Top spots where local captains target striped bass and other inshore species.
Patuxent River Mouth
The mouth of the Patuxent River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay at Solomons Island is one of the most productive inshore fishing areas on Maryland's western shore. Striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and white perch feed along the river mouth's channel edges, shoals, and oyster reefs throughout the season. The convergence of river and bay currents creates a nutrient-rich mixing zone that attracts and holds baitfish in dense concentrations.
Back Creek
Back Creek is the protected harbor area at Solomons Island where the Calvert Marine Museum sits, with docks, pilings, and bulkheads providing inshore fish habitat. White perch, striped bass, spot, and croaker hold around the creek's structure, with the sheltered waters offering calm-condition fishing even when bay winds are high. The creek's accessibility from Solomons Island's waterfront restaurants and marinas makes it a convenient light-tackle destination.
Mill Creek
Mill Creek enters the Patuxent River just upstream from Solomons Island, winding through marshland with oyster bars and deeper channels that hold resident gamefish populations. Striped bass, white perch, catfish, and largemouth bass occupy the creek's brackish waters where freshwater mixes with tidal Patuxent River flow. The creek's quiet waters and natural shorelines provide a peaceful fishing experience away from the busier bay and river areas.
Solomons Island Pier
The public fishing pier at Solomons Island extends into the Patuxent River near its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay, providing accessible shore-based fishing. Spot, croaker, white perch, striped bass, and bluefish are caught from the pier throughout the warm months during tidal transitions. The pier's waterfront location in the heart of Solomons Island makes it a popular gathering spot for anglers of all ages and experience levels.
Other Species in Solomons Island
More fish you can target while visiting Solomons Island.
Striped Bass Fishing in Solomons Island — FAQ
The peak months for Striped Bass fishing in Solomons Island are April, May, October, November. During these months, Striped Bass are most active and abundant in the Solomons Island area.
Striped Bass fishing charters in Solomons Island are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live bait (bunker/menhaden, eels, mackerel) fished on a fishfinder rig or chunk rig near structure, rip currents, and drop-offs is the most consistent technique. Trolling umbrella rigs and tube-and-worm behind planer boards covers water during migrations. Casting topwater plugs (Pencil Poppers, Atom Poppers) into blitzing schools on the surface at dawn/dusk is the most exciting striper fishing. Fly fishing with Deceiver, Clouser, and Grocery Fly patterns during the fall run is world-class. Live eels drifted at night around rocky structure is the go-to for trophy fish.
No — when you book a charter in Solomons Island, your captain provides all required Maryland fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Striped Bass regulations in Maryland include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Striped Bass in Solomons Island, you may also catch Bluefish, Tautog, Cobia, Redfish, Flounder. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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