Sandy Point State Park and Deer Creek-Chesapeake Bay and Northern Maryland

Type: Chesapeake
Region: Eastern
Location: Sandy Point State Park and Deer Creek

Here is my trip report for Sandy Point State Park and Deer Creek. I started out the day fishing off of Sandy Point State park for Striped Bass. Using surf fishing gear and Alewife for cut bait I tried to get one of the big Stripers that people have reported catching. After 4 hours of fishing and no luck I decided to pack it in and head up to Deer Creek for some Hickory Shad fishing. Before leaving I talked to one the regulars at Sandy Point and he told me that most days see 4 keeper Striped bass being caught there. I saw two Croakers and one Striped Bass caught the day I was there. Most people told me nothing much was happening. Maybe early morning hours or nighttime are the best times. At any rate fishing there for the big Stripers is pot luck.

I hit the road and drove up to Deer Creek-tried to find a place for cheap gas on the way but the cheapest was $4.89. $15.00 of gas and my tank still registered less than 3/4 full. If gas gets much higher I am going to have start fishing places closer to my home town of Washington D.C. I thought about Fletchers on the Potomac river but the river is flooded. Same is true of the Susquehanna. Arrived at Deer Creek at 5:30 PM and there was a small group of anglers fishing just above the bridge. They were catching some shad. I joined the group but had no luck until after 6:00 PM then everyone started to catch fish. Brightly colored red or green streamers fished with fly fishing gear was the best bet. The Shad would hit at the end of drift with the streamer just trailing in the current. Action improved steadily as it got darker and I hooked some nice Shad. Some of the bigger fish might go 1&1/2 pounds to 2 pounds. I had one big one on that popped my line. Might have to fish 3X next time. Several people told me that Deer Creek is a little high but still offers good fishing. PS-you will need chest waders to fish this place as hip waders will leave you cold and wet. Tight lines!