*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors--and miss. LL
I live in New Bern NC and fish mostly out of Beafort Inlet. I have heard that the croaker fishing is excellent in the bay. Can anyone direct me to a spot? I have a 24' w/250 and a 15' w/90 horse. Which one would you recommend taking. Thanks in advance for any help/advise .
Are you saying you are headed up into the Bay? Because you live pretty far from it no?
If you are headed into the Chesapeake Bay, what part? or is that what you are trying to determine?
My brother lives down near Stella on the White Oak River (near the top of the river).
When I visit him We catch spot and croaker all the time especially by the Rt 24 bridge as you go across into the Beach.
I have heard the Monitor and Merrimac bridges are a good place, haven't tried it though. They were tearing em' up last June under the OI Bridge in NC...I can find hundreds of schools just 4-7 inches long.
The mouth of the Patuxent is hot as a much shot pistol at the moment.
People have been filling coolers with nice 16 to 18 inch fish.
We fished from shore for a couple of hours after work (midnight) last night, and as soon as a bloodworm hit the water there was a croaker waiting for it.
what part of the bay are you headed to? right now the croaker are everywhere, in all the rivers (james rapp pot. etc) and pretty much all over the channel edge. if you want to fish the bay itself i would suggest the 24' its doable in a 15' on a good day but it would be rough.
Sunday we fished the mouth of Pax River just off of the Pax River Naval Air Station we caught 20 Croakers in about an hour using blood worms. Sizes were between 16 and 18 inches, we even had a couple doubles. My 10 year old was having a blast and didn't want to quit until I told him he had to clean them!!!
Thanks for the info. I am a little bit familiar with the Norfolk/Chespeake area so would like to try someplace around there. Any info on affordable lodging nearby would also be appreciated.
We went up there last year in July and had a blast. We stayed at Kiptopeke Sate Park and rented one of their trailers. I believe it was a 38 or 39 foot Prowler. It was nice. The ramp is right there along with the concrete ships. We also fished Oyster one day, about a 10 minute pull from the park, and we fished out of Exmore one day, about a 20 minute pull from the park.
Hotspot (not to hijack this thread and your comment to Dennis about the stay at the park but) how would you rate the whole stay? 1-10? Nice enough for the Admiral, or better for the boys?
A good place for Croakers is the Hoopers Island area of the Cheasapeake Bay, you can catch a boat load of them sometimes up to 21 inches. You can also fish in the straits behind the Island when the weather gets ruff. Good luck and hope you enjoy your fishing in Maryland when ya all come up. Gene
Good place for croaker fishing 
