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Saltwater & Coast

Susquehanna Flats Fishing Guide

Maryland

Grass flats at the head of the Chesapeake with striped bass and largemouth. Check current Maryland spawning-season closures.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Susquehanna Flats for largemouth bass and striped bass. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, largemouth bass and striped bass are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is West Marine in Havre De Grace, 3 mi away. Gunpowder Falls is 30 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

In October

Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Susquehanna Flats Species

Largemouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct

Striped Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

5 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Largemouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.

Striped Bass

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Susquehanna Flats

Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Jigs

Spro Bucktail Jigs

Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.

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Topwater

Heddon Zara Spook

The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly Rod

An 8 weight handles bass bugs, redfish flats, and wind. The most versatile warmwater and inshore size.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod

Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.

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Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

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Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

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Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Susquehanna Flats

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Maryland · 30 mi

Gunpowder Falls

A cold tailwater below Prettyboy Dam with wild brown trout near Baltimore.

Brown Trout

Saltwater & Coast · Delaware · 56 mi

Delaware Bay

A broad estuary known for spring striped bass and summer flounder.

Striped Bass · Flounder · Bluefish

Saltwater & Coast · Maryland · 67 mi

Chesapeake Bay

Striped bass from the bridges to the flats, plus speckled trout and red drum to the south.

Striped bass · Red drum · Speckled trout

Rivers & Streams · Pennsylvania · 67 mi

Susquehanna River

A wide, shallow river near Harrisburg with famous smallmouth fishing.

Smallmouth Bass · Walleye

Rivers & Streams · Pennsylvania · 68 mi

Yellow Breeches Creek

A limestone creek at Allenberry with a famous catch-and-release stretch and white fly hatch.

Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Saltwater & Coast · New Jersey · 73 mi

Cape May

The southern tip of New Jersey with rips, jetties, and back bays for stripers and fluke.

Striped Bass · Flounder · Bluefish