The heat is on

The humidity has been severe the past few days, but that didn’t stop the kids at Bunky’s Fishing Camp from learning the ins and outs of bottom fishing and catching loads of spot to boot.

Each morning, before the heat got intense, the kids practiced tying their bottom rigs and then boarded the “Marchelle,” a 47-foot vessel bound for the part of the river near the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge.

Tuesday, while rounding the point where the research pier of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory is located, a pod of naturally curious dolphins approached the boat. But this wasn’t the typical group of a half-dozen dolphins you might sometimes see in local waters.

This group numbered close to a hundred, and they swam and jumped around the boat, laying on the charm quite thickly.

I sincerely hope all who attended camp will get plenty of chances in the future to practice what they learned and develop a lifelong love of recreational fishing, and I’m willing to bet not one of them will ever forget the time they saw a hundred dolphins in the Patuxent River. Southern Maryland lakes and

ponds — The fishing remains consistent for bluegill and bass at Wheatley Lake, even though the lake water might be coming to a boil soon, said Anthony Hancock, assistant manager of Gilbert Run Park in Dentsville. The staff at the park is hosting their 4 Day Fishing Fundamentals program for some lucky youngsters this week and the kids have been catching bluegill and redear sunfish along the shoreline mid-morning.

Just a simple piece of worm suspended a few feet under a bobber is all that’s needed to have some shoreline panfish fun. The bass are biting well around shoreline grass and wood cover, especially early in the morning before the sun clears the trees and during that last hour of light before the park closes.

During the heat of the day, Hancock recommends soft plastic lures or jig and craw combos fished slowly along the bottom.

Patuxent River — The Solomons Charter Captains Association fleet (www. fishsolomons.com) reports that the lower Patuxent near the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge has been the hot spot for large and jumbo spot with all the charter captains bringing back happy clients and coolers full of fish.

Bloodworms are the bait of choice; Fishbites will do in a pinch. If that’s not enough to entice you, whiting have just arrived in local waters as well.

Potomac River — Andy Andrzejewski with the Reel Bass Adventures guides (301-9321509) said the topwater bite remains strong early in the morning during the lower part of the tides. Andrzejewski recommends using pop-

ping frogs or hard poppers over and along grasses.

You’ll do well to focus on grass beds with baitfish activity or birds hunting around for a meal. Small, shallow-running crankbaits and small, white spinnerbaits are Andrzejewski’s baits of choice this week. Hard cover

holds bass that can be taken with 4-inch finesse worms rigged with light sinkers.

Aqualand Marina (301-2592222) reports good bottom-fishing on nearby oyster bars for perch, medium-sized croaker, big spot and an occasional catfish. Rockfish are available to knowledgeable anglers at dawn and dusk. Chesapeake Bay — Anglers have had some success catching bluefish

and a few surprise cobias while trolling near Point Lookout, according to the SCCA.

Dallas Croce of the Tackle Box in Lexington Park (301-863-8151) reports anglers are catching fish almost everywhere in the bay this week, including white perch and hefty jumbo spot.

Rockfish have been cooperative in the early morning on topwaters, but it takes patience and persistence to catch a keeper.