09/06/2026
Blue catfish are not for anglers looking for a light-tackle afternoon. They are powerful, heavy fish, and a large one can make a kayak feel very small: especially around current.
On the Choptank, Nanticoke, and nearby tidal rivers, late summer and fall can put blue cats in deeper holes and channel sections. A stable kayak, a stout bottom rig, and hooks sized for the bait and fish are more important than fancy presentation. Watch the wind, tide, and current before committing to a stretch of river; the conditions can change faster than the bite.
Handle them with respect. Their dorsal and pectoral spines can do real damage, so control the fish before reaching for the hook and keep hands clear of the sharp points. Blue catfish are an invasive species in the Chesapeake system, and Maryland anglers are encouraged to harvest them rather than release them alive. Smaller “eater-sized” fish can make excellent table fare. Before keeping any fish, check the current Maryland consumption advisories and follow all regulations.
BigBassUSA carries the rigging pieces that make this kind of setup practical, and we’re glad to help you think through a kayak and bottom-fishing layout that fits the water you actually fish: not just what looks good online.
This is a growing local fishery. Let’s enjoy it, handle it responsibly, and leave the river better than we found it.
BigBassUSA is in Denton, Maryland, serving Eastern Shore anglers from our shop on the Choptank.
