Southern Marylanders Wins Diamond Jim Finale

Anglers from Waldorf and Mechanicsville were among the winners in the 2007 Maryland Fishing Challenge Diamond Jim contest, when Governor Martin O’Malley provided $60,000 in prizes to the finalist on Saturday, September 22. "Maryland anglers make a major contribution to our state’s economy and play a significant role in the stewardship of our waterways and our aquatic life. Hopefully, this contest reminds them of how much they are appreciated, and adds a little extra excitement to summer fishing", the Governor included in his remarks last Saturday. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides information which indicates there are more than 650,000 anglers fish in Maryland each year (this does not include children under 16). They net the state an annual estimated economic impact of $1 billion.

The Winners

With the background of Sandy Point State Park and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the background, 300 plus anglers, family members and sponsors were on hand to find out who the winners would be in the third annual contest. Waters near Ocean City provided four of the five semi-finalists who were selected from a pool of 128 contestants via random drawing. Joseph R. Davis, Jr., of Waldorf caught a 66.5-inch wahoo off Ocean City to put him in line for the final drawing that won him a TRACKER boat, trailer and motor package from BassPro Shops, valued at $20,000. Bob Spetzler of Berlin can thank his daughter Melissa Spetzler, who stood in for him at the qualifying drawing and won her dad a 2007 Toyota TUNDRA from Central Maryland Toyota valued at $36,000. Spetzler caught a 24.75-inch flounder at a Bulkhead in Ocean City to qualify him for the drawing. The three other finalists won prize packages from Bill’s Outdoor Center valued at over $800 each. Mike Mumford of Mechanicsville, caught a qualifying 23.5-inch Spanish mackerel off the mouth of the Patuxent River near Cedar Point; Walter Slotter of Quakertown, PA, caught a 300-plus pound blue marlin at Poor Man’s Canyon off Ocean City and Ray Elicker of Red Lion, PA, (who was represented by Gail Gray), caught a 29-inch flounder at the Ocean City Inlet to qualify as a finalist. Photos from the September 22 event can be seen at the Maryland State website, http://www.govpics.maryland.gov/

Prizes and Sponsors

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary, John R. Griffin noted his appreciation for the sponsors who supported the 2007 and Fishing Challenge Diamond Jim Contest by saying, "We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors- Toyota of Central Maryland, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Bill’s Outdoor World, Boater’s World and Smyth Jewelers. Without their very generous and continuing support, this terrific, summer-long event would not be possible." Even before attending the September 22 finale, all of the qualifying anglers who were invited to attend the event received a contest t-shirt and DNR gift bag. They participated in drawings for more than 50 additional prizes, valued at $2,500 from Bill’s Outdoor World. Bass Pro Shops also provided a dozen qualifying children Shakespeare rod and reel packages.

Record Qualifiers

228 anglers qualified for the final Maryland Fishing Challenge drawing which is an increase of 40 percent from 2006). 21 Maryland counties were represented as were Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., Georgia and Arkansas. There were more than 60 species of fish that were citation-eligible. These included large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; striped bass, bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass on the oceanside.

The Fishing Challenge

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources developed the Maryland Fishing Challenge which in 2007 ran from Thursday, June 14, through September 3. The Search for Diamond Jim continued, offering a potential cash prize of up to $25,000 from Boater’s World and a $5,000 diamond from Smyth Jewelers for the capture the Bay’s most famous fish. Two Diamond Jim "imposters" were caught and anglers who caught and reported the catch of one of 60-species of citation-qualifying fish also became eligible for the grand prize drawing.

Deer Crossbow Time

Deer archery time continues with some crossbow time coming up. Deer archery hunting with crossbows is permitted in Maryland from October 1 – October 15, 2007 and again from January 15 – 31, 2008. Crossbows are also legal during the firearm and muzzleloader seasons. Any deer taken with crossbows counts toward the hunter’s appropriate Regional Bow Bag Limit. Both Crossbow hunters and those who hunt with vertical bows (including straight limb, recurve or compound) must possess a Bow Stamp with a valid hunting license in order to hunt deer during Maryland’s Bow Season. Bow hunters must purchase a Muzzleloader Stamp in order to hunt with a bow (vertical or crossbow) during the Muzzleloader Deer Season. Deer harvested with a straight limb, recurve or compound bow are registered as taken with a vertical bow.

Deer Management Zones

The Southern Maryland Counties are in Deer Management Region B where archers may take 2 antlered white-tailed deer. 2 antlerless deer must be taken before attempting to hunt a second antlered deer. The bag limit for antlerless deer in Region B is 10 antlerless deer, but archery hunters in the Suburban Deer Archery Zone of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties may take an unlimited number of antlerless deer. The white-tailed deer archery bag limit for Deer Management Region A which is comprised of Garrett and Allegany Counties is 2 deer, 1 antlered and 1 antlerless. Sika deer archery season is open from September 15, 2007 through January 31, 2008 in Caroline, Dorchester, and Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties. The sika deer bag limit is 1 antlered and 1 antlerless sika deer. An antlered sika deer is a deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.

Checking Harvested Deer

Archery deer hunters check in their harvested deer by calling 1-888-800-0121 or online at the website, www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us . DNR instructions state that as soon as the deer is harvested, hunters are to immediately place a "…Field Tag" on the deer’s head and complete the Maryland Big Game Harvest Record." Hunters receive a confirmation number when they register by phone or the website. This number must be recorded on their Big Game Harvest Record. This must be done in ink. Instructions for the process of checking in a deer and recording the information are also on pages 32 – 33 of the "2007-2008 Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland". Information on bag limits, season dates, deer registration procedures and bow hunting regulations is also available at DNR’s website, www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/.

Maryland Has New Oyster Advisory Commission

 
Chelly Scala with an early September Spanish Mackerel caught trolling in the Lower Potomac.
Photo for ST. MARY'S TODAY by Steve Scala

On Monday, September 17, 2007, Maryland convened a new Oyster Advisory Commission (OAC) whose charge will be to reestablish and maintain the Freestate’s most valuable shellfish. The challenge remains one that is vital to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, as the need for these valuable bio-filters is even more apparent now then when Hurricane Agnes and the later impact of diseases that killed off many of the productive oyster beds. The efforts made since the early 1970’s have been many, so change in strategies and new blood in the mix of OAP membership may be the synergy to bring back more oyster producing locales.

A recent Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) press release provided information that included Governor O’Malley’s announcement of a new (OAC) being established by the General Assembly. This came about from an introduced legislative package requested by the Governor earlier in 2007. The DNR quotes Governor O’ Malley as saying, "We are clearly running out of time to save a species that is of immeasurable value to the Bay’s ecosystem, the seafood industry, and our culture as Marylanders. We are challenging our new Oyster Advisory Commissioners — scientists and stakeholders alike — to work together, to move beyond traditional thinking, and to give us some new ideas for giving our native oyster a new lease on life." The 21-member commission is charged with developing new strategies to rebuild and manage oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay.

Their first meeting took place on Monday, September 17, at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater. The members completed a strategic planning exercise so they could evaluate statewide efforts that will achieve both ecological and economic goals through oyster restoration. The OAC also plans to utilize recent findings from an Environmental Impact Statement now in draft development with other state and federal government offices. The goal is to evaluate viable oyster restoration options for the Chesapeake Bay. Bill Eichbaum, OAC Chair and World Wildlife Fund Vice President, sums up the challenges to be met by the membership. "We are at a crossroads with oyster management and this new Commission may represent our final opportunity to restore the ecological role of native oysters and assure an economically appropriate and viable industry in the Chesapeake Bay.

Officially known as, Legislation (HB 133 / SB 148) Maryland law directs the OAC to, "...utilize the best available science to recommend and analyze:

· Strategies to minimize the impact of oyster disease;

· Effectiveness of the oyster sanctuary, harvest reserve, and repletion programs, and the overall management of natural oyster bars through a cost-benefit analysis that considers biological, ecological, economic, and cultural issues;

· Strategies to maximize the ecological benefits of natural oyster bars; and

· Strategies to improve enforcement of closed oyster areas. "

Maryland Speaker of the House, Michael E. Busch, who co-sponsored the OAC legislation, is quoted as saying, "The work of this Commission will be critical if we are to restore our oyster population to the Bay. We sincerely appreciate the willingness of the Commission members to offer their expertise to the State, and the General Assembly members look forward to receiving their initial report by the end of the year."

Governor O’Malley directed (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin to appoint an OAC which resulted in a membership of 21 scientists, watermen, anglers, businessmen, economists, environmental advocates, and elected officials. Addressing the new OAC membership Secretary Griffin said, "You have been chosen not only for the range of your experience and perspective, but also for your proven ability to explore new strategies," Griffin told the group at the inaugural meeting. "A specific effort was made to include individuals who are not overly invested in historical oyster management and restoration so that new ideas can be presented and openly discussed."

The Oyster Advisory Commission Membership is;

Chair: William Eichbaum, World Wildlife Fund

Sherman Baynard, Maryland Coastal Conservation Association

Don Boesch, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Torrey Brown, Intralytix, Inc. & Oyster Recovery Partnership

Mark Bryer, The Nature Conservancy

Kim Coble, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Richard Colburn, Maryland State Senator

Stephen Lafferty, Maryland State Delegate

Douglas Legum, Real Estate Developer

Doug Lipton, University of Maryland Sea Grant Program

Mark Luckenbach, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Pat Montanio, National Oceanic and Administrative Administration

Tony O’Donnell, Maryland State Delegate

Midgett Parker, Linowes & Blocher, LLP

Ben Parks, Maryland Watermen’s Association

Bill Richkus, Versar, Inc.

Brian Rothschild, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

Jason Ruth, W.H. Harris Oyster Company

Eric Schott, University of Maryland Center for Marine Biotechnology

Don Webster, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service

Bill Windley, Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association

For more information about the Oyster Advisory Commission visit the website, www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/oysters/.

Deer archery hunting continues through January 31, 2008. All but two Maryland Counties are in Deer Management Region B where archers may take 2 antlered white-tailed deer. 2 antlerless deer must be taken before attempting to hunt a second antlered deer. The bag limit for antlerless deer in Region B is 10 antlerless deer, but archery hunters in the Suburban Deer Archery Zone of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties may take an unlimited number of antlerless deer. The white-tailed deer archery bag limit for Deer Management Region A which is comprised of Garrett and Allegany Counties is 2 deer, 1 antlered and 1 antlerless. Sika deer archery season is open from September 15, 2007 through January 31, 2008 in Caroline, Dorchester, and Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties. The sika deer bag limit is 1 antlered and 1 antlerless sika deer. An antlered sika deer is a deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.

Archery deer hunters check in their harvested deer by calling 1-888-800-0121 or online at the website, www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us . DNR instructions state that as soon as the deer is harvested, hunters are to immediately place a "…Field Tag" on the deer’s head and complete the Maryland Big Game Harvest Record." Hunters receive a confirmation number when they register by phone or the website. This number must be recorded on their Big Game Harvest Record. This must be done in ink. Instructions for the process of checking in a deer and recording the information are also on pages 32 – 33 of the "2007-2008 Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland". Information on bag limits, season dates, deer registration procedures and bow hunting regulations is also available at DNR’s website, www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/.

Anglers across Southern Maryland are rocking through the month of July with some significant striped bass action. Trolling the channel edges from east of the Cove Point gas docks to near Point Lookout have provided consistent action to those trolling bucktails and sassy shads. The bluefish numbers in the area can irritate some anglers with bite-offs of the soft sassy shad baits, but catches of stripers as large as 28 to 32 inches make the risk worthwhile. Meanwhile the menhaden "hash slingers" are still plying their fishing trade by chumming the Middlegrounds and getting plenty of action with stripers, blues and even croaker,

Chum the Grounds but Avoid the Clowns

Except for those very hot, still time of days when the temperatures are in the 90’s, chumming is still a great fishing option for stripers. Once the fish are attracted to the slick, anglers can have lots of fun with light tackle action. The weekends and even occasional weekdays can get very busy with anchored up boat traffic chumming at the Middlegrounds and when that happens, it’s time to move. Too much ground up bunker hash in the water, boat and people noise often spooks the fish and makes it hard to get them into range of your baited hooks. If this starts, move to another more remote location where there is little or no boat traffic. Look along channel edges and small rises off the bottom where obstructions attract marine growth and baitfish. The stripers, blues, croakers and spot will most likely be there. Good areas to practice this strategy are the Triangle area of the mouth of the Potomac and over on the Virginia side offshore from the mouth of the Coan or Yecomico Rivers. Another area to investigate for potential chumming locales are the slopes on the channel edges on the eastern side of the Bay.

Croakers Rule

Big croakers with some in the 2 to 3 pound range continue to provide great bottom fishing action across a wide area of Southern Maryland waters. Recent summer heat has moved these fish into a deep water bite during most of the day. In early morning hours from dawn and into the first two hours of the day, croakers may still bite within close inshore waters. For the most part, these fish are only biting while fishing deep channel waters. Late evenings will find them biting again closer to shore. Joining the croaker are lots of spot but you have to move often to find those that are keeper size. Drift fishing with double hook rigs and enough weight to stay on the bottom is the best tactic fro croaker, although some big ones are also being caught while chumming. Best baits are bloodworms, squid strips, cut strips of spot and Fishbites in bloodworm or squid "flavors".

MD Striper Time

In Maryland Chesapeake Bay waters the current recreational striped bass season continues through December 15. Anglers may keep two fish per person per day between 18 and 28 inches, or one fish between 18 and 28 inches and one fish over 28 inches. Call 1-800-688-3467 for fishing information provided by the DNR Fisheries Service. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries information website can be access at; http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/

Potomac Striper Season

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) recreational striped bass season continues through December 31, 2007. The PRFC striper creel allows anglers fishing tidal Potomac River waters to keep two striped bass per person per day at 18 to 28 inches in length. One of these can exceed 28 inches. All PRFC waters are open to possession of striped bass, from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (Route I-95) to Smith Point, Virginia. For additional information call 1-800-266-3904 or search information at the PRFC website, http://www.prfc.state.va.us/index.htm.