Captain Steve Scala's Fishcast
SUMMERTIME ROCK!
Summer weather may be taking its time getting to the Southern Maryland Region, but the seasonal stripers are right on time. Rockfish in the 18 to 23 inch range began moving into Lower Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay waters right after the 18 inch minimum came in. Big stripers still showed their presence last week as fish in the 20 to 25 pound range and larger were caught in Southern Maryland waters. Trolling remains popular but the hash slingers chumming the Middlegrounds rule the roost again. Boats anchored and chumming with ground menhaden got plenty of action, as long as boat traffic and related noise didn’t spook the fish. This season, there is more potential for trolling and chumming action to overlap within the same areas of fishing, since the action for big rockfish has gone later into early summer. Trollers should give those anchored up a wide berth of room and stay away from the general area where boats are chumming. It can be a good fishing strategy to try both trolling and chumming on a fishing day, as long as you can avoid interference with those already anchored up in their menhaden chum slicks.
Cool Spring, Hot Summer?
The 2005 spring has been cooler than most, but more summer like weather has been moving into the Southern Maryland Region. How long it will be before really hot temperatures prevail is not yet known, but all know a warmer season is coming. Heat exhaustion can happen at times when it is not expected, so make sure the boat you are fishing on has some cover from the sun. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen protection are other necessaries and most important is having plenty of cold water or other non-alcoholic beverages aboard and available. Since water temperatures are still cooler than normal for this time of year, there is still risk for hyperthermia or getting cold so take some dry clothes and a few towels, in case someone gets wet. Most important, is your boat’s safety gear including lifejackets for all aboard, fire extinguishers, a first aid kit and a throw cushion or life ring.
Big Money Tournament
A million dollar fishing tournament began in Maryland on sunup Friday, June 3 and continues through sundown on Monday, July 18. During this time, anglers fishing Maryland waters have the chance to win a variety of prizes. This "Maryland $1,000,000 Fishing Challenge" is sponsored by Boater’s World and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). Registration is not required and no fees are collected to participate. Eligibility is easy; those legally licensed to fish in Maryland waters or those fishing in designated license free fishing areas and for anyone on the 3 free fishing days of June 4, 11 and July 4. Youth anglers are especially encouraged to participate and try to catch one of the many tagged fish which have been released into Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Species that have winning tags attached are striped bass, croaker, largemouth bass and white perch. Those who catch a tagged fish will be entered in a million dollar cash drawing to be held on Saturday, July 23, 2005. Some tagged fish will also offer an additional prize. Check with your local bait and fishing tackle shops or charterboat captains for additional information. The Maryland DNR website at; www.dnr.maryland.gov/fish4cash/ also has information about the $1,000,000 Fishing Challenge.
Maryland Rock Season
The current recreational Striped Bass season for Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries (excluding the Potomac River) continues through December 15, 2005. Creel and possession limits remain two fish per person per day at 18 to 28 inches, one of which may exceed 28 inches.
PRFC Rock
The current Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) recreational striped bass season continues through December 31, 2005. Tidal Potomac River waters within the jurisdiction of the PRFC have a two fish per person per day possession limit at 18 to 28 inches. One of these can exceed 28 inches. All Potomac River waters downstream of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to Smith Point Virginia are open for striped bass possession during this season.
Virginia Rockers
Virginia’s current Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters (excluding the Potomac) striped bass season continues through June 15. There is a two fish per person per day possession limit from 18 to 28 inches. One of these fish can be over 32 inches and requires a catch report be completed, which can be accessed via the VMRC website.
Online Info & Phone Numbers
To get information on Maryland’s 2005 striped bass seasons, call 1-800-688-FINS or 1-877-620-8DNR. They also have a fishing information website at; http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/recregchrt.html . Information on striped bass and other fishing seasons in PRFC waters can be obtained by calling 1-800-266-3904 or visiting their website at; http://www.prfc.state.va.us/index.htm VMRC information via the web is at, http://www.mrc.state.va.us They can also be reached by phone at, (757) 247-2200.