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SOUTHERN
MARYLAND ROCKS THROUGH JULY
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.
Anglers and
commercial fisherman are being asked to assist the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with a cooperative tagging
study concerning striped bass. The Virginia Institute of Marine
Science (VIMS) of the College of William and Mary is continuing a
comprehensive study in cooperation with the DNR to develop
information about mycobacteria disease in the Chesapeake Bay
Region’s stripers. At present, there is no need for alarm or
evidence that mycobacteriosis in Maryland striped bass is on the
rise or a threat to anglers, commercial fisherman or the resource.
Collaborative efforts in this regard are ongoing as many scientific
studies are and continue for years in order to develop useful and
valid scientific data.
Since the mid 1980s,
mycobacteriosis has been tracked as a bacterial disease that can
infect striped bass and other species. A recent DNR press release
notes that, "Stock assessment analysis has not demonstrated a
decline in the population of striped bass and reproduction remains
high." The tagging study underway by Maryland’s DNR and VIMS has
the goal of determining how or if mycobacteria disease takes
place and whether it progresses in fish over periods of time. Both
diseased and healthy fish are collected and their health is
assessed. Prior to release, a bright-green anchor tag is implanted
in them and they released back into the water.
The intent is for
stripers to be tagged each spring and fall through 2009, with a
possibility for monitoring to continue beyond that year. A
bright-green colored anchor tag marked with either "VIMS" or "MD
DNR" includes a toll free number (1-866-845-3379) to report the
fish. A reward is provided for the return of tagged, whole fish so
biologists can examine them and compare the previous data on record.
To help support collection of this study data, the DNR notes that,
"Fish bearing the bright-green
tag are exempt from Maryland and Virginia daily catch limits and
seasonal and size restrictions, provided that they are reported
promptly, kept intact, kept cool or chilled (not frozen) and turned
over to DNR or VIMS."
Anglers, commercial
fishermen and charter boat captains have been identified by the
Maryland DNR Fisheries Service as key players in the success for the
mycobacteriosis study. Even if you catch a tagged fish outside
Maryland or Virginia waters, they should still be reported on the
toll free number and the tag returned by mail. Says Howard King,
Director of DNR’s Fisheries Service, "Coordination between DNR
and VIMS will ensure that fish recaptured in the Chesapeake Bay are
collected and analyzed in a timely manner, regardless of where they
are caught,"
Results of
this study will increase our understanding of the potential impacts
of mycobacteriosis on the striped bass population."
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) website can be access at;
www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishingreport/frmapindex.asp .
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.
OUTDOORS ON THE INDOOR CHANNELS
Summertime fishing and boating
makes it less likely to be watching television, except for
the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Outdoors
Maryland show which is produced by Maryland Public
Television (MPT). The National Capital Chesapeake Bay
Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences has honored Outdoors Maryland with four Emmy Award
nominations for 2006 broadcasts. A recent Maryland DNR press
release notes that, "Outdoors Maryland is the mid-Atlantic's
guide to the outdoors and one of MPT's most popular local
programs. This award-winning series delights viewers each
week with thought-provoking stories depicting the region's
diverse collection of ecosystems, people and places. Now in
its 16th season, the show's beautiful photography and
thoughtful scripting capture Maryland's vast diversity and
stunning beauty."
Nominated Shows
The 2006 Outdoors Maryland shows nominated in the “Magazine
Program” category are: Blind Spots: Threats to the
Chesapeake is a 30-minute documentary that explored three
pollution problems in the Bay; Island Crusader: A segment
about Steven White, a retired Methodist minister who is
dedicating his life to restoring a Chesapeake Bay island;
Along the River: A look at the Bush River’s natural system,
and practices and policies that resourceful public officials
are implementing to protect it; The Road Show: A look the
Maryland Park Service’s Scales ‘n Tales program, a unique,
traveling zoo that helps to educate people about the state’s
different species of birds; Spanning Time: A look at
Maryland’s six surviving covered bridges; Rainbow Rare: A
high school teacher and his students from the Anacostia
section of Washington, D.C. make a rare discovery as they
gather together in their after-school nature club; The
Rockfish Question: Fishermen and scientists are finding
rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay that have lesions on them,
and researchers from DNR are searching for an explanation.
The Best Days of Our Lives: The Centennial of Maryland’s
State Parks & Forests. was nominated for the “Editor:
Program” category. The Capital Emmys will be awarded next
Saturday, June 16 at the Washington, D.C., Ritz-Carlton
Hotel.
MD Striper Rock Lines
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) website can be access at;
www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishingreport/frmapindex.asp
.
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.
VA Striper Season
The current Virginia recreational striped bass season
continues through June 15, with a possession limit of two
fish from 18 to 28 inches. One of these fish can be larger
than 32 inches. A catch report is required for 32 inch or
larger stripers caught during these May-June season in
Virginia. Catch report copies can be obtained online from
the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) via their
website at;
http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/swrecfishingrules.shtm
or call (757) 247-2200 for information. Southern Maryland
anglers who fish across the line into Virginia Chesapeake
Bay waters should check their creel limit of fish in the
boat before crossing from Maryland, PRFC into Virginia
waters, to make sure they still in compliance with the law.
If not, do not stop and fish and take your catch to the
point of landing or dock.
5/27/07
SUMMERTIME ROCK
Memorial
Day weekend is here for Southern Maryland waters and with it
the beginnings of summertime rock. Schools of
stripers in 18 to 24 inch sizes are starting to dominate a
wide range of Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent and Potomac River
waters. Trolling may still be the choice of strategy for
many, but look for slinging hash to take over as the favored
way to chum up the rock. Light tackle action favors chumming
but an influx of bluefish into the Middlegrounds area may
force anglers to consider using heavier leaders. Ground up
menhaden may bring other visitors to the slicks including
croakers, especially when the tide goes slack and baits get
near the bottom.
Bottom Bouncing
Croaker
fishing both inshore and in deeper waters is taking off with
bloodworms, crab and squid the favored baits. Spinner hooks
fished right on the bottom are the favored rigs, but those
fishing inshore shallow waters should minimize the hardware
and terminal tackle. Some big croakers (aka hardhead)
may be found right off the shore at this time of year. More
secluded upstream locales will also hold some white perch.
In addition to bloodworms and crab, the perch will also go
after minnows or small spinner lures.
MD Striper Times
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) website can be access at;
www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishingreport/frmapindex.asp
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.
VA Striper Season
The
current Virginia recreational striped bass season continues
through June 15, with a possession limit of two fish from 18
to 28 inches. One of these fish can be larger than 32
inches. A catch report is required for 32 inch or larger
stripers caught during these May-June season in Virginia.
Catch report copies can be obtained online from the Virginia
Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) via their website at;
http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/swrecfishingrules.shtm
or call (757) 247-2200 for
information. Southern Maryland anglers who fish across the
line into Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters should check their
creel limit of fish in the boat before crossing from
Maryland, PRFC into Virginia waters, to make sure they still
in compliance with the law. If not, do not stop and fish and
take your catch to the point of landing or dock.
Boat Safety
Some of
the busiest times on Southern Maryland waters are just
beginning and it will be months before boating traffic
peaks. Stay on the side of caution when approaching other
boats, whether they are moving or appear anchored and
stationary. Stay away and increase your distance from
reckless boaters and report their activity and location as
soon as possible. Check all boating safety gear BEFORE you
leave the dock, marina or boat ramp. Familiarize those
aboard with the location of safety gear and how to use it.
Let someone know ashore where you will be boating and the
time you expect to return. |
