ITS BIG ROCK TIME IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND WATERS

By Capt. Steve and Chelly Scala
ST. MARY'S TODAY

November is big rock time in local Southern Maryland waters as anglers pursue larger stripers responding to water temperature changes in Potomac, Patuxent and Chesapeake Bay waters. Bait patterns are one of the best indications of where to fish this time of year, so look for concentrations of menhaden (alewives or bunker) to show you where to put the lines out. Chumslingers are still having it their way at the Southwest Middlegrounds east of Point Lookout but line draggers are beginning to enjoy their tactics as trolling time as definitely arrived. For the rest of the month, the best prepared Southern Maryland anglers will be ready to troll, cast, jig or chum when they leave the dock in pursuit of stripers and blues.

Bigger Rockers
Much to the delight of local anglers, larger rockfish are being caught in the Lower Potomac and nearby Chesapeake Bay Southern Maryland waters. Fish from 30 to 35 inches are being landed while trolling mid-depths along the channel edges. Some of the baitfish are bigger and so are the fish so adding some larger lures, including parachutes, umbrellas and banjo-eye bucktails in 8 to 10 ounce sizes. Large crippled alewife or Tony Accetta spoons are also another lure to consider trying.

Mix in the Mid-size
Even though bigger rockfish are being caught, big baits may not always get the larger fish. If smaller or medium sized baitfish happens to be concentrated in an area you are trolling, mixing up the lure sizes and colors is a good tactic for this time of year. Include a trolling rig with tandem bucktails and soft trailer baits such as sassy shads or twistertails. Combined with in-line sinkers in 4 to 8 ounce sizes, this will provide coverage at mid and upper water column depths in case the stripers come up to chase bait closer to the surface.

Upland Game
Hunting seasons for cottontail rabbit and bobwhite quail, continue. The season for rabbits remains open until February 1, which coincides with the season closing date for quail in the eastern zone. Quail season in the western zone will close January 15. Rabbits inhabit brushy, weedy areas and can be hunted with or without dogs. Rabbit hunting is a great way to get young hunters interested in the outdoors. Based on annual bobwhite surveys, sections of Southern Maryland are among areas of the state with the highest densities of quail.

Deer archery
The current 2006-07 deer archery season continues until January 31, 2007. All of the Southern Maryland Counties are in Deer Management Region B, where archery hunters can harvest 2 antlered white-tailed deer. After taking the first antlered deer, two antlerless deer must be taken before pursuing a second one with antlers. The Region B antlerless deer bag limit for archery in Region B is 10. Those hunting the Suburban Deer Archery Zone of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties may take an unlimited number of antlerless deer. Those archery hunting in Deer Management Region A which is comprised of Garrett and Allegany Counties are limited to 2 deer which is1 antlered and 1 antlerless. Deer harvested must be registered with the Maryland (DNR) by calling 1-888-800-0121 or online at www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us Information on deer bag limits, season dates and bow hunting regulations can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide .

Rock Times
The Maryland and Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) striper seasons have an 18 to 28 inch minimum size and possession limit of 2 fish per person. One of these fish in Maryland or PRFC waters may be over 28 inches. For Maryland info call 1-800-688-3467 or visit their website at, http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries . PRFC striper season information can be obtained by calling 1-800-266-3904 or by accessing their website at, http://www.prfc.state.va.us . Virginia’s 2006, fall striped bass season continues through December 31. The Virginia season has a possession limit of 2 stripers per person at 18 to 28 inches. One of these Virginia fish is allowed to be 34 inches or longer, so make sure you don’t have fish between 28 and 34 inches in the boat while in Virginia waters. For information on the recreational striped bass season in Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters, call the Virginia Marine Resources Commission at (757) 247-2200 or visit their website at; www.mrc.state.va.us .

Annual Fundraising Tournament
The Annual Casey Neal Rogers (CNR) Memorial Rockfish Tournament takes place on Saturday November 18, 2006 with competition fishing hours from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Funds raised from this effort go to the Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department and the (CNR) Memorial Scholarship fund. Cash prize categories for the top fish are awarded and there is also a youth division category. The entry fee is $150.00 call (804) 453-3025 for registration information.