STRIPERS ROCKED BY HARDBALL PITCHES

The name on the stern of the sleek fiberglass deadrise charterboat said it
all; "HARDBALL". With anxious, happy excitement in the air, those getting
onboard with Captain Jeff Shores on April 29, were ready to do battle with
some big stripers. Since 1988, anglers and charterboats have teamed up at
Harrison's Chesapeake House on Tilghman Island for the annual PRO-AM
"rocker".While all had heard of the great striped bass season already
underway, the 2004 event was about to challenge history and future
gatherings. Big fish were on the move heading down mainstem channel edge
waters of the bay, hungry after time on the spawning grounds. After a hearty
fisherman's buffet breakfast, our crew of six anglers were ready to do
battle with big rockfish in nearby waters.

                                                                    First Pitch

Capn' Jeff Shores quickly involved all of the angling crew in getting ready
to catch rockfish. Instructing as he guided each of us towards tasks in
getting 10 plus trolling rigs overboard, we all got the opportunity to enjoy
being part of the pre-fishing effort. Jeff's use of large planer boards
allowed for at least two rod n' reels to be fished on each of the far
outboard planers. The boards keep baits within 10 to 15 feet of the surface
but away from boat wake and turbulence. We were still getting the last of
the rigs ready when one of the quick release rigs tripped on the port side
planer. Steve Scala was invited by his fellow anglers to enjoy pulling in a
hefty 37 inch striper.

                                                                    Batter Up

With the first rock in the boat by 7:15 A.M., Mike Ackerman soon after
pulled in the second fish, a 32 inch striped bass. George Edwards boated a
32 ½ inch rockfish followed by Steve Edwards who landed another 37 inch
striper. Don Helgason Jr. and Phil Jones finished up the quick but exciting
morning of fishing with 33 and 31 ½ inch stripers. After getting all the
rigs in the boat and everything secured, we were on our way back to Harrison
's Chesapeake House with our limit of trophy stripers, before 10:00 a.m!.

                                                            Family Tradition

The "Captains" Buddy Harrison and family provide the annual PRO-AM event as
a way of saying thanks to their regular customers and supporters. While the
2004 event has come and gone, the great fishing and breathtaking beauty
which surrounds Harrison's Chesapeake House is only beginning. For some
great food, fishing and overnight comfort, call Harrisions at; (410)
886-2121 or visit their website at; www.chesapeakehouse.com

                                                            Keep Rockin'

Maryland's current 2004 Chesapeake Bay recreational striper season continues
through May 15. The current creel limit is one striped bass (rockfish) 28"
or larger per person per day. Striped bass may not be in possession while
fishing between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. No Eels are permitted as bait
during this first 2004 season. Fishing for stripers is restricted to the
mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the
Maryland/Virginia Line, Tangier & Pocomoke Sounds. No Tributaries except the
Lower Potomac River are areas where possession of striped bass is permitted
during this first season . For information, call the Maryland DNR Fisheries
Service at 1-800-688-3467.

                                            New MD Striper Creel- May 16

On May 16, 2004 Through Dec. 15, 2004, Maryland's striped bass season creel
and possession changes to 2 fish at 18"- 28" or 1 fish 18" - 28" and 1
larger than 28" per person per day. Striped bass may not be in possession
while fishing between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. during this season. Note
that until June 1, possession of striped bass in Maryland Chesapeake
Bay/tributary waters remains restricted to mainstem Chesapeake Bay waters
from Brewerton Channel South, to the Maryland-Virginia line.

                                                Potomac Season

The current 2004 Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) recreational
striped bass season continues through May 15. Current daily possession limit
is one striped bass 28 inches or larger. PRFC waters are open for the first
2004 recreational striped bass season only in the Potomac River mainstem
downstream of the Harry Nice (Route 301) Bridge. No live eels and no more
than 2 hooks per rod and reel rig is permitted during this PRFC season.
Information on the 2004 PRFC striper seasons can be obtained by calling,
1-800-266-3904.

                                        New PRFC Striper Season- May 16

>From May 16 through December 31, PRFC waters provide additional rockfish
opportunities. All tidal Potomac River waters under jurisdiction of the PRFC
will be open to recreational striped bass fishing from down river of the
Route I-95 Woodrow Wilson Bridge to the end of PRFC waters at Smith Point,
Virginia. The daily creel is two fish per person per day from 18 to 28
inches. One of these fish in possession can be over 28 inches. For
additional information, call the PRFC at 1-800-266-3904 or visit their
website at www.prfc.state.va.us

                                                    Gobble Time

The 2004 Maryland Spring gobbler season continues through May 24. Hunting
hours are from one half hour before sunrise until 12:00 noon. Bag limits are
one bearded turkey per day and one bearded turkey per season or if no turkey
was harvested during the fall season, two bearded turkeys per season.
Information on hunting can be found at the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) website, www.dnr.state.md.us . For public hunting
information in Southern Maryland, call the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management
Area at (301) 743-5161.

                                                    Safe Hunting

Hunting wild turkeys is an exciting and challenging sport. Their keen
alertness includes hearing and vision unlike most of the creatures and birds
in the wild. Success during the spring gobbler season requires hunters to
optimize camouflage clothing and be completely still when calling,
especially if a gobbler shows up in your field of vision or sounds off close
by. It is this hunting stealth requirement which requires hunters to
strongly consider several safety tips. Remember, if the turkeys can't see
you neither will other hunters who walk into the location you are hunting.
If you suspect someone is approaching the area you are hunting in, call out
in a clear voice and let them know where you are. Never stand up, wave your
arms or move your legs, until or unless the person acknowledges they know
you are there. Consider carrying some blaze-fluorescent orange cloth to tie
around a harvested gobbler when you are leaving your hunting location.
Another good idea is to carry a blaze orange hat and wear it when you are
going to or leaving your hunting site. For our 20th anniversary, we gave
each other a "Mossy Oak" camouflage turkey vest complete with NWTF patches.
Of particular safety value are two pairs of left and right fluorescent
orange cloth, which can be extracted from velcro pockets and placed on the
front and back of the vest.