The Maryland Fisherman's Annual- 1st Edition

Ta b l e

F E AT U R E S :

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Light Is Might

Light-Tackle Striper Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay

Western Maryland Trout Fishing

Something for Everyone

Maryland’s 32 Monster Muskie

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C o n t e n t s

D E PA R T M E N T S : What’s Hot • The Top 10 Reasons You Start Kayak Fishing Tomorrow .............................4 • Kayaking for Spring Stripers on the Susky Flats ........5 • Kayak Fishing the Delmarva’s Coastal Bays ..........7 • One Way Kayak Trips ...............8

Reel Cooking with Chef Steve • Rockin’ Food at the Beach ......76 and Beyond

From the Experts • The Shocking Trout News from the Gunpowder ...............10

Chesapeake Bay GPS Coordinates ......................81

Fishing in the Digital Age • A Complete Roundup of the Latest Online Resources ..........80

The Fisherman’s Eye • Reader Submitted Photos ........82

Big Fish in a Scenic Setting

Conservation Buzz • Invasion of the Exotics ............12 • Philanthropy and Fins ............13 • Catch and Release Tactics .......14 • Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative - MARI ....................15 • Catch and Release Charlie Contest ..................................19

Get Your Speed On

On Tour • Prehistoric Monsters of Hells Canyon .........................37

Offshore GPS Coordinates .....................146

Behind the Big Town

Regional Roundup • Late Season Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Stripers ......40 • The Miracle of Pennsylvania’s Falling Spring Branch .......................41 What You Need • Gear Review by Lenny Rudow .........................68

Fish Identification .................................1 Guide 64

Excitement on the Upper Potomac

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o f

Potomac Smallmouth

The Hottest Tuna Tactic in Decades!

Ocean City, MD

Fish Out of Water

An Outsider’s Perspective on the Angler’s Obsession

Maps and Charts: • Chesapeake Bay Mainstem ......82 Fold-Out • Chesapeake Bay and Tidal River Charts ..........................84 • Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bay Charts ...............124 • Trout Management Areas .......126 Tide Tables ......................140

Maryland Angling Opportunities ..................147 Boat Ramp Guide ...........154

Nibbles and Strikes • Catch, Release, & Cherish Forever..................................71 • Common Sense Tips ................72 • Using Barometric Pressure To Help Catch More Fish ........72 • Creative Alternatives to Taxidermy ..........................73 • Maryland Monsters Contest (With a Big Prize) ...................74

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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e are proud to introduce the inaugural edition of The Maryland Fisherman’s Annual, the product of a thorough effort to supply the Maryland recreational angler with a single resource devoted to their pursuits in our great state. This has been no simple undertaking. In what other state can a devoted angler travel three hours in any direction and catch (or try to catch) such a wide variety of fish? We run the virtual gamut of species from colorful native brook trout in the pristine streams of the Alleghany Mountains to monster tuna and marlin in the offshore Atlantic canyons, and everything in between. We are extremely lucky to have a world class striper fishery and one of the best brown trout streams on the East Coast within minutes of each other, as well as seemingly limitless opportunities to catch a variety of fresh and saltwater species too numerous to list here.

The yearly magazine will be packed with informative and well written articles from some of the best anglers and writers in the area, with an emphasis on the most current and up and coming techniques and equipment. Each issue will be geared toward a wide range of fisheries in Maryland, both fresh and saltwater, and will contain information to help you keep up on fishing in the digital age. To further the mission of making The Maryland Fisherman’s Annual a one-stop shop for recreational fishing information, we will include maps and charts, cutting edge mapping of the Chesapeake Bay, tide tables, boat ramp locations, trout fishing information, fishing pier and fishing locations, and much, much more. Having seen the changes to the area fisheries over the past few decades, we feel that the best way to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the exceptional fishing that we have come to expect is to help keep everyone informed on the issues facing our precious resources. To that end we will include useful articles dealing with current conservation information, environmental factors and conventional wisdom in the recreational fishing arena. You will also find informative tips on how to do simple things to help keep our fisheries thriving, and a couple of contests to make your outdoor pursuits a little more interesting.

We hope that you enjoy The Maryland Fisherman’s Annual. Our goal is to create what we believe will become one of the premiere regional fishing publications in the country, a grass roots magazine that draws from the experiences of wellknown and not so well-known anglers in the area, as well as some interesting outside perspective. We want our readers to regard the publication as a forum for the sport, and encourage you to send us your stories, photos, comments, and critiques. We also hope that The Annual gets passed along to friends or finds its way to the boat console, kayak hatch, or the seat of your car or truck. So, read and enjoy. Then go out and catch some fish!

Brian Bartell Editor-in-Chief

Contributing Advisor:

Managing Editor: Mike Thron

Leah Schwamberg

Mike@mdfishermansannual.com

Design/Layout:

Editor-in-Chief: Brian Bartell

TIGRaphics, LLC Lighthouse Graphics www.tigraphics.com

Brian@mdfishermansannual.com

Creative Support:

Copy Editor:

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

Jamie Kunkel

Editor-at-Large: Rob Jacobs

Contributors:

Lenny Rudow John Mullican Lance Smith Dan Hodkinson Chris Dollar Monty Hawkins Steve Logan Kevin Whitley Kelly Greenhawk

Inspirational Support:

The next chance to get out and FISH! One dollar from the sale of each issue will be donated to MARI (Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative).

The Maryland Fisherman’s Annual is published yearly by Intrepid Angler Productions, LLC, for entertainment purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, and are not necessarily those of the publisher. We are not responsible for any injury, damages, death, dismemberment or divorce as a result of any material contained in this publication. Reader discretion is advised. Please direct editorial comments or inquiries to brian@mdfishermansannual.com. Product review and testing inquiries should be directed to Mike@mdfishermansannual.com.

Available online at www.mdfishermansannual.com Advertising or distribution information: Info@mdfishermansannual.com Copyright 2009, all rights reserved. Printed on 10% recycled paper.

“Fishing is good”

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10 Reasons

The Top

You Start Kayak Fishing

Tomorrow

Words & Photos by Kevin Whitley

1) Accessibility—Kayaks can go places boats and people can’t. Remote backwater creeks at low tide and bridge pilings are no longer off limits—and chances are you’ll have them all to yourself.

tautog, triggerfish, speckled trout and flounder—you can catch all of these and more from a kayak.

2) It’s Cheap—You can get a kayak, a good paddle and a personal flotation device for under $1,500. There’s no gas to buy and very little upkeep.

8) Stealth—Hear that sound? It’s called silence. Feel that tugging on the end of your line? That’s called a rockfish.

3) Environmentally Friendly—No gas, no oil, no exhaust, no noise… no problem.

4) Free Exercise—You’re paying how much for a gym membership? Get off the rowing machine and out on the water where you belong.

5) It’s Fun—Damn straight! Exploring hidden parts of the Chesapeake at water level is as good as it gets. Knowing that you’re now part of a tradition that dates back over 1,000 years to the Susquehannock Indians… well, that’s just pretty cool.

6) Fishing 365—There is a common misconception that kayaking is only for the summer months. Yes, you’re bound to get wet; but with the right clothes you can fish all year round. In the summer, sunburn is the main concern. Long sleeve shirts and quick-drying pants will keep the sun off and keep you cool. In the spring and fall a good pair of breathable chest waders can keep the chill off.

In the winter the right combination of under layers, neoprene waders and a dry top will keep you dry and warm.

7) One Fish Two Fish Redfish Bluefish—Another misconception is that you can’t land big fish from a kayak.

Bollocks! If it swims in the bay and has fins, you can catch it: Large red and black drum, striper, cobia, sheepshead,

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9) Easy Maintenance—It’s way too simple, no engine to service, no bottom to paint, no complicated electronics to deal with (except maybe a fish finder).

Just hose everything off with fresh water when you’re finished for the day and throw your yak back in the garage.

10) Because You Can—Need we say any more?

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Kayaking for Spring Stripers on the Susky Flats Tactics & Techniques for

By C.D. Dollar

Susky Flats Stripers

It’s a sight every saltwater fisherman dreams about, the reason we crawl out of bed at 0-Dark-Thirty: a monster rockfish mashing a topwater plug in skinny water. Luckily for kayak anglers in the Chesapeake region, we don’t have to wait until the fall to get a shot at making this vision a reality.

A decade ago, Maryland opened a “catch-and-release” spring season for striped bass on the Susquehanna Flats, and it seemed the Chesapeake’s light tackle and fly fishing community had finally earned some respect. This year the season ran from March 1st through May 3rd, and the growing legion of kayak fishermen was there.

Locking down light tackle anglers’ lure preferences is like telling Imelda Marcos to stop buying shoes–not in the cards. To toss lures all day, I prefer a 6 ½ foot, medium-fast action spinning rod loaded with 12 to 15-pound test line.

I’ve had good success with Tackle Cove’s Regional Series and St. Croix’s Inshore rods. For reels, I use an Epixor by Okuma or a Penn 4500 loaded with 12- or 15pound test line.

Try to make your lures mimic the prevalent natural forage, which consists of shad, herring and white perch. Colors

The Fishing Yak What’s the best fishing kayak? The one you’re paddling, of course! All boats are compromises, and no single kayak is perfect for all fishing conditions. Many of today’s kayaks set the bar high, however.

I prefer a longer boat on the Flats. My clients and I fish from Ocean Prowlers (13 to 15 feet), which have a sharp bow entry to handle waves and a keel that produces an efficient ride. Some fishing yakkers rig their boats while other boats leave the factory laden with many fisherman-friendly features, including electronics, rod holders and gear storage. Rudders are nice insurance against wind and current, which can make return trips to the ramp brutal. Plus, a rudder can turn a big fish’s head, helping you win the fight.

Two things I’d never skimp on: a seat and a paddle. I love my GTS seat by Surf-toSummit and the Breeze Day Angler paddle

by Bending Branches, which has a handy measuring tape printed on the shaft.

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Yak Access Tydings Park, City Yacht Basin Location: Havre De Grace, off I-95 to Rt. 155, to Otsego St., east to Union Ave., south to Commerce St. Fee/Permit: Yes Contact: 410/638-3571 Jean Roberts Memorial Park Location: Havre de Grace; at foot of Union Ave. off Otsego St. Fee/Permit: Yes Contact: 410/638-3571 Perryville Boat Ramp Location: Perryville; Aiken Ave.; off Rt. 40 east of Perry Point near VA Hospital Fee/Permit: Yes Contact: 410/642-6066

of pearl, iridescent purple, and glitter chartreuse and white are standard rockfish catchers. These soft plastic baits have a spot in my tackle box: Bass Assassins, Storm Wildeye Shads, H&H’s Cocohoe Minnow, and Tony spoons.

The main reason we paddle the Flats, of course, is for a chance at rod-jarring surface strikes. These plugs can ring the striper’s bell: Smack-it by Stillwater, Storm’s Rattlin Chug Bug and the behemoth Amazon River lures.

For fly fishers, a quality 9-weight outfit does the trick, loaded with an intermediate line or sink tip. Bring an extra spool. I cast St. Croix and Temple Fork

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rods. Half-n-Half’s, Clousers, Deceivers and large poppers catch stripers. Color combinations of white, olive, chartreuse and light or dark purple work well.

Although drifting live or dead herring from a yak isn’t a piece of cake, it can be done. There are several bait tanks on the market or you can rig your own using a 5-gallon bucket. KayaTank offers a live well with a flexible bladder that fits Ocean, Malibu and other boats. It also comes with a marine-grade pump and thru-hull connector.

To rig a herring, use non-offset circle hooks (mandatory) in sizes 4/0 to 8/0.

Run it through the upper lip or nose.

Attach it with a #30 leader to a threeway or fishfinder, with 1 to 3 ounces of weight. Then drift it behind your yak. If you anchor, attach a buoy to the line in case you need to chase the fish. A drift sock also works nicely; Surf-to-Summit makes one especially for fishing yakkers.

Trolling for rock on the Flats? Sure, but not with Bay trollers’ bulky gear.

Criss-cross the Flats and nearby channels dragging a swimming plug or spoon behind you. Yo-Zuri’s Crystal Minnow or the venerable Tony Acetta (#15 to 17) are two that can work.

Fishy Spots The Susky Flats are characterized by several deep (5 to 8 feet at high tide) sloughs that branch out from the river.

Some areas are very shallow, so use your sounder or paddle to locate the edges of these deeper sloughs and holes where stripers ambush bait.

The areas around Fishing Battery and Spesutie Island are worth trying, and

Stump Point, Carpenter’s Point, and the edges running from the North East River past Rocky Point hold fish. The southern boundaries of Turkey Point and Sandy Point also produce fish. Some anglers fish up the river at the Lapidum boundary, but unless you’re a very experienced kayak angler, I wouldn’t try it as waters can run very swiftly.

These large stripers must be returned to the water quickly and carefully. Try to keep the fish in the water, controlling its head with a Boga Grip or Lipper Tool, or partly slide it up your leg. If fishing with a partner, it’s possible to net a fish (Loki’s cradle net or Frabill’s Kwik Kradle), but it takes teamwork. Have pliers, dehookers and a camera ready.

Clearly, the Flats have the ingredients necessary for striper success kayak anglers crave. Just add a PFD, a paddle, a rod, some lures and get out there.

CD Dollar specializes in guided kayak fishing trips and kayak instruction throughout the Chesapeake region. Reach him at www. cdollaroutdoors.com or 410/991.8468.

Dress Sharp On a kayak the elements expose every weakness, and afford no shelter. Here is a recipe to keep you warm.

1. Two or three High-tech base layers (Under Armour’s Cold Gear and LL Bean’s merino wool); 2. Fleece pants/top by Grunden or similar; 3. Aqua Skin’s dry top or similar; 4. Top off with stocking foot, light-weight waders, water/wind proof fishing jacket, hat and gloves; and 5. Always wear your PFD and pack a change of clothes in a dry bag (roll top variety).

Kayak Fishing the Delmarva’s Coastal Bays

By Brian Bartell

Everyone knows that accessibility is one of the main draws of kayak fishing.

The ability to take your own small, human-powered craft to spots that make most boaters nervous not only gives the adventurous yakker access to more places to fish, it also opens up opportunities to explore alternative angling methods. The Eastern Shore’s coastal bays offer the intrepid kayak fisherman a host of opportunities, but in my mind, few compare to the allure of catching flat fish on the fly.

While most who ply the back bays of Assateague and Ocean City in the traditional manner (by boat) try very hard, sometimes unsuccessfully, to avoid the numerous shallow bars that lie just beneath the water, those same sandbars provide the perfect vantage point from which to present a fly to the droves of summer flounder feeding in the deeper channels. Thanks to the magic of Google Earth, locating those bars prior to launching becomes almost too simple, and a fairly strong kayaker can cover a good chunk of water in a day of paddling.

Because flounder spend most of their time plastered on the bottom waiting for unsuspecting prey to scuttle by, using a fast-sinking fly line is crucial. For those who have been fly fishing for a long time and have mastered the art of casting (not me, that’s for sure), fly fishing from the kayak with sinking line is little problem.

I prefer to anchor the kayak on a shallow bar and wade to the channel edge, cast up-current, and retrieve with short strong strips. My favorite rig is a March Brown 8-weight rod with a Ross Rhythm reel, rigged with sinking tip line and six to eight feet of 4 or 6 pound leader. Flies that work vary. Anything that looks like a small spot, minnow, crab or shrimp is likely to work.

The last half of the incoming and first couple of hours of the outgoing tide seem to produce the best results.

Bluefish, croaker and the occasional striped bass can also be caught, but nothing is as much fun as hauling in a big flattie on a fly rod. Fly fishing for flounder from a kayak is well worth the price of admission, and the looks and comments you’ll get from bait-dunking boaters are priceless.

Targeted Species: Flounder, although bluefish and croaker are sometimes caught.

Location: Assawoman Bay When: Late spring through fall

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Keys to a good day on the back bays: • Use an eight weight fly rod.

March Brown makes some great travel rods, and coupled with a Ross Rhythm reel loaded with fast sinking fly line and a six to eight foot, eight pound leader your setup is complete.

• Bring plenty of flies. Olive, orange, and purple seem to work best in Clouser or similar patterns.

• Fish the last part of the incoming and the outgoing tides, preferably in the early morning. Avoid holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day), when inexperienced and intoxicated boaters are out in full force.

• Bring your own kayak – there are scant few places to rent.

• Rinse all of your gear, especially your reel, with clean cool fresh water immediately after fishing.

Salt water ruins equipment quickly.

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Kayak Trips If you are looking for a one-way kayak fishing trip, try one of these great water journeys.

Choptank River 6.6 miles, beginner level paddling skills required Put-In: Martinak State park Take-Out: Ganeys Wharf Trip downstream in search of croaker, blues and rockfish

Fifteen Mile Creek 10 miles, beginner to advanced skills required Put-In: east of scenic Route 40 bridge Take-Out: Potomac River/C&O canal Lots of rapids, nice scenery, fallen trees and structure to fish

Monocacy River 16 miles, intermediate skills required Put-In: Pine Cliff Park Take-Out: confluence with the Potomac River Designated State Scenic River and smallmouth bass hot spot

Pocomoke River 10 miles, beginner paddling skills required.

Put-In: Whiton Crossing Road Take-Out: Snow Hill State Scenic River

Tuckahoe Creek 5 miles, beginner skills required Put-In: Tuckahoe State Park at Crouse Mill Road Take-Out: Hillsboro public boat ramp Swampy, dense forest with large trees along the river and stocked trout in spring

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F R O M

T H E

E X P E R T S

The Shocking Trout News from the Gunpowder For the twentieth time since 1987, Charlie Gudgeon and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have conducted their yearly trout population assessment on the upper Gunpowder Falls. Avid trout anglers await the results of this study with great anticipation, eager to find out if the renowned brown trout (Salmo trutta) are alive and well.

Like most years previous, the answer for 2008 was yes.

Three stations, Dam Falls, Masemore Bridge and Bluemount Road, are “shocked” each year. For those unfamiliar with the term, shocking is a process by which electrical current is sent into the water, temporarily stunning the

The upper Gunpowder is managed by the Maryland DNR. From Bluemount Road upstream to Prettyboy Dam the fishery is strictly catch and release, artificial lures and flies only. DNR also stocks between 2,100 and 5,000 fast-growing Kamloops rainbow trout fingerlings above Falls Road each year to spice things up a bit (and keep the browns well fed).

More information on regulations for this stretch of the gunpowder can be found on the Baltimore County Trout Management Area map (P. 133), or at http://www. dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/ stocking/springstocktable.html.

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fish for several seconds. Stunned fish are netted, weighed and measured to determine approximate age of each fish and the distribution of age class among the population. Also, the condition factor, or general appearance of each fish is noted. Within seconds, the fish regain their senses and are released no worse for wear. Each station is approximately 800 to 1,000 feet in length, and three passes are made at each to ensure that an accurate and comprehensive sample is obtained.

The Dam Falls station lies just below the Prettyboy Reservoir Dam above the “gorge,” where nearly constant cool water from the bottom release structure provides a cold water habitat unique for central Maryland. The survey of this reach resulted in an estimate of approximately 4,321 fish per mile for this stretch of river. That equates to one fish for every 15 inches of river, a fairly robust rate. The count for young of year (YOY) in this stretch was high, at 569 per hectare, signaling a healthy population for future years. Because of the cold, nutrient depleted-water found in this stretch, very few other fish species were seen.

Conditions at the Masemore Bridge station, just upstream from the old bridge, changed significantly in 2008. A log jam previously found in the survey area has disappeared, drastically reducing the preferred predator (trout) habitat in the stretch. As expected, the number of fish sampled in this area was signifi-

What to use to catch the big ones? Here are some hints: • Midges and black fly larvae are the hot pick in the upper reaches, where cold water limits the number of insect species.

• Throw Wooly Buggers of varying patterns in the middle stretches, to mimic the abundant (and yummy to brown trout) sculpin population.

• Flies matching the current hatch or minnow imitations work well downstream, where some fat browns are found.

• Stop in and ask the folks at Backwater Angler or Great Feathers about the current conditions and hatch. Both shops are on York Road and have a wealth of information on the conditions on the upper Gunpowder

cantly reduced from the numbers seen in past years, with YOY coming in at 37 percent of the banner count of 2005 (472 in 2008 versus 1,284 in 2005). However, the estimate of 44 pounds per acre of trout in 2008 (down from 102 pounds per acre in 2005) is still at the high end of what fisheries biologists call a healthy population. A significant number of sculpin, a favored food of browns, was also found at the Masemore station.

At Bluemount Road, the farthest downstream sampling station, the 176 fish found during the study is below the average of plus or minus 200 fish, which translates to approximately 783 fish per mile. Despite the comparatively low number of brown trout found at this station, the largest fish surveyed in 2008 was here, and the young of year density measured was well above the “healthy population” range. The location of this station far from the influence of w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Wash Yer Waders!

Prettyboy Dam also results in a much higher density of other species, most notably blacknose dace, white sucker, creek chub and fallfish, which along with others represent up to 50 percent of the total fish living in this area.

Overall, the fishery is top notch, and expected to stay that way. Recruitment is strong (meaning the trout are spend-

ing a lot of time making babies), and despite the fact that the area has not been stocked with brown trout since 1992, the population remains stable. What does this wealth of information mean to trout anglers? The upper Gunpowder is alive and teeming with brown trout, and there are many opportunities to experience the fun of catching these beauties.

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Didymo, an invasive species of diatomaceous algae that thrives in cold clean water, has been spotted in the Gunpowder. To help keep this fishery thriving, help out by taking these steps: • Wash your waders before hitting the water. Wash stations are maintained by volunteers in several stations, or wash them at home in a solution of one cup salt and a gallon of water.

• Dry waders for two days before using them again.

• Avoid felt soled shoes. Algae can survive for days or weeks in the nooks and crannies.

• Dedicate a single pair of waders to the Gunpowder, to keep from transporting potentially damaging organisms from other areas.

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C O N S E R V A T I O N

B U Z Z

Invasion of the Exotics Despite the recent increase in news coverage about exotic invasive plants and animals, few people know the potential damage these species can inflict.

For over 200 years, folks have been bringing things into the great state of Maryland that have no business being here, and while some of these species are minimally detrimental (many of our freshwater game fish are not native to

the state), others can cause quite a bit of trouble. The problems caused by nonnative species generally arise because for some strange reason, they are extremely adaptable to native conditions, allowing them to flourish and displace native species. Below is a rundown of a few of the invasives that pose the greatest threats to fishing in Maryland: 1. Northern Snakehead (Channa argus). These beasts are bad news. The potential damage they could wreak on the freshwater fisheries in the state is 12

catastrophic. They eat anything they see, reproduce quickly, and can survive extended periods out of the water.

Since the first of their kind were found in Maryland were discovered in a pond in Crofton almost ten years ago, they have become established in the Potomac River and seen in other water bodies in the state. If you catch a snakehead, kill it immediately and report the catch to the DNR Fisheries Service (410 260-8320 or customerservice@state.dnr.us.md).

2. Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata).

Didymo is a single-celled diatom that forms thick mats often referred to as “rock snot”. It reproduces quickly in cold, clean water, smothering the streambed and ruining fisheries in short order. In 2008 it was spotted in the upper reaches of the Gunpowder River, which has the nutrient-free cold water favored by the slimy algae. Felt wading shoes are a great way to spread didymo, so if you are an avid stream angler, trade in your felts for a good sturdy pair of rubber soles.

Also, wash your waders and shoes in a salt water solution (one cup salt per gallon of water) before and after heading out. Some streams, like the Gunpowder, Casselman, Upper Yough, and Big Hunting Creek have wash stations near popular fishing areas, and everyone is strongly encouraged to use them. See the sidebar on page 11 for more tips on doing your part to prevent the spread of didymo.

3. Whirling Disease (Myxobolus cerebralis). Caused by a brain dwelling parasite introduced to the United States from Europe in the 1950s, whirling disease affects mainly rainbow trout. The disease, which is named for the circular swimming pattern of infected fish, is extremely difficult to eradicate once it has become established in a waterway.

Whirling disease parasites were discovered at two state fish hatcheries in Garrett County in 2007, prompting DNR to kill all the fish and sterilize the facilities. The good news is that as of winter 2009, whirling disease was gone from Maryland fish hatcheries. The bad news is that it spreads easily, so do your part to keep our waters free from the deadly disease by adhering to the following common sense rules.

A. Don’t clean fish near waterways. Throw your fish carcasses into a trash can.

B. Never move fish or any organisms from one stream to another.

C. Throw away your felt waders. Use rubber-soled shoes and wash them thoroughly before and after wading your favorite stream. Let them dry for a day or two between trips for good measure.

There is a wealth of information on the web about the growing number of exotic invasive species finding their way into the area. Be forewarned, some of it may sound pretty darn scary, but the impact some of these foreign species can have on our environment can be devastating.

The Maryland DNR has a great web page listing some of the biggest offenders that threaten our water resources at http://www.dnr. state.md.us/invasives/index. asp. For a broader list and more horror stories check out http:// www.invasivespeciesinfo. gov/unitedstates/md.shtml.

Philanthropy and Fins Every Little Bit Counts When Brandon and Spencer White founded the 2% for the Fish Foundation, the non-profit arm of Lateral Line, they

made a clear statement that they are committed to fisheries conservation.

Lateral Line donates two percent of their gross sales to the Foundation, which adds up to a hefty sum. This money isn’t simply sent to an organization, either. The Whites are directly involved in managing the Foundation, and their passion for fishing is unique in the world of conservation groups. That translates to projects that support sustainable fisheries and work to support the longterm future of recreational fishing. The projects they fund are well thought out and have the primary goal of providing significant on-the-ground results, and Brandon and Spencer hope that others will follow their lead. For more information about the 2% for the Fish Foundation, go to the Lateral Line website (www.LateralLineCo.com).

Stream Saviors Every few months, a group of unsung heroes meets to discuss their

contribution to the fishing world.

Although the members of the Maryland Stream Restoration Association (www. marylandstreams.org) rarely consider themselves champions of fish, the work they do has everything to do with creating comfortable places for our aquatic friends to live. Think of them as home improvement specialists for stream and river residents. The group, whose mission is “to form a partnership of stream restoration researchers, managers and practitioners in order to foster the protection of healthy streams and the successful restoration of those that are impaired,” started more than ten years ago when a group of restoration professionals from private companies decided to get together and discuss their experiences in the burgeoning field of stream restoration.

It has since morphed into an organized nonprofit that holds near-quarterly meetings, with attendees that spend their lives working for environmental consulting firms and government agencies. Larry Lubbers, the past president who has worked tirelessly to make the group successful, puts the vision of the group this way: “They certainly support the idea that healthy streams will benefit the fish, and fisher, communities.”

the opportunity to stretch and exercise areas affected by surgery or radiation treatment using the gentle motion of fly casting. The retreats combine fly fishing with professional counseling in a group setting, and are open to women in all stages of treatment and recovery. The program has served nearly 3,500 women, of which more than a third has gone on to fish after the retreats. As a nonprofit group, Casting for Recovery relies heavily on donations, and individual gifts as well as corporate contributions (The Hartford is their leading national sponsor), have helped them grow from two retreats in 1996 to 42 in 2009. In Maryland, the Chesapeake Women Anglers (www. chesapeakewomenanglers.org) have

made a major commitment to CFR through fundraising and volunteering at local retreats. They come out in full force at the local fishing shows every winter, and seem to do a great job of doing all they can to help support this great cause.

To find out more about CFR and how you can help, surf on over to their website at www.castingforrecovery.org.

Healing Flies Casting for Recovery (CFR) is a national non-profit program founded in 1996 that provides support and education for breast cancer survivors through two-and-a-half day fly fishing retreats. The innovative concept of the retreats gives women with breast cancer

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B U Z Z

There were lots of

Catch and Release Tactics

people who committed

By following a few simple rules you can be certain that released fish will live to be caught again. Remember that a fish that appears unharmed when released may not survive if not carefully handled. Here are some tips to ensure the well-being of the fish that gave you so much pleasure when it was on the end of your line.

Time is of the essence. A fish played gently for too long may be too exhausted to recover. Play and release fish as rapidly as possible. A fish out of water for too long will suffer brain damage due to loss of oxygen.

Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. A fish out of water is suffocating and, in addition, may pound himself fatally if allowed to flop on beach or rocks. Even a few inches of water under a thrashing fish acts as a protective cushion.

Gentleness in handling is essential.

Keep your fingers out of the gills. Do not squeeze small fish - they can be lifted and held easily by holding the lower lip.

Always try to use wet hands when handling fish. Dry hands or rough handling will remove the slime that covers the fish and protects it from disease. Nets are helpful provided the mesh does not become entangled in the gills. Hooks and lines catching in nets may delay releasing, so keep the net in the water.

Unhooking: Remove the hook as rapidly as possible using longnose pli-

crime is due to a lack of

14

ers UNLESS FISH IS DEEPLY HOOKED. If deeply hooked, cut the leader and leave the hook in. Do not tear out hooks roughly. Be gentle and quick. Small fish, especially, may die from shock from tearing out a hook. Also, consider using barbless or circle hooks, to make the release quicker and prevent swallowed hooks.

Reviving: Some fish, especially after a long struggle, may lose consciousness and float belly-up. Hold the fish in the water upright.

Move the fish forward and backwards so that water runs through the gills.

This is artificial respiration and may take a few minutes. When it revives, begins to struggle and can swim normally, then release it to survive and challenge another fisherman.

If you follow these tactics, you have done your job well.

crimes during the year who would not have

done so if they had been fishing, and I assure

you that the increase in those qualities of mind and character which

impregnate the soul of

every fisherman, except those who get no bites.

- Herbert Hoover 1930

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

MARI Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative Contributing Author: Capt. Monty Hawkins The Chesapeake Bay’s early history is rife with the groundings of ships on oyster bars; cracking timbers and crunching shell were evidence of the once great abundance of oyster reefs.

Seen as an impediment to commercial shipping, these reefs were dynamited and dredged clear well into the twentieth century. Shipping was hardly the oyster reefs’ only threat; the state’s once vibrant oyster industry harvested millions of bushels of oysters each year, often decimating the oyster bars that sustained the watermen’s livelihoods.

“Oyster Wars” ensued, leading to cannon and rifle fire between rival groups of watermen – such was the exuberance with which the fishery was executed, even as the oyster population diminished. On land, unchecked development in the Chesapeake Bay watershed without regard to the waterway’s natural functions has brought smothering siltation to the few reef communities that remain.

Offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, the temperate coral reefs off Maryland’s coast have suffered as well. Foreign factory trawlers came to the region to fill their hulls with fish netted from the bountiful waters of the continental shelf, their nets damaging the once abundant corals on the ocean floor. All the while, local boats plied the waters in search of valuable ocean surf clams, their hydraulic dredges liquefying the bottom

Cold water, whip coral and northern stoney coral growing on an artificial reef deployed off of Ocean City, Maryland ten years ago.

Oyster growing on the reef material placed in the Tilghman Island Fish Haven

in 60 to 130 feet of water.

Dozens of boats would be working within sight of each other, and as one area became fished out they’d move offshore to another, destroying the ocean bottom along the way. Slowly, yet unquestionably, the amount of what scientists call temperate Mid-Atlantic reef has been greatly reduced, even eliminated in some places.

In the Mid-Atlantic region, oyster and coral reefs and grass beds constitute a vital element of the underwater ecosystem. Marine life depends on these reefs for food and shelter; Maryland fisheries cannot survive without this habitat. In

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Martin Gary from DNR Fisheries inspecting marine growth on reef material

15

C O N S E R V A T I O N

Subway cars being deployed on the Bass Grounds off of Ocean City, Maryland.

B U Z Z

MARI

Reef material at Dominion Reef covered with ghost anemones and barnacles.

Reef ball placed on Cook Point Reef Oyster Sanctuary

Comparison of subway cars the last century, the underwater reef system in the Mid-Atlantic has been dramatically reduced and even destroyed in some locations. The effects of this reef removal have been devastating to once vibrant underwater communities.

Allowing reefs to regenerate and restore themselves to their natural state is the best solution to this problem, but unfortunately natural regeneration is extremely time consuming and difficult.

16

Therefore, over 60 partnering organizations involved in reef protection and restoration have united to form the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative (MARI).

MARI aims to enhance and restore underwater habitat destroyed over the last century by creating artificial reefs.

Artificial reefs are created simply by submerging select materials according to state approved Reef Plans, such as unused or old concrete from construction projects, into suitable locations in large bodies of water such as the Chesapeake Bay. In only a short period of time, mussels, oysters, algae, barnacles and other benthic species begin to grow, and marine life begins to thrive in the reefs.

MARI offers a unique way to manage marine resources and improve the sport fishing industry. Projects are under way

now to create new artificial reefs and bolster existing reefs. However, these projects need support from donors and partners. MARI is a non-profit organization and the contributions it relies upon to continue the reef building mission are tax-deductible. The more than 60 partners that form MARI have built reef in the Chesapeake with tens of thousands of tons of the old Woodrow Wilson Bridge and have been of invaluable logistic assistance to the Ocean City Reef Foundation’s “Rails to Reef” New York City subway car project. For more information on MARI, check out their website at www.marylandreefs.org. The amazing work that the Ocean City Reef Foundation is doing and charts of their reef sites can be found at www.ocreeffoundation.com.

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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MARI Reefs

The All-Maryland Catch and Release Charlie Contest To win the Catch and Release Charlie Contest an Angler must catch and release three (3) different species of fish from the Freshwater Division, two (2) different species of fish listed in the Chesapeake Division, and one (1) fish listed in the Atlantic Division. All fish entered must be caught (and released alive) in Maryland waters by legal methods as described by Maryland DNR fishing regulations. If possible, another fisherman must witness and verify the catch and release. All fish must be photographed with a cut-out of Charlie (P. 16) included somewhere in the photo. Each angler to catch the six (6) species from the three (3) regions who submits an entry via e-mail with the accompanying digital photos will win a Maryland Fisherman’s Annual T-shirt and be entered into a random drawing for a Tochtermans gift card in the amount of $500.

Submit your entry to crcontest@mdfishermansannual.com and include the following information: List the Species caught for each division (Freshwater, Chesapeake, and Atlantic) including location and date caught. If caught on a charter boat or with a guide please list their name or boat name.

Everyone who accomplishes this All-Maryland fishing feat will also have their photograph included in the following year’s Maryland Fisherman’s Annual for bragging rights.

In addition to a photograph and the satisfaction of watching a beautiful fish swim away to live another day you will also be able to share your success with other anglers who are as committed to catch and release angling as you.

Freshwater Species

Chesapeake Bay

Atlantic Coast

Species

Species

Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Striped Bass Catfish, Blue Catfish, Bullhead Catfish, Channel Carp Chain Pickerel Crappie

Largemouth Bass Striped Bass Bluefish Carp Catfish, Channel Chain Pickerel Cobia Weakfish Croaker

Albacore (Longfin) Albacore, False Amberjack Atlantic Spadefish Striped Bass Bluefish Cobia Croaker Dolphin

Muskellunge & Tiger Muskie Northern Pike Perch, White Perch, Yellow Walleye Rock Bass

Drum, Black Drum, Red Flounder Gar Perch, White Perch, Yellow

Drum, Black Drum, Red Flounder King Mackerel Marlin, Blue Marlin, White Northern Whiting (Kingfish) Sailfish Seabass Shark, Blue Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Mako Shark, Sand Tiger

Sunfish, Bluegill Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow

Sheepshead Spanish Mackerel Spot Spotted Seatrout Walleye

Shark, Thresher Shark, Tiger Sheepshead Spanish Mackerel Spot Spotted Seatrout Swordfish Tautog Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Wahoo Weakfish

ANGLER NAME__________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _______________________________________________CITY_________________ STATE _______ ZIP___________ TELEPHONE _______________________________EMAIL ADDRESS________________________________________________ ANGLER’S SIGNATURE_____________________________________________________________________________________ WITNESS NAME AND PHONE NUMBER _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

No purchase necessary. For copy of “Charlie” cutout, send stamped, self-addressed envelope to: MFA Contest, 2106 Putnam Road, Forest Hill, Maryland 21050 MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

19

Light

If you plan on fishing the Chesapeake Bay for stripers, one of the

most exciting ways to challenge these fish is to hit the water armed with light tackle.

Twenty-something inchers will give you a decent fight, thirty-somethings will prove a serious challenge, and fish over forty inches will be nearly impossible to tame – nearly, but not completely.

Is Might

Light-Tackle Striper Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay

By Lenny Rudow

D

o you want to feel

the surge as fish

pull line from your

drag, watch topwater strikes, and put

a bend in that rod? Of course you do!

And if you plan on fishing the Chesa-

peake Bay for stripers, one of the most

exciting ways to challenge these fish is to hit the water armed with light tackle.

Twenty-something

inchers

will give you a decent fight, thirty-

somethings will prove a serious challenge, and fish over forty inches will be nearly impossible to tame – nearly,

but not completely. With finesse and

skill you can take any size striper on wispy rods and thread-thin line.

Cast Away What exactly counts as “light”

tackle?

Essentially,

anything

in

the 12-pound class or less. Either

conventional or spinning gear will do the trick, and having your reel spooled with braid is a big advantage, since you’ll be able to set the hook

21

Jigging up schoolies in the warm water produced

by Calvert Cliffs

from a distance with a flick of the wrist (thanks to the

Topwater generally won’t draw quite as many strikes as

every swipe a fish takes at your lure. Everyone has their

the trade-off worthwhile for many anglers.

no-stretch characteristics of braid), cast farther, and feel

own favorite gear but a prime example of such a setup is

jigs, but the adrenaline rush of a striper explosion makes How you cast and work your offering is every bit as

a 6’6” Falcon Cara T7 or a St. Croix 6’6” light action rod,

important as the offering itself. Along shorelines and in

spooled with Power Pro braid.

pier pilings, and boathouses. Any break in the shoreline

with a Shimano Symetre 2500FL or a Penn 4300SS reel,

Light tackle is perfect for casting to stripers in the

shallows, since it allows you to present the fish with much smaller offerings than would otherwise be practical—often resulting in better catches than medium or heavy gear can produce. Jigs used for light tackle casting in this situation

should range from ¼ to ½-ounce leadheads rigged with

soft plastics. Tails that work best include Fin-S styles, shad bodies, and twister tails, but 5” GULP! Jerk Shad take top honors. Hot colors are usually chartreuse and white, with

pink proving effective on occasion. Shallow water light

tackle fishing is also a great way to try casting topwater plugs—which generate one of the most exciting strikes in sportfishing—like a Zara Spook or a Yo Zuri Mag Popper.

the shallows, this usually means casting up to rip-rap,

can produce, but rip-rap points tend to be the best bets. In all of these cases accuracy is important; you’ll want to cast your lure as close as possible to the structure. The stripers in these areas are hunting for minnows and critters hiding

among the rocks or pilings, and the fish’s attention is

fixed on the spot where water and structure meet. Lures that drop down six inches from this intersection will get

smacked, while those that fall two or three feet short will

often go untouched—so cast as close to the structure as you can.

Another key to successful shallow water action is to

fish early, fish late, and fish the tides. In the shallows

you’ll usually find the hot bite during the first hour of light in the morning, and the last hour at sunset. That

doesn’t mean you can’t catch fish using this method Another key to successful during mid-day, but it does get a lot tougher. shallow water action is to The other hot time to cast is during a flood tide. Even at high noon you’ll sometimes fish early, fish late, and fish the tides.

22

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

find the stripers active in the

the school, or position the boat for a

Cloud cover also helps the mid-day

simply jigging and hoping. Look for

shallows, during the high water.

drift over the school, as opposed to

bite, as does a falling barometer.

inverted “V” shapes on the fishfinder

The worst time to hit the shallows

screen, which indicate large fish (as

is mid-day with clear skies and a

opposed to the round blobs made

low tide. In these conditions, you’re

by baitfish). Some people describe

not likely to catch many fish and

them as boomerangs or arches.

will probably be better off working

On color machines they will show

deeper waters.

up bright red. Single arches on the meter indicate scattered fish, and

Get Jiggy With It

jigging them will be tough—keep

Vertical jigging is another excel-

lent way to hook into stripers on

looking. When you see several right

Feisty puppy drum taken on light tackle

light tackle, and it allows you to

next to each other or one right over

another, it’s a pod of fish that’s worth

fish those deeper areas during mid-day. In fact, jigging

attempting a drift or two. If the drifts don’t produce, don’t

use when fish are in medium- to small-size schools that

you many multiple arches at once, however, pull back on

is probably the most effective method you can possibly are suspended in the depths and are moving around a lot,

because it allows you to remain mobile and constantly re-

hesitate to move on. When the fishfinder screen shows the throttles and get those lines over the side!

Once fish start breaking water late in the season, jigging

position as the fish move around. You’ll be able to present

becomes much easier. Throughout the fall months birds

finder, without getting bogged down with bait, anchors,

a matter of parking where you see them. Why not just

a lure to the fish the moment you locate them on the fishor setting out a spread. Starting in mid-May you’ll find

pods of fish roaming along drop-offs, humps and wrecks, and artificial reef sites. During the summer months these

pods will turn into schools, and in the fall, into massive schools—and vertical jigging with light tackle is a great way to target them.

Essentially, jigging is lowering a lure to the approximate

often mark the spot for you, and boat position becomes

cast to the breaking fish? That would certainly get you a bent rod. But the largest stripers in a school usually patrol

just below the breaking fish, waiting for an easy meal to drift down to them. If you drop below the surface action

and jig your lure down deep, you will have a much better chance of hooking into sizable fish.

Caution: never go motoring into a school of breaking

depth of the fish, then raising and lowering your rod tip

fish!! That will drive them down from the surface, and

fish are schooled up, and it’s imperative that you first

school from the up-wind side, and position yourself so

to give your lure a life-like action. It’s most effective when

locate them and either position and hold the boat over

they may not reappear. Instead, idle slowly toward the the wind pushes your boat closer to the fish.

May is the time for Monster Stripers! Maryland’s State Record for a Striped Bass caught in the Atlantic is held by Gary Smith who caught a 57.2 lb rockfish in the surf at Assateague on May 6, 2006. The Chesapeake Bay record is a 67 lb 8 oz monster caught by Devin Nolan on May 13, 1995 off of Bloody Point.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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Monster Mash What is the ultimate light tackle experience? Catching

trophy fish on it, of course! There are a couple of ways you can target extremely large fish with light tackle, when

the water column from the bottom up to about 20’ below the boat, until you spot the fish on the fishfinder and can more accurately pinpoint their depth.

Another prime way to target trophies on light gear is

the migratory trophies are in the Chesapeake.

to use the spring chumming method outlined in the book

when the first of the big fish begin their approach to

It’s complex and unlike any other chumming method, but

One way is to go out extremely early in the spring,

the spawning grounds. Pods of these fish will often be marked by gannets flying overhead. This

is common in the Chesapeake during the month of March, when fish can be caught and released but must not be kept.

Remember that these won’t be huge flocks

of diving gulls, like you’ll see in the fall.

Instead, these will be three to seven gannets

at a time, and rarely more than ten. They’ll

Rudow’s Guide to Rockfish (available at www.getgup.com). here is an extremely condensed version: Using menhaden

Pods of these fish will often be marked by gannets flying overhead

chum, sink the chum to the bottom in 35’ to 45’ of water, over a mid-bay mud flat. Then

cut fist-sized chunks of fresh menhaden,

and rig them on fishfinder or egg-sinker style rigs with 8/0 Octopus hooks tied to

four feet of 30-lb. test fluorocarbon leader.

Use varying size weights so the baits are

staggered out behind the boat, but set all

usually be on the move, but will circle and make occasional

of them right on the bottom. Jumbo migratory stripers

large seven to nine inch jigs or “resin” jigging spoons like

scavenge during the last hour of one tide, and the first

dives. When you see this, get under those birds and drop

those made by Maria (which are light enough to use with

light gear, but large enough to attract the attention of cow

fish). These stripers can be anywhere in the water column, so each angler on the boat should cover a different part of

will drop down to the bottom over these mud flats to

half-hour of the next tide. During this time frame, you can hook up with these beasts—but during the rest of the tidal cycle it’s very rare to get a bite using this technique, so time your fishing well.

Light tackle jigging can produce big results, like this beast

24

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Happy junior anglers showing off the day’s catch Traditionally, light tackle anglers who want to hook

into trophy fish will head for the Susquehanna flats during

the spring catch and release season. This is an awesome place to target big fish and epic catches are possible—if

area. If all is good, try casting jigs along the channel edges

on how much flow is coming from the dam at Conowingo,

striper fishing that can only be described as “extreme.”

flats, make sure you check water conditions first by hitting

to bend? To see that explosive topwater action? Of course

monitoring data and links to current satellite images of the

some Chesapeake stripers.

conditions are right. Water quality in this zone depends

and topwater plugs up on top of the flats, for light tackle

and it’s a make-or-break factor. So before you head for the

Now, are you ready to feel that drag surge? For the rod

www.eyesonthebay.net, which includes water quality

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

you are—so rig up some light tackle, and hook up with

25

This Maryland rainbow took a small fly on 2 pound test line – going light can pay big rewards

Western Maryland M aryland anglers are fortunate to have a

bait fishing, the Western Maryland trout waters truly of-

in the state, not the least of which are the

es in the East. Whether the focus is on wild brook trout on

wide diversity of fishing opportunities

pristine trout waters of Western Mary-

land. The good management practices of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), coupled with aggressive stocking practices and improving water quality, provide

fer great opportunities in some of the most beautiful plac-

a nymph, big spawning browns on a streamer, cutthroats on a spinner, or fat rainbows on a live nightcrawler, Western Maryland has something for everyone.

Because the locations are too numerous and the

opportunities to catch very large trout that seem to get

techniques too diverse, it is not possible to cover all the

streams and lakes with a wide variety of regulations that

article. A plethora of information is available from the

better every year. Considering that there are dozens of vary from catch and release fly fishing to put-and-take

opportunities for Western Maryland trout fishing in one

DNR, local fishing guides, and print media. Each angler

Something

26

Trout Fishing

By Dan Hodkinson

will need to conduct some research into the detailed

Savage River Trophy Trout Fishing Area

here we offer a description of locations and techniques

tail water fishery known for excellent fishing for trophy

regulations and access points for the various waters, but that should provide a good starting point:

THE RIVERS OF GARRETT COUNTY – THE BIG FOUR While there is great trout fishing throughout Western

Maryland, Garrett County is the shining star when it

comes to numbers of fish and opportunities at large wild fish. These are some of the best:

The Savage River, below Savage River Reservoir, is a

wild brook and brown trout. Anglers can expect to fish to mostly browns, some over 18 inches in length. That being said, about 25 percent of the fish in the river are

brook trout, with some rainbows mixed in to keep things

interesting. This is one of the most productive fisheries in the state, with some sections of the river holding over 1,500 trout per mile. Considering that this is a mediumsized stream, those numbers are phenomenal. Fishing

for Everyone

The Savage River is full of rapids, creating pocket water that hides the resident brook, rainbow, and brown trout 27

bead head nymphs under an indicator can be an effective

be a good bet for any anglers seeking a Western Maryland

the spring and summer, numerous mayfly, stonefly, and

these waters, as a result of stockings in 2008 and 2009.

fly fishing technique year round on the Savage. During midge hatches occur throughout the Fly Fishing Only

trophy. Many rainbows over 5 pounds are swimming

section of river. Spin fishermen will do well to try small

The North Branch Potomac River

limited to fly fishing. A Joe’s Fly with a gold spinner

Jennings Randolph Lake, with nearly 50 miles of managed

producer in the past, when fished on a light spinning rod

of regulations is important because various sections are

spinners through the pocket water in the sections not and split shot 12 inches above the lure has been a great with 4 pound test line.

The Youghiogheny River The Youghiogheny River Catch and Release Area’s

trout population is on the rise. This fishing area is divided

into an upper section near Hoyes Run and a lower section near Sang Run. Both receive aggressive stocking and both produce big trout. The mix of trout is about 50 percent

browns and 50 percent rainbows. There is a new Delayed Harvest section of this river near Friendsville which should

The North Branch Potomac River flows through

trout water above and below the lake. Careful inspection managed as Put and Take, Delayed Harvest, and Catch and Release areas. One of the most popular access areas is near Barnum, West Virginia, where Catch and Release

fly anglers can hike upstream toward the dam for a year-

round shot at large rainbows and browns. Downstream is a 1.2 mile section of Put and Take water that is heavily

stocked by Maryland and West Virginia throughout the

spring and fall. The road that borders this section ends at a metal gate where the downstream water becomes Catch and Release again. The gate marks the parking

area for the famous Blue Hole, which could be the most

heavily stocked pool on the North Branch. It has a steep cliff face that drops into deep, emerald green water that

Rainbows love egg patterns, whether Powerbait or an egg imitating fly like this one

provides year-round opportunities. Anglers looking for

more secluded fishing need only hike downstream for a few miles to find solitude.

Deep water nymphing with fly tackle can be productive all winter long 28

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

The entire section of river below Randolph Jennings

feet per second generally do not make for good fishing

from the bottom of the lake keeps the river cooler in

The Casselman provides a great opportunity for a late

dam provides opportunities for large trout. The water

conditions.

summer and warmer in winter, making for healthy trout

June or early July fishing trip for those anglers interested

pounds are landed every fall during their spawning run.

levels have usually stabilized at a lower flow and the trout

with impressive growth rates. Many brown trout over 5 This section of river is also the best location to land a

Maryland cutthroat trout. On occasion, a large brook trout

is caught in the North Branch, but most serious brookie

fishermen tend to fish the Savage River and other small

in harvesting some nice trout for the frying pan. The water

are still actively feeding. Most of the Casselman trout will not survive a long hot summer, so harvesting them in the early summer with bait, lures, or flies should be guilt free.

mountain streams for those trophies. Rainbows are found

OTHER GREAT WESTERN MARYLAND WATERS

rainbows are caught by anglers floating the Westernport

to the fantastic and scenic trout fishing of Garrett County.

Release for trout species. Try a big streamer on a fly rod or

trout in fast water, it is worth the drive. For anglers who

throughout the river system. Some of the most beautiful

to Black Oak section of river, which is also Catch and a small minnow crankbait on a spinning rod from April through November for success.

The Casselman River Near the town of Grantsville, the Casselman River

flows under Interstate 68 and continues along River Road into Pennsylvania. This Delayed Harvest stream is Catch and Release in the spring, but allows the harvest of trout

after June 16 and until the end of September. An April or May trip to the Casselman rewards many anglers with their largest trout of the year, as it is common for the

DNR to stock 4 to 5 pound trout in these waters. Access is excellent from River Road to this slow-moving creek.

The Casselman can provide some of the best fishing in

Maryland, but it is critical to monitor the river levels, as it has a tendency to get very off color following a rain

event. It does not fish well when the waters are high and muddy, so a quick check on the USGS Real-Time

Water Data website is worthwhile. Flows over 150 cubic

It is a long drive from Southern or Central Maryland

For anglers seeking a “western experience,” meaning wild want to have a quality trout fishing experience, without

the long drive, there are many options in Frederick, Washington and Allegheny Counties. Numerous small mountain lakes and dozens of streams are stocked with trout in

these counties. Cunningham Falls, Greenbrier, and Blairs

Valley Lake all receive around 5,000 stocked trout per year.

Lake Habeeb in Rocky Gap State Park receives around 7,000 trout and provides great opportunities for trolling spinners and jigs from a kayak or canoe. The majority of

the fish in these lakes are 9 to 12 inches, but every year numerous fish over 5 pounds come from these impound-

ments. This is usually not complicated fishing and can be as simple as rigging a light action rod with 4 pound test line and casting small spinners or spoons from the shorelines in April. A popular technique from March to June is to

fish Powerbait on a #12 hook and a 4 pound fluorocarbon leader with a split shot about 12 inches from the hook.

April and May is a great time to hit the streams in

Frederick, Washington and Allegheny Counties. A wide

Salvelinus fontinalis - Brook trout are the

only trout native to Maryland waters. (A.K.A. Speckled Trout) Cream colored spots on a dark background. Note: All other trout species in Maryland have dark spots on a light background.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

29

variety of midsize streams offer great opportunities

Where to Stay?

A trip to the trout waters of Western Maryland is no short jaunt for most of us. After a hard day of fishing, places to lay your head are numerous in the mountainous part of the state.

For those who want the best in creature comforts, book a B&B before you hit the road (www. bedandbreakfast.com/westmaryland.html), or check into the Hotel Gunter (www. failingershotelgunter.com) for a truly unique evening. If a tent is your idea of a perfect evening, set up camp at one of the many public sites in the area (www.dnr.state.md.us/ outdoors/camping.html).

A good selection of streamers and surface flies gets the job done on a summer or fall day

for Put and Take fishing, including Evitts, Fifteen Mile,

Antietam, Owens, Sideling Hill, Beaver, Friends, and Middle Creeks. It is important to check the DNR Spring

Trout Stocking schedule to be sure that the streams are open to fishing, as most of these streams close for one or

two weeks a year while they are being stocked. Generally, the Saturday that they open is very crowded. The anglers

that arrive after sunrise can have a frustrating morning because the best fishing locations are occupied.

The casual angler would do well to

plan a midweek outing or at least wait until opening day has passed.

When

targeting

trout

any-

where, whether the North Branch

Potomac browns or the Frederick

county stocked rainbows, it is important to think about presenting

your fly, lure, or bait in a natural

way to the fish. In most cases, it is probably more impor-

A beautiful North Branch Potomac brown fooled by a large streamer and released to fight another day

tant to consider “how” you are fishing than “what” you are fishing. If the baits move naturally with the current

and are presented on light line, then the odds of catch-

ing fish are greatly increased. For anglers fishing bait or nymphing beadhead flys under an indicator, adjusting the weight and bait to correspond with the natural flow

of the stream is usually the trick. The most productive

drifts are generally at the bottom of the water column, so that the fly or bait bounces off the bottom periodically.

There are exceptions to this; times when a certain color of Powerbait or type of fly will outproduce everything

else. Another obvious exception is when casting lures or fishing streamers on a fly rod.

Whether the preference is fast water rainbows,

brookies on a small mountain stream, or browns in the slower pools, Western Maryland offers something for everyone. Year-round opportunities exist in beautiful places with big trout – go get them this year.

Dan Hodkinson is the owner of Fish N Float Adventures, a jetboat and kayak fishing guide service in Washington County, Maryland.

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w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/ Contact DNR via E-mail: customerservice@dnr.state.md.us The State of Maryland is home to a diverse range of aquatic habitats, including freshwater streams and lakes, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and its Atlantic coastal waters. This diversity of ecosystems creates many unique fishing opportunities. The Department of Natural Resource’s Fisheries Service is responsible for managing the recreational and commercial harvest of fish and shellfish species in the State of Maryland.

It is the mission of MD DNR’s Fisheries Service to manage fisheries resources in balance with the ecosystems, and to improve the health and survival of Maryland’s fish and shellfish. Maryland’s sport fishing opportunities are of a high quality, diverse, affordable and accessible. We hope you enjoy all that Maryland has to offer. Below you will find a directory of numbers that may be useful to help you better enjoy your fishing experiences in Maryland.

Important Fisheries Phone Numbers: Contact Maryland DNR Toll free in Maryland: 1-877-620-8DNR ext. 8265 Out of state call: 410-260-8265

Report a Fish Kill: 1-800-285-8195 (Work hours) After hours: 877-224-7229 or 1-866-633-4686

Catch-A-Poacher 1-800-635-6124

24 Hours a Day Natural Resources Emergency or Assistance: 410-260-8888

Law Enforcement Division of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service: 410-573-4514.

Annapolis Service Center (410) 260-3220

Chesapeake Bay Hotline 877-224-7229

Maryland Fish Information 800-688-3467

Department of Natural Resources Service Centers

Eastern Service Center (410) 713-3840

Eastern Region/Area 1 (Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties) Salisbury: (410) 548-7070 Southern Region/Area 4 (Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties) Waldorf: (800) 419-0743 or (301) 645-0062

East Central Service Center Southern Service Center (410) 535-3382

Natural Resources Police Offices Eastern Region/Area 2 (Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties) Queen Anne: (410) 758-2890 or (410) 820-1314 Central Region/Areas 5 & 6 (Baltimore, Baltimore City, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Howard and Montgomery Counties) Owings Mills: (410) 356-7060

Western Service Center (301) 777-2134

Southern Region/Area 3 (Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties) Annapolis: (800) 419-0743 or (301) 645-0062 Western Region/Areas 7 & 8 (Allegany, Garrett, Frederick and Washington Counties) Flintstone: (301) 777-7771

To receive fisheries breaking news and information from MD DNR Fisheries Service, please contact: Marty Gary at mlgary@dnr.state.md.us

Biologist Mark Toms with 25 inch 2 yr. old Muskie

Author with a hefty 35 pounder

Tiger Muskie

16 inch young of year Muskie

The painless way of unhooking a Muskie

Maryland’s Monster Muskie Excitement on the Upper Potomac

M

by John Mullican

aryland’s upper Potomac River has

inches in five years. Though tigers were relatively new

and feisty smallmouth bass and,

to circulate the popularity of the fishery increased. The

long been known for its plentiful more recently, its great walleye fishing. Now, anglers are finding

out what local river rats have known for the past ten years – the Potomac hosts impressive muskie too! Most

hard-core muskie fanatics accept that the muskie is a

to Maryland, as reports of battles won and lost began

current Maryland State Record tiger muskie was caught

from the Potomac River by Kevin Connor of Martinsburg, West Virginia, on February 14, 1997, and weighed 29 pounds, 4.75 ounces.

Stocking continued most years through 2006 until a

mysterious and moody customer. However, Maryland’s

federal mandate went into effect restricting the interstate

expand on that later, but first, a little history.

walleye, smallmouth bass) from States bordering the

muskies are a bit more mysterious than most. We will

Tiger Muskie A tiger muskie is the sterile hybrid resulting from

crossing northern pike with muskellunge. Although some

tigers can occur naturally in the wild where these two species coexist, most tigers are produced in a hatchery.

Tigers have the advantage of fast growth from “hybrid

vigor” and can be raised on an artificial diet in the hatchery.

transport of VHS susceptible species (includes muskie, Great Lakes. VHS (viral hemorrhagic septicemia) is a highly contagious fish pathogen responsible for large fish

kills in the Great Lakes Region. However, the current

muskellunge population more than makes up for the lack of stocked tigers.

Muskellunge Muskellunge are not native to the Potomac River and

However, their survival in the wild is generally very low.

have not been stocked by the Inland Fisheries Division.

muskie into the upper Potomac River in 1989 to provide

reported isolated catches during the 1980s and an adult

The Inland Fisheries Division began stocking tiger

anglers with an opportunity to catch a trophy-size sport fish.

In exchange for striped bass fingerlings, the Pennsylvania

Fish and Boat Commission provided Maryland with approximately 2,000 fingerling tiger muskie for the upper Potomac. The young tigers were stocked during the fall between PawPaw, West Virginia, and Edwards Ferry in Montgomery County at an average size of eight inches.

The stocked tiger muskie grew rapidly in the Potomac

with fish exceeding 30 inches in three years and 36 MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Nevertheless, fishermen in western Washington County

was collected by electrofishing in 1988. By the mid-90s

adult muskellunge began to show up more frequently. A single young muskellunge was captured near Williamsport during a routine electrofishing survey in 1996; six

more were collected during surveys the following year, suggesting natural reproduction. The current population

is supported solely by natural reproduction. The original

source of the Potomac River muskellunge population remains unknown.

33

Release Tools

46.5 Inch Muskie 26 inch 2 yr old muskie

Current Distribution Muskie currently inhabit approximately 130 miles of

pound test braided, no-stretch line generally works best.

downstream to Whites Ferry. The strongest population

heavy fluorocarbon leader is a must. A few basic lures are

the upper Potomac River from PawPaw, West Virginia, resides within Washington County.

With limited

reproduction, muskellunge have been slow to expand their range in the Potomac.

The upper Potomac is a shallow river with fluctuating

water levels and numerous rock ledges and hazards.

Small jonboats and aluminum jet boats are the most appropriate crafts. For those with fiberglass or larger boats, the Big Slackwater and Four Locks ramps provide

access to impounded sections upstream of Dam 4 and Dam 5. Muskie fishing is very good in these areas, but

summer boat and personal watercraft traffic can get pretty heavy.

When to Fish?

When is the best time to fish for muskie? I try to go

whenever I can, but some seasons/times are better than

others. Muskies can be caught consistently throughout the year, with early summer and late fall offering some of the

best action. Fishing is generally slowest during August and September when water temperatures can reach the mid-80s under low flows and clear water conditions.

Tackling Muskie Suckers are the primary forage of adult muskie. Lures

6 to 8 inches long weighing 1 to 3 ounces are usually used

to imitate this forage. Rods and reels must be up to the task of casting, working, and setting the hooks on larger lures. Heavy casting equipment coupled with 60 to 80 34

To prevent bite-offs from a muskie’s sharp teeth, a wire or all you will need to get started. We use twitch baits that

will dive to 5 feet, deep diving crankbaits, spinner baits and in-line spinners, and a few topwaters. For the most

part, we use colors that resemble suckers and other baitfish switching to brighter colors when the water is off color.

Monitoring the Resource Maryland’s Inland Fisheries Division monitors the

Potomac River sport fish populations annually. Obtaining

population data and determining the relative abundance of

a species that naturally occurs in low numbers is difficult.

No surveys specifically targeting muskie are usually

conducted, but length, weight, and age information is

collected from each muskellunge encountered as well as from angler-caught fish. This information provides

a measure of size distribution, physical condition, and growth in the adult segment of the population.

Measuring

yearclass

strength

is

particularly

problematic. Survival of young muskie is low compared to other species, nature’s way of preventing overpopulation of a top predator.

Because small sample sizes limit

statistical analysis, yearclass strength is hard to measure.

Nevertheless, collecting several young muskies during

our fall surveys has proven to be a reliable indicator of the strongest yearclasses. The relative abundance of yearling

and two year old muskie collected in subsequent years has also helped to reveal years of strong reproduction.

Strong yearclasses were produced in 1997, 2001, 2005, and 2007. No young muskies were observed in 2008.

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

As the Potomac muskie population has developed,

work well too and take up less boat space, but can be

increased. For muskie chasers, this means a good shot at

or one of the pistol-grip hook-out tools will help remove

greater has ranged between 9 and 19 percent since 2003.

teeth. Though seldom called into service, a small, quality

Age estimates are obtained by removing a few scales

rather than risk damaging the jaw and/or excessively

proportionally to the fish. In other words, when the

replacement hooks are not and can be easily replaced. By

annual growth rings, similar to aging a tree, and the age

a thrashing muskie can send them flying into the river;

Potomac reach the current 36 inch minimum size during

devices can be useful for holding a muskie while it is in

a larger size than males; few males exceed 41 inches.

pictures or to weigh it. A muskie’s jaw structure is not

estimated to be 13 years old. Anglers should keep in mind

fish can easily break the jawbones. When taking the

sized muskie, making voluntary release of these valuable

support its weight and quickly returned to the water.

the proportion of older, larger fish in the population has

difficult to use without a partner. Sturdy long-nose pliers

a trophy. The muskie population 42 inches in length and

hooks while keeping fingers a safe distance from sharp

In 2008 the percentage was 12 percent.

bolt cutter will handily cut hooks on badly hooked fish

and observing them under a microscope. Scales grow

handling the fish. Sure, muskie lures are expensive, but

fish is growing quickly so are the scales. Scales produce

the way, you may want to put lanyards on these tools as

is determined by counting the rings. Muskellunge in the

you can probably guess how I know this! Jaw-gripping

their fifth year. Females grow slightly faster and attain

the water, but should never be used to lift the fish for

The oldest muskie collected to date was a 46 inch female

capable of supporting the fish’s weight and a thrashing

that it takes many years for the river to replace a trophy-

memory-recording photo, the fish should be cradled to

fish an important part of maintaining fishery quality.

Handling and Releasing Muskie Maryland’s current muskie regulations limit anglers

to one fish per day, with a minimum size of 36 inches; there is no closed season. While current fishery data gives

no indication that the population or size distribution is declining, the popularity of this resource has certainly been on the rise. To effectively manage this resource,

the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be

Muskies have proven to be an exciting and popular

addition to the upper Potomac fishery. To consistently catch these elusive, and frequently frustrating fish,

requires persistence. One must frequently endure many fishless hours to achieve success. The difficulty, though, is part of the allure. Good Fishing!

John Mullican

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Inland Fisheries Division

gathering baseline angler catch, effort, and harvest data

in the near future. Anglers can do their part to insure the quality of this limited resource by voluntarily releasing muskie, especially trophy-size fish.

The key to successfully releasing muskie, or any fish

for that matter, is to efficiently land, unhook, and release

the fish with minimal handling and little time out of the water. To do this, it is imperative to have the right tools

readily at hand. Landing a large muskie with a mouth full of hooks is most easily accomplished using a large

“pen” style landing net. Once netted, the net serves as a

boat-side livewell while the hooks are removed. Cradles MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Monster Info: Those wanting to give the upper Potomac’s muskies a try by boat can check out Maryland’s On-line Boating Access Guide at http:// mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/state2. html. To learn more about VHS and how to prevent the spread of this disease check out a new website, www.focusonfishhealth.org.

35

O N

T O U R

Prehistoric The

Monsters

of

Hell’s Canyon

By Brian Bartell

For the better part of my life, the mere mention of sturgeon would evoke memories of my father’s tales of behemoth monster shadows under his rowboat on a Wisconsin lake or the newspaper articles that seem to have appeared in the Baltimore Sun every few years since I was a child, detailing how some unwitting fisherman in the Chesapeake Bay landed one of the prehistoric beasts. So when the proposal of traveling four-fifths of the way across

the country to spend four days devoted to sturgeon fishing was pitched to me, I dismissed it without even thinking about giving it a second thought. I told my brother, who had conjured up the borderline moronic idea, that I was better off hunting elk in my backyard. I’d have a better chance of actually getting something, or so I thought.

Lucky for me, my brother (the oldest) was not to be deterred in his quest. He had lived a few hours from the Hells

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Canyon for almost thirty years, and stories of five- and six-foot white sturgeon of the Snake River had taken hold of his imagination. With a complete lack of subtleness, he lobbied for the trip at every opportunity, bombarding me with emails, instant messages and phone calls. Finally, the begging and pleading wore me down. I capitulated and accepted my fate of spending four days in a desert canyon staring at the water. I assumed it would be a mission

37

O N

T O U R

Targeted Species: White Sturgeon Location: Snake River, in Hells Canyon between Idaho and Oregon When: Late spring is best, to beat the heat and heavy boat traffic

of mercy. The long nights in the woods of northern Idaho had finally gotten to him, I thought; a little human interaction and brotherly bonding might just do him some good.

The white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is the largest and longest living freshwater fish species in North America, reaching up to 18 feet in length and having a typical life span of over a hundred years. Once abundant in the Columbia River basin of the northwest, degradation of their natural habitat has greatly reduced their numbers in most areas. Dams are usually listed as the main culprit (although no one can confidently speculate on the exact cause of the decline), because the slow-moving bottom dwellers cannot use fish lad-

On the road to Hell’s Canyon

38

Fighting another monster ders designed for their more common and acrobatic neighbors, the salmon.

Somehow, the population in the Hells Canyon portion of the Snake River remains strong and apparently viable.

By the time we departed for our adventure, two other unwitting fools had boosted the number in our group to four. Another brother (from Florida) and one of my Idaho brother’s neighbors had been suckered in by the unrelenting tales of monster fish. We spent the better part of the morning rounding up supplies; food, last-minute camping gear, beer, and every piece of heavy-duty fishing gear we could find. Six hours and twenty-three stops after our early departure, we finally arrived at Pittsburgh Landing on the northern end of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

I had brought my nine-foot medium heavy fast-action Tica surf casting rod and Okuma Epixor EFS50 reel, which I had strung with 50 pound braided line at Camp, Cabin and Home in downtown Lewiston, Idaho. The other member of the party used the heaviest spinning gear they had, and it was a good thing.

We went upriver early the next morning with an energetic guide from Kilgore Adventures who immediately began spinning the requisite tales of large fish and tight lines. Always the skeptic, I took every word he said with a grain of salt.

After an hour of running upriver in a 29-foot solid aluminum jet boat, we anchored in the eddy below a class II rapid and each heaved a line into the deep, murky pool. That was when the fun started. Not more than 20 minutes after we had our lines in the water, my brother’s rod doubled over violently as the first of many giant sturgeon took his bait and headed downstream. Never in my life have I seen a fish fight with such vehemence within 15 feet of land. Nearly half an hour later, a six-foot sturgeon was

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

When you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime:

Seven foot beast

next to the boat, nearly as tired as my brother, who almost collapsed after the fish was safely released. Over the course of the next three days, 15 sturgeon were landed by the four of us, with the largest around seven feet long.

The best part of the trip was that we had arranged to be dropped off on a wide sandbar just below Sheep Creek for two nights of camping. At night we would catch sturgeon from camp, in the 200-foot wide pool below Sheep Creek Rapids. During the day, a short hike to a deep cliff-faced pool downstream produced beautiful fish.

I, of course, couldn’t manage to land a fish over 24 inches long. But small sturgeon are good news. They mean that a viable reproducing population exists,

which is crucial if the fishery is to remain for others to enjoy in the future. With so much emphasis placed on salmon fisheries in the West, it is refreshing to be able to enjoy firsthand the bounty of one of the more or less unknown sport fishing opportunities available.

By the time one of the Kilgore Adventures tour boats came to carry us downstream, I had grown accustomed to canyon life punctuated at regular intervals by the semi-hysteria of a giant fish being hooked. We entertained the tour passengers with tales of large fish and adventures (like trying to use a three-person water balloon launcher to propel our rigging into the middle of the river), and reveled in the glory of a productive adventure of epic proportion.

Hell’s Canyon as seen from high above Sheep Creek

• Bring a stout rod, heavy-duty braided line (you’ll need to have at least 300 yards on your spool to land one of these babies), six or eight ounce weights, and plenty of hooks.

• Ask around for bait recommendations. I can’t say what we used as I was sworn to secrecy. For good advice and all the gear you’ll need, try Camp, Cabin & Home in Lewiston, Idaho (http://www.campcabinhome. com/index.html).

• Check out Kilgore Adventures (http://www.killgoreadventures. com/) as an outfitter. They know how to catch fish and will work with you to tailor the experience to your liking.

• Bring sunscreen and a wide range of clothing (especially if you are camping), and expect to get wet on the boat shooting Hells Canyons’ infamous rapids.

• If you fish from shore, watch out for rattlesnakes; they are almost as plentiful as the sturgeon.

• Bring plenty of water and/or a purifier. The arid climate will dry you out like a raisin.

• On the Idaho side of the canyon, fishing is strictly catch and release.

In Oregon, there is a one fish per day limit, although I can’t imagine why any true sport fisherman would want to keep one.

• Bring a high-quality, waterproof camera, like the Olympus Stylus 790, or no one will believe you caught a huge prehistoric beast that looks like a deep sea dweller in a desert canyon.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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R E G I O N A L

R O U N D U P

Late Season Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Stripers

by Michael Thron

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, known by most as the CBBT, has become a favorite angling destination for Maryland anglers since the first northbound span was opened back in 1964. In the 45 years since, this stretch of water has become a magnet for both

fish and fishermen. The 17.6 mile long bridge-tunnel, located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, has four manmade islands and 5,189 concrete pilings that attract baitfish, and in turn, larger predatory fish of all kinds from both the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. This may well be one of the best man-made fishing structures ever created, and the 40

location is perfect.

The busiest time of the year at the CBBT is late fall and winter, when anglers flock from far and near to target migrating striped bass (aka rockfish) traveling down the East Coast headed to the offshore waters of North Carolina. During this migration many of the ocean-going rockfish will turn right and head into the Bay in search of the abundant schools of baitfish. What they encounter when they take this exit ramp or rest stop is the “promised water” around the CBBT and its plethora of fish-holding structure. This structure keeps the baitfish around long enough into the winter to allow the rockfish to gorge themselves before continuing their trip to the Outer Banks.

There are two main techniques anglers use to target these winter rockfish.

Anglers in search of monsters drift eels on a circle hook in the deeper water near the channels. Since I do not have that

much patience I prefer to jig for them with light tackle. This method is a more aggressive sort of “track them down” approach, which many find more exciting. However, this method can require more boating skill when maneuvering between the pilings, especially when the current is ripping.

After the winter striper frenzy ends things usually cool down until the drum start to make their way through the area. Red drum usually arrive sometime in April, followed by big black drum in May. After the spring many of these drum scatter up into the Bay, but there is still a hold-over summer fishery around the CBBT islands. Pods of big black drum will congregate around the pilings and rocks, feeding on crustaceans throughout the summer. Other sportfish that are targeted around the CBBT include cobia, flounder, spadefish, amberjack, bluefish and king mackerel, just to name a few.

You haven’t really seen the maximum angling potential of the Chesapeake Bay until you have fished the CBBT, so head on down to the promised water. w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

The Miracle of Pennsylvania’s Falling Spring Branch Most avid freshwater fly fishermen in Maryland know of Pennsylvania’s famed trout waters. The Yellow Breaches and the LeTorte come to mind quickly, but now a growing number have learned the name Falling Spring Branch. About three and a half miles east of Chambersburg, the Falling Spring bubbles to the surface at the base of a hill in a nondescript field. The truly amazing thing is that it produces such an enormous quantity of water, approximately 50 gallons per second, that a beautiful trout stream

If you head up to Falling Spring to test your fly fishing skills, you will be surprised by the abundant access, with small gravel parking areas strewn along at opportune access points. Take exit 16 from I-81 and head east on PA Rte. 30.

After a few hundred feet, turn right onto Falling Spring Road and look for the pull-offs. Olives, Tricos and Sulphers are common hatches, and terrestrials, Caddis and nymphs are also popular with the locals. For a guided trip, get in touch with Mike Heck (www.fallingsprings.com). He knows the water like no one else and ties the best flies in the area.

begins at the spring and continues all the way into downtown before joining Conococheague Creek.

At four miles long, Falling Spring Branch is a relatively short stream. But what it lacks in distance, it more than makes up for in action. Although it was once inhabited by native brook trout, it is now known as a natural brown and rainbow trout fishery, with fish over 14 inches in length being common reward for the determined fly fisherman. Years of human manipulation and degradation of the stream and surrounding valley had the Falling Spring fishery on the brink of ruin 15 years ago. It was then that the Falling Spring chapter of Trout Unlimited, concerned landowners and area citizens came together to form the Falling Spring Greenway, with the goal of resuscitating the ailing creek. In the years since, several focused habitat restoration projects and vigorous protection have helped restore the Falling Spring Branch to its former glory.

The Trico hatches of Falling Spring are local legend, and the fishing is good year-round. In the upper section (above Interstate 81),

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

much of the stream is managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as a Heritage Trout Angling area, which means catch and release fly fishing only.

The fish in this section are abundant, despite the fact that the state has not stocked in years, and because of the ginclear water, they tend to be very wary and quite elusive at times. Between I-81 and Conococheague Creek the creek is managed as delayed Harvest – Artificial Lures Only. Here, some of the trout grow to astounding length, with tales of fish over two-feet long being caught. So head north and enjoy the clean, cold water and abundant trout of Falling Spring Branch.

41

Potomac

S

Big Fish in a Scenic Setting

By Dan Hodkinson

itting on the rock outcrops overlooking the

Great Falls of the Potomac, an angler can’t

help but think about all the fish that water has passed over before reaching the Falls and

cascading 20 feet to the bottom. Downstream

is the nation’s capital, surrounded by fine fishing opportunities for largemouth, striped bass, crappie, and monster catfish. Upstream is the “Upper Potomac,” with

all its fast water riffles and ledges, mountain landscapes, and clear cool water. The Upper Potomac is the home

to toothy muskie, large walleye, and beautiful trout.

While these species occupy certain sections of river, the smallmouth is the predominate gamefish of the Upper

Potomac. For 150 miles of river, smallmouth occupy every mile in good numbers.

From the time smallmouth were introduced into the

Potomac, probably by rail car in the 1850s, they have

the changing water temperatures and levels, all these

riffles, abundant forage, weed beds, and timber structure

As water temperatures increase with the onset of

thrived. The combination of deep pools, well oxygenated

anglers will catch fish.

make for ideal habitat for this year-round fishery. The

spring, the smallmouth move out of their deep water

the C&O Canal towpath, make it relatively easy for most

been feeding throughout the winter, but at a reduced rate

fishing style, convenience, and preferred tactics. Some

temps in the 30s. Anglers who have been slowly jigging

float by kayak from Westernport to Pinto. Some anglers

catching a few fish over the winter, but the fishing gets

towpath to fish around Harpers Ferry from shore. With a

Jigs, including twister tails and crayfish imitations of

hundreds of access points to the river, especially from

winter holes and begin to feed more actively. They have

anglers to find fish. It becomes a matter of individual

because of their slowed metabolism brought on by water

anglers like to launch jetboats out of Point of Rocks; others

deep water with tube jigs, hair jigs, and grubs have been

wade the weedbeds above Brunswick; others hike the

better by the day as the water temperatures increase.

basic understanding of the way the fish feed throughout

various types, continue to produce fish throughout

42

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Smallmouth:

This smallmouth took a Dahlburg Diver, fished on a 6 weight fly rod, on a June evening the spring. These are typically bottom bounced with a

high waters with some visibility in the water can be excel-

in the spring, rigged Texas or wacky style. Once the water

fast enough in the main river channels to actually push the

moderate retrieve. Senko-style worms can really produce temperatures hit the 50s, crankbaits begin to catch fish regularly. These three to five inch baits also account for

some incidental catches of walleye and catfish throughout April and May.

Spring is the spawning period for smallmouth and they

lent times to fish. In many cases, the high water is moving fish to eddy and shoreline locations, making them easy targets for anglers. Often, at high water levels, 90 percent

of the smallmouth are holding in only 10 percent of the water. Find the slower water and you will find the fish.

By June, the breeding is usually complete and the

can be found on gravel beds adjacent to structure in shal-

bass move from the gravel spawning areas to prime

be difficult to fish because of the high waters brought on

weedbeds, and timber ambush points. The river usually

low waters. March through May, however, can sometimes

by spring rains. When the river is up over the banks and looks like chocolate milk, it is best left alone. However, MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

feeding locations in pools below riffles, along ledges and begins to fall into the lower water summer pattern that lasts through September. This is the most popular time

43

to fish for smallmouth because the river becomes easily

making it practical to present surface flies and streamers

continue to target crayfish and aquatic insects, but also

bass are usually feeding heavily, often in shallow water.

wadeable, as well as floatable by small boats. The fish increasingly focus on minnows. There are millions of new minnows added to the river in May and June because of

the spawning activities of many species of fish. Nature has timed this bounty of fish to correspond with the emergence

of vegetation, giving these young fish a place to hide.

There are a variety of submerged aquatic vegetation in the

Potomac, so it pays to experiment with different baits in the different types of vegetation.

on a floating or sink-tip line. In the morning and evening,

This is a great time to use a topwater fly such as a popper or Dahlburg Diver. During the mid-day, topwater flies can still be effective, especially on cloudy days when the water is stained. Generally, it is best to fish deeper on sunny days.

In clear water, a weighted crayfish fly can be deadly. Minnow imitations, such as the Clouser Minnow, Wooly Buggers, or Wooly Worms can also be great mid-day patterns.

As summer turns to fall, the cooling water is a signal

Summer is the best time for wading anglers to score on

to the bass that winter is on the way. They begin to feed

morning and evenings. A wide variety of topwater baits

fall offers great opportunities at large and aggressive fish

big smallmouth, usually targeting a topwater bite in the catch fish. A local favorite is a chartreuse buzzbait, ripped

along weed edges in the early morning, triggering some of the most explosive strikes of the year.

The excellent summer smallmouth fishing is not just for

the spin fisherman, as many of the largest bass in the river

are caught by fly anglers every year. The lower water al-

lows for access to some of the deeper holes in the river,

heavily to build weight for the tough times ahead. The on a wide variety of lures and flys. Generally, the forage bait is larger this time of year because the crayfish and minnows have been growing all summer long. Big baits

and moderate retrieves are the ticket in the fall. It is hard to beat a five inch weighted straight worm on slow-twitched

retrieve. These straight worms come in a variety of brand

names, including Sinko, Senko, Stik-O, and Case Magic Sticks. Experimentation with different brands, sizes, colors, and weighting techniques is helpful. Also, the big crankbaits always produce some big fish in the fall.

It is important to remember, throughout the year, that

smallmouth focus on the rock ledges, weedbeds, and timber throughout the river; anglers should do the same. It is possible to catch fish in open water or deepwater that is not adjacent to structure, but the best odds are to stick

to the areas that offer shade and protection for the forage and the bass.

Whether slow retrieving a crayfish imitation, stripping

a Dahlburg diver on a flyrod, or casting a small crankbait, smallmouth bass are one of the hardest fighting fish

available to Maryland anglers. Considering that the odds are quite good at incidental catches of walleye and catfish over six pounds, that there are hundreds of good access

points, and that the Upper Potomac is some of the most scenic water in the state, this river should be on every angler’s to-do list for 2009.

Dan Hodkinson is the owner of Fish N Float Adventures, a jetboat and kayak fishing guide service in Washington County, Maryland.

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w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Kayaks and canoes are a great way to access the Upper Potomac smallmouth fishery Because of the large numbers of fish and relative ease in catching them, the Potomac is a great place to introduce children to fishing

Anglers wading for smallmouth are often surprised with incidental catches of walleye, especially as the sun sets on summer evenings

The fantastic bass fishing is rivaled only by the scenic beauty of the Upper Potomac

This angler took advantage of the fall feeding frenzy to cast crankbaits on an October evening

Potomac River Regulations And Safety Tips

A person aboard a vessel, raft or tube shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard Approved Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while underway (not anchored) on the upper Potomac River and its tributaries, during the period beginning at 12:01 a.m. each November 15, and ending at 12 midnight each succeeding May 15. This regulation is in addition to class III, IV, and VI White Water Stream segment regulations which require PFDs to be worn at all times by persons underway (not anchored).

1. ALWAYS – wear an approved personal flotation device while using the Potomac.

2. Leave a float plan with someone at home describing where you are going, who you’re with and when you expect to return.

3. REMEMBER – the river currents are strong and unpredictable, especially after heavy rains.

4. Wading should NOT be attempted when the river levels exceed the normal level.

5. Know the weather predictions for the area. Keep an AM radio handy for the latest updates.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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46

Get Your Speed On Speed Jigging: The Hottest Tuna Tactic in Decades!

Y

By Lenny Rudow

ou’re at the Ham Bone, 35 miles off of

the tip and butt should remain more or less on the same

prowling below, visible on the fishfinder

that—lifting, not swinging—so the rod tip never goes

Ocean City, and there are bluefin tunas as they feed heavily on schools of sand

eels. Unfortunately, not one boat in the

fleet has a bent rod. In fact, dozens of boats have been

trolling and chunking here for the past few weeks, but

hook-ups have been few and far between. Yet certain boats, somehow, have been returning to the dock with stuffed fishboxes virtually every trip. These are the boats

that have keyed in on a new technique that has proved

deadly effective on bluefin in the 60- to 150-pound class, when they’re feeding on sand eels: speed jigging.

Drop It! Speed jigging is one name for the technique

popularized by Shimano’s Butterfly jigging system in

the last year or so. This is unlike other forms of jigging.

The jigging motion is not the sweep up/sweep down that we all know and love from regular jigging. Rather, it’s a drop, then reel-and-pump motion. Both of your hands

should lift up and drop down at the same time as you reel, while the rod butt (Shimano’s Trevala rods, designed

just for this purpose, have exceptionally long butts to accommodate the motion) is tucked into your arm pit.

Your hands are not used as a pivot point for the rod, and MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

vertical plane the entire time. The lifting motion is just above nine o’clock nor below eight o’clock. This allows the tip of the rod to “load” (bend slightly) and “unload” (straighten out), which gives the jig a darting motion as it

zooms up through the water. Added bonus: you never get that frustrating hit that comes when you’re at the top of

your jigging motion, at 11 o’clock or so, and are unable to

set the hook. On top of that, since you’re always reeling

and pumping, there’s always full tension on the line—no matter when the fish strikes, you’re ready for it.

Knowing this motion, one might assume the “speed”

in speed jigging simply comes from the fact that you’re

reeling, and moving the jig through the water, at all times.

But in fact, there’s more to this story and it relates to the equipment; standard rods and reels simply can’t make

the motion happen the same way the gear designed specifically for this purpose does. The reels Shimano designed for the Butterfly system are called Torsas, and they differ from common conventional reels in many

ways. First, their drags are on par with true big-game reels like Tiagras or Internationals, and can be cranked

up to put some serious heat on a fish. Thirty-five pounds of pressure is no problem. These reels have outrageously huge gears and a 5.8:1 retrieve ratio, which makes for a 47

very fast-moving lure. In fact, with

action they provide is unique and

rotate the handle one crank, it’s easy

action you’re looking for. The tip is

45” of line coming in every time you

necessary, to get the injured-baitfish

to bring your lure way off the bottom

very flexible and the weight of the jig

in a matter of seconds. And since the

is enough to put a significant bend

Torsas up to the 20 class are narrow-

into the first foot of the rod. The next

spool reels, they don’t require level-

foot or so of the rod bends, but not by

winding—the line just lays naturally

half as much. And the middle and rear

down, back and forth, as you retrieve.

sections of the rod are incredibly stiff,

Of course, any reel that meets these

with enough lifting power to crank

basic parameters (strong drag, super-

up one of your outboards. The action

fast retrieve rate, and narrow spool) will work just fine

throughout the rod is fast, and when you combine the

up with braid is a must. You will need the instant deep-

jig darting and moving while keeping consistent pressure

for speed jigging. Whatever brand it is, however, spooling water hook-setting power of stretch-free braid, as well as

the additional line capacity; you can get 500 yards of 80pound braid onto a Torsa 16, while only 200 yards of 80

pound mono would fit onto the spool – and that’s simply

not enough line to handle a big bluefin. The line should be finished off with a 25 foot wind-on leader of 80 to 120

rod, reel, and jig together, it becomes possible to get the

on the line—never any slack—as the rod tip loads and unloads constantly. Net result: the jig darts and weaves through the water, and when a fish takes it, you’re always ready to set the hook no matter what stage of the jigging motion you’re in.

The jigs themselves are also an important part of

pound test fluorocarbon. You can connect the two by tying

the system, and any old diamond jig simply won’t

loop-to-loop connection.

distribution and shape, sink fast yet get that darting

a Spider Hitch in the end of the braid, and then using a

Specially designed jigging rods (Trevalas, in the case of Shimano) also are an

important part of the system.

No, any old rod will not do.

They must be incredibly light and strong, or

speed jigging will wear out your arms

in no time. And the tip’s load/unload

do. Shimano’s Butterflies, with their unique weight

motion when jigged. Though Shimano developed these

speed jigs originally, there are plenty of copies on the market today that work: Williamson, Jerkthatjig, and

Benthos all make versions that have their own merits.

Whichever you choose, remember that when it comes to

jigging for tunas off the Maryland coast, the fish show a real preference for pink, blue, and green color patterns,

in that order. Usually 6 to 10 ounce jigs are best for the

tunas, and the jig can be rigged with either single or twin hooks at the top—not the bottom—of the jig. The

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus is the

largest member of the Scombridae Family (albacores, bonitos, mackerels, tunas). Maryland state record is 625 lbs. Atlantic Bluefin are homeothermic (“warm-blooded”) and are therefore able to thermoregulate, keeping their body temperatures higher than the surrounding water, which is why they are so well adapted to colder waters.

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top-hook system is very effective for jigs being retrieved

searching the area, but don’t bother dropping until you

strikes if the fish are hitting it on the fall. In this case, you

When you do see tuna, you’ll need to stop your boat up-

with speed, but note, however, that you’ll miss a lot of may want to add a treble hook to the bottom of the jig to increase your hook-up ratio.

Tuna Tactics So, how do you turn this tactic into a full fishbox?

Start by heading for any of the inshore lumps off the

coast, whichever seems to be holding fish at the time. The Hambone was hottest during the summer of 2008, but

the Dump Site Lump and the Hot Dog also held fish at

certain points in the season and this year, anywhere from the Jack Spot to the Sausages to the Elephant Trunk could prove best.

When you arrive on-site, get out your jigging gear and

have it ready to drop. Slow to a good hunting speed (eight knots is about right) and weave back and forth across the structure until you spot those big, red arches on your

fishfinder. If you see bunches of bait on bottom it’s worth

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

see tunas on the meter, without a doubt.

wind of the marks so you drift back over them, with your

jigs deployed. As you maneuver, however, take note of the depth of the fish. When the tunas are dead on bottom,

drop your jigs until they hit and then give the rod five or six sweep-and-drops, before you pour on the speed—

often, this will activate fish sitting on bottom. If the fish are hanging at mid-depth (often, you’ll note they are just below or just above a thermocline), drop until you’re confident the jig is a good 20’ or 30’ below their depth, and speed-

jig until the jig comes to the surface. Then immediately freespool, drop the jig back to depth, and start cranking

again. If you have the boat over the fish and the jig into the

proper position before you started speed-jigging, there’s a high probability you won’t be able to crank it back up to

the surface, because a hungry tuna fish will have that jig

clenched in its jaws—and hopefully, when you head for the dock later that afternoon your fishbox will be full.

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Ocean City, MD Fishing Calendar Fair to Good SPECIES

Best Times

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Amberjack Black Drum Blue Marlin Bluefin Tuna Bluefish Croaker Dolphin Flounder Gray Trout King Mackerel Kingfish Red Drum Sea Bass Spanish Mackerel Speckled Trout Spot Striped Bass Tautog Wahoo White Marlin Yellowfin Tuna

Check MD DNRMD website for official season regulations, this onlyand showsregulations. when fish are present the Ocean City,shows MD- not necessarily when are in season.

Check DNR website forandofficial seasons Thisintable only when fish arethey present

in the Ocean City, MD area, not necessarily when they are in season.

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Ocean City Fishing Guide Ocean City, MD Fishing Guide

Species

Bait or Lure

Method

Avg. Weight

MD Record

Ocean waters; wrecks

1 – 3.5 lbs

8 lbs

Black Sea Bass

Squid, crab, cut fish, clam, shrimp, diamond jigs, metal jigs

Bluefish

Artificial lures - spoons, tube eels, metal Trolling, casting or jigging to schools of fish with artificial lures; squids, surface plugs surfcasting with cut bait or lures. Chumming while using cut bait.

Bluefish can be taken on streamer flies with a fly rod Bait - fresh menhaden, mullet, herring, spot, mackerel

Offshore and coastal waters. Inlet, Assawoman Bay

1 – 16 lbs

23 lbs, 8 oz

Croaker

Peeler crab, bloodworms, squid, shrimp

Bottom fishing with bait, anchored or drifting from boats, piers, docks, shore and surf

Assawoman Bay, fishing piers, thoroughfare, inlet and ocean waters.

0.5 – 2 lbs

6 lbs, 5oz

Dolphin

Artificial lures - offshore trolling lures

Trolling with lures, ballyhoo and squid; casting to schools of dolphin Offshore ocean waters around weedlines and floating debris with cut bait (fish or squid) and lures (bucktails, surface plugs, streamer flies)

2 – 20 lbs

67 lbs, 8 oz

Bait- squid

Bottom fishing, generally near underwater obstructions(wrecks, reefs, rocks and rough bottom areas)

Location

Black Drum

Whole clam, peeler crab, whelk, peeler crab/clam bucktails and jigs

Bottom fishing with bait on “fish finder” rig. Running tides and late afternoons and evenings considered best, occasionally caught on bucktails or metal squids by casting or jigging to a school of fish

Assateague Island, Surf

40 – 60 lbs

79 lbs

Red Drum

Bait - fresh mullet, spot, menhaden, peeler crabs

Bottom fishing with bait on “fish finder” rig, trolling and casting spoons, plugs and jigs

Assateague Island, Surf

30 – 50 lbs

70 lbs

Drift fishing with live or dead natural baits fished on the bottom; slow Offshore reef areas, back bays, inlet, trolling natural baits on bottom; casting from beaches and piers; thoroughfare trolling small buck-tails dressed with strip baits; casting bucktails

1 – 3 lbs

17 lbs

Slow trolling, drifting or anchoring with live bait; trolling with artificial Coastal and offshore ocean waters, lures, strip bait and ballyhoo particularly around wrecks, towers, obstructions, ledges, lumps and other

5 – 20 lbs

47 lbs

1 – 3 lbs

12 lbs, 4oz

Artificial lures - spoons, large plugs, jigs Flounder

Bait - minnows and small fish, frozen minnows, bluefish, flounder, live spot or small mullet, squid, minnow/strip combination Artificial lures - bucktails; big strip baits and streamer flies

Mackerel, King

Bait - menhaden, mullet, spot, small bluefish Artificial lures - spoons, feather lures, nylon jigs

Mackerel, Spanish

Bait – small chunks of menhaden, finger Trolling; casting to schools of fish mullet Artificial lures – small spoons, metal lures, feather and nylon lures.

Coastal ocean waters, particularly off inlets, along tidelines,

Blue Marlin

Bait - Whole dead fish - ballyhoo, mullet, Trolling Spanish mackerel, squid, live small dolphin, and bonito.

Offshore ocean waters

150 – 400 lbs

942 lbs

Offshore ocean waters

40 – 60 lbs

135 lbs

8 – 12 oz

2 lbs

Artificial lures - offshore trolling lures.

White Marlin

Bait - Whole dead fish - ballyhoo, mullet, Trolling; occasionally casting live baits to marlin “balling” bait or swimming on surface squid, strip baits, eels Artificial lures - offshore trolling lures, pilchards, cigar minnows

Spot

Bait - Bloodworms, peeler crab, clam

Striped Bass

Artificial lures - spoons, plastic eels, Troll artificial lures around bridges, piers, Off of Route 50 bridge, bucktails, surface plugs, swimming plugs. Open Ocean. cast bucktails and plugs around bridges, piers, and jetties; Bait - peeler crab, bloodworms, eels, cut bait, live bait

All coastal inshore and Chesapeake Bay waters (tidal waters, including Bay tributary rivers

5 – 25 lbs

57 lbs, 2 oz

Tautog

Bait - Crab (blue, fiddler, green and mole Bottom fishing with bait over underwater obstructions (wrecks, crabs); clams; whelk reefs, rocks)

Wrecks and reefs in ocean waters off the coast, Ocean City Inlet, southern portions of Assawoman Bay near bridge and pier pilings and rock revetments

3 – 6 lbs

20 lbs, 11 oz

Trout, Gray (Weakfish)

Artificial lures - bucktails, lead jigs with Jigging or casting artificial lures to schools of fish on bottom or plastic tails, metal jigs suspended above the bottom; bottom fishing with live and natural baits from anchored or drifting boat; surfcasting with cut bait or Bait - spot and small mullet, peeler crab, squid squid, cut bait

Coastal ocean waters and back bays along channel edge.

1 – 8 lbs

16 lbs

Trout, Speckled

Artificial lures - mirror-sided plugs, bucktails, plastic tail jigs

Springtime: peeler crab baits fished near shore of marshy or grassy Coastal ocean waters and back bays areas on flooding tides; Fall: casting artificial lures; also some live bait fishing, trolling and jigging

2 – 4 lbs

13 lbs

Offshore ocean waters

100 – 175 lbs

375 lbs, 8 oz

Bait - small spot, mullet, live shrimp Tuna, Bigeye

Bottom fishing with bait; anchored or drifting from boats, also caught Chesapeake Bay and Bay tributary rivers, from docks, piers, shore and surf. coastal ocean waters, inlets — all inshore coastal waters

Bait - Whole dead fish - ballyhoo, squid, Trolling Artificial lures - feather lures, cedar plugs, offshore trolling

Tuna, Bluefin

Artificial lures - cedar plugs, feather lures, spoons, squid, small fish.

Trolling, chunking and chumming

Offshore ocean waters,

30 – 70 lbs

625 lbs

Tuna, Yellowfin

Bait - Whole dead fish - ballyhoo, squid. Trolling, chunking and chumming

Offshore ocean waters

30 – 70 lbs

236 lbs

Artificial lures - feather lures, cedar plugs, offshore trolling Tunny, Little (False Albacore)

Artificial lures - small feather & nylon lures, spoons, cedar plugs.

Trolling, casting metal lures to surface fish

Offshore and coastal ocean waters; occasionally in lower Chesapeake Bay

6 – 14 lbs

22 lbs, 8 oz.

Wahoo

Artificial lures - offshore trolling lures, feather lures, spoons, large plugs.

Trolling

Offshore ocean waters

20 – 40 lbs

111 lbs

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

51

Behind

THE BIG

W

hen most people think of Ocean

not to angle for these fish, I will tell you that you MUST

that come to mind are french

and catch rockfish unless you come in the winter and fish

City, Maryland, the first things fries, kiddie rides, pit beef, and miniature golf. And why not?

Those are some pretty good reasons to visit and unwind from the daily grind. If you’re a fisherman, however, you

often think of jet skis, crowded channels, dirty water,

and the ever-dreaded Pennsylvania Navy (most of which also own a dozen jet skis, but hey, this is a Maryland publication after all).

The first misnomer that we must address is the idea

have live spot. Don’t expect to come jigging with BKD’s in the ocean. Bluefish are usually available throughout the

spring and summer and are a welcomed by-catch when fishing is slow. Trout, or weakfish, haven’t made a decent showing in the area for at least five years, due to the

cyclical nature of their population. With that being said, let’s concentrate on two of the more attainable species in

one of the most underrated and overpopulated fishing towns on the eastern seaboard.

Let me introduce you to Paralichthys dentatus (summer

that the Ocean City bays are simply too congested to fish

flounder), one of the most voracious predators in the

down. This may hold true for species like rockfish, but

hook from a flounder and ended up needing a band-aid

because the sheer amount of boat traffic shuts the bite most of the fish that we come for are bottom dwellers.

I will say this now, if you come to Ocean City expecting

to catch a keeper rockfish you will leave a very humble person--stick to the Chesapeake Bay. In my 15 seasons of fishing the coastal bays from April to November, I have

caught only a handful of keeper rockfish (remember, they have to be 28 inches here, not 18). To further convince you

52

coastal bays. Anyone who has ever tried to remove the

can appreciate the dentatus portion of the Latin name.

Summer flounder have some serious teeth. If you’ve ever

witnessed a released flounder head for the bottom in clear water you’d also know how amazingly fast they can be.

Flounder are not at all the lazy bottom fish we’ve been led to believe they are. Also, the fishing season we’ve been

accustomed to is actually a severely abbreviated version

Ocean C w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

TOWN

By Lance Smith

of the actual period in which flounder inhabit the bays.

Catching flounder in the back bays of Ocean City is

not hard. In fact, just about anyone with a rental boat, some minnows, squid strips, and a basic bottom rig

can manage to hook and land a few of these staples of the bay. The tried and true method for catching flatties involves drifting the main channels with an in-line rig consisting of a ½ to 2 ounce sinker with a 16 inch leader

and a kahle style hook. Bait typically consists of a live

minnow hooked thru the lips, or a frozen shiner hooked thru the eyes, paired with a 3-4 inch strip of squid hooked

to flutter enticingly next to the baitfish. Drifts generally

consist of long ordeals down the center or edges of the

main channels and the most popular months for fishing are June through August, smack dab in the middle of tourist season. By sticking with this “old school” method

of flounder fishing you will most likely catch a few fish and antagonize a few captains. After all, flounder are lazy bottom fish whose physiology allows them to wait

motionless and perfectly camouflaged until a meal passes by with the tide and they simply inhale it. The deepest of channels and the slowest moving baits must be the

i t y, M D MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

53

best way to get a bite. So why not relax and enjoy this

shelf, they’re hungry and they’re looking to warm up a

Let’s start with the seasons. For the past five years or

are several kinds of shrimp. We’ve all seen the nearly

nonchalant past time and chance upon a few fish?

so, my wife and I have spent the second Saturday in April attempting to hook our first flounder of the year. Not only have we never failed in doing so, I can’t remember a year

when we didn’t catch our limit in less than 2 hours! The middle of April through the end of May is probably the

best time of year to catch a limit. This early season fishery requires some specific techniques that most people may not be aware of, or prepared for, but which work

throughout the season. The fall flounder fishery can be a terrific time to catch doormats in the deeper channels

using live spot. Too bad this year’s flounder season will end on September 15.

When the first wave of flounder migrate into the

coastal bays after their long journey from the continental

First mate investigating the catch

little. The predominant forage species this time of year translucent little grass shrimp that cling to pilings, but

there are a few other varieties that you may have not seen

before if you’ve never checked the stomach contents of spring flounder--the sand shrimp, the mud shrimp, and the mantis shrimp. The sand shrimp closely resembles the

grass shrimp except it has a slightly tannish color and is

speckled with black dots. It also grows about a half inch longer than the average inch-long grass shrimp. These two

smaller shrimp are difficult to fish as bait and even harder to imitate with artificials. Shad darts rigged in tandem with small squid strips are the best imitators and produce

a fair amount of mostly undersized fish. Mantis shrimp are truly scary looking creatures that may attain lengths of

up to 8 inches. Mantis shrimp have a tail that resembles a lobster, and a head and claws that resemble the insect praying mantis. They are generally an olive green color

and are often caught on baits meant for flounder. While

many larger spring flounder may have mantis shrimp in their stomachs (I cleaned a five pound flounder last spring

that had two seven inch mantis shrimp inside its stomach), they generally don’t live long as hook baits and don’t seem to drift correctly, making them pretty poor

baits. If you do manage to snag one while

flounder fishing, cut the tail lengthwise and

use each half as a strip bait (or steam the tails

up for dinner). Then there are the mud shrimp.

Mud shrimp average about two to three inches

long and are the bait that should be imitated in

Big Tautog from the back bay

The New 2009 Recreational Summer Flounder Regulations

Creel and Size Limit (Split Management): - Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays (3 fish @ 18 inch minimum size) - Chesapeake Bay (1 fish @ 16.5 inch minimum size) The 2009 recreational summer flounder season will run from April 15 until September 13.

DNR is required to reduce the 2009 recreational summer flounder catch in Maryland by 32%.

This reduction is necessary to mitigate exceeding harvest targets last year.

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w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

the spring. The easiest way to describe the mud shrimp

from the red and green buoys. The best way to do this

with shrunken claws. They are mostly light brown on top

available on the internet such as Google Earth. While

would be to say that they resemble freshwater crayfish with dabs of orange, and a lighter underside. From my

experience, mud shrimp are also molting at this time of year, making them even more enticing.

With an understanding of what the flounder will be

feeding on, all that needs to be done is to locate where

they’ll be doing that feeding. Remember, the water is cold and these fish need to raise their body temperatures enough to give chase and

to digest their prey. When deciding on a place to begin fishing, forget anywhere over 8 feet deep and don’t ignore areas

as shallow as a foot. Shallow water warms up much faster than deeper

water and the colder it is, the shallower

the fish will be. Also, since most of the upper back bays are extremely shallow, an outgoing tide will bring warmer

water and typically produce the best fishing. The exact opposite conditions

is to study one of the many satellite imagery programs most of the bay will appear as an off-green/brown color,

the smaller channels will be a darker green/blue color bordered on either side by tan sandbars. These channels typically run north to south and are narrower than the

main channels. These occur from just below the Route 50 bridge all the way to the Route 90 bridge and beyond.

The easiest way to produce the

greatest amount of flounder bites throughout the

spring and summer is through jigging.

If you fish a boat with a very shallow draft and take “shortcuts” through the bay, these are the spots that need to be

fished. Once the general area that you want to fish has been determined by a chart or aerial image, a quality pair of

polarized sunglasses is more important than a depth finder to pinpoint the

edges of the channel. A few minutes of confirming what your eyes see with

the information that your sounder is relaying will put you where you need

to be. You may end up tilting your

are preferred in the middle of the summer when an

motor up more than once to get out of the shallows, but

of its cleanliness and cooler temperatures.

to south, the tide is outgoing, and the wind is blowing

incoming tide will often be the ideal time to fish because The easiest way to produce the greatest amount of

flounder bites throughout the spring and summer is through jigging. They will give chase and will often follow a jig straight to the surface and leave you with nothing but a boil and a memory. If you can see your jig

bouncing along the bottom don’t be misled into believing that you are fishing too shallow. In fact, fishing in water

this shallow not only allows you to observe precisely

how these flatfish feed, it also provides your best chance

of connecting with a keeper. Summer flounder, because of their shape and habits, only require a few inches of

water to completely conceal themselves. In the heat of the summer, flounder can also be caught from the Route 50

bridge (especially at night) and from the surf, but we’ll save that topic for another time.

In order to find the flounder you need to find obscure,

seldom traveled, bait-holding funnels that are away

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

the rewards will be worth it. If the channel runs north

from the west, set up on the western edge of the channel and let the wind and current take you down and across

the channel. While the drifts may be shorter, I actually prefer an easterly or westerly wind that blows the boat

across the channel. If you’re watching your depth finder

(and keeping your eyes open so as not to end up on a bar), these cross-channel drifts will help you pinpoint the

depth at which the fish are holding. Sometimes they are in two feet of water at the beginning and end of the drift,

and sometimes they are somewhere in between. They do gather in small groups at certain depths, so multiple hits

are always possible. Remember, these are short drifts with

the constant possibility of ending up on a sandbar, so one

angler must always be at the helm and ready to move the boat back into position to restart the drift.

There are many different jigs on the market that will

produce flounder. Trial and error have my crew and

55

I dead set on 3/8 ounce bucktails rigged in tandem.

the fat end of the strip no wider than the width of your jig

end using whatever knot you may feel comfortable with.

jigging motion you will be imparting, longer strips will

Starting with three feet of line, tie one bucktail on each Now, grasp the line in the center and let the jigs hang

down so that they are even with one another. Next, pull one of the jigs down so that it hangs six to eight inches below the other. Tie a surgeon’s loop in the line and the rig is complete. I

prefer to tie my own because I have a

certain brand and size of bucktail that

I am particular to. You may, however, purchase “spec rigs” that are tied

exactly like this and will produce fish.

Heavy shad darts rigged in tandem

are great shrimp imitators and I know

quite a few fisherman who have had

great success with the Berkeley GULP! shrimp on light jig heads tied in this fashion. Now that your rigs are tied, dangling from rod tips, and waiting to

head. Length is a personal preference. With the constant

tend to hang up on the hook, resulting in a non-catching

rig. When the tapered end of your squid hangs up on your jig hook you can feel the slight resistance in your jigging

The proper

jigging motion is accomplished by

keeping the angle of your line from the

tip of the rod to the seafloor as vertical as possible.

motion. I prefer a three-inch strip but will

sometimes use up to a seven-inch strip if bigger fish are being caught. When using

the longer strips it is imperative to check your rig frequently to ensure that your squid is still hanging off the hook and

not doubled back on itself. Do not put a live minnow or frozen shiner on your

bucktails. They will only cause the rig

to spin and look unnatural. Since you’ll be fishing such shallow water, checking

your bait for “squid hangs” or weeds

often requires only a high lift of the rod and no winding. You’ll be surprised at

be destroyed by toothy flatfish, you need to properly cut

the number of flounder that will actually follow your jigs

referred to as “tube” squid. These are pre-cleaned squid

lazy, weeds and fouled strips will catch you no fish.

up your squid. The easiest squid to deal with is commonly bodies that need only to be laid flat and sliced lengthwise

right to the surface when checking your baits. Don’t get The proper jigging motion is accomplished by keeping

into desired lengths and widths. Squid should always be

the angle of your line from the tip of the rod to the seafloor

and not cause your jigs to spin. The thinner the triangle,

much line as necessary to keep your jigs in contact with

cut in a tapered, elongated-triangle shape that will flutter the better. Half inch strips are too wide. Generally, keep

Summer Flounder (A.K.A. Fluke)

as vertical as possible. Never cast, and only let out as

the bottom on the fall. Let the fish dictate the jigging

Key Distinguishing Markings:

• This left-eyed flatfish has both eyes on the left side of its body when viewed from above

with the dorsal, or top fin, up.

• The “eyed” side of this fish is scattered with 10 to 14 eye-like spots which blend in with the ocean floor.

• Its belly or underside is white.

• These fish inhabit coastal and estuarine waters from spring to fall and move offshore to depths of 100 to 600 feet during the winter.

• Their migration is presumably brought on by decreasing water temperatures and declining photoperiods in the fall.

• Summer flounder spend most of their lives on or close to the bottom, as other flatfishes do.

• Flounder use their flattened shape and ability to change coloration and pattern on the eyed side of their bodies to partially burrow in sediment, lie in wait and ambush their prey.

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w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

motion. In the very early spring, a slow lift of 6 to 12 inches and slow fall will produce the most bites. As water

temperatures warm, a more aggressive, snapping of the

Five Flatties on a beautiful afternoon

rod may be necessary. Always be sure that your bottom jig makes contact with the substrate and NEVER allow the rig to simply drag. Flounder will most often hit while

the jig is falling and any resistance to your jigging motion

requires a sharp hook set. Do not drop back, and if you miss a bite, get your rig back to the bottom as quickly as

possible because second chances are common. Light action bait casting rods (such as those used by largemouth bass fisherman) with 12 pound test line are ideal. Braided line

is unnecessary and actually will compromise the action of light jigs and cause too many missed hooksets because of its inherent lack of stretch. When setting the hook on a fish in only a few feet of water, the stretch provided by mono line is imperative. I have successfully taught this method

of fishing to children as young as

No Boat?

five (who will actually scold their

peers for not jigging enough), and

have converted quite a few of the

older die hard bait draggers to this

technique. Finally, don’t forget the net, I guarantee you’ll regret it!

If you’ve caught your limit of

flatties, or are simply looking to put

some beefier tackle to the test with the

hardest fighting fish in the bay, give the

tautog a try. Personally, I had no idea that these fish even

existed until about 10 years ago and they have become somewhat of an addiction for myself and my crew. On days that it was too rough to go offshore, we would pursue

flounder in the bay whether the conditions dictated it or

not. This led to some less than stellar catching because

typically, when it’s too rough to go offshore, the water in the bay is too dirty, and the drifting conditions are not

conducive to flounder fishing. Tautog will bite, regardless of water clarity and wind conditions. And they bite hard!

If you know nothing of tog, know this, they will make

a fool of you. If I didn’t stress enough the importance of

using conventional gear instead of spinning for flounder

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Finally at the surface after a hard fight

No problem. Land lubbers have a host of choices for wetting a line in the Isle of Wight Bay. The bulkheads between 2nd and 4th Streets on the bayside and behind the Convention Center (40th Street), as well as the jetty at the south end of the Municipal Parking Lot located at the end of the boardwalk offer free public access. Bayside public fishing piers are found at the inlet, Philadelphia Avenue, 9th Street, behind the Convention Center and Northside Park on 125th Street. The Route 50 Bridge is also popular, so expect crowds.

Check out http://www.beachnet.com/Fishochotspots. html for more info.

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you should skip this next section and keep drifting bull

If You Really Want to Fish From a Boat: Many places offer rental boats in the O. C. area, ranging from decked out pontoon “party barges” to tiny outboard skiffs.

A quick internet search should net a rental near your place of stay. Make sure you pay attention to the buoys, and if you can acquire it, a little local knowledge of the water can make the difference between a great day of fishing and misery.

Water depths vary and numerous sand bars lurk just under the surface. A growing pastime for bayside residents is sitting on the porch watching grounded boats struggle to free themselves.

minnows through the main channels. Tautog fishing is bottom fishing in one of its most simplistic forms, but the

correct gear is imperative. While you may catch a few fish on the same tackle you use for flounder, you will undoubtedly end up in a humbled, broken off, re-tying, tackle wasting

cycle that leaves you wondering what may have been on the end of your line.

The most important component of your gear will be the

rod. These fish live in the absolute nastiest parts of the bay.

In fact, any rockpile extending from shore, any bulkhead, the deeper pilings of the route 50 bridge, and both inlet

jetties will hold tautog. Fishing these locations requires a

rod rated for up to 40 pound line with a moderately soft tip but enough backbone to lift a concrete block. Over the years I’ve tried just about every blank on the market and have decided that for everyday tog fishing in the bay, you

simply can’t beat a freshwater muskie rod. The length is a matter of personal preference. From a boat I like a rod

that is in the six-foot three-inch to six-foot six-inch range.

From the bridge, bulkheads, and jetties, a longer rod in the seven-foot to seven-foot six-inch range is better suited.

The reason for this being that when tog fishing, much like

flounder jigging, you want your line as vertical as possible.

From a boat this is easy, but from shore a longer rod will allow a more up and down presentation with surer hook sets. Reels should be able to handle line test of at least 40

pounds. Braid versus mono is a personal choice. If you’re going to use braid, choose a reel with a lower gear ratio, in

the 4:1 area. Braid has considerably less stretch than mono

and a high gear ratio coupled with the shear fighting ability of these fish will leave you tying more uni-uni knots than

your patience can handle. The bite can be, and usually is, so fast and furious that straight 40 pound mono is my choice

of line for several reasons. Abrasion resistance, stretch, and ease of re-tying (you’ll be doing a lot of this regardless). I can only compare this type of fishing to grouper fishing in the south. It’s simply a win or lose battle. If you can’t get the fish out of it’s lair within the first couple of seconds you will

Tog haul

find yourself re-tying your rig and wondering what might

have been. Fish your reel with the drag completely locked down and pray that you have enough stretch in your line or

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w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

leader to prevent the fish from busting you off. To this day,

Anchoring adjacent to bulkheads, the jetties, rockpiles,

I can’t help but laugh when a new angler’s muskie rod

or mussel beds will produce bites while boat fishing.

fish which ends up being less than 14 inches long!

the inlet to 14th street, will also produce fish. The north

doubles over and they squeal under the strain of a “huge”

While tog can be caught in just about any conditions,

certain tides, and more importantly, water clarity and

time of day, will still have an influence on feeding activity. A strong outgoing tide will sometimes bring so

much seaweed with it that it is impossible to keep your rig free and clear. Cleaner water will also

produce more bites than dirty water.

Another factor that must be considered is sunlight. Tautog do not bite at night,

ever. I have spots that I fish in the bay in the morning where we actually wait for the shadows to leave and the sunlight to hit the water before we drop a bait. Too many times have I seen the bite start for

Any of the bulkheads which have public access, from

jetty often holds large amounts of fish but is a “hero or zero” location. When fishing the north jetty on foot try to be there during an outgoing tide. The Ocean City inlet

is essentially acted upon by two outgoing tides at the same time, one from the north, and one from the south.

Only when the

fish commits and strikes your bait

for the third time

should a hook set

anglers on one side of the boat when the

sun shines on their line while those of

be attempted.

On an outgoing tide, the water coming

from the upper bay has more volume

than the water that comes from behind

Assateague Island, and therefore has more of an influence on where you can fish. The outgoing tide will invariably

push south toward the south inlet jetty,

where it is forced sharply eastward. This makes the inside of the south jetty almost

unfishable due to the amount of current.

It does, however, create a large eddy at

us in the shadows have to wait to fish our little pieces of

the inside beginning of the north jetty which leaves slack

The rig. Rigging and actually angling for tautog is

this whole section of the north jetty by boat and on foot,

structure.

what makes this fishery so simple. If using braid, keep in mind that you will still need at least three to five feet of mono leader. Tie a surgeons loop at the end of your line

that is large enough to loop your sinker (typically three to five ounces depending on the current) onto. Six to ten inches above the sinker tie another surgeons or a dropper

loop and use a loop-loop connection to attach a presnelled Virginia-style hook in the 2-4/0 range, depending on the size of your bait (more on this momentarily). When

straight mono is used, the re-tying process (remember, you’ll be doing a lot of this) takes about 30 seconds.

water almost to the fog-horn tower at the tip. I’ve fished

and the whole length will produce some tog. When fishing from shore, cast your rig into the inlet about thirty feet

and allow it to contact bottom. Once on the seafloor, begin a slow pump and wind motion as if you were working a jig along the bottom. Sharp lifts of the rod with a slow

drop will reveal the first sign of bottom. The first 10 feet or so of this retrieve will yield a monotonous “thump” of

your sinker in the sand until you feel it contact the rocks and rubble where the fish are located. Picture the jetty as

a kids sledding hill. You want to cast your rig to the flat at the bottom and retrieve to the bottom of the slope and

Tautog -Tautoga onitis - Are often found around reefs, wrecks, rocks

and pilings. They use their powerful teeth to crush their prey, which includes clams, mussels, barnacles and crabs. Tautog only feed during the day. When they are not feeding, tautogs are known to find a hole and lie motionless on their side.

Tautog are so inactive at night that sport divers have been able to catch this fish by hand. They are a long-lived, slow-growing species that can live up to 34 years.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

59

stop. Once you’ve contacted hard bottom, maintain a

through the apron. The half crab should then be threaded

you’re snagged. Fishing the north jetty by boat should

leave the legs on or break them off is a personal preference

tight line and do not move your bait even if you think only be attempted by those who either don’t care about

their boat hulls or have the understanding of tide vs.

wind vs. boat wakes, vs. eddies, vs. shore fisherman, and vs. your own set of nerves. The

surface eddie created at the bayside of the inlet will lead the stern of your boat toward the west while the usual southerly wind and the underlying

outgoing tide paired with passing boat wakes will try to force you into the rocks. I’ve used the net to push

myself off the rocks and have seen the transom lift up off the rocks when

conditions are “favorable.” You can no longer anchor along the bayside of the south jetty because it is now part of the channel. The ocean side

onto the hook through one of the leg sockets. Whether to but will sometimes mean the difference between bites and no bites.

Tautog will peck at crab baits a few times in order

There are plenty of fish to be caught in the coastal

bays and a little experimentation goes a long way toward keeping

things interesting.

to break the shell. The first two or three taps of the rod should be ignored. Only

when the fish commits and strikes your bait for the third time should a hook

set be attempted. This type of fishing requires more patience than any that I

know of. Only through trial and error will the proper time to set the hook be

established. When a fish is hooked, the

first five feet of the fight are the only ones that count. Any slack in the line, or

hesitance in reeling, will result in your

dinner becoming just another snag. You don’t want to lose this dinner either.

of the south jetty can produce some spectacular fishing

Although they may be as tough as a catfish to clean, there

of the rocks, but can also be quite nerve-racking.

of summer arrives and the tautog move into the ocean,

for those who can anchor their boats within 20 feet or so Baits for tautog include green crabs and sand fleas.

If you end up “wasting” a day on the beach with your

significant other or children, digging the little gray crabs

is no better tasting inshore fish in the sea. When the heat

fishing the same areas with the same methods will often produce triggerfish and sheepshead.

There are plenty of fish to be caught in the coastal

out of the sand will provide entertainment for the kids

bays and a little experimentation goes a long way toward

crabs and sand fleas for very reasonable prices. Always

few days of bonding with your buddies, or you happen to

and bait for later use. Most tackle stores sell both green

buy twice as many as you think you will need. For ev-

ery bait that you actually catch a fish on, you will be robbed of five more. I like to thread as many sand fleas on a single hook as possible so that if one or two are sto-

len, there is still something for the fish to come back to.

Green crabs should be laid on their backs and cut in half

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keeping things interesting. Whether you are planning a get a break from family obligations, get out there and try something new. Just watch out for the jet skis.

Lance is co-captain of the Longfin along with his father, and seems to have a spot every fall on the leaderboard in the tautog category during the Rocktoberfest tournament in Ocean City.

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Fishing Music Quiz Identify the artist or group who coined the following: 1. Walk along the river, sweet lullaby, it just keeps on flowing, It don’t worry bout where it’s going, no, no.

2. And yesterday I saw you standing by the river, And weren’t those tears that filled your eyes, And all the fish that lay in dirty water dying, Had they got you hypnotized?

3. Ol Mississippi , she’s callin’ my name Catfish are jumpin’ 4. There are men high up there fishing, Haven’t seen quite enough of the world, I ain’t seen a sign of my heroes, And I’m still diving down for pearls.

“The world’s best flounder rig, don’t forget the squid strips!”

5. There’s mosquitoes on the river Fish are rising up like birds It’s been hot for seven weeks now, 6. Betcha’ goin’ fishin’ all o’ da’ time Baby goin’ fishin’ too.

Bet yo’ life, Yo’ sweet wife Catch mo’ fish than you.

7. If you want to talk fishin’, well I guess that’ll be ok

Find the answers on page 172.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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By Robert Jacobs

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E

verything is white—the dunes, beach,

Assateague Island is a strange place. A barrier island

sea and sky are all one swirling white,

positioned along the eastern coast of Maryland and

I’m in the passenger’s seat of a Toyota FJ

Ponies and beautiful barren beaches. And indeed it is

amorphous mass. It’s November 21st and Cruiser tearing along a desolate stretch of

beach on Assateague Island. Beside me, in the driver’s seat, is the editor of a regional fishing magazine. Though it is only November, we are driving headlong into some kind of freak

weather occurrence, an anomaly of precipitation, a whipping, slanting snow squall that has reduced visibility

to zero. The editor has apparently not made the connection between the total

lack of visibility and the speed of our vehicle. Every thirty seconds or so the vehicle slips into a sickening, careening

slide followed by a sudden fishtailing

lurch in the opposite direction as the Cruiser attempts to right itself and avoid a catastrophic death spiral. The

editor finds this titillating and lets out

a prolonged vocalization that can only

Virginia, the island is famous for herds of Chincoteague

beautiful—but it is also eerie. The lonely windswept beaches breed a peculiar sense of psychic dislocation.

The island feels like the perfect place to hold a secret

Some friends had arrived before us and were already fishing.

We could see their shrouded figures moving through the landscape with the awkward grace of humans wrapped in multiple layers of clothing.

government experiment or found a solar cult.

It doesn’t help that

everything on Assateague appears to have been shrunken down to half

its original size: the horses, deer, trees, vegetation – and especially the

tiny Sika deer (actually a species of oriental elk) that roam the island.

Weird.

We arrived at our spot on the

beach just before sunset. The snow

squall was now a minor blizzard.

Some friends had arrived before us

and were already fishing. We could see their shrouded figures moving

through the landscape with the

be described as a combination of a yip and a squeal; a

awkward grace of humans wrapped in multiple layers of

mysterious portion of the brain that the urge to fish

We parked the FJ Cruiser at a right angle to our

proto-human yelp welling up from the same dark and

clothing. It looked like a scene out of Dr. Zhivago.

comes from. Which brings me to the point of this article:

friend’s truck to create a windbreak and then set about

consider this: Not only am I here to watch other men fish,

was actually more like a bivouac… the difference being

I am here to watch other men fish. If that sounds strange,

I was invited by these very men to watch them fish—to act as a voyeur and to bear witness to this ancient and—to me—unfathomable American pastime.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

establishing our camp. I use the term camp loosely—it

that camp implies shelter and comfort and bivouac

suggests the absolute bare minimum needed in order to survive. It was a bivouac.

63

When the editor had invited me to tag along, he had

Shortly after setting up our bivouac the weather broke

said that we would be camping. Camping, as I understood

and the sky cleared to reveal a brilliant sparkling dome.

smores and other small but vital accoutrements of civilized

continued to plummet and the wind got windier. I sat in

the term, meant tents, down-filled sleeping bags, coffee, life. In other words, it’s like being in your family room but

with more bugs and without a ceiling. When I called the night before the trip to ask if I needed to bring a sleeping bag, I was informed that sleeping

bags were not necessary as camping was not allowed where we would be

fishing. Not allowed? I was confused – weren’t we going to be staying on the

beach overnight? It turns out that you can only stay on the beach overnight

if you are fishing… actively fishing… as in standing upright and manning the poles. So the plan was to stand in

the dark…on a windswept beach… in

late November… for approximately 24 hours. After hearing this revelation

While this improved the aesthetics, the temperature a miniature lawn chair and contemplated our situation.

We looked like a group of Bedouins or an encampment of nomads on the Eurasian steppe. This didn’t seem to

When people are kidnapped or taken hostage, they will inevitably come to identify with, and become emotionally attached to, their tormentors.

bother my companions, who scurried about setting up lines and poles

and talked giddily in some foreign tongue about various types of bait.

My stomach sank and I was filled

with a feeling of existential dread as I realized that I was trapped on this

desolate beach with a group of people who were quite obviously insane. They were immune to boredom, got excited

over Tupperware containers filled with stinking fish carcasses, liked playing in

seawater in sub-freezing temperatures,

I realized that the editor—a friend I had known since

and—apparently—had no need for sleep.

possibly not even a human being, but rather some alien

trip. A creeping paranoia set in. How well did I really

upon returning from our trip.

the outsider, the stranger among a group of people as

kindergarten—was in fact a complete stranger and quite transplant. I made a note to search his house for pods

64

I started to wonder why I had been invited on this

know these people? It was obvious to everyone that I was

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

primitive and superstitious as any Amazonian tribe. What

delicious Italian sausages. Joe cracked open a bottle of

blame the outsider? I imagined them leaping and snorting

happened—I started to enjoy myself. Although it was still

would happen if the fishing didn’t go well? Would they in the firelight, demanding blood; they would need a dupe

to offer the sea gods and I would be their sacrificial lamb.

I watched them warily from my lawn chair. It was going to be a long night.

It was just then that someone we’ll call Mike—the last

member of our party—arrived. A stroke of good fortune at last—Mike, while a fanatical fisherman, has managed

Jim Beam and poured me a shot. Then a strange thing

freezing cold and my companions were still odd, they

seemed a bit less foreign now. Though I still couldn’t see the appeal of fishing, I could understand why they would want to spend the night next to the ocean and under a star

strewn sky. I hadn’t seen a sky like that since I had been to Africa. It was truly stunning, just littered with stars.

Of course there’s a psychological term for my

to maintain his essential humanity. He’s apparently some

response—it’s called Stockholm Syndrome. When people

of civilization. He brought a portable heater, grill, food,

to identify with, and become emotionally attached to, their

kind of angler-human hybrid. His arrival brought a touch satellite radio, a poker table and two dogs. We now had access to Led Zeppelin radio—a ray of light on a pitch black night.

Before long we had built a bonfire and constructed a

warming hut. Mike fired up the grill and cooked some

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

are kidnapped or taken hostage, they will inevitably come

tormentors. It’s a pattern repeated time and again, and is essentially nothing more than a survival mechanism. The hostage takers—in this case my friends—control access to safety, food, and shelter. The victim—in this case myself— begins to relate to his captors and even identify with

65

their behavior, however bizarre and offensive. Indeed, it

I awoke with the emergency brake jammed in my

was only later, after my ordeal had ended, that I began

lumbar region and my left elbow somehow wrapped

experiences and the case of Patty Hearst.

of the Cruiser. The editor had popped the hatch and was

to recognize the uncanny similarities between my own I sat in my miniature lawn chair for the remainder of

the night and watched as

the

others

stood

by the booming surf.

The moon rose fat and orange

like

a

lion-

headed god of infinite time.

We

observed

strange flickering lights out at sea. One of my companions

said

it

was caused by secret

exercises run by the navy. Great. My deepest fears were

about to be realized—we were going to get sucked into some kind of Philadelphia experiment and I was going

to wake up strapped to a gurney in Montauk, New York, with my memory sand blasted and an array of impressive but uncontrollable super-powers. I’d spend the remainder

of my life drifting along the margins of American society, always one step ahead of the law, always alone except for the company of a crow I’ve befriended… I’d eventually

settle in a non-descript Rust-Belt city under an assumed name. Man, I knew I should have stayed home.

And so it went. They fished and I froze. At some point I

snuck off to hide in the FJ Cruiser. This particular FJ Cruiser

(I keep saying FJ Cruiser because I don’t know what else to call it—is it a car? A truck? A jeep? What exactly is it?) had the ability to change sizes, depending on who it wanted to

impress/mess with. Earlier in the night it had appeared—

from the outside anyway—to be an armored personal

behind my right ear. A frigid wind blew through the back rummaging through his tackle box and mumbling to

himself. Jesus, the lunatics were still at it—they hadn’t

even slept. They were like a group of meth addicts, except they were tweaking on fish oil, herring and squid. Nothing

would stand between them and their high. Somewhere out there in the dark Atlantic were whole schools of striped

bass just waiting to be caught, or so they believed; never mind the fact that we had been there nearly 24 hours and they had caught a grand total of two fish, neither of which

were rockfish. No, they were true believers, like Gatsby

and the green light, “It eluded us then, but that’s no matter – tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms

farther.... And one fine morning…” It was madness, pure

and simple – and if I stayed with them it would become

a shared madness. I peeked around the corner of the seat and watched as the editor fumbled with red, numb fingers through the tackle box. His eyes were now wild electric

blue orbs and his blonde hair jolted outward at all angles.

He looked like some terrible Norse god… like a plague of

locusts would follow him now wherever he went. It was

too late for him but not for me. I waited until after he had returned to his fishing rod… and then I quickly and quietly

slipped out and behind some bushes… and then I ran. I ran through the high dunes and through thickets of thorns,

and the pounding surf was replaced by the thumping of

my heart against my chest. I kept running and when I hit

pavement even then didn’t stop but ran faster toward solid

ground and warmth and mammals and sanity and finally toward people who don’t play with worms. No offense.

carrier for civilians; a gleaming monument of postmodern design and engineering. Now, in the predawn shivering darkness, it seemed to have collapsed in on itself. The

interior of the vehicle was twice as small as the exterior was large – a vehicle designed by the collective imagination of Lewis Carroll and Willy Wonka. It was like sleeping in

the cement crawl-space of my old house or being stuffed inside a Murphy-bed.

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MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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W H A T

Y O U

N E E D

Gear Review

Broadband Fan

By Lenny Rudow

Fire Breather Inshore anglers who feel the heat of competition and are looking for a leg up should check out Berkley’s new Cobalt Fire rods. I tested a CFS701MH, 7’0” long model designed for 10- to 20-pound test and lures of ¼ to ¾ ounce, and thought it was well worth the 80 dollar price tag, and then some.

Berkley says they designed the Cobalt Fire for inshore saltwater fishing with GULP!. I’m not exactly sure what specifically makes it ideal for GULP! as opposed to other artificials, but there’s no question it’s perfect for tossing four to six inch plastics on leadheads to stripers, redfish and speckled trout in the shallows. Berkley’s marketing folks say the relatively fast but soft tip gives the rod diverse applications, and after using it, I have to say that this

68

particular marketing hype is accurate.

When casting and retrieving, hook-sets are quick and precise. But the upper section of the rod still has enough give in it to vertically jig a lure and maintain tension on the line without slowing the lure’s action on the drop. The rest of the rod has enough flex and length to give you good casting distance, without giving up the backbone you need to play out trophy-sized fish. The biggest fish I caught while flipping five inch chartreuse Jerk Shads to stripers cruising along an underwater point was three pounds, but the power to handle much bigger fish is clearly there. Sensitivity is top-notch thanks to the carbon-wrapped graphite blank, which Berkley calls CF-81 Power Construction.

The Cobalt Fire’s guides are also unique. Instead of inserts, the Pac Bay TiBlue guides feature a PVD coating, which becomes part of the guide itself.

The hard, low-friction surface allows the use of monofilament or braid. This also eliminates the age-old problem of ring guide inserts that pop out of the guide, rendering the rod useless until the guide can be replaced.

Handles are cork (cork tape, on surf models), and spinning, casting, jigging, and surf models are available, with twopiece models offered for surf rods. Prices range from 80 to 120 dollars, depending on the model. Check them out at www. berkley-fishing.com, especially if you have limited rod-hauling capacity and want a set of rigs that can handle a variety of different fishing styles.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have radar on your boat? But small boats can’t support the weight and power consumption a radome requires…until now. Lowrance’s new Broadband Radar is going to change the radar game, making it possible to install a dome on virtually any boat large enough to support a T-top or arch.

The dome is a mere 11 inches tall, 19 inches in diameter, and weighs just 16 pounds. How can this unit be so light, small, energy efficient, and yet see up to 32 miles into the distance? Traditional radars send out a microwave pulse, then measure the amount of time it takes for that pulse to be reflected by a target.

In doing so, they pull enough juice to drain a single marine battery in a matter of hours. On top of that, they radiate a significant amount of energy and when installed in an improper location, may zap you or your passengers with microwave radiation. But Lowrance’s new Broadband Radar (www.lowrance.com), sends out a continuous transmission wave with a 5.2 degree horizontal beam width, which increases in frequency as it moves away from the dome. The difference in frequency between the transmitted wave and the returned wave is how the unit determines target distance.

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That means this system uses less energy to make radiation-free transmissions, eliminating the power concerns you’d have on a radar-equipped boat with a single battery and close proximity to the dome. Navico (Lowrance’s parent company) claims the power transmission is a mere 1/2000th as much as that of traditional radar, which is about a tenth of the power a cell phone uses.

The result of using frequency instead of time reflection is also evident onscreen. Target definition in the shorter ranges is phenomenal, good enough to see the difference between piers and the boats moored at them. And the usual “dead zone” of blank space around the boat is eliminated with this system, so you can get returns on boats, land, and other structures just feet away from your own boat. Even on longer ranges up to 10 miles or so, you can expect target resolution in the two to three meter range. Plus, the antenna uses all solid-state parts, which means there’s no warm-up time—just flip a switch, and the unit’s up and running.

Put all of these factors together, and you have a unit that can be easily mounted and run on a platform far smaller than any that could accommodate a radar prior to Broadband. If you have a T-top, you can start running with radar.

Get Cranky Crankbait anglers need a reliable, steady reel with plenty of torque and precision casting, and that’s why Daiwa designed their new Zillion 100 PA casting reel with a 4.9:1 gear ratio that brings in 22 inches of line

MARYLAND FISHERM

with every crank. Those cranks will be smooth and wobble-free, too, thanks to the “swept-back” handle design, which moves the grips closer to the rod’s centerline to combat wobble.

When I tried using the Zillion 100 PA to toss Rat-L-Traps to largemouth holding on a submerged hump, I discovered this design does seem to make for a smooth retrieve. What boosts the smooth factor even more, however, is the use of six ball-bearings in the reel plus one roller bearing. The reel is comfortable inhand, too, weighing in at a mere 8.8 ounces. Despite the compact design it does hold a reasonable amount of line; 120 yards of 14-pound test, or 100 yards of 16-pound test. I also found onthe-water adjustments to be easy to do single-handedly.

The star drag is right at your pointer finger’s tip, and the way each arm of the star is angled in, it’s easy to grab them with your finger even when a fish is on the line and your adrenaline is pumping. The spool adjustment, meanwhile, is on a grooved rotor right by your thumb. Again, you can adjust it without moving your right hand away from the crank, or using your left hand at all. Speaking of the left hand: southpaws will be happy to learn that the Zillion 100 PA is available in a left-handed model, tagged the Zillion 100 PLA. When I gave this reel a workout it was hitched up to the matching Zillion casting rod, the TDZ701 MHFB, a 7-foot long, triggergrip rod rated for 10 to 20 pound test line. The entire rig is astonishingly light—it’ll feel like

ANNUAL

an ultralight in your hands—and anglers chucking lures tied to line in the 12 to 17 pound range will really like this rig, but the 350 to 400 dollar cost of putting this package together could be a serious deterrent. Still, even though the price is steep, it’s nice to feel the sensitivity of the rod’s Bias graphite construction; it let me feel each and every bouncing pellet, as they careened around inside the Rat-L-Trap’s rattle chamber. Check it out at www.daiwa.com.

Storming Tornado If you are looking for a pair of fishing shades that are lightweight and comfortable, look good, offer polarization, and aren’t ridiculously expensive, JKruz’s Tornado and Storm model sunglasses fit the bill. When I tried out the Tornados, the thing that struck me first was just how comfortable they were. After wearing them for a week I put my old sunglasses on again, and they felt like lead weights.

That’s because the Tornados, with frames that wrap the top and part of the sides of the lenses, weigh less than some tarpon flies. That doesn’t mean they’re delicate, though. In fact, the flexible frames took some common sunglasses abuse, including being sat on, dropped, and stepped on, without any damage.

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Gear Review Tornados come in many different color frames, but what’s more important is lens color. The brown-tinted lenses offer great depth perception and will be good when fishing the shallows, or casting the shorelines of reservoirs. For fishing in the deep go with the blue lenses, though, and you’ll be able to see far below the surface.

If full frames are more your style, look at the Storm models; these come in the same color and lens choices, but have full wrap-around frames (made in Italy) that mold to your head. All of the JKruz models offer 100-percent UV protection, and feature scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses that are titanium-dipped multiple times to produce awesome, undistorted optics. The moment I tried on a pair, it was clear to see (pun intended) that they’re glare-free and high quality. The best part is that they are relatively inexpensive, too, compared to other top-notch shades. Unmirrored lens models list at 85 dollars, and mirrored models list at 100 dollars. But my favorites are JKruz’s Floating Sunglasses. The quality level of these isn’t quite as high as the other models, but they float. If you’re like me and you seem to drop your sunglasses overboard at least once a season, floaters like this are worth their weight in gold. On top of that, they cost just 30 dollars.

Check out the full line at www.jkruzinc.com.

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Touch Me If a touch screen GPS that will navigate on both land and water, weighs a mere 6.8-ounces, runs on two AA batteries, and can wirelessly share routes and destinations with other units of the same kind is just the new toy you have been looking for, then it’s time to check out Garmin’s new Oregon 400i, which has a three-inch full color touch screen display to complement the WAAS-enabled GPS. My first major surprise: I couldn’t figure out how to turn this unit on, because it has no buttons. In fact, after several head-scratching minutes, I actually gave up and (ugh!) referred to the owner’s manual. Turns out there is a nearly invisible soft key on one side, which you use to power up. Otherwise, it’s all touch-screen control. And, it’s an easy touch screen to figure out—once I had the unit up and running, I tossed the instruction manual and continued learning the old fashioned way, by just doing it. And during the next hour or so I didn’t hit one single stumbling block or problem that I couldn’t figure out and solve with a few twitches of the fingers.

The second mind-blower: this unit comes preloaded with some serious maps including roads, lakes, rivers, and even a basic map of the bay. If you’re like me, you will want to be able to take your unit from inland to offshore. Although

the Oregon 400i has limited marine data, a MicroSD card can be installed at a cost of about 100 dollars to upgrade the information.

Hikers headed for trout streams in Western Maryland will love the contour and elevation lines, sunset/sunrise clock, built-in digital odometer, and vertical speed readings. All anglers will appreciate the tide tables, city locator, road mapping, and point of interest features. For an outdoorsman who needs a multifunction unit to drop in his or her pocket on land or at sea, no handheld unit I’ve tested yet can hold a candle to the Oregon 400i. Cost runs between 450 and 500 dollars; check it out at www. garmin.com.

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N I B B L E S

Catch, Release & Cherish Forever Part of the allure of fishing to many anglers is not knowing what might be caught on any given day. The thrill of the unknown combined with the “anything is possible” mantra can make any angler passionate to a fault for his sport.

Whatever it is we are after when we make these casts, whether it is a trophy fish, a rare species, a personal first of a given species or some other milestone in our angling career, we know it is elusive yet obtainable given the right circumstances

and maybe a little luck. This creates a special drive in fishermen that resonates through each and every one of us in some way or another. Perhaps the culmination of the quest is more personal than the fish itself. But whatever you choose to call it when the stars align and the fishing gods smile upon you and grant that special catch of a lifetime, you will certainly want to preserve your memory of the fish so you can relive that hardearned moment for years to come.

Fishing Photography Tips Macro Setting

The best way to get a truly good photo of a fish is to take advantage of the Macro feature on your digital camera if you have one. Macro is a camera setting on most point and shoot models, and special macro lenses exist for DSLRs. True macro photography renders the subject life-sized on the film or sensor. This means that when that image is blown up to the normal viewing size of, say, 8 x 10 inches, the subject is greatly magnified. This is the beauty of macro — you can see things you’d never see in person and view the world from a whole new perspective. Most cameras have a “Flower” setting which activates the macro feature. Try it out and experiment to see what kind of cool shots you can get.

Lighting and Fill Flash This is truly what separates the amateurs from the professional photographers. Light is the essence of photography. The subject isn’t always the most important element of the photograph, the light they reflect is. Only the most experienced photographers truly master the techniques of dealing with light, and here are a few tips to help you start taking “expert” photos.

Need to light an angler’s face under his hat? Use fill flash. Want to add some color back to that silvery fish? Hold your catch carefully so the light hits it at an angle (to bring out more of the color), and use fill flash. The time of day is also crucial for creating the best images. As a rule, dawn and dusk provide the best source of light. If you must take photographs in the middle of the day, try playing with different exposure settings to offset the washout caused by bright light.

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Some people may choose to keep their trophy fish for bragging rights and the grill; however, I would like to offer some alternatives to keeping a prized catch. Granted, I enjoy the taste of a fresh fillet sautéed or grilled with butter, lemon, and spice as much as the next person, but more real reasons not to keep a trophy fish are emerging each and every year. This struggle within fishermen was going on well before Hemingway wrote about Santiago and the marlin becoming united out at sea. Santiago respected and loved the marlin and admired its beauty and greatness; however, after a fierce battle he was compelled to kill it.

These days, many sport anglers don’t feel like it is their right to keep a fish of “trophy” status. I think a trophy fish (and I’m sure everyone has a different interpretation of what a trophy is) has earned the right to live out its natural life, since it has not only escaped the daily pitfalls of the natural world, but also has been lucky or stealthy enough to escape other anglers. One of the principal reasons not to remove a grandiose fish from its environment is that she might be carrying the breeding stock necessary to carry on the success of the population.

Of course, catch-and-release angling is a personal ethic, and those who choose that ethic make the conscious decision to preserve and protect the resource for future generations.

If you choose to practice catch and release, and wish to make a cherished memory from your trophy catch, you must be prepared at all times with the necessary tools to safely catch, release and hopefully photograph your prized catch. The first and most essential you will need a good photo of the fish to capture its exact coloration and mark71

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Common Sense Tips Catch & Release Tips • Never let a fish flop around on the ground. Hold with a wet hand or wet rag (never dry) and gently remove hook.

• Never keep fish out of the water for more than about 15 seconds.

If a fish is kept out of water for longer periods of time, try reviving it by moving the fish forward and backward in the water to force water through the gills.

• Always have pliers handy for deep hooked fish, and leave hooks in fish that have swallowed them.

• Use barbless hooks, or pinch down barbs with pliers.

ings. If you can safely remove the fish from the water without injuring it, take a quick photo or two. If you can’t bring the fish out of the water, try taking a photo (or hopefully someone else can snap a photo) alongside the boat or at the edge of the water before you release it. Then depending upon how well prepared you are and the amount of time you have played the fish, you may be able to get a quick length and girth measurement.

Only you can tell if you have enough time to make these measurements without harming the health of the fish.

Always err on the side of caution. If you are able to get these measurements, you can solicit some help from your local tackle shop or the internet to find a mathematical formula to accurately estimate the fish’s weight. Provided you have the photo, and possibly the measurements (and hopefully a witness or two), you will have lifelong bragging rights and memories of your trophy.

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Be Quiet: Always use a quiet approach when you come into a fishing area. Sounds such as splashing, trolling motors on high speed, gas engines or dropping items in the boat will put fish on alert. Fish will sense a change in their environment and become spooked. A low profile will enhance your chances of catching the fish you desire. Remember a quiet approach is better than making noise.

Casting Your Shadow: Try to fish with the sun in your face, (don’t forget your polarized sun shades) to avoid casting your shadow where you fish. If

the sun is on your back it will cast your shadow towards the fish. This is especially true when fishing freshwater for Trout or Bass. The fish will perceive your shadow as an impending prey such as an eagle, osprey or angler. Decrease all possible opportunities to alert the fish.

Casting Quietly: Cast your lure with a quiet entry to decrease noise. The more natural you can enter the fishes environment the better your chances. If you can’t make a quiet entry when casting, cast 10-15 feet past your target area, then reel back to your target.

Using Barometric Pressure to Help Catch More Fish Some general rules regarding barometric pressure are: • When the pressure trend is high, the typical weather will be clear skies.

Fish slow down, find cover or go to deeper waters. Slow down lures and use baits more attractive to fish. Fish in cover and in deeper waters.

• When the pressure trend is rising, the typical weather will be clearing or improving. Fish tend to become slightly more active. Fish with brighter lures and near cover. Also fish at intermediate and deeper depths.

• When the pressure is normal and stable, the typical weather will be fair. The fishing trend will be normal.

Experiment with your favorite baits and lures.

• When the pressure begins to fall, the weather will begin degrading. During this period the fish become more active. Speed up your lures. Surface and

shallow water lures may work well.

• When the pressure becomes slightly lower, the skies will usually become cloudy. Many fish head away from cover and seek shallower waters. Some will become more aggressive. Use shallow running lures at a moderate speed.

• When the pressure trend becomes low, the weather will most likely be rainy and stormy. Fish will tend to become less active the longer this period remains. As the action subsides, try fishing at deeper depths.

• Barometric pressure is just one of many factors that effect fish feeding habits. Other effects include water temperature, light, tidal forces, water clarity, the pH level, water levels, wind/surface disturbance, boat traffic, fishing pressure, and so on. Another good judging factor of fishing is the solunar effects, which play a role in the tidal and illumination factors. www.mdfishermansannual.com

Fish Art

Creative Alternatives to Taxidermy

For a more personal interpretation of a trophy catch, I prefer a custom painting based on a photo of your catch.

There are several artists who make a good living reproducing exact size fish paintings on canvas or paper.

The majority of these commissioned artists use watercolors to capture the true colors of your fish. Many also offer some nice options such as including the fly or lure underneath the fish or adding some hand-written information like the anglers name, location of the catch, and date etc.

These special touches along with a lifesized watercolor picture in a high-quality frame will make for a piece of art that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Stainless Steel Sculptures www.rocwood.com Gyotaku Fish Rubbings www.gyotakufishprints.com

Gyotaku (ghee-yo-tah-koo) means “Fish Impression” in Japanese. Gyo means fish, and taku means print, rubbing, or impression, and a Gyotaku fish print is exactly that – the ink image of the body of the fish transferred to the paper. Only a few high-quality fish prints can be made from each fish, and each Gyotaku fish print is always unique.

The list of methods an angler can use to preserve the memory of the catch while still releasing the fish unharmed seems to grow every day. A growing group of artists concentrate their talents on nature, and more and more appear to embrace the piscatorial pursuit within this nature category. The mediums that these artisans use to express their talents mantelpiece work of art. range from more traditional paintings A truly amazing way to remember a on canvas and fiberglass replicas to special catch is with a laser-etched, indilaser-etched metal sculptures and wood vidually hand formed and carved replicas. painted stainless steel Of the many methOriginal Watercolor Fish Paintings sculpture. These works of ods available to preart are very impressive, serve the memory of a Jay Falstad - www.fishpaintings.com especially those of larger special catch, the most Sketch and Release - www.sketchandrelease.com game fish like marlin and familiar is the age-old tarpon. Another method standard fiberglass fish Another medium that has been I have seen is a hand-blown glass mount. The advantage of a fiberglass fish mount is that it provides a three growing in popularity for artists to rep- sculpture, though many times these are dimensional, exact size, full color ren- licate that special catch is wood. Wood is more artistic and less of a true reproducdering of the fish itself. An experienced less forgiving than other mediums and tion of your fish. A very unique way to taxidermist is a true artist who can tends to take a little more time to create cherish the memory of your catch is a create a mold by hand instead of using a finished product, which can make it a Gyotaku fish rubbing. Fish rubbings do pre-sculpted form, use acrylic paints bit more expensive. However, once the not work for catch and release since you blended with special pearls, metallic, final product arrives the costs seem well need to send the whole fish to the artist, iridescent and translucent colors to worth it. Wood carvers have tradition- but they are a perfect cross between a bring your fish to life. However, we have ally been focused on waterfowl decoys, full size photograph of your fish and a all seen ignominious failures hanging though many now have expanded their taxidermist’s stuffed mount. The rubon restaurant walls in waterfront locales focus to fish. Many of these carvers can bing is the exact mirror image of one around the world that can be attributed also create miniature replicas or can side of the fish – each characteristic of to less experienced craftsmen. A grow- incorporate your fish carving into a fine the fish is recorded – every scale and ing disadvantage to the fiberglass fish piece of furniture, custom wood sign or fin’s impression. mount is that they are becoming more mass produced each year, meaning your Strong Woodcarving - www.strongwoodworking.net fish may end up looking exactly like your best friend’s prized catch (you can even Arnold Lathigee Carvings - www.fishcarvingart.com find pre-formed fish mounts in some home furnishing catalogs now).

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Maryland Maryland is home to some very large fish and we would like to acknowledge any angler who catches what we feel is a Monstrous fish in Maryland waters. This contest will reward every angler who catches a “Maryland Monster” with a Maryland Fisherman’s Annual hat. We will also select some of the best photos to be included in the following year’s Maryland Monsters section. Everyone who submits an entry will be included in a year-end drawing for a $500 Tochertman’s gift card.

Rules: All fish entered must be caught by legal methods in Maryland waters as described by Maryland DNR fishing regulations. Fish must have their length documented in one of the following ways.

1. The angler must submit a digital photo showing the monster catch alongside a measuring device which clearly shows total length, or 2. must submit a copy of an official Maryland Citation issued by a certified Maryland Citation Center.

Contest begins each year when The Maryland Fisherman’s Annual hits the stores and ends when the fol-

lowing year’s publication has been released.

All fish entered must be caught on rod and reel, and in accordance with current Maryland Department of Natural Resources laws and regulations. Anglers should be aware of rules pertaining to fishing and eligible sizes of fish at all time.

The Maryland Fisherman’s Annual reserves the right to refuse any submission that is not complete or where the length of the fish is questionable or indeterminable. The decision of The Maryland Fisherman’s Annual will be final.

All entries must be measured. All measurements should be in total length (tip of the nose to the tip of the longest extended portion of the tail of the fish). Exceptions will be made for the establishment of a new state record, in which case the fish must be weighed.

Because of billfishing and shark fishing conservation efforts, The Maryland Fisherman’s Annual will not recognize any marlin, sharks, swordfish, or sailfish in the contest.

Only one entry allowed per person per species per season.

Angler must submit the following information along with a digital photograph:

SPECIES CAUGHT AND TOTAL LENGTH_________________________________________________________________________ DATE AND LOCATION OF CATCH _____________________________________________________________________________ ANGLER NAME_________________________________________________________PHONE_____________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY________________________________________________________ STATE _______________ZIP_____________________ EMAIL___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ANGLER’S SIGNATURE______________________________________________________________________________________ CITATION CENTER OR WITNESS NAME AND PHONE NUMBER_______________________________________________________

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Monsters Contest

Maryland Monsters Minimum Sizes Freshwater

Species

Chesapeake Bay Min. Length

Species

Atlantic Coast

Min. Length

Species

Min. Length

Bass, Largemouth

21 in

Bass, Largemouth

22 in

Albacore (Longfin)

36 in

Bass, Smallmouth

21 in

Bass, Striped

54 in

Albacore, False

24 in

Bass, Striped

36 in

Bluefish

34 in

Amberjack

45 in

Catfish, Blue

40 in

Carp

30 in

Atlantic Spadefish

24 in

Catfish, Bullhead

15 in

Catfish, Channel

30 in

Bass, Striped

40 in

Catfish, Channel

30 in

Chain Pickerel

24 in

Bluefish

34 in

Carp

36 in

Cobia

44 in

Cobia

44 in

Chain Pickerel Crappie

24 in 15 in

Crappie Croaker

15 in 18 in

Croaker Dolphin

18 in 45 in

Muskellunge & Tiger Muskie

40 in

Drum, Black

48 in

Drum, Black

48 in

Northern Pike

38 in

Drum, Red

30 in

Drum, Red

30 in

Perch, White

13 in

Flounder

24 in

Flounder

24 in

Perch, Yellow

14 in

Gar

36 in

King Mackerel

40 in

Rainbow Trout

20 in

Perch, White

13 in

Weakfish

24 in

Rock Bass

10 in

Perch, Yellow

14 in

20 in

Sunfish, Bluegill

11 in

Sheepshead

24 in

Sheepshead Northern Whiting (Kingfish)

Sunfish, Redbreast

10 in

Spanish Mackerel

22 in

Seabass

20 in

Sunfish, Redear

11 in

Spot

12 in

Spanish Mackerel

22 in

Trout, Brook

15 in

Spotted Seatrout

24 in

Spot

12 in

Trout, Brown

21 in

Walleye

26 in

Spotted Seatrout

24 in

Trout, Rainbow

20 in

Weakfish

24 in

Wahoo

60 in

Walleye

26 in

Tautog

24 in

Tuna, Bigeye**

60 in

Tuna, Blackfin**

30 in

Tuna, Bluefin** Tuna, Yellowfin**

60 in 50 in

14 in

** Use curved fork length measurements MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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W I T H

Rockin’ Food At The Beach & Beyond

Put an end to the days of bringing cold sandwiches and bags of chips to the beach while you endure the elements on your surf fishing adventures. Sure, its easy, but if you are still doing it, stop now! Make it a party and enjoy great food while you work for that next bite!

From Assateague to North Carolina and beyond, the Maryland Fisherman’s Annual crew has perfected the art of beach cooking, and caught a few fish in the process. Whenever we hit the beach for a bit of overnight surf fishing, without fail the weather conditions deteriorate rapidly. High winds and cold temperatures are the norm. Fortunately, as the weather worsens, our food and cooking techniques seem to get better.

It’s uncanny really. On one trip to the Outer Banks we made spicy Thai grilled jumbo gulf shrimp huddled around the truck in gale force winds after catching tons of eager blues. And, I’ll never forget the night in Assateague when the EZ Up blew away and tumbled down the beach after we devoured grilled extra thick melt-in-your-mouth New York strip steaks, fire roasted potatoes, and Cajun boiled shrimp. The list goes on and on….

We’ve taken our extreme cooking methods beyond the Mid-Atlantic as well. One classic culinary fishing adventure involved fresh, local red snapper.

We were staying at the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve in Belize for some jungle trekking before heading down to Placencia to meet the rest of the gang to chase bonefish in the offshore 76

cays. We were absolutely starving as we jostled our way down the dusty road to the capitol city of Belmopan, where the local public market that is known for its abundance of fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, and basically everything necessary to make a tasty meal with lo-

From Assateague

to North Carolina and beyond,

the Maryland

Fisherman’s Annual crew has perfected the art of beach

cooking, and caught a few fish in the process.

cal fare. I had worked all over the world by this time, experienced many different cuisines and incorporated their flavors and foods into my repertoire, but I had never been to Central America. So I was eager to lead the charge in finding out what Belizean food was all about. First, we located a local fish merchant tucked away in a nondescript corner stall who had a bunch of fresh red snapper. The telltale signs of fresh fish are clear eyes, firm flesh, and no fishy aroma. This guy’s

fish were so fresh they were practically flopping around in his stall. “We’ll take six please”! With fish in hand, we gathered some more fresh local ingredients such as pineapples, oranges, coconut milk, onions, ginger, garlic, cumin, annatto paste, rice, beans, cooking oil and of course some Marie Sharp’s Habanero Pepper Sauce – because everyone knows food is best when it’s hot ‘n spicy!!

Back at “the white house”, as our twostory rainforest abode was affectionately known on the Preserve, we quickly got to work on making dinner. It had been about 24 hours since our last hot meal of rice and microscopic curry chicken legs, so we were motivated to get the job done! While I cleaned the fish with a dull knife in the sink, my sous chefs started on the rice with onion, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, beans, plenty of salt, and annatto – which gives the rice a brilliant yellow-orange color. The funny thing is the sun had just set and we discovered that the White House lacked the luxury of electricity, and had limited cookware and two forks. Our saving grace was that the propane stove worked perfectly, despite its decrepit appearance. So, this whole operation was going on by the light of one candle as we were joined by the myriad of rainforest critters that shared our quarters rent free. I seasoned the snapper with salt, pepper, and cumin and seared the filets in the pan. Then, I dropped them in a bit of simmering coconut milk and fresh orange juice to finish them off.

We topped the rice with the snapper,

www.mdfishermansannual.com

some fresh cut pineapple and a healthy slug of Marie Sharp’s for good measure.

Silence bestowed upon the house as we inhaled our meal with some of Belize’s fine Belikin Beer. Everyone agreed that this was, by far, the best meal they had had in months. We threw our plates (which were actually pot lids) into the sink, headed out to the rainforest for a night hike with a local guide from nearby Maya Center, and proceeded to come under attack by hordes of leaf cutter ants each time we stopped for more than a minute………………... Hey, leaf cutter ants are hungry too!

Closer to home, when it’s time to head to the beach, here is what you will need to make your food a success. These are proven techniques and recipes that you can use to make great food no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. I can’t promise you’ll catch more fish, but you’ll have a great time trying!

What you will need: • 10’ x 10’ EZ Up Shelter with sides • 12” aluminum sand spikes to keep the sides secure in high wind • 2 x 6’ folding tables • 1 x portable propane grill • 2 x portable propane burners -20,000 BTU’s • 1 x Cutting board • 1 x 15” Sauté Pan • 1 x 20 quart Stock Pot • Stainless Steel Tongs, Stainless Steel Kitchen Spoons, 8” Chef’s Knife, Heat Resistant Rubber Spatulas.

• Extra propane • Large coolers to keep the food cold and fresh • Water • Paper Towels

Chefs’ Tips: • Get Ahead of the Game! Prepare what you can at home, freeze if necessary • “Hoover It” - use a Food Saver to vacuum pack foods - they hold longer and are easier to pack and keep cold • “Boil in Bag” - vacuum pack bags are also “boil in bag” ready - simply place bagged food, especially side dishes such as rice, in simmering water and

heat until piping hot • Bring the Basics - salt & pepper, favorite seasonings, condiments, and cooking oil • Practice Sustainability - use fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients wherever possible • Keep it Clean - use disposable gloves and hand sanitizer.

Caribbean Jerk Marinade and Sauce The Caribbean spices in this sauce bring out the best in a variety of meat, poultry, and seafood. This marinade can easily be made ahead of time before your trip. Enjoy with a nice cold Kalik- the beer of the Bahamas!

2 teaspoons Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce (add more if you like it really spicy!)

4 Green Onions, coarsely chopped 3 cloves Garlic, smashed and peeled 1 Red Onion, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons Ginger, fresh, coarsely chopped (or 2 teaspoons dry) 2 tablespoons McCormick Caribbean Jerk Seasoning ½ cup Orange Juice 3 tablespoons Vegetable Oil 3 tablespoons Dark Rum 2 tablespoons Lime Juice 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Mix a few seconds at a time until all ingredients are finely chopped. If you do not have a food processor or blender, then chop the fresh ingredients as finely as possible and mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

This marinade will be a bit thick like a paste. Generously rub on 1 to 1 ½ lbs. of your favorite meat or seafood. Marinate beef, chicken, and pork for up to two days. Marinate fish and shrimp for 30 minutes. Grill to desired doneness and serve with your favorite side dishes.

Caribbean Jerk Tuna

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

77

R E E L C H E F

C O O K I N G S T E V E

W I T H

Other great fishing adventure food options include:

Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Chipotle Rub and Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce 2 racks Baby Back Ribs 2 Tablespoons cooking oil 2 teaspoons Seasoned Salt 1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Chipotle Pepper 2 cups BBQ Sauce- pick your favorite ½ cup Honey 3 Tablespoons Maker’s Mark Bourbon – or your favorite

Chef’s Tip:

Cook the ribs before you head out.

Peel skin from the underside of the ribs. Rub ribs with oil, seasoned salt, and chipotle pepper. Slow roast in the oven at 300 degrees F for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Cool and vacuum pack or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate if eating within 3 days or freeze. Combine BBQ sauce, honey, and bourbon.

Mix until uniform. The sauce can be made well in advance. When cooking on the beach: Place ribs, bottom side down, on a very hot grill. Turn after 3-4 minutes. Flip and grill for 3-4 minutes longer or until hot, keeping lid closed while cooking. Brush both sides with BBQ sauce before serving.

• Cajun shrimp boil (Zatarain’s makes a great seasoning for this!)

• Beans and rice with spicy shrimp (Zatarain’s, again, makes great items you can easily make ahead of time and vacuum pack) • Grilled steaks with McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning, grillbaked potatoes, and grilled Old Bay buttered corn • Variations on grilled pizza are endless!

Good luck in your culinary adventures, feel free to experiment, have fun, and give that grill a workout using these exciting recipes. Great fishing and happy cooking to all!

Steve Logan Chief Food Guy – Maryland Fisherman’s Annual Steve is a corporate chef for Ventura Foods, LLC, and has learned to make extremely delicious meals using exotic ingredients, spices and cooking techniques in his 20 years of traveling the globe in search of great tasting foods.

Educated at the Baltimore International College, the Culinary Institute of America, and the American Institute of Baking, he has appeared on numerous television programs and has been quoted on food trends in a variety of local and national publications. Chances are you have enjoyed some of his work at your local restaurant or dinner table, as he spent many years developing some of the best recipes around for the McCormick Spice Company. We love to take him fishing (despite the fact that he usually catches the most fish), because we eat like kings!

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www.mdfishermansannual.com

Calling fishing a hobby is like calling brain surgery a job. ~Paul Schullery

F I S H I N G I N T H E D I G I T A L A G E

Digital Directory

Some of the best online resources for Free State fishermen.

General Fishing Sites and Forums

Regulations and Government

Chesapeake Bay Foundation www.cbf.org

The Maryland Angler’s Network Maryland Fishing Portal with resources for all Maryland fisherman including: Fishing reports, articles, conservation updates, tides/weather links, retail shops and listings of charters and guide services based in Maryland. www.mdangler.net

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service State regulations, license information, fishing reports, news, etc www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries

2% for the Fish www.laterallineco.com/lateral_line_ foundation_2percentforfish.html

Tidal Fish- All Fishing. All the Time!

Premiere Fishing Forum and Message Boards Site featuring Chesapeake Angler - The Original Board - Maryland fishing reports, fishing techniques and fishing talk covering the Maryland Chesapeake Bay & Tidal Waters www.tidalfish.com Chesapeake Light Tackle.Com Shawn Kimbro’s light tackle fishing reports and information for Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. www.lighttacklechesapeake.com Stripers Online SurfTalk Forums DelMarVa Fishing Forum - surf fishing message board www.stripersonline.com/surftalk Atlantic Anglers East Coast fishing forum www.atlanticanglers.com/forum/ At The Beach Fishing Report Ocean City, Maryland & Assateague Island - ocean and bay fishing reports

By Sue Foster, Oyster Bay Tackle Shop www.atbeach.com/fishrpt.html Beach-Net Fishing Page General fishing information for the Delmarva Peninsula. www.beach-net.com/Fishinghome.html 80

National Marine Fisheries Service Permit Shop Federal Fishing Permits for Highly Migratory Species (tunas, swordfish, billfish, sharks) www.hmspermits.gov

Conservation Groups Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative www.marylandreefs.org

Take Me Fishing www.takemefishing.org

Fishing Groups & Associations Chesapeake Women Anglers www.chesapeakewomenanglers.org Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association www.mssa.net

Ocean City Reef Foundation www.ocreeffoundation.com/

Maryland Charter Boat Association, Inc. www.marylandcharterboats.com

Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland – CCA MD www.ccamd.org/

Upper Bay Charter Captain’s Association www.baycaptains.com

The National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC) www.savethefish.org/

Solomon’s Charter Boat Captain’s Association www.fishsolomons.com

Trout Unlimited www.tu.org Maryland Chapter – www.mdtu.org/ National Capital Chapter – www.ncc-tu.org/ Potomac/Patuxent Chapter – www.pptu.org

The Ocean City Captains Association www.occaptains.com

Federation of Fly Fishers www.fedflyfishers.org Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture www.easternbrooktrout.org/ The Izaak Walton League of America www.iwla.org/

Maryland Bass Federation Nation www.mdbass.com

Weather, Tides, Rivers, etc.

Eyes on the Bay www.eyesonthebay.net Chesapeake Bay Observing System (CBOS) www.cbos.org/ w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Weather Underground www.wunderground.com/

Weather Radar http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/ northeast_loop.php

National Weather Service Forecast Main Page www.weather.gov Chesapeake Bay Marine Forecast www.erh.noaa.gov/lwx/marine.htm Offshore Marine Forecasts www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/ zone/wrdoffmz.htm

Maryland Tide Information www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/ access/tide_finder.html http://tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/ National Data Buoy Center www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

Daily Infrared Sea Surface Temperature Images http://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/ sat_data/?product=sst&nothumbs=0 USGS River Gauge Data http://waterdata.usgs. gov/md/nwis/rt Have a link you’d like to see here?

Email it to: info@MdFishermansannual.com

Hot Spots

Chesapeake Bay GPS Coordinates Location Belvedere Shoals (Above Gibson Isle Buoy #2A (Below Pooles Island) Craig Hill Light (Off Ft. Howard) Dumping Grounds (Above Bay Bridge) Fort Howard (Below sparros Pt) Fort Smallwood (Mouth Patapsco R.) Hart/Miller's Isle Hodges Bar (Below Tolchester) Love Pt. Love Pt. Wreck (Off Love Pt.) Love Pt. Art. Reef Man-Of-War Bar (off Patapsco R.) Old Road Bay Podickery Point (Near Sandy Pt. Park) Poole's Island Inl. Rock Pile (Bay Bridge) 7 Foot Knoll (Off Patapsco R.) 6 Foot Knoll Swan Pt. Bar (off Rock Hall) Tea Kettle Shoal (Off Hart Isle) Tolchester Bar (Off Tolchester) The Triples (Upper Bay) Winter Hole (Above Bay Bridge) Worton Pt. (Above Worton Cr.)

Latitude N 39.07.38 N 39.14.34 N 39.10.30 N 39.01.06 N 36.11.40 N 39.10.00 N 39.30.48 N 39.10.37 N 39.02.65 N 39.02.75 N 39.04.04 N 39.27.43 N 39.12.00 N 39.02.12 N 39.15.60 N 39.59.58 N 39.08.30 N 39.08.70 N 39.08.50 N 39.13.06 N 39.12.82 N 39.04.79 N 39.00.01 N 39.12.83

Longitude W 076 21.52 W 076.16.45 W 076.23.64 W 076.21.14 W 076.236.50 W 076.28.70 W 076.22.55 W 076.17.00 W 076.19.87 W 076.18.80 W 076.16.87 W 076.22.00 W 076.27.00 W 076.24.04 W 076.15.34 W 076.22.75 W 076.34.52 W 076.22.68 W 076.17.40 W 076.20.04 W 076.14.79 W 076.19.87 W 076.21.12 W 076.17.54

Lower Chesapeake Bay GPS Coordinates Location Northwest Middle Grounds Southwest Middle Grounds The Triangle Shell Leads 54 Wreck American Mariner Davidson Wreck 110 Foot Steel Yacht 120 Foot Steel Barge Tangler Wreck

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Latitude N 38.03.11 N 38.00.42 N 37.58.15 N 37.57.21 N 38.06.49 N 38.02.45 N 38.18.57 N 38.07.04 N 38.06.29 N 37.49.25

Longitude W 076.11.25 W 076.09.41 W 076.11.82 W 076.05.13 W 076.11.52 W 076.08.71 W 076.22.22 W 076.16.95 W 076.17.47 W 076.00.85

These coordinates will get you into the vicinity of the structure that should hold fish; however, these are approximations and not meant for navigation.

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82

H O T

S P O T S

Offshore GPS Coordinates Nautical Miles

Out

Return

X LORAN

Y LORAN

Latitude

Longitude

Ocean City Inlet

0

-

-

27088.4

42313

38° 19' 41.3" N

75° 05' 12.8" W

20 Fathom Fingers

22

122o

302o

26928.2

42257.7

38° 12' 00" N

74° 37' 36" W

58

106o

286o

26678.3

42334.1

38o 14' 42" N

73o 50' 36" W

61

113o

293o

26654.1

42264.2

38o 07' 36" N

73o 47' 30" W

60

114o

294o

26661.1

42246.1

38o 06' 00" N

73o 49' 06" W

Chicken Bone

30

112o

292o

26873.5

42290.9

38° 14' 00" N

74° 26' 42" W

Cigar

56

063o

243o

26835.3

42735.2

38° 54' 06" N

74° 08' 24" W

East Lump

42

059o

239o

26919.4

42661.6

38° 48' 00" N

74° 24' 24" W

Elephant Trunk

49

083o

263o

26785.5

42538.6

38° 35' 24" N

74° 05' 00" W

Hambone

32

115o

295o

26858.5

42270.5

38° 11' 54" N

74° 24' 30" W

Hotdog

41

121o

301o

26812.4

42224.8

38° 06' 54" N

74° 17' 12" W

Jackspot

21

146o

326o

26955.7

42174.6

38° 05' 12" N

74° 45' 06" W

Middle Lump

40

055o

235o

26946.4

42670.1

38° 49' 00" N

74° 28' 42" W

75

181o

001o

26869.7

41526.9

37o 05' 30" N

74o 45' 30" W

78

177o

357o

26838.1

41518.8

37o 03' 30" N

74o 39' 00" W

80

176o

356o

26827.4

41507.1

37o 02' 00" N

74o 37' 00" W

27045.3

42225.1

38° 11' 07" N

74° 59' 54" W

26954.6

42689.3

38° 50' 36" N

74° 29' 30" W

26992.6

41925.5

37° 44' 12" N

74° 59' 08" W

26955

41875

37° 39' 01.3" N

74° 53' 39.4" W

Location

Baltimore Canyon 100 Fathom Tip Baltimore Canyon 100 Fathom Bight Baltimore Canyon 500 Fathom Tip

Norfolk Canyon 100 Fathom Tip Norfolk Canyon 100 Fathom Bight Norfolk Canyon 500 Fathom Tip North Beach Wreck Northeast Lump

41

052o

232o

One Hundred Eight Feet Parking Lot Poorman's Canyon

133o

313o

26738.3

42084.7

37° 52' 24" N

74° 06' 30" W

Sausages (Middle Lump)

129o

309o

26853.9

42182.8

38° 03' 54" N

74° 25' 54" W

Sausages (South Lump)

141o

321o

26884

42125.7

37° 59' 24" N

74° 33' 00" W

57

164o

344o

26829.8

41805.4

37° 29' 12" N

74° 30' 30" W

61

162o

342o

26804.6

41781.2

37° 26' 12" N

74° 26' 00" W

62

163o

343o

26802

41766.8

37° 24' 48" N

74° 25' 48" W

75

093o

276o

26575.8

42511.5

38° 30' 24" N

73° 29' 42" W

76

099o

279o

26565.7

42438.6

38° 22' 36" N

73° 29' 00" W

72

098o

278o

26585

42437.9

38° 23' 18" N

73° 32' 24" W

Washington Canyon 100 Fathom Tip Washington Canyon 100 Fathom Bight Washington Canyon 500 Fathom Tip Wilmington Canyon 100 Fathom Tip Wilmington Canyon 100 Fathom Bight Wilmington Canyon 500 Fathom Tip

146

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Maryland Trout Streams

M A R Y L A N D A N G L I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S Body of Water Acreage Boat Ramp Boat Rentals Car-Top Boat Access Electric Motors Only Bait/Tackle Nearby Fishing Pier Permit Req’d Open Seasonally Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Striped Bass Chain Pickerel Northern Pike Muskellunge Tiger Muskellunge Walleye Crappie Channel Catfish Yellow Perch White Perch Bluegill Sunfish Redear Sunfish Carp Brown Trout Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Adkins Pond 17 • • • • • Allen Pond 5 • • •

• • • Atkisson Reservoir 1500 •

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Big Millpond 60 • • • • Big Pool 88 • • • • • •

• • • Blair Valley Lake 35 • • • •

• • • • • Broadford Lake 230 • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • Cash Lake 47 • • • • • • Centennial Lake 50 • • • • •

• • • • • Chambers Lake 6 • • • Clopper Lake 90 •

• • • • Conowingo Reservoir 4000 • • • • • • • • •

Cosca Lake 11 • • •

• • • Cunningham Lake 18 •

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Deep Creek Lake 3900 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Galestown Millpond 15 •

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Greenbelt Lake 21 • • •

• • • Greenbrier Lake 30 • • • • • • MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

147

M A R Y L A N D A N G L I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S Marina Nearby

Access

Body of Water

Black River

Cox Point Park, end of Riverside Drive

Blackwater River

Shorters Wharf, off Maple Dam Road

Bohemia River

Private ramp available

Bush River

Flying Point Park, From Willoughby Beach Road to Flying Point Road.

Chester River - Buckingham Landing

Buckingham Landing, State Route 291 to Buckingham Road

Chester River - Crumpton

Crumpton, State Route 290 to 1st Street

Chester River - Deep Landing

Deep Landing, State Route 544 to Deep Landing Road

Chicamacomico River

Off New Bridge Road

Choptank River - Denton

Denton, off Business State Route 404 in Daniel Crouse Park

Choptank River - Greensboro

Greensboro, off Sunset Avenue

Choptank River - Martinak State Park

Martinak State Park

Dundee Creek

Gunpowder Falls State Park, off Grace Drive

Elk River

Elk Neck State Park. Take Turkey Point Road to Thacky Point

Fairlee Creek

Public ramp available

Gunpowder River

Mariner Point Park, end of Kearney Drive off Joppa Farm Road

Manokin Rover

From US Route 13, take Revells Neck Road

Middle River

Several private boat ramps and marinas

Nanticoke River - Barren Creek

Mardela Springs, off Bridge Street in Mardela Springs Park

Nanticoke River - Marshyhope Creek

Federalsburg Marina, off Main Street South in Marina Park

Nanticoke River - Sharptown

Sharptown, at Little Water Street

Nanticoke River - Vienna

Vienna, from US Route 50 take Race Street

North East River

Private ramp available

Patapsco River, Middle Branch

Broening Park, off Hanover Street

Patuxent River - Jacksons Landing

Patuxent River Park, off Mt. Calvert Road

Patuxent River - Magruder Landing

Patuxent River Park, off Magruders Ferry Road

Patuxent River - Selby Landing

Patuxent River Park, off Croom Airport Road

Pocomoke River - Cedar Hall Wharf

Cedar Hall Wharf, State Route 371 to Cedar Hall Wharf Road

Pocomoke River - Milburn Landing

Pocomoke River State Park

Pocomoke River - Pocomoke City

Pocomoke City, State Route 371 to Laurel Street

Pocomoke River -Pocomoke City

Pocomoke City, US Route 13 to Winter Quarters Drive

Pocomoke River - Shad Landing

US Route 113 to Pocomoke River State Park

Pocomoke River - Snow Hill

Snow Hill, off Market Street in Byrd Park

Potomac River - Marshall Hall

End of State Route 227 (Marshall Hall Road)

Potomac River - Mattawoman Creek

Smallwood State Park, off State Route 224

Potomac River - Nanjemoy Creek

Friendship Landing, end of Friendship Landing Road

Potomac River - Piscataway Creek

Fort Washington Marina, off Fort Washington Road

Potomac River - Port Tobacco River

Private ramp available

Sassafrass River

Turner Creek Park, end of Turners Creek Road

Still Pond Creek

Public ramp available

Susquehanna River - Havre de Grace

Tydings Park, Havre de Grace end of Union Ave.

Susquehanna River - Havre de Grace

Jean Roberts Memorial Park, Havre de Grace, Otsego Street

Susquehanna River - Lapidum

Susquehanna State Park, I-95 to State Route 155 to Lapidum Road

Susquehanna River - Port Deposit

Port Deposit, off Main Street

Transquaking River - Airey

Off Drawbridge Road

Transquaking River - Bestpitch

Bestpitch Ferry, off Bestpitch Ferry Road

Tuckahoe Creek

Hillsboro, from Main Street take Maple Avenue

Wicomico River

Salisbury, from US Route 50 take Camden Avenue to Carroll Street

Worton Creek

Public ramp available

148

Bait/Tackle Nearby

Fishing Pier

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Picnic Area

Restrooms

Permit Req'd

Open Largemouth Smallmouth Striped Chain Seasonally Bass Bass Bass Pickerel Crappie

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MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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Yellow Perch

White Perch

Blue Gill Sunfish

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Carp

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Maryland Tidal Fresh Water

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Channel Catfish

149

M A R Y L A N D A N G L I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S Body of Water

Adkins Pond Allen Pond Atkisson Reservoir Big Millpond Big Pool Blair Valley Lake Broadford Lake Cash Lake Centennial Lake Chambers Lake Clopper Lake Conowingo Reservoir Cosca Lake Cunningham Lake Deep Creek Lake Galestown Millpond Greenbelt Lake Greenbrier Lake Herrington Lake Hillcrest Pond Hunting Creek Lake Indian Creek Jennings Randolph Lake Johnson Pond Lake Bernard Frank Lake Elkorn Lake Habeeb Lake Killamaqundi Lake Roland Lake Waterford Laurel Lake Leonard Pond Liberty Lake Little Pool Little Seneca Lake Loch Raven Reservoir Millington Wildlife Mgmt. Area

Myrtle Grove Lake Needwood Lake New Germany Lake Pearce Creek Pine Lake Piney Reservoir Piney Run Lake Post Office Lake Prettyboy Reservoir Savage River Reservoir Schoolhouse Pond Schumaker Pond Smithville Community Lake St. Marys Lake T.H. Duckett Res. (Rocky George)

Triadelphia Reservoir TuckaHoe Lake Unicorn Community Lake Urbana Lake Urieville Community Lake Wheatley Lake Wilde Lake Wye Mills Community Lake Youghiogheny River Lake

150

Acreage

17 5 1500 60 88 35 230 47 50 6 90 4000 11 18 3900 15 21 30 44 4 42 2 952 104 52 37 250 31 98 11 11 30 3100 18 505 2400 4 ponds 23 74 10 236 5 18 300 5 1500 350 5 48 40 250 800 800 86 45 5 35 75 22 50 800

Electric Boat Boat Car-Top Boat Motors Bait/Tackle Fishing Permit Open Largemouth Smallmouth Ramp Rentals Access Only Nearby Pier Req'd Seasonally Bass Bass

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Striped Bass

Chain Northern Muskell Tiger Channel Yellow Pickerel Pike unge Muskellunge Walleye Crappie Catfish Perch

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Bluegill Sunfish

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MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

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Redear Sunfish

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Carp

Brown Trout

Brook Rainbow Trout Trout

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White Perch

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M A R Y L A N D A N G L I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S Access

Boat Ramp

Bait/Tackle Nearby

Big Slackwater

Take Downsville Pike (State Route 632) south to Dam No. 4 Road

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Brunswick

At Brunswick, from State Routes 79 and 17, take Maple Avenue

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C & O Canal Aquaduct Ramp 2

Dickerson Road (State Route 28), take Mouth of Monocacy Road

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Dargen Bend

Harpers Ferry Road to Back Road

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Edward's Ferry

At Edward's Ferry (Lock 25), and of Edward's Ferry Road

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Fifteenmile Creek

At Little Orleans, off Orleans Road

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Four Locks

From Big Pool Road (Route 56) take Four Locks Road

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Green Ridge State Forest

Take Oldtown Road to Mertens Avenue to Kasecamp Road

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Little Tonoloway

Off East Main Street (State Route 144) near Hancock

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McCoy's Ferry

From Big Pool Road (Route 56) take McCoy's Ferry Road

Noland's Ferry Ramp

Body of Water

Picnic Area Restrooms

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From Tuscarora Road (State Route 28), take New Design Road

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Point of Rocks Ramp

At Point of Rocks, From Clay Street (State Route 28) take Canal Ave.

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Seneca

In Seneca Creek State Park, from River Road (State Route 190) take Rileys Lock Road

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Snyder's Landing

Near Sharpsburg from State Route 34, take Snyder's Landing Road

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Spring Gap

Off Uhl Highway (State Route 51) at Spring Gap

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Taylor's Landing

From Sharpsburg Pike (Sate Route 65) take Taylor's Landing Road

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Williamsport

Off US Route 11 at Williamsport

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152

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Smallmouth Bass

Chain Pickerel

Crappie

Redbreast Sunfish

Carp

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MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Tiger Muskellunge

Walleye

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Maryland Upper Potomac River

Largemouth Bass

153

M A R Y L A N D B O A T D I R E C T O R Y

Region

R A M P

County

Facility

Latitude

Permit or Longitude launch fee

Western MD Garrett Broadford Lake Deep Creek Lake State Park Harrington Manor State Park Jennings-Randolph Reservoir New Germany State Park Savage Reservoir (Big Run SP) Youghiogheny Reservoir

39.412 39.5161 39.4577 39.4209 39.6329 39.5433 39.7154

-79.374 -79.3128 -79.4521 -79.1301 -79.1229 -79.1375 -79.3847

No Yes Yes Yes No No No

Fifteen Mile Creek Green Ridge State Forest Rocky Gap State Park Spring Gap

39.6243 39.5799 39.712 39.5641

-78.3848 -78.4119 -78.6419 -78.7191

unknown unknown Yes unknown

Big Slackwater Dargen Bend Fort Frederick State Park Four Locks Greenbrier State Park Indian Springs WMA Little Tonoloway McCoys Landing Snyders Landing Taylors Landing Williamsport

39.5017 39.3636 39.6074 39.6146 39.541 39.6965 39.6973 39.608 39.4654 39.4991 39.599

-77.8459 -77.7407 -78.0073 -77.9463 -77.6159 -77.9418 -78.1821 -77.9686 -77.7778 -77.7682 -77.8291

No No No No Yes No No No No No No

Brunswick Brunswick Campgrounds Creagerstown Park Ramp Cunningham Falls State Park Lily Pond Monocacy River Monocacy River NRMA Noland's Ferry Pinecliff Park Point of Rocks

39.3113 39.3069 39.5645 39.6268 39.2892 39.5082 39.263 39.2483 39.3869 39.2739

-77.6324 -77.6141 -77.3504 -77.4594 -77.4398 -77.3787 -77.4368 -77.4805 -77.379 -77.5431

No Yes No Yes No No No No No No

Liberty Reservoir Piney Run Park

39.4019 39.3982

-76.8918 -76.9865

Yes Yes

C&O Canal Aqueduct Edwards Ferry Lake Needwood Seneca Creek State Park

39.2233 39.1035 39.117 39.1433

-77.4522 -77.4731 -77.1289 -77.2499

No No Yes Yes

Allegany

Washington

North Central MD Frederick

Carroll

Montgomery

154

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Vessel Size

Parking Spaces Restrooms

Ice/Bait Number of Nearby Ramps

Fuel

Phone Number

small PONTOON BOATS small large small Car Top Boats only small

73 100 6 40 20 25 10

Conventional Yes Yes Portable Yes Compost Yes

Yes Yes No No Yes No No

1 4 1 1 1 1 1

No Yes-nearby No No No No No

(301) 334-9222 (301) 387-4111 (301) 334-9180 (301) 334-2038 (301) 895-5453 (301) 895-5453 (301) 746-5248

Car Top Boats only small small small

12 6 50 8

Portable Portable Conventional Portable

Yes No Yes Yes

1 1 1

Yes No No Yes

(301) 739-4200 (301) 478-3124 (301) 777-2139 (301) 739-4200

large small small small small small small small small small small

55 25 15 30 40 10 22 12 10 14 25

Portable Portable unknown Portable Yes Yes Portable Portable Portable No unknown

No No Yes No No Yes Yes No No No Yes

1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

No No No No No No No No No No Yes

(301) 739-4200 (301) 739-4200 (301) 582-0813 (301) 739-4200 (301) 791-4767 (301) 842-2702 (301) 739-4200 (301) 739-4200 (301) 739-4200 (301) 739-4200 (301) 223-7711

large small small small Car Top Boats only small small small small small

15 20 10 15 N/A 8 10 10 10 7

Yes Yes Portable Yes No No No Portable Portable Portable

Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1

Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes No

(301) 739-4200 (301) 834-8050 (301) 600-1646 (301) 271-7574 N/A (301) 600-1646 (410) 924-2127 (301) 739-4200 (301) 600-1646 (301) 739-4200

small small

60 45

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

2 2

No Yes

(410) 795-6150 (410) 795-3274

small small small Car Top Boats only

20 10 N/A 18

Portable No N/A Sewer

Yes Yes N/A Yes

1 1 1 1

Yes Yes No No

(301) 739-4200 (301) 739-4200 (301) 948-5053 (301) 924-2127

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

155

M A R Y L A N D B O A T D I R E C T O R Y

Region

County

R A M P

Facility

Latitude

Permit or Longitude launch fee

Seneca Landing Park Tridelphia Reservoir Tridelphia Reservoir at Greenbridge Rd

39.0712 39.1245 39.1991

-77.3417 -76.8836 -77.0119

Yes Yes Yes

Centennial Lake Rocky Gorge Reservoir

39.2418 39.1238

-76.8592 -76.8849

Yes Yes

Cox's Point Dundee Creek Marina Gunpowder State Park Inverness Park Loch Raven Reservoir Merritt Point Park Prettyboy Reservoir Rocky Point Park Turner Station

39.2961 39.352 39.3613 39.2569 39.4628 39.253 39.6522 39.249 39.2412

-76.4664 -76.3594 -76.3402 -76.4925 -76.5669 -76.5068 -76.7424 -76.4031 -76.5066

No Yes Yes No Yes N/A Yes N/A No

Broening Canton Waterfront Park Fort Armistead

39.2557 39.2767 39.2087

-76.6155 -76.5727 -76.5324

No N/A N/A

Broad Creek Public Landing Flying Point Park Havre De Grace Jean Roberts Park Mariner Point Park Otter Point Susquehanna State Park Willoughby Beach

39.6966 39.4426 39.5381 39.5532 39.4021 39.4466 39.5978 39.4346

-76.2431 -76.259 -76.0885 -76.0907 -76.3517 -76.2668 -76.1273 -76.2494

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Charlestown Elk Neck State Park Fredericktown Ramp Perryville Boat Ramp Port Deposit Stemmers Run

39.5714 39.474 39.365 39.5669 39.5992 39.4341

-75.9718 -75.9701 -75.8839 -76.0795 -76.1108 -75.987

N/A Yes No No Yes Yes

Betterton Bogles Public Landing Buckingham Landing Cliffs City Public Landing Fairlee Landing Green Lane Green Point Long Cove Public Landing Quaker Neck

39.3722 39.0327 39.2383 39.107 39.249 39.1305 39.2826 39.112 39.13

-76.0627 -76.2096 -76.015 -76.1423 -76.1973 -76.2427 -76.1675 -76.1834 -76.0971

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Howard

Northeast MD Baltimore

Baltimore City

Harford

Cecil

Kent

156

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Vessel Size

Parking Spaces Restrooms

Ice/Bait Number of Nearby Ramps

Fuel

Phone Number

small small small

25 30 30

Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes No

1 1 1

No Yes No

(301) 972-9396 (301) 774-9124 (301) 774-9124

small small

30 30

Yes Yes

Yes No

1 1

Yes No

(410) 313-7268 (301) 774-9124

small large Car Top Boats only large small large small large large

12 100 N/A 14 20 12 60 34 30

Yes Conventional Yes unknown Yes Portable Yes Yes Portable

No Yes N/A No Yes N/A Yes No Yes

2 2 1 2 2 3 1 4 4

No Yes No No No No No No Yes

(410) 887-0255 (410) 592-2897 (410) 592-2897 (410) 887-3616 (410) 887-7692 (410) 887-7155 (410) 795-6150 (410) 887-3873 (410) 887-7228

small large small

10 59 50

N/A Sewer N/A

Yes N/A Yes

1 2 1

Yes No No

(410) 396-3838 (410) 396-7931 (410) 396-7946

small small small small large small small small

30 75 100 20 75 12 27 10

Portable Portable Portable Yes Portable Portable Compost No

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

1 1 2 1 4 1 2 1

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes Yes

(410) 638-3571 (410) 638-3571 (410) 638-3571 (410) 638-3571 (410) 638-3571 (410) 638-3571 (410) 638-3571 (410) 638-3571

small large small N/A large N/A

N/A 250 6 15 16 100

Portable Sewer N/A N/A Portable Yes

Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes

1 4 1 1 1 1

Yes Yes Yes No Yes yes

(410) 287-6173 (410) 287-5333 (410) 392-4537 (410) 642-6066 (410) 378-2121 (410) 996-5385

small large small small small large large large small

20 30 10 15 5 6 4 10 8

Sewer Yes No Portable Yes Portable Portable Portable Portable

No No No No Yes Yes N/A Yes No

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Yes No No No Yes Yes No Yes No

(410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

157

M A R Y L A N D B O A T D I R E C T O R Y Region

R A M P

County

Facility

Latitude

Permit or Longitude launch fee

Shipyard Public Landing Skinner's Neck Public Landing Spring Cove Public Landing Turner Creek

39.1627 39.1104 39.1476 39.358

-76.19 -76.2115 -76.2439 -75.9835

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Bladensburg Marina Selby Landing Fort Washington Marina Jacksons Landing Rocky Gorge Reservoir Clyde Watson Boating Area

38.9337 38.7528 38.7028 38.7734 39.1244 38.6399

-76.938 -76.6992 -77.024 -76.7103 -76.8838 -76.6935

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Sandy Point State Park Truxtun Park

39.0117 38.9685

-76.3982 -76.4986

Yes Yes

Tuckahoe State Park Centreville Landing Southeast Creek Deep Landing Crumpton Landing

38.9687 39.0552 39.1578 39.2404 39.2392

-75.9448 -76.0734 -76.0261 -75.9603 -75.9308

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Goodhands Landing Little Creek Landing Matapeake State Park Piney Narrows Shipping Creek Thompson Creek

38.9631 38.9359 38.9558 38.9745 38.9131 38.967

-76.2646 -76.2859 -76.3547 -76.2484 -76.3468 -76.312

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Coveys Landing Easton Point New Bridge Landing Skipton Creek Trappe Landing Wye Landing Windy Hill Landing

38.8728 38.7681 38.8314 38.8912 38.6538 38.8923 38.6839

-75.9443 -76.0948 -75.9146 -76.0716 -76.0855 -76.1031 -75.9746

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Balls Creek Bellevue Landing Cummings Creek Dogwood Harbor Eastern Bay Oak Creek Oxford West Harbor Road

38.7246 38.703 38.7906 38.7124 38.8374 38.7534 38.693 38.7845

-76.2801 -76.1816 -76.2981 -76.3351 -76.2805 -76.1755 -76.1689 -76.2195

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Choptank Marina

38.6816

-75.9508

No

Central MD Prince George's

Anne Arundel

Queen Anne's W

Queen Anne's E

Talbot W

Talbot E

Caroline

158

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Vessel Size

Parking Spaces Restrooms

Ice/Bait Number of Nearby Ramps

Fuel

Phone Number

large small small large

15 6 4 20

Portable Portable No Conventional

No Yes Yes No

1 1 1 1

No Yes Yes No

(410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439 (410) 778-7439

small small large small small small

20 25 150 12 30 15

Yes Portable Conventional Portable Yes Portable

Yes No No No No No

1 1 2 1 1 1

Yes No Yes No No No

(301) 779-0371 (301) 627-2270 (301) 292-7700 (301) 627-6074 (301) 774-9124 (301) 627-6074

large large

904 30

Sewer Conventional

Yes Yes

22 2

Yes Yes

(410) 974-2149 (410) 263-7958

small large large large large

20 10 6 12 2

Yes Sewer Portable Portable No

No No Yes Yes Yes

1 1 1 1 1

No Yes Yes Yes Yes

(410) 820-1668 (410) 758-0835 (410) 758-0835 (410) 758-0835 (410) 758-0835

large large large large large large

12 20 50 20 30 21

Portable Portable Compost Portable Portable Portable

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

1 1 1 2 1 1

yes yes yes yes yes yes

(410) 758-0835 (410) 758-0835 (410) 974-2149 (410) 758-0835 (410) 758-0835 (410) 758-0835

small large large small large large small

8 20 10 2 8 25 5

No No N/A No Portable Portable Portable

No Yes No No No Yes No

1 2 1 1 1 3 1

No yes No No No No No

(410) 770-8170 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050

large large large large large large large large

15 25 10 25 20 25 10 3

Portable Portable Portable N/A N/A No No No

No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

No Yes No No No No No

(410) 822-2955 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050 (410) 770-8050 (410) 226-5122 (410) 745-9535

large

75

Conventional

Yes

1

Yes

(410) 479-3721

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

159

M A R Y L A N D B O A T D I R E C T O R Y

Region

R A M P

County

Facility

Latitude

Permit or Longitude launch fee

Daniel Crouse Park Federalsburg Marina Federalsburg VFW Ganeys Wharf Greensboro Hillsboro Martinak State Park Smithville Lake

38.8884 38.688 38.6789 38.805 38.9722 38.917 38.8596 38.7789

-75.8383 -75.7703 -75.775 -75.9095 -75.8 -75.9447 -75.8409 -75.7298

No No No N/A No No No No

Friendship Landing Gilbert Run Park Marshall Hall Smallwood State Park

38.4541 38.4884 38.6854 38.5591

-77.1507 -76.8563 -77.1014 -77.1884

No Yes No Yes

Hallowing Point Solomons Island

38.5105 38.329

-76.6646 -76.4681

No Yes

Abells Wharf Bushwood Landing Chaptico Landing Forest Landing Piney Point Recreation Area Point Lookout State Park St. Inigoes Landing St. Mary's River State Park Wicomico Shores

38.2611 38.2834 38.3266 38.355 38.1385 38.0525 38.1118 38.2527 38.3814

-76.6451 -76.8053 -76.8327 -76.5319 -76.5 -76.3269 -76.4153 -76.5415 -76.8572

No No No No No Yes No Yes No

Great Marsh Franklin Trenton Secretary Transquaking River New Bridge Vienna

38.586 38.5746 38.5714 38.6116 38.5155 38.485 38.4862

-76.0778 -76.0673 -76.0729 -75.952 -75.9684 -75.8841 -75.8229

No No No No No No No

Bestpitch Ferry Crocheron Wharf Elliotts Island (Fishing Bay WMA) Golden Hill Hoopersville Kirwins Wharf Madison Ragged Point Shorters Wharf Smithville

38.4166 38.2456 38.3016 38.3868 38.261 38.2816 38.5113 38.5594 38.386 38.4331

-75.9937 -76.0492 -76.0054 -76.1983 -76.1781 -76.0828 -76.2229 -76.2718 -76.0672 -76.2376

No No No No No No No No No No

Southern MD Charles

Calvert

St. Mary's

Southeast MD Dorchester NE

Dorchester SE

160

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Vessel Size

Parking Spaces Restrooms

Ice/Bait Number of Nearby Ramps

Fuel

Phone Number

small large large large small small small small

75 30 15 30 30 8 40 8

Sewer Sewer Yes Portable Portable N/A Conventional Yes

No Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes

1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes

(410) 479-2050 (410) 754-8173 (410) 754-8173 (410) 479-3721 (410) 479-3721 (410) 479-3721 (410) 820-1668 (410) 827-6245

large large large small

17 12 21 100

N/A Conventional N/A Conventional

Yes Yes Yes Yes

1 1 2 6

No Yes Yes Yes

(301) 932-3470 (410) 932-1083 (301) 932-3470 (301) 743-7613

large large

50 200

Portable Sewer

Yes Yes

2 4

Yes Yes

(410) 260-8186 (301) 855-1243 ext 2225

large large large small large large small small small

7 20 25 10 34 90 15 100 10

No Portable Portable Portable Portable Compost Portable Conventional Conventional

No Yes No No Yes Yes No No No

1 1 1 1 1 4 1 2 1

No Yes No No Yes Yes No No No

(301) 475-4576 (301) 863-6068 (301) 863-6068 (301) 863-6068 (301) 863-6068 (301) 872-5688 (301) 863-6068 (410) 872-5688 (301) 863-6068

large large small large small small large

37 70 10 20 10 8 8

Portable N/A no Sewer N/A No Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

2 2 1 1 1 1 1

yes yes yes yes No No Yes

(410) 228-1955 (410) 228-1955 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228--729 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 376-3442

small large large large large small large large small small

10 8 15 12 12 8 12 15 3 6

N/A Portable Portable Portable Portable Portable N/A Portable No No

N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

No Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No

(410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

161

M A R Y L A N D B O A T D I R E C T O R Y

Region

R A M P

County

Facility

Latitude

Permit or Longitude launch fee

Taylors Island Toddville Tylers Cove

38.4766 38.3066 38.3527

-76.2861 -76.063 -76.228

No No No

Cedar Hill Park Cherry Hill Beach Leonards Mill Pond Mardela Springs Nanticoke Harbor Port of Salisbury Riverside Wetipquin

38.3165 38.5486 38.4262 38.457 38.2727 38.3673 38.3656 38.3297

-75.8906 -75.7168 -75.5652 -75.7562 -75.9099 -75.6058 -75.6081 -75.867

No No No No No N/A No No

Coulbourne Creek Crisfield Dames Quarter Deal Island Janes Island State Park Jenkins Creek Rehoboth Rumbley Shelltown Somers Cove St. Peters Creek Websters Cove Wenona

38.0523 37.9928 38.2015 38.1733 38.0128 37.9678 38.042 38.095 37.9851 37.9782 38.1578 38.2511 38.1308

-75.804 -75.8541 -75.8856 -75.9467 -75.8485 -75.8476 -75.6616 -75.862 -75.6396 -75.8608 -75.8125 -75.8305 -75.9481

No No No No No No No No No Yes No No No

Shell Mill Landing Carribean Drive Gum Landing West Ocean City Assateague State Park Masons Landing South Point

38.4265 38.4075 38.3602 38.329 38.2507 38.2403 38.2189

-75.1879 -75.0631 -75.164 -75.1067 -75.151 -75.257 -75.1914

No Yes No No Yes No No

Byrd Park (Fehrer's Landing) Cedar Hall Wharf George Island Landing Milburn Landing Pocomoke City Landing Pocomoke River State Park Public Landing Taylors Landing Winter Quarters

38.177 38.0114 38.0441 38.0885 38.0762 38.1433 38.1511 38.087 38.0856

-75.4033 -75.6208 -75.3612 -75.5589 -75.5724 -75.44077 -75.2864 -75.362 -75.559

No No No No No No No No No

Wicomico

Somerset

NE Worcester County

SE Worcester County

162

w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

Vessel Size

Parking Spaces Restrooms

Ice/Bait Number of Nearby Ramps

Fuel

Phone Number

small large small

20 5 10

Portable No Portable

Yes No Yes

1 1 1

Yes No Yes

(410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920 (410) 228-2920

large large small small large large large large

40 30 19 15 30 35 35 10

Conventional Portable Yes Yes Portable Sewer Portable Portable

No Yes No No No Yes No No

2 1 1 1 1 N/A 2 1

No No No No No Yes No No

(410) 548-4900 (410) 548-4900 (410) 548-4900 (410) 548-4900 (410) 548-4900 (410) 548-3170 (410) 548-4900 (410) 548-4900

large small small large large large small small large large large small large

10 10 10 10 35 8 5 10 5 50 10 10 10

Portable Portable Portable Portable Conventional No Yes No No Sewer Portable Portable Portable

No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No

2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 4 1 2 2

No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No No No

(410) 651-0320 (410) 651-0320 (410) 651-1930 (410) 651-1930 (410) 968-1565 (410) 651-0320 (410) 651-0320 (410) 651-0320 (410) 651-0320 (410) 968-0925 (410) 651-0320 (410) 651-0320 (410) 651-0320

small large small large large small small

10 0 5 75 60 15 10

Portable N/A Portable Portable Conventional Portable Portable

No N/A No Yes Yes No No

1 1 1 4 2 1 1

No No No Yes Yes No No

(410) 632-5623 (410) 250-0125 (410) 632-5623 (410) 632-5623 (410) 641-2120 (410) 632-5623 (410) 632-5623

large large small large large large small small large

10 10 10 10 40 24 20 5 6

Yes Portable Portable Conventional Yes Conventional Portable N/A Yes

Yes No No No Yes Yes N/A No Yes

2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1

Yes No No No Yes Yes No No Yes

(410) 632-3971 (410) 632-5623 (410) 632-5623 (410) 632-2566 (410) 757-1334 (410) 632-2566 (410) 632-5623 (410) 632-5623 (410) 757-1334

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

163

F I S H

I D

G U I D E

Common Maryland Sportfish Identification Guide Striped Bass

Red Drum

Morone saxatilis (A.K.A. Rockfish, Rock, Striper) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Striped bass is a silvery fish that gets its name from the seven or eight dark, continuous stripes along the side of its body.

• The body is compressed.

• Dorsal fins are well separated.

• The caudal fin is forked, olive green, blue, or black dorsally.

Size: • Striped bass can grow as long as 60 inches.

Sciaenops ocellatas (A.K.A. Redfish, Channel Bass) Key Distinguishing Markings: • General coloration is iridescent silvery-gray, with a coppery cast that is usually darker on the back and upper sides.

• One (or more) black ocellar spots on the upper sides near the base of the tail.

• Chin without barbells.

• Inferior horizontal mouth.

• Body elongate and robust.

• Dorsal fin continuous but deeply notched, with 10 spines in the anterior portion and 1 spine and 23-25 soft rays in the posterior portion.

Size: • Maximum adult size is nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters) total length.

• The largest recorded red drum was 59 inches and 98 pounds.

• The Maryland state record was caught in 1977 in Tangier Sound and weighed 74 pounds 6 ounces. (This record will stand for the foreseeable future, since red drum over 27 inches are not currently legal to keep).

Black Drum Pogonias cromis (A.K.A. Pompey Drum, Puppy Drum) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Black drum are gray or black colored with a high arched back.

• They get their common name from a large and elaborate swim bladder that, by using special muscles, can resonate to produce croaking or drumming sounds.

• These fish have 10-14 sensory chin barbels that they use to detect bottom-dwelling prey.

• They can crush these items by using their cobblestone-like teeth, or pharyngeal tooth plates.

• Black drum are long-lived; fish aged 7 to 57 years have been observed in the Chesapeake Bay. Size: • Black drum is the largest member of the drum family, Sciaenidae.

• Maximum adult size is 5½ feet long with a weight of 146 pounds.

• The largest Chesapeake Bay black drum was caught off Cape Charles in 1973 and weighed 111 pounds.

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Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus (A.K.A. Hardhead) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Chin with 3-5 pairs of small barbells and 5 pores.

• Caudal fin is double concave.

• Body is elongate and somewhat compressed.

• Dorsal fin is deeply notched, with 10 spines in the anterior portion, 1 spine and 26-30 soft rays in the posterior portion.

• Upper dorsal side has numerous brassy spots that form wavy bars (less distinct in large individuals).

Size: • Maximum adult size is 50 centimeters total length (1.6 feet) in the Chesapeake Bay area.

• This species can live as long as 13 years.

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Bluefish

Tautog

Pomatomus saltatrix (A.K.A. Blue, Snapper, Chopper, Skipjack) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Bluefish get their name from their color. The fish are a greenish blue with silvery sides and a white belly.

• Bluefish have a pointed snout and large mouth.

• The lower jaw of a bluefish sticks out past the upper jaw.

• Bluefish have a sturdy compressed body, a large head, and pointed, razor-sharp triangular teeth.

• Note the black blotch at the base of the pectoral fin.

• Bluefish are the only members of the family Pomatomidae and are closely related to jacks, pompanos, and roosterfish.

Size: • Bluefish can live to 12 years and reach 40 inches in length.

• Bluefish in the Chesapeake Bay, however, average about 12 inches in length.

Tautoga onitis (A.K.A. Blackfish) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Prominent lips and formidable teeth.

• In color they are greenish brown, often bronze, with dark mottling along their sides. Larger specimens are often dark gray or black.

Size: • Maximum length is about 3 feet. Fish of more than 14 pounds are very rare, with 12 pounders unusual. Tautog average about 2 to 4 pounds.

Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata (A.K.A. Black Will, Sea Bass) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Black sea bass are members of the family Serranidae, or true sea basses and groupers.

• They are typically large-mouthed bottom dwellers , are bluish black in color with light spots that form longitudinal stripes.

• Their scales are relatively large and their dorsal fin is continuous, but notched with 10 slender spines.

Size: • Black sea bass are reported to grow to a maximum of 24 to 25 inches in length and live 15 to 20 years.

Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus (A.K.A. Fluke) Key Distinguishing Markings: • This left-eyed flatfish has both eyes on the left side of its body when viewed from above, with the dorsal fin, or top fin, up.

• The “eyed” side of this fish is scattered with 10 to 14 eye-like spots which blend in with the ocean floor.

• Its belly or underside is white.

Size: • Summer flounder average between 3 to 6 pounds and 15 to 22 inches (40-56 cm) long.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Gray Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (A.K.A. Gray Trout, Squeteague, Sea Trout, Tiderunner, Drummer) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Body greenish grey above and silvery below.

• Back with small spots forming undulating dotted lines.

• Pelvic fins and anal fin yellowish.

• Other fins pale, sometimes with a yellowish tinge.

• Inside of gill cover (dark, visible externally).

• Mouth large, oblique, lower jaw projecting.

• Upper jaw with a pair of large canine-like teeth at tip.

• Chin without barbels or pores. Snout with only one marginal pore.

Size: • Weakfish may grow as large as 29 inches and reach 12 pounds.

Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorous maculates (A.K.A. Spaniard) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Spanish mackerel is much smaller than its relative, the king mackerel, averaging only 2 to 3 pounds in weight.

• Spanish mackerel are greenish dorsally with silver sides and belly.

• Yellow or olive oval spots traverse the body, which is covered with very tiny scales.

• Lateral line curves gently to the base of the tail.

Size: • Average catch is less than 2 pounds (20 inches).

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Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus (A.K.A. Speckled Trout) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Spotted seatrout are dusky gray on top, fading to silver at the belly.

• The upper body is marked with numerous dark spots which extend into the dorsal and tail fins.

• The dorsal and tail fins of the spotted seatrout are pale yellowish green.

• Spotted sea trout have a pair of enlarged canine teeth in their upper jaw and the lower jaw is projecting, as in a weakfish.

Size: • Maximum length and weight is around 3 feet total length and 16 pounds.

• Females at maturity are usually larger than the males.

• Spotted seatrout can live up to 15 years, but individuals over 5 years old are rare.

White Perch Morone americana Key Distinguishing Markings: • These fish are silvery and frequently have irregular, dusky longitudinal lines along its body.

• They have a slightly projecting lower jaw and small teeth.

• Their dorsal fins are separate and their anal fin has three strong spines.

Size: • White perch may reach a mature length of 19 inches but are more commonly found around 7 to 10 inches, weighing from 8 ounces to 1 pound.

Yellow Perch Perca flavescens (A.K.A. Yellow Ned, Ned) Key Distinguishing Markings: • The general coloring of yellow perch tends to be brassy green to golden yellow on their sides and white to yellow on their belly.

• Their most distinguishing feature is 6 to 8 dark vertical bands found across their back and sides.

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• Their anal, pelvic, and pectoral fins are red to orange, with these colors being brightest in males during the spawning season.

• These fish are also characterized by having a dorsal fin that is completely divided into a spiny portion and a separate soft-rayed portion.

• Their anal fin features two long and slender spines.

• The body is elongate and moderately compressed.

• The mouth is large and terminal (the upper and lower jaws form the extreme anterior of the head).

Size: • Yellow perch can reach a maximum size of 18 inches.

Scup Stenotomus chrysops (A.K.A. Nelly Hunt, Porgy) Key Distinguishing Markings: • The scup’s laterally flattened body is about two times as long as it is wide.

• Scup are deep-bodied and have very spiny fins.

• The front teeth are incisor form and are very narrow, almost conical.

• The fins are mottled with dark brown in the adults and the young may be faintly barred.

Size: • Few adults exceed 2 pounds in weight and 14 inches in length.

Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus (A.K.A. Channel Cat, Hump-Back Blue) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Blue catfish are members of the bullhead catfish family, Ictaluridae. Increasing numbers of blue catfish are being found in the tidal Potomac River.

• Catfish are long, slender fish with barbels on the chin that look like long, black whiskers.

• There are four pairs of barbels around the mouth: two on the chin, one at the angle of the mouth, and one behind the nostril.

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• Blue catfish lack scales and possess an adipose fin, as well as a single, serrated spine in the dorsal and pectoral fins.

• The blue catfish is generally slate blue on the back to silvery/white on its underside and has a deeply forked tail.

• The number of anal fin rays is 30 to 35.

• The eyes of the blue catfish are placed in the lower half of the head.

Size: • Blue catfish are the largest of the catfish family in North America and can attain weights in excess of 100 pounds.

• The Maryland state record blue catfish is 65½ pounds.

Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus (A.K.A. Forked Tail, Blue-Channel Cat, Spotted Cat, River Cats) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Channel catfish are members of the bullhead catfish family, Ictaluridae, and are a freshwater species that are commonly found in estuarine waters.

• Channel catfish are long, slender fish with barbels on the chin that look like long, black whiskers.

• There are four pairs of barbels around the mouth: two on the chin, one at the angle of the mouth, and one behind the nostril.

• Channel catfish lack scales and possess an adipose fin, as well as a single, often serrated spine in the dorsal and pectoral fins.

• The channel catfish is generally gray to greenish-gray on the upper part of its slender body, silver to white on its lower half and belly, and has a deeply forked tail. Small adults and juveniles have black or dusky spots on their body.

• Channel catfish typically possess an anal fin with 24 to 30 rays.

Size: • The channel catfish is one of the largest catfish species found in North America and can weigh near 60 pounds.

• Maryland state tidal water record is 29 pounds 10 ounces.

It was caught in the tidal Potomac River near Mattawoman Creek.

• The freshwater record is 27.92 pounds and was caught in the upper Potomac River.

MARYLAND FISHERMAN’S ANNUAL

Atlantic White Marlin Tetrapturus albidus (A.K.A. Billfish) Key Distinguishing Markings: • The white marlin’s upper jaw is twice as long as its lower jaw.

• The upper jaw forms a bill, which is long and slender in comparison to many other billfishes.

• The body is dark blue above and silvery white below, with brown spots on the sides of the white portion.

• In some specimens, many rows of blurred white lines may run the length of the body.

• The first dorsal fin, which runs almost the length of the body, is dark blue with many black spots, although these may fade toward the back of the fin.

• The second dorsal and pelvic fins are dark blue.

• First anal, first dorsal, and pectoral fins are blunt or rounded at tips.

• The pectoral fins and caudal fin are blackish brown; the long pectoral fins may be tipped in white.

• The body has a dense covering of bony scales.

• The lateral line is distinct, and with the exception of a single curve over the origin of the dorsal fin, runs straight along the body.

Size: • The white marlin is smaller than many other billfishes.

• The maximum length for the white marlin is 110 inches and maximum weight is approximately 180 pounds.

• More commonly white marlin range from 51-83 inches in length.

Blue Marlin Makaira nigricans Key Distinguishing Markings: • Color cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on the bottom.

• Upper jaw elongated in form of spear.

• Dorsal fin pointed at front end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed.

• Lateral line reticulated (interwoven like a net), which is difficult to see in large specimens.

• No dark spots on dorsal fin.

• Body covered with embedded scales ending in one or two sharp points.

Size: • Blue marlin is the largest of the Atlantic marlins, common to 11 feet, known to exceed 2,000 pounds.

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Spiny Dogfish Shark

Hickory Shad

Squalus acanthias (A.K.A. Horned Dog, Piked Dogfish, Spurdog, Rock Shark, Rock Cod, and Rock Salmon) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Spiny dogfish are gray to slate brown with a pale or white belly.

• They can be differentiated from other small sharks by a row of small white dots running along their sides.

• If these dots are faded or absent, which can happen with older dogfish, a distinctive single spine found in front of each of their two dorsal fins can be used as an additional identifying feature.

• The bodies of these fish are slender and their heads slope to a blunt snout.

• It is interesting that these sharks are referred to as “spiny dogfish” sharks.

• They differ from the smooth dogfish shark by having spines in front of each dorsal fin as well as rows of white dots along the side, both of which are lacking in the smooth dogfish shark.

• The presence of the spines in front of each dorsal fin certainly explains the “spiny” part of the common name.

• However, it is the shark’s gregarious nature, occurring in “packs” of hundreds or thousands of individuals, which explains where the term “dogfish” comes from.

Size: • In size, adult females can reach lengths of 3 1/2 feet and weigh around 8 pounds, while males are normally smaller in size.

Alosa mediocris (A.K.A. Hickory Jacks, Tailor Shad) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Hickory shad is gray-green in color along its back.

• Body coloration is silvery and grey.

• A dusky shoulder spot may be followed by several faint spots along its sides.

• Hickory shad have sharp, saw-like scales or “scutes” along the belly.

• The lower jaw juts out farther than the upper jaw, a key identifying feature.

Size: • At 12 to 20 inches, hickory shad are noticeably smaller than American shad but larger than alewife and blueback herring

Spot Leiostomus xanthurus (A.K.A. Norfolk Spot) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Spot have 12 to 15 dusky oblique bars on their upper side.

• They have a distinct dusky to black spot just behind the top of the gill opening on their body.

• The tail fin is distinctly forked.

• The body is rather deep and compressed.

• The mouth is small and inferior.

Size: • Maximum length of spot is 14 inches.

• Spot mature at two and three and lengths of 7 to 8 inches.

• Their maximum life span is about five years, although fish over three years of age are uncommon.

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American Shad Alosa sapidissima (A.K.A. White Shad, Common Shad, Atlantic Shad) Key Distinguishing Markings: • American shad is a silvery fish with a row of dark spots along its side.

• Spots on the shoulder are more noticeable but usually only one large one is observed.

• It also has sharp saw-like scales or “scutes” along its belly.

• The lower jaw does not extend further than upper jaw.

Size: • American shad at 20-24 inches is the largest—and considered the most delicious to eat–of all the shads.

• It is noticeably larger than hickory shad.

• The American shad can reach a length of 30 inches.

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Key Distinguishing Markings: • Bluegills have small mouths and an oval-shaped body, deep and highly compressed.

• The fish is olive green on the upper body and light yellow on its belly.

• Blue and purple iridescence on the cheek.

• Dark bands run up and down from the back fading into the belly. w w w. m d f i s h e r m a n s a n n u a l . c o m

• A dark blue or black “ear” on an extension of the gill cover.

• A prominent dark blotch at the base of the dorsal fin, close to the tail.

• Breeding males may have more blue and orange coloration on their flanks.

Size: • Bluegill are typically about 6 inches, but can reach 12 inches.

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Key Distinguishing Markings: • Largemouth bass can be recognized by the lower jaw which extends past the back edge of the eye.

• It is dark green above with silvery sides and belly.

• A dark stripe runs across its body.

Size: • Largemouth bass have been known to reach weights of over 20 pounds.

Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu Key Distinguishing Markings: • The best characteristic to distinguish a smallmouth from a largemouth bass is the position of the maxillary or large flap at the posterior end of the upper jaw.

• With the fish’s mouth closed, the maxillary will reach, but not obviously extend, beyond the eye, hence the name smallmouth.

• In largemouth bass the maxillary always extends past the back edge of the eye.

• Smallmouth bass are typically brown, bronze, or tan in general color.

• Smallmouth bass also have dark vertical bars which are usually green or gray in color.

• In the largemouth bass you would see a dark lateral band.

Size: • Smallmouth bass require three to five growing seasons, or perhaps six seasons in small streams, to reach the legal harvestable size of 12 inches.

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Key Distinguishing Markings: • Rainbow coloration varies widely. The same batch of rainbows grown at two different hatcheries can have noticeably different color intensities and patterns.

• For the most part, Maryland rainbows have a greenish-silver back and silver sides with a faint red band that travel the length of the lateral line.

• They are heavily spotted along the sides and top to include the dorsal and tail fins.

Size: • The average size range of rainbow trout is 10-13 inches, with some individuals reaching 20+ inches.

Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis (A.K.A. Speckled Trout) Key Distinguishing Markings: • Cream colored spots on a dark background.

Note: All other trout species in Maryland have dark spots on a light background.

• The spots along the back (dorsal) are elongated and appear worm-like.

• The spots below the lateral line are round, red and each is surrounded by a bluish halo.

• The fins along the bottom of brook trout (pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins) are highly distinctive and quite striking.

• They have a white leading edge followed by a black streak, with the rest of the fin displaying various shades of red, orange and yellow.

Size: • Relatively small, rarely growing over 9 to 10 inches.

• A 12-inch brook trout is rare and considered a real trophy.

“There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.” ~Washington Irving

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Brown Trout

Tiger Muskie

Salmo trutta Key Distinguishing Markings: • Brown trout vary greatly in appearance.

• Generally, they are olive green to brown on top, shading to a creamy, golden yellow on the sides and an off white along the belly.

• Most brown trout are covered with black spots along their sides, back and dorsal fin, with each spot surrounded by a light halo.

• Frequently, the spots near the lateral line are red.

• Unlike brook and rainbow trout, the tails of brown trout have few, if any, spots.

Size: • Because of their diverse diet, longevity and intelligence, it is easy to see how the state record brown trout grew to a walloping 18 pounds 3 ounces.

• The average size of brown trout is 12 to 14 inches.

Esox masquinongy x Esox lucius (A.K.A. Muskie) Key Distinguishing Markings: • In general, identifying the muskellunge from the hybrid is fairly easy, though it can be more difficult with some individuals.

• The tiger muskie is named for the prominent light-colored, branching bars on a dark blue-green background; some of the light-colored pattern continues across the back.

• Muskellunge, on the other hand, have much less prominent, non-branching, dark bars on an olive to tan background with no pattern across the back.

• Chin pores, located on the right and left bottom surface of the lower jaw, will usually number 6 or 7, up to 10, per side on muskellunge.

• Chin pores on tiger muskie number 5 or 6 per side.

Size: • The muskellunge, or muskie as it is more commonly called, is one of the largest freshwater game fish in North America.

Northern Pike Esox lucius Key Distinguishing Markings: • The northern pike is an elongated fish.

• A dorsal region that is bluish-green to gray in color distinguishes northern pike from other members of the pike family (chain pickerel, red fin pickerel, and muskellunge).

• Their sides have irregular rows of yellow or gold beanshaped spots.

• They also have fully scaled cheeks and five sensory pores on each side of the ventral surface of the lower jaw.

• The mouth is duck-bill shaped and is lined with many sharp canine teeth.

Size: • The northern pike is capable of growing more than three feet long and weighing greater than 20 pounds.

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Walleye Stizostedion vitreum Key Distinguishing Markings: • The walleye is named after its large opaque and almost blind-looking eye.

• The large reflective surface of its eyes gives the walleye a sight advantage over other fish, allowing them to find prey during the night.

• The walleye has a dark green or olive-green back, light brownish yellow sides, and a white belly.

• The back is crossed with five to twelve narrow dark bands.

• The walleye has two dorsal fins, the first having a dark spot at the posterior base of the fin.

• The lower lobe of the caudal fin and the anal fin are white at the tip.

Size: • The walleye is the largest member of the perch family, attaining lengths of more than 30 inches and weights of more than 10 pounds.

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Chain Pickerel Esox niger (A.K.A. Chainsides, Jackpike, Pike) Key Distinguishing Markings: • The chain pickerel is distinguished from its relatives, the northern pike and muskellunge, by its prominent chain-like markings on a contrasting lighter green background.

• Chain pickerel are fully scaled on both cheek and gill cover.

• They are characterized by a slender body, which is somewhat compressed and deepest near the middle.

• Head is large, naked, and depressed above.

• Chain pickerel have a conspicuous dark bar beneath each eye and the pupil of the eye is yellow.

• The snout is long, broad, and rounded • Large mouth and a sharp set of teeth.

• Dark upper side interrupted by light vertical bars.

• The large dorsal fin is located way back toward the caudal fin, which is forked.

Size: • Chain pickerel are the smallest gamefish in the Esox (pike) family.

• They can live for 10 years, reach a length of 3 feet and weigh 7 pounds or more.

• Carp have very large dark-edged scales with a dark spot at the base.

• Their pharyngeal “teeth,” located in the throat, are adapted for crushing. The larger ones look like human molars.

• Most carp are heavily scaled, but two genetic mutants show either few, extremely large scales (the “mirror carp”) or no scales at all (the “leather carp”).

Size: • Carp is the largest member of the minnow family.

• Carp generally grow to about 30 inches and 10 to 15 pounds, but they can weigh up to 60 pounds.

Common Carp Cyprinus carpio carpio (A.K.A. German Carp, Mirror Carp, Leather Carp) Key Distinguishing Markings: • There are two barbels on each side of the mouth. No other species that closely resembles the carp has these barbels.

• The carp’s body is robust, deep and thick, and arched toward the dorsal fin.

• Carp have a lengthy dorsal fin, with nearly 20 soft rays. The dorsal fin extends well along the back, and the fin edge is high in the front and straight in back.

• The tail fin is forked and is often a “reddish” color.

• The first dorsal and anal fin spines are serrated.

• The typical carp’s back is olive-brown to reddish brown, with the sides becoming silvery-bronze, brassy, or olive-gold. The belly is yellow or yellow-white. Most carp are bronze-gold to golden yellow on the sides and yellowish white on the belly.

• Lower fins are often reddish.

• Carp have a thick leathery appearance.

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Fishing is not a sport

one pursues for its pure

entertainment value. You might play baseball or

play a round of golf but you don’t play fishing.

You work a stream or you put your time in

on the water. You pay your dues. Fishing is

entertainment, but it is also about knowledge of nature and the

wilderness. No angler

worth his license thinks of fishing as purely fun and games playtime.

-anonymous

Answers to Music Quiz: 1. Allman Brothers Band 2. Led Zeppelin 3. Doobie Brothers 4. The Who 5. Grateful Dead 6. Taj Mahal 7. Lynyrd Skynyrd 172

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