FishTalk Magazine July 2023

See Your Local Suzuki Marine Dealer For All the Details

All Star Marine Inc | 410-574-8281 2434 Holly Neck Rd, Essex, MD

Bob’s Marine Service, Inc. | 302-539-3711

31888 Roxana Rd, Ocean View, DE

Danny’s Marine LLC | 410-228-0234

3559 Chateau Dr, E. New Market, MD

Fawcett Boat Supplies | 410-267-8681

919 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD

Friday’s Marine | 804-758-4131

(Malise Marine Sales & Service)

14879 GW Memorial Hwy, Saluda, VA

Galahad Marine | 410-827-7409

121 Rental Ln, Grasonville, MD

Hidden Harbour Marina | 301-261-9200 600 Cabana Blvd, Deale, MD

PYY Marine | 410-255-1771

1132 Pasadena Yacht Yard Rd, Pasadena, MD

Sandpiper Marine Inc | 757-787-7783

21530 Taylor Rd, Accomac, VA

Scott’s Cove Marina | 410-784-7624

10551 Eldon Willing Rd, Chance, MD

Thornes Marine | 410-957-4481

1237 Greenbackville Rd, Stockton, MD

Tradewinds Marina | 410-335-7000

412 Armstrong Rd, Middle River, MD

37

Chop Suey

10 Tips for Catching More Summertime Blues By Staff

39

North Point Twin Lighthouse

Ruins beckon foraging stripers and perch in the shadow of Baltimore.

By Wayne Young

41

Vacation at the BBOC in MD

The back bays of Ocean City, MD, hold fishing opportunities that will turn your vacation at the beach into bent rods and full coolers.

By Lenny Rudow

45

Getting Serious About Offshore

You say you’re ready to take offshore fishing to the next level?

By

Staff

47

Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish for Beginners

In many Bay tributaries and Mid-Atlantic lakes, ponds, and rivers, catfish are a prime target for beginners. By Staff

50

Prospecting for Top Topwater Hotspots

Boost the blowups by knowing where to place that lure ahead of time.

By Lenny Rudow

Noted Bay photographer David Sites gives us a patriotic angler’s view of Thomas Point Light. Thanks, David!

612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, MD 21403 (410) 216-9309 FishTalkMag.com

ANGLER IN CHIEF

Lenny Rudow, lenny@fishtalkmag.com

PUBLISHER

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A SSOCIATE PUBLISHER

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MANAGING EDITOR

Molly Winans, molly@fishtalkmag.com

SENIOR EDITORS

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COPY EDITOR

Lucy Iliff, lucy@fishtalkmag.com

FISHING REPORTS EDITOR

Dillon Waters

ADVERTISING SALES

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Beatrice M. Roderick, beatrice@fishtalkmag.com

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRODUCTION A SSISTANT

Royal Snyder, royal@fishtalkmag.com

TACTICIAN

Craig Ligibel

COASTAL CORRESPONDENT

John Unkart

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alan Battista, Jim Gronaw, Chuck Harrison, Capt. Monty Hawkins, Eric Packard, David Rudow, Wayne Young

DISTRIBUTION

Andy Aviles, Martin and Betty Casey, Gregory G. Greenwell Sr., Dave Harlock, Ron and Colleen Ogden, Ross Thornton, John and Chrissy Wathen

Rudow’s FishTalk is a monthly magazine for and about Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic anglers. Reproduction of any part of this publication is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the officers of Rudow’s FishTalk LLC. Rudow’s FishTalk LLC accepts no responsibility for discrepancies in advertisements.

Rudow’s FishTalk is available by first class subscription for $45 a year, and back issues are available for $4 each. Mail payment to Rudow’s FishTalk Subscriptions, 612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, MD, 21403.

Rudow’s FishTalk is distributed free of charge at more than 850 establishments along the shores of the Chesapeake and the DelMarVa Peninsula. Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute Rudow’s FishTalk should contact the Rudow’s FishTalk office, (410) 216-9309 beatrice@fishtalkmag.com.

© 2023 Rudow’s FishTalk LLC

Rudow’s FishTalk Recycles

Registration is open for the 17th Annual Fish For A Cure (F4AC) Tournament, Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge, and Shore Party to be held on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 at the South Annapolis Yacht Centre.

We’re excited to launch a new website and share updates to the tournament structure. For more information, visit us at www.fishforacure.org.

Notes from the Cockpit

Letters

You may remember that in the May edition Notes from the Cockpit column I asked readers to chime in with their thoughts on the spring trophy striped bass season. Here are some of the reasoned, well thought out messages I received. No matter who you are or what your position regarding trophy season may be, you are bound to see some items in here which you disagree with — perhaps vociferously. That’s okay. My hope is we can listen to each other with open minds in the interest of maintaining healthier fisheries for us all.

Science Matters

Thanks for raising the issue of whether to catch or release trophy striped bass. I agree it boils down to two main issues: the striped bass fishery is in trouble (note the four previous, extremely poor YOY numbers and ASMFC’s overfished status), and the beneficial economic impact of the trophy season. I also appreciate you mentioning the middle ground of a tag system that would limit, possibly with a fee paid, the number of trophy striped bass taken per angler.

I would like to build on your tag system idea. The most significant missing component of Maryland DNR’s striped bass program is the lack of research being done on striped bass in Chesapeake Bay. Knowing that striped bass remain the most popular commercial and recreational finfish in the Bay, generating roughly $500 million in economic activity related to fishing expenditures, travel, lodging, and so on each year (“The Economics of Recreational and Commercial Striped Bass Fishing”), you would think MD DNR would have a robust research program on striped bass. Not.

What are the catch and release impacts on large female striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay? Not just the immediate impact of release, but its longer-term impact on her millions of eggs deposited on the spawning grounds, and the success of those eggs? Also, it has been reported that male striped bass rarely exceed 35 inches. If true, then the trophy season is having an outsized impact on the reproductive success of the fishery. Research in this area would be helpful to determine whether or not a slot limit for the trophy season is appropriate. Beyond the trophy season, there is great need for research specific to the Chesapeake Bay on catch and release mortality that accounts for water and air temperature, salinity levels, and fishing gear type (live-lining, chumming, trolling, topwater, jigging, etc.).

Taking your tag system one step further, should both the striped bass recreational and commercial fishermen/women be required to purchase a “Striped Bass Stamp” to fund an effective Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass Research Program?

As you often write, follow the science!

- Rich K., a concerned striped bass fisherman

Slot, or Not?

Thanks for the thoughtful piece on our striped bass fishery. While we all have our own views I tend to look at what other states and jurisdictions are doing on fish management. With that in mind, the Chesapeake Bay is the ONLY place on the entire Atlantic seaboard that hasn’t had a slot limit. (Editor’s note: this was written and received prior to the ASMFC changes that created the current slot limit). And, not only do we not have a slot limit, but you have not been able to keep any fish under 35 inches during our two-week trophy season at the beginning of May. So, if you catch a 28-inch you have to release it and keep fishing until you catch the big breeder. Everywhere else slot limits have been introduced to protect the species, even the coastal waters of Maryland.

As for the economic impact on charter boats and tackle shops? I have to believe the impact is relatively small since we are talking about only 15 days of trophy season. The regular striped bass season runs from May 15 to the end of December, with a short two-week closure at the end of July. So there are seven months of season for the charter boats and tackle shops to make their money. Seems pretty obvious where we should go on this subject.

Thanks again, I really enjoy your magazine.

- Steve B.

(Editor’s note: Just for the record: the profit margins for tackle shops and charter boats can swing wildly depending on seasonality, and many tell me that a two-week season can have a surprisingly significant impact on their income.)

continued on page 14

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Notes from the Cockpit Seasonal Slot

Iwould like to share my opinion on your open question in the May edition regarding the striped bass spring trophy season in Maryland. After serving many years as a member of the Tidal and Coastal Recreational Fishing Committee (Advisory Committee for the MD DNR), I have become acutely aware of the troubles facing the striped bass fishery up and down the Atlantic Coast. The two most pressing problems facing the fishery are the decline in the population of the prime breeding size striped bass and the dreadful reproduction success in Maryland waters the past four years as measured by the Young of the Year (YOY) Surveys. To put this in layman terms, we have overfished the coastwide population of large females and their spawning efforts have resulted in paltry reproduction in Maryland’s spawning tributaries. IMHO, it is illogical for Maryland to schedule a spring trophy striped bass season which sets a minimum size of 35 inches. This regulation makes absolutely no sense to me! I support restructuring the spring season to a slot limit season.

- Kevin M. President, Annapolis Anglers Club

From a Former Guide

Iam a lifelong avid angler and also a retired Rocky Mountain fly fishing guide of 18 years, owned and operated a fly shop and guide service, and my family has owned and operated a bluewater (tuna and marlin) charter boat — I am no stranger to guiding, chartering, and the associated economics. I start with this background because I see a false choice that persists in the debate over striper trophy season. Most discussions devolve into a biology vs. economics argument — that even if populations are in decline and killing mature breeding females makes it worse, charter captains (and related economics from marinas and stores, etc.) still need trophy season to earn a living. I do not believe this is an either-or choice, it’s not a “save the fish vs. save the jobs” situation. My professional fishing background involved catch and release fishing exclusively. Thousands of clients over the years I personally guided, and thousands more clients from guides working for me, never once kept a fish despite the majority of those trips being on public water where keeping fish is legal. And my business wasn’t unique; other guides in my area also practiced catch and release exclusively, as do most fly fishing guides around the country. There is a proven, sound business model built around catch and release fishing.

People travel all over the world to chase bonefish — a fish that hardly any culture anywhere in the world eats, yet it is a booming guided fishing industry. The tarpon is a lifelong bucket-list trophy catch and another famous catch and release fish coveted by anglers, flocking to Florida and other destinations for the adventure and the experience, but not the meat.

If striper trophy season is about the trophy fish, then taking a photo or taking measurements for a replica mount fulfills the goal just as well as taking the photo of the dead trophy back at the dock. If trophy season is about the superior meat of a 40-inch fish, I’ve not heard that argument. Striper meat is widely available at grocery stores and markets, and catching your own dinner doesn’t require the mature spawning female to be the specific fish on the plate.

The whole larger debate about trophy season is complicated, nuanced, and filled with uncertainty, especially with Mother Nature having her input as well. But I have seen too many examples to accept that killing the fish you depend on to survive is the ONLY way to make a living as a guide or charter boat captain.

- John R.

United Front

Ithink the recreational fishing community needs a stronger voice. Since the collapse of the MSSA, the only voice of the recreational angler has become the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). Recently CCA did a planning session and it was mentioned that for a group to have any real input at any government level, the group needs a mass of around 4000 members. Previous MSSA members need to be reached and educated as to the importance of joining CCA, a national organization with many thousands of members from Washington State to California on the Pacific Coast, from Texas to Florida on the Gulf Coast, and from Florida to Maryland on the Atlantic Coast — with even an inland chapter in Kentucky.

As far as Maryland and Virginia go, on the management of the Chesapeake there is a lot of work to be done. If the states won’t act on behalf of the fish, we need to assemble the interested groups in Maryland and Virginia: Commercial fisherman, charter captains, recreational fisherman, guides, fishing clubs, and businesses like tackle shops and boat dealers and manufacturers, with an interest in the Bay need to sit down and see what each will give up, do, or volunteer, to save the striper regardless of what MD DNR or VRMC will or won’t do.

Some ideas of what these groups could do:

• Commercial: Take a reduction on quota and/or change harvest procedure to minimize bycatch mortality.

• Charters and guides: Accept one fish per person, limit the number of lines on a boat.

• Recreational: Give up fishing July 15 through August 31.

• Tackle Shops, boat dealers or manufacturers, and fishing clubs: quit selling treble hooks on saltwater lures, promote these concepts, contribute to legal campaigns, and promote catch and release information.

- Toby F.

Science Matters (Again!)

Ican’t help but think that we sometimes miss the big picture. Often fisheries managers point out that hitting the brakes on angler-caused mortality is the only tool they have available. But as the foot hits the brake pedal, shouldn’t we be thinking about how to drive the bus? The Chesapeake is a unique and changing ecosystem, yet managers are often stuck with using data from studies performed hundreds of miles away and/or decades ago. We desperately need to invest in better science to know the real catch and release mortality rates including how they change with seasonality. We need to know if handling pregnant females affects spawning success. We need to know if there’s a measurable mortality difference with gear and techniques. Most importantly, we need to look at not just how to remove fewer fish from the gene pool, but also how to help nature make more fish — how to “drive the bus” instead of just pumping the brakes. In the long term, the effects of issues like water quality and prey availability may well dwarf the impact of anglers. With the science in-hand we can then work on generating the political will to invest in all of these things if we’re ever going to have the fisheries our kids deserve.

- Charles B.

Fis H News

By Lenny Rudow

Size Matters

At its latest meeting, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted to take the emergency measure of capping the coastwide striped bass upper slot limits at 31 inches. The ASMFC is the interstate agency responsible for managing shared migratory fisheries and (in case you hadn’t noticed) has been tightening down the rockfish harvest since 2020, following the declaration that they were officially overfished. Four years in a row of sub-par young-of-year surveys in the Chesapeake Bay coupled with strong fishing pressure have put the 2029 target for rebuilding the fishery in doubt, and this latest action was taken to reduce pressure on the most recently matured spawning fish from the last strong year-class (2015).

Virginia’s upper slot of 28 inches is already in effect, and the Maryland DNR has implemented the 31-inch cap for the remainder of the 2023 Chesapeake Bay season; we can expect that

this has had tournament committees in Maryland rewriting rules at a frantic pace. Hopefully this will speed the transition to catch-photo-release formats, which have

been growing in popularity in recent years as more and more recreational anglers have begun shifting to a catch and release ethic when it comes to breeding-sized fish.

A Sad State of Affairs

Anew report from the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee evaluates why progress to restore local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay has been slower than expected. Problems cited include:

• Bay water quality standards were met in 27 percent of Bay waters in 1985, improving only to the mid 30-percent range in 2020.

• Non-point source implementation is not happening fast enough and is less effective than expected.

• Tens of millions of pounds of nitrogen reductions are needed to achieve the goal, but a decade of implementation has produced only 3.5 million pounds of nonpoint-source nitrogen reductions.

• Complete attainment of water quality standards remains in the distant future.

• There is significant uncertainty about historic non-point source management efforts including the benefits, how these efforts influence behavior, and whether they are implemented as prescribed.

• Current programs have failed to implement highly effective practices, such as forested buffers, at the rate needed.

• Implementation of agricultural best management practices is not producing the reductions expected (response gaps) particularly for phosphorous.

“As we face a third missed deadline, it’s time to take a hard look in the mirror and realize that we cannot rely on more money alone to meet the goals,” says Chesapeake Bay Foundation president Hilary Harp Falk. “While additional investment is still needed, we must drastically change and accelerate our approach to reducing the pollution running off the land.”

# There’s a new 28- to 31-inch slot limit up and down the coast for striped bass.

Staking Out a Surf Spot

Anew reservation system is now in effect on Delaware beaches for drive-on beach surf fishing access. For annual and two-year surf fishing permits, reservations will be required weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Saturday, May 20, through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. Reservations are not required Monday through Friday, except for holidays. Reservations for holidays will become available the Thursday prior. Offpeak surf fishing permits do not qualify for reservations. Reservations are first come first served and for each weekend will open weekly beginning Tuesdays for the upcoming Saturday and Wednesdays for the upcoming Sunday. They will be available until sold out for that weekend. Reservations may be made at destateparks.com/ surftagsales or by calling (800) 499-8221.

MD Registry Changes

Maryland saltwater anglers who need to complete an annual saltwater registration will discover a streamlined process, and no longer have to create an account in the state licensing system. Anglers who don’t have a license (or are exempt) and fish on a licensed boat still need to register, which is free. Simply visit Maryland’s Compass license page and you’ll see a new Saltwater Angler Registration box, making the registry just one click away.

A Finer Fuel?

The 2023 American Boating Congress opened this year with a very unusual fishing boat on hand: a 26-foot Sea Pro powered by a pair of Suzuki DF140 outboards, which burned EcoGen90 sustainable marine fuel for every inch of the 940-mile journey from Florida to Washington, DC. During the voyage the boat burned 479 gallons of EcoGen90, with no noticeable downsides as opposed to burning gas; captains reported flawless starting, strong acceleration, and excellent top-end speeds. Throughout the voyage the Suzuki DF140s filtered the water with the standard microplastic filters installed in Suzuki cooling systems. The collected microplastics will be analyzed so that filter effectiveness can be reviewed.

“We undertook this voyage in support of the National Marine Manufacturer Association’s initiative to educate and inform the industry, policy makers, and the boating public about alternative marine fuels,” said George “Gus” Blakely, Suzuki Marine executive vice president of sales and service. “There are roughly 12 million gasoline-powered boats across American today, so these new fuels offer a real opportunity for boaters and the boating industry to make an impact and lessen our environmental footprint. Not only are these fuels formulated with renewable content, but they also produce substantially fewer emissions and even provide boaters with enhanced performance and reliability. This is a win-win for boaters, the industry, and the environment,” he said.

T OUR n AME n T nE w S

As we crank up for the big events in August, the busiest month for tournament anglers plying the Atlantic, there are two biggies being held in Ocean City, MD, in July: the Tuna Tournament and the Huk Big Fish Classic.

July 14 to 16 is the annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament. Now in its 36th year, the Tuna Tournament boasts a payout of over $1 million and usually fields 100-plus boats. Visit octunatournament.com for the details. In pursuit of another milliondollar-plus purse, anglers will compete July 28 through the 30 in the Huk Big Fish Classic. There are a number of new 2023 rule clarifications posted on the website, so be sure to visit bigfishclassic.com and check them out before plotting your strategy.

# This 26-foot Sea Pro powered by Suzuki Df140 outboards ran all the way from Florida to DC on alternative fuels. Photo courtesy of Suzuki

# Twelve-year-old angler Dylan Cinque cranked up a 40.5 incher, earning him second place.

The Boatyard Bar & Grill

20th annual Opening Day Rockfish Tournament went off without a hitch this May, and although fishing was on the slow side, some beautiful rock were caught, photographed, and then released. Top honors go to Andrew Wendell with a 44.5-inch fish. A third-place score was made by Steve Wagner (with a 39-incher), but the coolest catch of all was the second-place fish. Twelve-year-old angler Dylan Cinque had a broken arm on the day of fishing, yet he still managed to crank up a 40.5 incher to earn his spot on the podium. WTG, Dylan! Tournament proceeds benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland, and the Annapolis Police Foundation Youth Fishing Camp, so we hope we’ll see you at the Boatyard in the spring of 2024.

# Top honors go to Andrew Wendell with a 44.5-inch fish. Photos courtesy of BB&G

HOT n E w GEAR

Editor’s Note: We wish we could personally test every item that appears on these pages, but that simply isn’t possible. So that you know the difference between when we’ve physically tested a piece of gear and when we’re writing about it because it’s newsworthy and we think you’ll want to know about it, we’ve developed this FishTalk Tested button. When you see it printed next to something in this section, it means we’ve personally run it through the wringer.

Spinal Tap

If you want your fish to last longer and taste better, you’ve probably become interested in Ike Jime, the technique of instantly dispatching a fish destined for the dinner table with a spike to the brain. Or, maybe you got into Ike Jime because you didn’t want those finned critters to suffer in the fishbox. Either way, to get the most out of your Ike Jime endeavors, after spiking and bleeding the fish you’ll want to eliminate muscle contractions by destroying the spinal cord. Enter: the Iki Jime Federation Circuit Breaker. This single-strand wire tool is elastic and resists kinking, has a grippy knob on the end, and coils neatly without tangling. We tried out the 18G 18-inch version (recommended for medium-sized fish like stripers, blues, and Spanish mackerel), and found it ideal for running through the spine without snagging or bending. After a couple of months of use on rockfish in the Bay it didn’t show any signs of corrosion. And yeah, we do think it gives your fillets a serious quality boost. Price: $19.99. Visit ikejimefederation.com

Can You See Me Now?

Two in One

Pop quiz: which do you like more, crankbaits or bladebaits? Well, why not fish both at once? The LunkerHunt Glitch Blade is a fascinating combination of lure styles, featuring the front end of a crankbait melded with the back end of a bladebait. Available in eight color patterns, this three-inch, half-ounce lure has the lip of a crank which the maker says gives it an aggressive rolling action that deflects snags while calling in the fish. We can’t say how effective the Glitch Blade will be, but we can say we’ve certainly never seen anything like it before. Price $8.99. Visit lunkerhunt.com to learn more.

Nothing’s more frustrating than a smudgy, smeary fishfinder screen (except maybe a blank one). Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for a touchscreen unit to go from crystal clear to completely crapped up. And once a bit of salt spray gets on there, if you clean it wrong you could damage the screen. So, we were psyched to check out Ultra Clarity Screen Cleaner. There are plenty of LCD cleaners out there that work great, but the cool thing about Ultra Clarity is that you can get the “value kit” which includes a compact one-ounce mini-sprayer, a microfiber screen cloth, and a six-ounce refill bottle. The minisprayer and cloth are easy to stow at the helm, and when the bottle runs out you can bring it back home to top it off. Plus it’s dirt cheap and yes, it worked great. Price: $7.99. Visit amazon.com.

A Better Boot

Slipping and sliding on rocks can make wade fishing difficult — and embarrassing. Simms newest way of addressing the problem is their G4 PRO Powerlock Boot-Vibram, which has interchangeable aluminum and TPR plastic cleats. Normally cleated boots couldn’t be worn in a boat but the TPR cleats won’t do any damage, and you can swap ‘em out for extra-grippy aluminum before walking the slick rocks. The boots have a waterproof synthetic upper, a partial neoprene lining, dual-density midsoles, a Vibram Idrogrip outsole, and come with complete 14-cleat sets in both materials. Price: $499.95. Visit simmsfishing.com for more information.

wMO on the Mind

With the White Marlin Open coming up next month many anglers will have tournament time front and center in their consciousness, and if you need something to keep your mind occupied until then you might want to pick up a copy of the new novel “Marlin Week.” Written by

Katherine Ruskey,

Marlin Week focuses on tournament-competing characters and their relationships as the big event takes place. Genuine Ocean City knowledge is woven throughout, and you’ll read about things like the beaches of Assateague, Thrasher’s, Trimper’s, and Sunset Marina. But remember, this is a novel revolving around tournament-time in OCMD as opposed to being an informational-style fishing book. The back cover description reading “A cocktail of fishing stories and beach days with a splash of romance,” is right on target. Added bonus: cover art is a rockin’ cool Carey Chen. Price: $22.99, available at amazon.com

Fishin’ for Fission

We’re not sure where the inspiration for their new Radioactive rods and reel combos came from, but 13Fishing has set a new and blinding bar. These radically bright orange and green combos are, by the company’s own admission, “so bright they need an exclusion zone,” and they say, “we pulled this paint job straight from Chernobyl.” Um, okay! If this is your sort of look you’ll appreciate that the 7’1” and 7’3” rods are built on PVG36T graphite blanks, and guides are stainless-steel with Zirconia inserts. The matching reels can put out 13 pounds of max drag, have infinite anti-reverse, and a six-way centrifugal brake system. Line ratings range from 10- to 25-pound test. Price: $169.99. Visit 13fishing.com for more information, but if they’re out of stock, don’t have a meltdown.

Bait and Switch

The classic bait and switch is a widely known tactic for getting marlin to eat a hook, but traditionally, it’s performed with a hookless teaser and a hook-bait. In reality, most of the time recreational anglers have the opportunity to use this tactic they’re trolling a mixed spread and teasers aren’t in the water. On top of that, when someone spots a bill behind the boat the usual reaction is to yell and shout — but it’s rare to see someone spring into action in such a way that the fish will jump on a bait. So, the next time you’re trolling a mixed spread offshore, remember:

• If you spot a billfish going after a rigged bait there’s probably no need for a switch; let it commit suicide. If you can get to the rod in time go into freespool as the fish hits, allow five or six seconds, then send the hook home.

• If you spot a billfish batting at a rigged bait but it doesn’t try to eat, take three cranks on the reel, pause, then take three more. Convince the fish that his dinner is trying to flee.

• If you spot a billfish eyeballing or batting at an artificial, it’s time to enact a “real” bait and switch. You can either grab a pitch-bait and send it back or grab a rod with a natural bait that’s already deployed, and crank, drop, or direct the bait as necessary so it starts 10 or 15 feet in front of the fish then flutters back past it as though injured when you drop it back in freespool.

• If you spot a billfish eyeballing or batting at an artificial and you have a rigged bait forward of it, crank on the artificial while dropping the rigged bait back (the sight of the artificial “escaping” will often get the billfish hot).

Packin’ Oats

Carp love corn, and many anglers chum with it to get the fish into a feeding mood. Often, however, it’s easy to out-cast the distance you can fling your corn-chum by a longshot. If that’s a scenario you face, consider pack-baiting.

• Get a can of creamed corn, and thoroughly mix it with regular dry oats at around a 1:4 ratio.

• Let it sit for around 20 minutes.

• While it’s percolating, open a can of sweet corn and thread several kernels onto your hook.

• When the creamed corn and oats mix is ready, grab a handful and smoosh it more or less flat in your palm.

• Place the hooked corn in the center, roll the edges up, and apply pressure to form it into a pack-bait slightly larger than a golf ball.

• Cast it out and let it sit. You probably won’t get a bite right off the bat, but in five or 10 minutes the pack bait will fall apart (water conditions and how firm your pack is will have a big effect on just how long it takes), chumming the waters right where you’ve cast while also exposing your hook bait.

# Chum the waters around your bait by casting a pack-bait.

# The ‘ol bait and switch is a tactic to keep in mind even when you aren’t using a teaser.

C HESA p EA k E C A l E n DAR

F OR C H e SAP e A ke B AY BOATING N e WS , v ISIT PROPTAL k. COM

July through Jul 28

yankee Point marina charity concert series

10 weekends raising funds for 10 local charities to the tunes of 10 musical acts. Friday nights, June 2 through July 28, 6 to 9 p.m. at The Beach at Yankee Point Marina in Lancaster, VA. No cover, 100 percent of bar proceeds go to the charity of the evening. Food truck on-site. Listen from your boat on Myer Creek or bring a beach chair.

through Oct 31

the great chesapeake invasives count

In this unique FREE competition platformed on the iAngler app, each time you log a snakehead, blue catfish, or flathead catfish, you get another entry in the monthly prize drawings. The data collected helps fishery managers understand which invasives are being caught and where, their sizes, and more. Register: ccamd.org

1 cBmm Big Band Night

7 to 10 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. Gates open at 6, music starts at 7. Fireworks begin at dusk (rain date: July 2). Admission is $6 for CBMM members and $10 for non-members, with children ages 5 and under, plus active and retired military, free.

1 middle River fireworks Extravaganza

Presented by the Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County. Fireworks begin at dusk (approximately 9:15 p.m.). The barges will be anchored just outside the six-knot zone in Middle River.

3 chesapeake Beach independence Day celebration

The display is viewable along the Fishing Creek bridge, Kellam’s field, Veteran’s Memorial Park, or at one of the town’s waterfront restaurants or resort. The fireworks are held at dusk. Rain date: July 8.

3 Rock hall fireworks over the harbor

Fireworks over Rock Hall Harbor start at approximately 9:15 p.m. Presented by the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company. Please help keep this tradition going; donations are welcome.

3 salute to cecil county Veterans

6 to 10 p.m. at North East Town Park in North East, MD. The official ceremony begins at 8 p.m. and includes the flag raising, Pledge of Allegiance, salute to the veterans, and more. There will also be music, displays, food, family-oriented activities, and fireworks over the water. Seating is on the grass and along the waterfront in the park; bring blankets and chairs.

4 annapolis fourth of July celebration

The Fourth of July Parade takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. beginning at Amos Garrett and West Street. Fireworks are from 8 to 9:45 p.m. and will be launched from a barge in Annapolis Harbor.

4 fourth of July great american Picnic and fireworks

5 to 10 p.m. at Town Point Park along the downtown Norfolk, VA, waterfront. Relax on the lawn and enjoy an evening of all-American fare along with live musical entertainment from military brass bands. Fireworks over the Elizabeth River begin at 9:30 p.m. Free.

4 yorktown fourth of July

Get ready for a full day of events at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA, including live music, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and fireworks over the York River at 9:15 p.m.

4 fourth of July in Washington, Dc

The National Independence Day Parade takes place annually on July 4 at 11:45 a.m. on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street. The National Park Service hosts the annual Independence Day fireworks celebration on the National Mall, typically starting around 9 p.m., which launches from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

4 Newport News fourth of July stars in the sky

Presented by the Newport News Department of Parks and Recreation at Victory Landing Park (50 25th St.) in Newport News, VA. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. and include children’s activities, strolling entertainers, food vendors, live music from 7:30 to 9 p.m., and the night will culminate in a spectacular fireworks show. Admission and parking are free.

4 ocean city July fourth fireworks

Two locations: downtown at N. Division Street and uptown at Northside Park (125th Street). Live music and fireworks at both locations. Bring a beach chair or blanket and arrive early. Music starts at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

4 Queen anne’s county annual fireworks-kent Narrows

Fireworks can be viewed from the Kent Narrows and surrounding area. The celebration has moved to the parking area of the old outlets at 59 Piney Narrows Road. The parking/ event area opens at 5 p.m. Food trucks, music, free parking, and fireworks at 9:20 p.m.

4 solomons fourth of July Boat Parade

12 p.m. start in Mill Creek (coordinates: 38.331264 by 76.450065) in Solomons, MD. Dress up your boat and passengers; patriotic music is a plus. Anyone can join! No need to register. Please obey all rules of the road and organizers ask that slower boats (less than 6 mph) stay at the end of the parade. Questions: email Melissa McCormick at pickncrabs@ yahoo.com with subject line ‘Boat Parade.’

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6 amm tides and tunes

summer concert series

Live music by Weird Science. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted. Food and spirits are available for purchase. Beverage sales support the Museum’s education program. No outside alcohol is permitted. Bring a chair or blanket.

7-9 Potomac Jazz and seafood festival

Held along the shores of the Potomac River in the charming Town of Leonardtown in St. Mary’s County, MD, the festival will feature fantastic jazz artists during the three-day weekend. Proceeds from this event go towards funding the nonprofit Friends of St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point Museums.

12 frederick saltwater anglers club monthly meeting

Frederick Saltwater Anglers meet monthly at 7 p.m. at the Frederick Elks Club, the second Wednesday of every month. Food starts at 6 p.m. and we have speakers, vendors, and raffles with 50/50s. Call Rob at (301) 606-0392 for more information.

13 yorktown sounds of summer concert series

6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Brasswind. Guests are permitted to bring their own blankets, chairs, and small coolers. There will be a dance floor, friendly games of cornhole, and food trucks.

20 amm tides and tunes summer concert series

Live music by Kevin Walker and the Jazz Chronicles. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted.

20 yorktown sounds of summer concert series

6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by The Deloreans.

29-30 smBc leonardtown Bash on the Bay Exhibition-only event with vintage race boats. In Leonardtown, MD. Southern Maryland Boat Club.

Chesapeake Calendar

August

3 amm tides and tunes summer concert series

Live music by Wheelhouse Rock Band. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus.

3 yorktown sounds of summer concert series

6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Slapnation.

4-5 marlins for mason tournament

Marlin release tournament to benefit the Dravet Syndrome Foundation in honor of Mason Prather. Registration August 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ocean City Marlin Club. Entry: $500. (302) 581-9323 or  marlinsformason@gmail.com

5 Perch-a-Palooza

Prizes for biggest overall as well as a youth division with prizes. Presented by Amped Up Outdoors.

10 amm tides and tunes summer concert series

Live music by Loose Ties. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus.

10 yorktown sounds of summer concert series

6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by The Main Event Band.

11-13 Pirates & Wenches Weekend

Come by land or by sea to the town of Rock Hall, MD, for a town-wide family theme party you won’t soon forget.

Do you have an upcoming event? send the details to: kaylie@proptalk.com

with Lenny

Tune in Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 6 p.m. for a new episode of LIVE with Lenny!

New episodes air on the first Thursday of the month on our Facebook page (facebook.com/fishtalkmag) and YouTube channel (youtube.com/fishtalkmagazine).

View past episodes at fishtalkmag.com/live-with-lenny

19 kent island fishermen 17th annual youth fishing Derby Sponsored by the Kent Island Fishermen, Inc. and the Kent Island Estates Community Association in memory of Jon Bupp. At the Romancoke Pier on Kent Island. Age groups: 3-5, 6-10, and 11-16. All participants must be accompanied by a parent or adult. 8 a.m. registration, fishing from 9 to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. prizes and refreshments at the Kent Island American Legion #278. Bring your rods (minimal loaner rods available); bait provided.

28 Rockfish Rodeo fishing tournament and crab feast At the Crab Deck in Kent Narrows, MD. Participating anglers fish from one of the many Maryland licensed charter boats. The winning rockfish is based on the longest length, as reported by the captain, and confirmed by the tournament officials. Afterwards enjoy food, beverages, live music, games, silent auction, and awarding of the Rockfish Rodeo winners. Benefits Talisman Therapeutic Riding.  info@talismantherapeuticriding.org

# Dennis and Chris enjoyed some C & R action at the CCNPP on opening day.

# Capt. John, Lynette, Slater, and Capt. Thomas were psyched to land this wahoo on a trip to Islamorada.

# Rich tied into this big blue cat fishing near Port Deposit.

# Ryan reeled in a nice rainbow trout.

Reader Photos presented by

Reader Photos presented by

# Carter caught his first monster smallie on the Patuxent. That’s one heck of a nice smallmouth, Carter.

# Andy enjoyed some nice action on bass in Lake Roland this spring.

# 10 year old Jace wrestled a 36-incher out of the surf on Assateague… and 11 year old Braedon tied into another beauty shortly after.

# That’s one beautiful bass for kenny!

# A mystery fish and a mystery angler – the first week of trophy season we heard of exceptionally few keeper-sized fish. But, this pic proves they did in fact exist!!

# Zach broke the 50-inch barrier, reeling in this huge 51-incher while fishing bloodworms in the Delaware River.

# eben and Amos enjoyed an early and active start on rockfish season this spring.

# Andrew tied into one beast of a bass this spring.

Reader Photos presented by

# Ryan and Christian enjoyed a day of mixed-species catching on the West River.

# kate gives her new best friend a big hug.

# Gary tied into this monster snake — a 31.5-incher! — in Dorchester County.

# Ron got this snakehead in Mallows Bay.

# William made a nifty farm pond catch: a hybrid rockfish on the fly.

Reader Photos presented by

# Parker and Brandon enjoyed a solid largemouth bite on the Potomac River.

# Liam may be four years old, but he already catches some honkin’ big bass.

# Will prepares for his first guided fly fishing trip, by… going fly fishing!

# Savannah scored her first white perch on the West River, fishing with Grandma. Awesome start, Savannah!

Reader Photos presented by

Reader Photos presented by

# Caroline and kellie checked off a bucket-list item, catching their first Chesapeake Bay rockfish this spring.

# Seth went eeling for rockfish near Rock Hall, and came up with blue cats instead.

# Doug enjoyed some ePIC post-spawn C&R bass fishing on the Gunpowder.

Hot New Fishboats

By Lenny Rudow

Scout 281 XSS: Going Hybrid

Scout has a new hybrid bay boat in their lineup, and the 281 XSS is not only their newest it’s the largest as well. Par for the course for this builder, it’s also jam-packed with features that you won’t find on any other fishing machine.

When we saw this model at the Miami International Boat Show, the first thing that jumped out at us was the leaning post. Sure, all hybrid bay

Q U i C k F ACTS

LOA: 28’1”

Beam: 9’4”

Displacement: 5457 lbs

Draft (hull, approx.): 1’2”

Transom Deadrise: 15.5 deg

Fuel Capacity: 126 gal.

Max Power : 450 hp

AREA DEA l ER

Anchor Boats, North east, MD, (800) 773-2628 or anchorboat.com

boats have a leaning post. But this one’s a stand-out among the standouts. Tackle stowage is solid, with four Plano-style boxes in one side and two large stowage drawers on the other (plus there are additional stowage drawers in the steps up to the aft deck). In the back you’ll find an aquariumstye livewell up top and a slide-out 65-quart Yeti down below. And on either side of the livewell there are pull-out washdown hoses on internal self-retracting reels. Atop the post has two comfy chairs at the helm with flip-up bolsters and flip-down arm rests, and four rocket launchers across the back. We’re left slack-jawed trying to imagine how they managed to fit all those goodies into the leaning post on a 28-footer, but fit them they did.

Another major-league highlight is the layout. In the bow Scout incorporates a forward console lounger which has a coffin box style fishbox underneath, ringed by U-shaped seating that can do double-duty as an elevated casting position when the cushions are pulled. Both the forward upper casting platform and the aft casting platform are decked in cushy synthetics.

Speaking of the aft casting deck: it’s home to a flip-up seat, with port and starboard fishboxes that can be optioned up as livewells. Nice, but no surprises… right? Wrong — flip up the two aft center hatches and you’ll discover four tubes dedicated to fender stowage. In our humble opinion these ought to be plumbed as tuna tubes, but hey, for those who enjoy cocktail

# That leaning post is among the most ambitious — and effective — we’ve ever seen.

Hot New Fishboats

cruises and raft-ups it certainly is a feature to appreciate.

Additional fishing goodies include eight flush-mount rodholders, horizontal under-gunwale racks, and a Garmin 943XS with a B60 transducer. It’s critical to note that Scout builds their boats at the peak of the tech curve, and the Garmin (which you can upgrade to a pair of MFDs) serves not only as a chartplotter/fishfinder but also as a touchscreen interface with all the boat’s digital switching systems. Whether you want to turn on the underwater lights or run the livewell pump, it’s a screen-swipe away.

Another techy touch can be found in how this boat is built. Scout uses epoxy infusion with carbon fiber and e-glass throughout the 28 XSS. And if you’ve been aboard a modern Scout you already know that the fit and finish is utterly awesome. You say a good fit and finish is nice, but you want the hottest-looking fishing machine in the marina? There are a number of upgrades available for customizing the boat to your tastes, from custom painting the engines to a carbon fiber finish on the hatches.

We’re almost out of space but we can’t let you go without covering the boat’s performance, which is positively hat-stripping. Mount a single Mercury 450R on the back and you’re looking at a cruise of over 40 mph at 4500 rpm, and a top speed around 62 mph. What’s even better is that the boat’s peak efficiency of 2.3 mpg runs from 4000 to 4500 rpm, so you don’t need to worry about cruising slow to save fuel.

Is the Scout 281 XSS the ideal fishing machine for you? That’s your call. But among a fast-growing fleet of hybrid bay boats, this is one that stands out big-time.

Sportsman Open 262: Bred for the Bay

What’s the ideal size center console for plying the Chesapeake’s waters?

Many would argue a 26-footer is perfect. It has room for plenty of anglers and the heft to handle choppy seas, but isn’t so big it’s difficult to handle or store. Sportsman’s Open 262 certainly checks these boxes, but there are a number of additional traits that make it a potentially perfect fishing machine for the Chesapeake.

First and foremost, fishability: the 262 Open comes with a pair of pressurized 30-gallon aquarium-style livewells in the transom, which will not only hold dozens of spot for days on end but will also entertain the kids when the bite’s slow. And when that bite is hot, the pair of 140-quart indeck fishboxes will be much appreciated. Then, there are rodholders. The stock selection includes four flushmounts, rocket launchers and kingfish holders on the T-top, rocket launchers in the leaning post, and racks under the gunwales. There’s tackle stowage in the leaning post, and both raw and freshwater washdowns come standard.

Family anglers will appreciate the roomy head compartment, full coaming bolsters, and copious seating. There’s a flip-up bench seat in the transom and a double-wide forward

console seat, but the prime kick-backand-relax spots are found in the bow. Rather than designing in the U-shaped seating common to boats of this size and type Sportsman took a loungerstyle approach and gave it more of a V-shape, with two full-length forward-facing loungers and removable backrests. Sure you could sit here, but why sit when you can recline? Added bonus: the 262 Open comes with a sixspeaker JL audio and Fusion Apollo RA670 stereo system. Double-added bonus: this is one of the few boats its size to have entry doors on not one but both sides, so getting on and off is easy no matter which side of the dock you’re tied up to.

If that sounds like a slew of standard features — which most other builders would call cost-adding options — well, it is. Some of the other unexpected perks on the stock boat include underwater lights, an actuated vent in the windshield, a throughhull anchor windlass, and a 12-inch Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv. Speaking of that Garmin, it talks with a SeaStar Maximus Digital Switching system and the Garmin’s touchscreen is your interface with the boat.

Note also that the Open 262 is available with either a single or twin outboards, so those who think they may venture offshore a time or two when the tuna come to

Hot New Fishboats

town have the option of going with multiple powerplants. A single F425 nets you a cruise of right around 40 mph at 4500 rpm and a top-end in the low-to-mid 50s, while a pair of F150s runs in the low-to-mid 30s and hits the upper-mid 40s at wideopen throttle.

We can debate about what makes a “perfect” size center console for the Bay all day long, and truth be told, the correct answer can be completely different for different people. But if a 26-footer falls into the sweet spot for you, the Sportsman 262 Open might just prove to be, well, perfect.

Q U i C k F ACTS

LOA: 26’6”

Beam: 9’5”

Displacement: 5800 lbs

Draft (hull): 1’10”

Transom Deadrise: 22 deg

Fuel Capacity: 160 gal

Max Power : 425 hp

AREA DEA l ER

Riverside Marine, essex, MD, (410) 686-1500 or riversideboats.com

Swellpro Splash Drone 4: Gee, that’s swell

If you prefer to deliver your baits by air as opposed to by boat, you’ll find SwellPro’s new Splash Drone 4 intriguing. This airborne angling accouterment is designed to float, and can fly in rain and snow (for you ice fishermen?). It has a new IP66rated waterproof remote controller, a three-axis 4K camera, and a payload release that can deliver baits of over a pound to hotspots two miles away. We heard fly fishing was cool, but we had no idea this is what they were talking about…

# You’ve gotta love the twin aquarium-style livewells in the transom.

# Using chunks of bait small enough for the bluefish to eat in one bite is a good move, or they’ll often take bites out of the bait without finding the hook.

10 Tips for Catching More Summertime Blues

By Staff

What’s the most dangerous fish in the ocean? With a bite pressure of four tons per square inch and dozens of dagger-sharp teeth, the mako shark jumps to mind. Other toothy predators like wahoo can also do serious damage to an angler, and billfish have been known to spear humans now and again. But it’s the lowly bluefish that hurts more people each and every year — more than all of these other fish put together. In fact, on a single day in Dade county, FL, 11 separate bluefish injuries were reported.

Of course, this danger-factor won’t stop we adventurous anglers from targeting the most injurious fish in the sea. So the next time you decide to put bluefish in your sights, use these tricks to get your rod bending.

Three Tips for Bait

1. Bluefish feed by cutting chunks out of their prey’s body, so if you’re bait fishing don’t freespool on a strike and wait for the fish to inhale your offering. Instead, keep a taut line and set the hook the moment you feel a bite. If it takes the fish several hits before they find your hook, consider down-sizing the baits so the fish can grab your entire offering — hook included — on the first attack.

2. If you’re live-lining spot and bluefish keep snapping off the heads or tails, consider switching to chunks (and see above).

3. If you’re catching fish and running low on bait don’t hesitate to slice off the flank of the smallest blue in your cooler and chop it into strips. These fish are cannibalistic, and are perfectly happy to eat bluefish chunks.

Three Tips for Lures

1. Chopper blues are very sensitive to vibrations. When the water is off-color and/or light levels are low, lures that vibrate or create a disturbance in the water, like wobbling spoons or plugs with rattles, are often the most effective.

2. Bluefish will eat just about anything, but the majority of their diet is made up of finfish. Accordingly, they’re attracted to lots of flash. When choosing artificial lures for trolling or casting, shiny silver metals often work best. Spoons enjoy the added advantages of being bite-proof, and of providing you with a “handle” to grab once you bring the fish into the boat. Classics like the Huntington Drone or Tony Acetta Pet work great for ‘em.

3. Unless the fish are breaking water, troll more and cast less. Blues aren’t as structure-oriented as they are interested in where the bait is, so they often rove around through open waters. Unless the location of a school is visible, staying on the move and covering ground is usually a better bet.

And Four More for All Things Bluefish

1. Blues like to jump, so be prepared for aerial acrobatics. When one comes out of the water reel as fast as possible to maintain tension at all times. And during the fight, keep your rod tip low and out to the side instead of up high because less of an upward angle will discourage jumping.

2. Don’t worry about reeling or trolling too quickly, because these are fast-paced fish. Even trolling for mackerel at nine mph you’ll still catch some (though going that fast certainly will diminish the numbers), and most of the time there’s a much better chance your offering will be moving too slowly to generate their interest as opposed to too quickly for them to catch.

3. If you want to catch real “choppers” in the 10-plus pound range, head for the ocean and fish inshore shoals. Choppers used to dominate the Chesapeake and although far fewer real trophies have come up in the Bay in recent decades, they can still be found off the coast. Note: Remember that blues over five or six pounds are not very good to eat, and most anglers practice catch-photo-release.

4. Finally — and we’re betting you already guessed this — use a trace of wire leader to prevent bite-offs.

CAUTION

• Never put a finger into a bluefish’s mouth when taking a hook out. Use pliers or if the hook’s too deep cut the line well outside the fish’s mouth and consider the hook a loss.

• Don’t slide your hand under the gill plate of a bluefish to hold it. If it thrashes (and blues often do) your hand may slide up too far and become exposed to the fish’s back teeth. Instead, wrap your hand around the fish from the back side. With larger blues, you can also grab the base of the fish’s tail with your other hand and have a buddy remove the hook.

# Be extra careful with bluefish (especially when trebles are part of the mix) or your own blood could soon be mixing with the fish’s.

• Bluefish and treble hooks don’t mix. Remember, these fish often thrash around in a rather chaotic manner. All too often, they’ll sink a treble into an angler’s hand or arm as they do so.

# Bluefish love silver spoons.

North Point Twin Lighthouse

Ruins beckon foraging stripers and perch in the shadow of Baltimore.

Acircular pile of rocks southeast of North Point (Site 1 on Image 1) at the mouth of the Patapsco River had been a mystery. Charted as an obstruction, I supposed it could be a ballast pile but the rocks are much larger than what could be manhandled. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s online historical map and chart collection is a superb resource that sometimes helps shed light on lost Bay history. Working back through the historic charts, the 1923 approach chart showed an old tower where the obstruction is located. An 1857 approach chart showed and named two lighthouses. That reveal

By Wayne Young

enabled unraveling the rest of the story about what is now fishing structure.

“Mrs. E. Riley, keeper, assistant, deaf and dumb son, who performed the duty of keeper to both lights: has kept for 23 years.” So goes an 1851 lighthouse report about North Point Upper and Lower Lighthouses marking the North Point Shoal and the north side entrance to the Patapsco River and their keeper, Elizabeth Riley. She apparently succeeded her husband as keeper in 1834, and wasn’t the only woman who served as keeper under the U.S. Lighthouse Service, later incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard. As a buoy tender sailor, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more — and also assess the fishing potential.

Two range lights for North Point were appropriated by Congress in 1819, 1822, and 1823. There are no pictures. But the lights were contemporary with the Bodkin Point Light, which was a masonry structure. We find from an 1838 inspection report at lighthousefriends.com that “These lights are built on piers about 150 yards from the shore, and are brought in a range in steering for the harbor of Baltimore. They are very important lights, but, in consequence of the humidity of the atmosphere in the lanterns, they cannot be seen at a proper distance.” The report went on: “Tower rubble-stone, badly built; pointing good; stucco bad.” So, there we

# North Point Craighill Cut-off Channel Front Range and North Point twin lighthouse ruins. Satellite images courtesy of Google e arth.

have it, masonry structures consisting of rubble stone and mortar.

A concise history of the North Point Ranges lights posted by cheslights.org is more complete: “The two whitewashed masonry towers were constructed and completed in 1822. The eastern tower (lower light) stood in three feet of water and was connected to the shore by a 200-foot walkway. The western tower (upper light) stood in five feet of water approximately 700 yards from the eastern tower, 100 yards from the shoreline.” Based on these brief descriptions and existing conditions, remnants are still there.

According to the 1874 Lighthouse Service inspection report “These lights were discontinued (1873) when the Craighill Channel range had been established and mariners had become accustomed to them, as their use was no longer necessary. The lens and supplies were removed and sent to the general depot. The old towers on North Point will be retained as day-marks.”

Historical records from the Coast Guard Historian’s Office document show that Congress appropriated funds for construction of range lights for the new Craighill Cut-Off Channel in 1885 and construction on them and a keeper’s house ashore began in that year. An assessment for including the front range, marked Site 2 on Image 1, on the National Historic Register reports: “It was first proposed to use the rear tower of the old North Point Range as the front beacon for the new Cut-off Channel Range Light Station, but careful examination showed it was unsuitable for that purpose. Plans were, therefore, draw up for a new brick tower, octagonal in shape, to be built on the old stone foundation of the North Point Lighthouse.”

The Historian’s Office reports that the former tower was dismantled. A small bridge connected the light to the keeper’s house ashore. The bridge was destroyed by a storm in 1893. “Rather than rebuild the bridge, it was decided

that the keeper would move into the less than 12-foot-square lighthouse and use a skiff to get to shore.” Based on these historical records, I believe that the rocks on the north and east side of the front range shown by Google Earth (lower left insert of Image 1) and Coast Guard historic photos are where the rubble rocks from the 1822 lighthouse were disposed of onsite.

Water depths around the lighthouse rock ruins are shallow. The north and east sides of the range light are foul because of the disposed rocks. There potentially may also still be broken off, deteriorated piles from the old small bridge that was carried

away. These features, located as they are at the harbor entrance, have better water quality than inside the harbor. They also provided foraging opportunities for striped bass and white perch. Other nearby features to cast to on the north side include the riprap around the end of the fishing pier causeway at Bay Shore Park and the three sunken scows off the end of the abandoned Ferry Grove Pier steamer landing, shown in Image 2, at North Point State Park. The pier is highly deteriorated and parts are beginning to collapse. Depths are very shallow around the pier, but the scows can be approached from the Bay side. #

Wayne Young is the author of many books detailing bay and ocean structure, including “Bridges Under Troubled Waters: Upper Chesapeake and Tidal Potomac Fishing Reefs,” “Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reefs, Voyage of Discovery,” “Phantoms of the Lower Bay,” and “Hook, Line, and Slinker.” All are available at Amazon.com, and you can find his Facebook page at Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reefs.

# Approximate layout of Ferry Grove Pier, steamer landing wing wall remnants, and concrete barge breakwater structures at North Point State Park. The area between the barges and the pier is foul.

Vacation at the BBOC in MD

The back bays of Ocean City, MD, hold fishing opportunities that will turn your vacation at the beach into bent rods and full coolers.

Like many people who grew up in the region I’ve been going on summer family vacations to Ocean City for my entire life. Unlike many, my fascination with the beach ended the moment I had to reel in my line. I get it — a zillion people splashing around in the water isn’t a great place to sling hooks — but before long I realized it

By Lenny Rudow

didn’t matter, because when casting in the surf is verboten there’s still a ton of angling to be done in the inlet and nearby back-bays.

Knowing that countless anglers consider heading for OC during the summertime, we decided to make it the last stop on our epic triple-destination Fish & Hunt Maryland whirlwind tour

of the state. And to boost our chances of success we teamed up with the sharpies from Fish in OC to target flounder in the BBOC.

Mission Probable

Despite a high level of confidence in our ability to catch those flatties, we opted to start this adventure by clinching success right from the start. So, we began the trip by hauling my 16’ crabbing skiff to the public ramp, launching, and spending the afternoon clamming.

You don’t have to wait for clams to bite and they can’t exactly dart off as you approach, so catching clams is pretty darn close to a sure thing. True, finding them can take some hunting, but if you stay on the move and try multiple areas it usually doesn’t take long before you stumble onto a productive bed and start filling the bucket. We simply cruised along behind Assateague Island until we saw a creek mouth in the marsh, pulled in, dropped anchor, and jumped off the boat into knee-deep water. Then we wiggled our toes into the bottom of the bay, feeling around for those nuggets of culinary nirvana. Within seconds the cry “got one!” rang out, and in an hour we had plenty of clams for an all-you-can-eat feast.

# Lenny from FishTalk and Scott from Fish In OC celebrate the catch.

For more detailed information on clamming check out “Shellfish Behavior: How to Go Clamming” at FishTalkMag.com. Or, if you want guaranteed success you can hire a guide — there are several charter operations in Ocean City which run clamming trips and will even outfit you with clamming rakes if you’d rather not wiggle your toes in the benthos.

With our buckets full of bivalves and several hours of daylight left, we decided to get a jump start on the fishing. After making the short run to the Route 50 bridge we started slinging jigs, and capped off the day by reeling in some beautiful stripers in the 20- to 24-inch class. Before it got too late, however, we packed it in and pulled the boat. Steaming up those clams is as easy as boiling a pot of water and we had a serious seafood fest to enjoy, capped off by a clam toast creation prepared by our team’s chef-turned-videographer, Patrick.

Fighting for Flounder

At zero-dark-early the next morning we loaded up and met Scott from Fish in OC at the boat ramp. There was a hint of trepidation in the air. What, us worry? Well yes, at least one of us. On the first leg of our journey we had targeted Maryland Eastern Shore snakeheads, and although bass, blue cats, and crappie had all struck, an angler (who shall remain nameless to protect his reputation) had skunked. Then on leg two in Western Maryland, that same angler managed to strike out again even as other people caught rainbow trout on the fly to his left and to his right. So yea, I was… um, I mean he was feeling a little pressure to produce.

The weather was less than ideal: cloudy with a blustery 20-knot northeast wind. Scott outfitted the crew with Deadly Double rigs from Deadly Tackle (based right here in Maryland), clued us in to the fact that the orange-salmon red spinner rig had been producing

best lately, and our two boats ran for the Thorofare.

On the very first drift: miracle of miracles, lo and behold, holy cow, that same fisherman who had struck out on the earlier gigs felt a little jiggle, slammed the hook home, and reeled a 17-inch flatfish to the surface.

Oops — someone forgot to grab the landing net out of the truck.

For miracle number-two, the fish somehow remained attached to the hook as I swung it over the gunwale. Victory!

Unfortunately, it would be the only victory aboard the skiff the rest of the morning. On Scott’s boat, meanwhile, the Deadly Doubles (tipped with Gulp!s and minnow) fooled a keeper and two throwbacks into biting. By 11 o’clock the wind picked up even more and the tide shifted, making for an uber-rapid drift and churned waters. We threw in the towel, and decided to hit Crabs to Go for a land-based lunch. The soft crab sandwich and the clam strips were both hands-down magnificent.

How-To/where-To

Fishing for Flounder

Flounder is by far the most popular fish to go after in Isle of Wight Bay and the Thorofare is the most popular spot to go after them. But sometimes (particularly on midsummer weekends) there are so many boats and so many baits in the Thorofare that it gets tough to find keeper fish. So, how will you enjoy success? Often the trick is simply getting away from the crowd. The channel edges behind Assateague may produce better fishing, and sometimes probing the edges of the main channel will do

the trick. The bottom line is that when hordes of boats are in the “best” fishing spot, it can be so darn crowded that any keeper flounder who dares swim by is plucked from the water in short order. Get away from all those competing hooks and baits, however, and you can improve your chances of enjoying a fresh flounder dinner.

Shoreline Strategy – You can catch plenty of flatties from the Route 50 bridge, Stinky Beach, and the bulkhead running down to the Ninth Street Pier.

Bringing a Boat

If you’re hauling your boat to Ocean City, trailer parking is something you need to plan ahead for. Some hotels and campgrounds near the city have space for boats, but most inside Ocean City proper do not. Trailer parking is not allowed on the street in OC, but there’s a public parking lot for boats and trailers at 100th Street on the bayside ($10/day or $50/week).

# Some summers large numbers of croaker take up residence in the BBOC.

An area that sees a bit less traffic is the pier behind the Convention Center at 41st Street. The water isn’t very deep here so fishing an incoming or high tide will be the best bet; cast straight off the end or at an angle off to the left where the water’s slightly deeper.

Pounding on Panfish

Toss out a bottom rig baited with bloodworms and you never know what you’ll hook into in the BBOC. Some summers schools of nice croaker move into the back bays. Others, weakfish take up residence. Spot are generally prolific as are juvenile sea bass, sea robins, and sometimes puffer fish. Flounder, kingfish, specks, snapper blues — heck there’s just no telling what will bite. It’s a mixed bag for sure, but it’s often a full bag. For fast panfishing action you’ll want to focus on either structure or channels. Rip-rapped shoreline, piers, and bridge pilings can all be fish-attractors

Getting Afloat

If you didn’t bring your boat on vacation, rather than fishing with your feet on terra firma you could always rent a boat. It’s vacation time, so why not splurge? There are several operations in Ocean City and West Ocean City which offer skiffs and/or pontoon boat rentals. There are also guided adventures with captained boats available for bay angling, plus a few headboats that focus on flounder and/or panfish. Visit fishinoc.com and click on “Inshore” to see local listings.

throughout these waters. As for fishing the channels, drift along the edges with your baits right on bottom.

Shoreline Strategy – Stinky Beach is a great spot to try casting from, and you can also try hitting the Oceanic Pier. Sometimes long casts will work but also try dropping right next to the pilings, because fish regularly stick close by the structure. Dittos for dropping bloodworms from the Route 50 bridge or the OC bulkhead.

Shooting for Sheepshead

In recent years the sheepshead bite has gone from an oddity to a consistent way to hook up with your future dinner. Most are caught in or close to the inlet, and almost always very close to hard structure like inlet rocks and bridge pilings. You’ll want to rig up with a sinker heavy enough to hold bottom without getting swept into the snaggy rocks but cast as close to those snags as possible, because that’s where the fish are. The best baits are commonly crab chunks or sand fleas.

Shoreline Strategy – The best place to try to catch sheepshead from shore is the north jetty side of the inlet, where you can park and walk to the rocks. Remember that the currents blast through this area and the rocks are as snaggy as it gets; you have to expect to lose a lot of rigs here. Don’t get frustrated when it happens, and bring plenty of extras.

Singin’ the Blues

Although the heat of summer isn’t peak action for bluefish in the back bays, you can usually catch snappers and larger fish do unexpectedly pop up. As for where you’ll find them, there’s just no telling. That said, the inlet and near the Route 50 bridge are excellent areas to try. Fresh cut fish is a top offering, and you’ll also get ‘em throwing bucktails or spoons.

Shoreline Strategy – You can toss out a chunk of fish at just about any location and have a shot at catching a bluefish, but if you want to focus on them this is a good chance to return to those surf fishing roots. Snapper blues are one of the most common catches from the beach (send out a doodlebug rig with cut spot or mullet), and you can fish before the bathers arrive or after they leave. Up to 10 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. you’re in the clear. Or, you can head south to Assateague, which has fewer restrictions on anglers in designated areas. Have you spent torturous hours wiggling your toes in the sandy beach when you’d really rather be wiggling a bait and waiting for bites? Don’t despair, dear anglers — the fish are ready and waiting for you in the BBOC.

Travelling to OC

Ocean City has hotels, restaurants, and amenities of all types from the Delaware line clear down to the boardwalk. The most important thing to remember is that in the height of summer they fill up fast. If you want your choice of hotels make the bookings well in advance, and note that showing up here without reservations is a risky move.

Oceancity.com has an excellent lodging guide that divides the town into different sections so you can find a place in the area you like most. There’s also an extensive listing of restaurants and bars, plus guides to all the stuff you may be forced into doing when you’d rather be fishing, like golf, sailing, and sand-sculpture competitions.

Summer Flounder

Paralichthys dentatus

Panfish

Croaker, Weakfish, Spot, Sea Bass, Sea Robins, Puffer Fish, Flounder, Kingfish, Speckled Trout, Bluefish

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

# Image courtesy of Google Maps

You say you’re ready to take offshore fishing to the next level?

By Staff

Maybe you got a taste of tuna on a charter boat trip, a buddy turned you on to the thrill of watching a marlin attacking a bait, or you got a bit adventurous and ran your own boat through the inlet last summer. Whatever the case may be, the offshore fishing bug has bit — and it bit hard. Now, you say you want to get serious about taking your fishing adventures to the next level.

Gearing Up

If you want to score offshore on a regular basis, those old Senators and your 1990s vintage electronics will no longer prove sufficient. Big pelagic beasts will make a mockery of your efforts if you try to “just get by” with sub-par gear. Yes, we know it’s a significant expense to arm yourself, but if someone told you offshore fishing could be done on the cheap we’re guessing their experience is limited to fishing for carp in Pennsyltucky.

Rods and Reels

Consider 30-pound-class light gear, 50 middle of the road, and 80 heavy. If you plan to bail for mahi you’ll want 20- to 30-pound spinning gear and if deep dropping is in the cards you need high-speed reels or electrics spooled with 50-pound or heavier braid.

lures and Rigs

If you plan to troll for tunas, spreader bars or side-trackers and skirted ballyhoo rigs are must-haves. Many seasoned offshore anglers would add Green Machines and/ or Tuna Clones, bird rigs, and blue/white Ilanders to this list. For those targeting whites naked ‘hoo rigs are also a must. And if wahoo are a prime target be sure to have some purple/black skirted baits with a wire trace.

Electronics

Your main concern when it comes to electronics should be getting to where you’re going and back home again safely. You’ll want a reliable modern chartplotter with satellite weather service, and as you’ve probably already heard us shouting from the mountaintop, that means getting SiriusXM. Along with the safety margin of having satellite weather service including thunderstorm tracking and lightning strike indication displayed on your MFD, you can also sign on for Fish Mapping and gain an edge over the other anglers out there with up-to-date SST temperature break charting, chlorophyll charts, and more. Added bonus: SiriusXM is a FishTalk supporter, so they’re helping us bring you angling intel including this very article. We love ‘em for it and you should, too!

On top of your primary system you should also have some form of backup navigation. Electronic gremlins can and will appear, and when they do, you’ll be glad you have that handheld GPS (and fresh spare batteries). And of course, no boat should leave the inlet without a compass aboard.

As for fishfinders, “scanners” and their shorter ranges are less helpful than traditional sounders when you’re out in the deep. Being able to read bait in the top 100 to 200 feet of the water column and being able to touch bottom in 1000-plus feet of water are both things you’ll want to be able to do. Just as important for trolling up pelagics is making sure you have a good temp gauge including a historic graph presentation to read the breaks.

# Once that offshore fishing bug bites ya, you’re infected for life.

Offshore Fishing

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Other Stuff

You need at least two gaffs because sooner or later, a hot fish WILL rip one out of your hands. It’s nice to have one with a small gap for fish with slim bodies like mahi and wahoo. It’s also good to have a bat for subduing big fish that come in hot. Nets are useless on most pelagics — they’ll swim right through the mesh — but if you’re going to target tilefish or black sea bass they’re handy. And tying knots in anything over 60 pound-test is folly, so you also need to carry a pair of crimpers and a set of crimps. All the other usual stuff like pliers, cutters, a knife, cutting board, five-gallon bucket, etc. should be onboard as well.

Judgement Call

The biggest factor when it comes to captaining a boat offshore is your own personal experience level and judgement. In many cases you’ll have better luck and a higher level of safety aboard a 26-footer

with a seasoned captain than you would on a 50-footer run by a noob. There’s no substitute for time on the water, so how can you go from fresh meat to sharpie overnight? You can’t. You should gain some basic skills by doing more of those trips with friends and charters, and expect that the first

couple of seasons you run your own boat offshore your level of success may not be off the charts. But don’t worry — learning is all part of the game. And with a few years of offshore angling under your belt, you’ll soon be biting that fishing bug right back. #

One of the most critical parts of captaining a boat is knowing when to say no. Truth be told, this article was originally supposed to be based on a trip offshore with a SiriusXM pro, Captain Andrew Snell of Good Company Fishing (goodcompanyfishing.com), in Ocean City, MD. But when he looked at the MFD displaying seas of seven feet out of the northeast in our target zone for the next day, he made the call to cancel the trip. Wisely — seven footers in a 34-foot CC make for a miserable day. Here’s what Captain Snell has to say about having near real-time weather at the helm, and how it helps him make smart calls.

Q: How helpful is it to have SiriusXM on the boat when it’s decision-time?

A: Incredibly. I can pull it up and see thunderstorms and the direction they’re heading, which can dictate which way we head in the morning. Out on the water I know whether to head in or push out farther to avoid getting caught in anything nasty. And when we plan to stay out overnight it’s great to be able to get an updated forecast hours after we’ve left the dock.

Q: Has having weather aboard ever saved the day?

A: (Laughs), It’s saved us a bunch of times. One year during the White Marlin Open we really needed to get out but there was a line of bad thunderstorms five miles off the beach. We ran up the beach, then turned east in just the right spot to avoid getting hit.

Q: What’s your favorite feature of having SiriusXM?

A: We use the Fish Mapping to help decide where to go for sure, but since I’m in a center console and don’t have the comfort level of some of the big sportfishers in storms, the weather service is definitely my favorite.

# This view of the ocean via SiriusXM with wave heights for the next day displayed on the chart plotter made it clear that a no-go call was the smart choice.

Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish for Beginners

By Staff

All forms of fishing require some level of knowledge and skill that must be built over time, but one of the easiest fish to target and catch is the catfish. There are two reasons why: catfish are plentiful, and most of the time they’re also hungry. Very hungry. With some basic know-how regarding rigging and where you’re likely to find catfish, your chances of getting bites are tremendous — especially when compared to some of the finickier fishes in the water.

What Are Catfish?

Hey, even the newest anglers among us know what a catfish is. We should, however, differentiate between the species. Blue Catfish – This species is among the most prolific in Chesapeake tributaries, and in some rivers, represents up to three-quarters of the biomass. It’s present in many of the larger lakes and reservoirs in the Mid-Atlantic region as well. They get utterly huge, and hooking a 100-pounder is not outside the realm

of possibility. It’s also an invasive species which threatens the healthy populations of many native fish in some waterways. So they’re a great fish to target, take home, and eat. (See “Big Blue Catfish: Tank Battle” and “Monster Catfish” at FishTalkMag.com for some good recipes; note that smaller cats in the 30 inch and under range are the best ones to eat and in some waterways larger fish may carry consumption advisories).

Channel Catfish – Channel cats are also found in huge numbers in many waterways. They don’t grow quite as large but they fight great and are also awesome on the plate. When you’re fishing for channel and blue catfish, in many areas you’ll catch a mix. They tend to live in similar areas and hit all the same baits, so it’s common to encounter both species at the same time.

Other catfish found in the region include flatheads (another invasive), which are usually found in rocky river areas; bullhead catfish, a native species that grows to about three pounds; and white catfish, another native species which reaches about seven pounds. All of these are edible and many people consider them great to eat, but most anglers targeting fish for dinner are apt to shoot for blues and channels.

In many Bay tributaries and Mid-Atlantic lakes, ponds, and rivers, catfish are a prime target for beginners.

# Catfish fishing usually means plenty of action and plenty of smiles.

# This Potomac River blue catfish is the ideal eating size.

Record Catfish

In the Chesapeake Bay and Mid-Atlantic region the record catfish are:

• Blue Catfish – A shocking 143-pound blue catfish was caught in 2011 at Buggs Island Lake in Virginia. In tidal waters, several blue catfish topping 100 pounds have been recorded.

• Channel Catfish – The biggest channel cats also comes from Virginia waters, with a 32-pounder caught in Lake Chesdin and a 31.8-pounder caught in the Rappahannock River.

Catfish Seasons

This will be a short section, folks! Thankfully, both blue and channel catfish feed throughout the year. Even in the middle of the winter you can enjoy angling success when you target catfish.

Catfish Regulations

Here’s another shortie — in the region there aren’t any size restrictions on blue or channel catfish, but Maryland limits the take of channel catfish to five per day and Virginia limits the take of blues and channels to 20 per day with some specific lakes limiting the take of fish over 32 inches.

How To Catch Catfish

Good news, people: as far as fishing goes, this is going to be easy! All you’ll need to do is locate a shoreline spot where you can cast to relatively deep water, or park your boat along a channel edge or hole. Fish will usually be concentrated along the drop-offs in most of the Chesapeake Bay tributary tidal areas. In upriver areas and lakes the same is true, but having structure will often attract the largest specimens. Holes with a submerged tree, for example, can represent prime habitat that gets taken over by the biggest fish in town.

Remember that depth is relative. You can be fishing in a large creek averaging three or four feet with a six-foot channel, and fishing in the channel may well be the best move. If there’s a creek averaging 10 feet with a 20-foot channel, again, the channel will likely be a good bet. But there may well be more catfish to catch in the shallower creek than in the deeper one.

Best Bait for Catfish Fishing

It’s often said that catfish will eat anything, and this is more or less true. However, some baits do work better than others. The standard offering is cut fish (usually gizzard shad or menhaden in tidal waters). However, many catfish sharpies feel that live baits work even better. In tidal waters white perch and bull minnow are commonly used and in freshwater, live sunfish or crappie are considered top offerings.

Some other common baits include chicken breast strips and chicken livers. Both work quite well right out of the grocery store, which makes procuring good bait easy even for those who may not live near a convenient tackle shop.

Best Gear for Catfish Fishing

Rig up a rod stout enough to handle anything you hope to land (medium to medium-heavy spinning gear with 20to 30-pound test should be about right for most folks) with a weighted rig that will keep your bait on or near bottom. Top-and-bottom rigs will work, but a fishfinder-style rig or putting on an inline egg sinker above the leader works fine, as does simply adding a few split-shot to rigs used in relatively shallow waters with little or no current.

The business end of your rig should have three or four feet of 30- to 50-pound class monofilament leader, with an 8/0 to 10/0 circle hook tied to the end. Circle hooks work particularly well on catfish, and if you use J hooks you’ll spend a good deal of time digging them out of fish that swallow the bait all the way down.

Simple? You bet. And that’s one of the great things about fishing for catfish— you don’t need a bunch of expensive gear, and basic knowledge is enough to get into the game. So the next time opportunity comes knocking, consider going on a whisker hunt.

Cool on Cats

Many anglers believe that catfish baits, particularly strips of raw chicken, catch a lot more catfish when they’re prepped with (of all things) Kool-Aid. They’ll take cherry, strawberry, or grape Kool-Aid and add it to a zipperlock bag, then add the chicken strips, and shake the bag around to evenly distribute the Kool-Aid and the bait. Then, the bag is left in the refrigerator to percolate overnight. Allegedly the sweet, strong Kool-Aid gives a serious boost in the bite department.

Catfish Hotspots

As we mentioned, blue and channel cats are well-established in a huge number of waterways throughout the region and simply going to the one closest to home is likely to result in success. That said, if you want to try a prime area here are some top hotspots to head for listed from north to south.

East Side

• Elk River and the C&D Canal – These waterways hold catfish galore. Most are channel cats but blue cats have been constantly expanding through these waters and sooner or later will likely surpass the channel cats in both numbers and size.

• Choptank River near Denton, MD – This section of the Choptank has had a strong population of channel catfish for years, and now plenty of blue cats are in the mix as well. Due to their relatively recent arrival you won’t find gigantic specimens but you will enjoy nonstop action.

• Marshyhope Creek – The Marshyhope is a small body of water, but it’s utterly jam-packed with catfish. Look for current-scoured holes on the outside of bends, drop fish chunks to the bottom, and hold on tight. As with the Choptank, look for numbers here as opposed to size as the blue cats are relative newcomers.

west Side

• Susquehanna River between Port Deposit and Havre De Grace – Anchor up anywhere within sight of the Route 95 bridge over a channel edge or hole, and you may well catch catfish until your arms ache. Although the blues here aren’t as large as some of the flatheads (yet) there are 30-plus-pounders to be caught and the number of eatingsized catfish is off the hook.

• Potomac River in and south of Washington, DC – From the banks of Georgetown clear down to the 301 bridge, blue catfish rule the roost. Most will be eating size but there are some pushing the 80-pound mark and even more, and the numbers are utterly astonishing — during the 2020 Fish For a Cure, Team FishTalk racked up well over 800 inches of blue cats in a morning of fishing. Channel catfish are present, too, but due to the blue catfish’s overwhelming numbers you’ll catch them 10-to-one.

• Rappahannock River from Port Royal to Leedstown – This stretch of the Rap is inundated with blue cats and although channels live here too, the situation is similar to that of the Potomac. Gizzard shad is the preferred bait by most anglers wetting their lines here.

• The Pamunkey and Mattaponi – Like the Marshyhope across the Bay, these rivers are small but mighty when it comes to fishing for catfish. Many hit the 30-pound mark and 80-pounders have been produced here.

• The James River from Claremont up – The James is the king of trophy blue catfish fishing, and it’s also where it all began. First released here in the 1970s, blue cats topping 100 pounds have been documented in the James and this river is responsible for more 50-plus-pounders than any other single waterway in the region.

lakes

• Lake Chesdin – Channel catfish are the dominant whiskered species here, as evidenced by the state record catch. Fish like that are a rarity, though, and most anglers will come here because you can catch great numbers of eatingsized fish in the five-pound range.

• Buggs Island Lake is known for its monster blue cats, and this is where the epic 143-pound record fish came from. Not only did that fish set the Virginia record, but it’s also the world record blue cat. Live sunfish or crappie are favored by the trophy hunters here, and night fishing over underwater points and humps adjacent to the channels is a popular tactic.

Prospecting for Top Topwater Hotspots

You can choose the most tempting plug, cast it with pinpoint accuracy, and bring it back with the picture-perfect walk-the-dog retrieve, but if it never passes by any fish you won’t be rewarded with the much-anticipated explosion from below. Where you throw that plug is even more important than how you retrieve it, so knowing where fish will likely smack your Smack-It is a critical part of the fishing puzzle. And it’s one you can work on ahead of time. True, a blind squirrel does occasionally find a nut, but if you spend some time prospecting prior to a fishing trip you’ll enjoy far more action than you would otherwise.

Eye in the Sky-

There was a time not too long ago when prospecting a tributary or shoreline meant dedicating a day to physically scouting it. And, truth be told, there is still no better way to ID top locations than to fish them, albeit

By Lenny Rudow

briefly, as you hop from spot to spot to cull the fish-producing wheat from the tempting-looking but unproductive chaff. You can, however, up your odds of success and speed the process along with a little bit of pre-trip Googling. Google Earth views are NOT 100-percent tell-alls. Differences in sun angle and glare, the time of year the image was taken, and water clarity at the time the image was taken will all affect just how helpful the bird’seye view will or will not be. So never glance at an image and write a spot off completely, nor assume it will be a bonanza there. That said, it will often allow you to pick out key visible features that are make or break when it comes to supporting a topwater bite.

Creature Feature

So, just what are those key features? In order of importance, they are:

• Structure

• Current

• Depth Change

Fail to find structure, and you’ll fail to find fish. This one item alone can attract some fish to some places some of the time, and at times will produce even without the other key features present.

Current comes next on the list, because quite often good structure hit by a good current will hold fish during specific periods of tide. Often this will be shallow structure during high water, but you’ll also find structure in a couple-few feet of water which will hold active fish on any tide as long as the current is moving around it.

Finally we have depth change. Not depth per se, because you’ll catch predators in water barely deep enough to cover their dorsal fin. The critical thing here is a change to and/or access to deep water nearby. A gradual slope can hold fish, but a couple feet of abrupt depth change with five or 10 feet of structure is apt to hold more, larger fish.

Boost the blowups by knowing where to place that lure ahead of time.

# Low light is one of the many factors you’ll need to take into account as you rank your experience at different potential hotspots.

grade: c grade: B grade: a

Let’s Play Clue

Ready to put these together in a visual? Take a look at these three potential hotspots, as viewed on Google Earth.

The shot of the point on the far left seems fairly unappealing. You can see there’s structure in the form of a rip-rapped shoreline, but there aren’t any indicators of nearby depth change nor of any current. Give it a grade of C. It’s worth pulling back the throttles and taking a few exploratory casts if you’re passing by, but it’s probably not worth making a long run to get to nor burning up prime sunrise/sunset hours, unless you have additional intel that it’s a hotspot.

The spot in the middle shows structure, and depth change along that structure. Current isn’t visible but that could be a function of when the picture was taken or it could be obscured by the visible wind-driven

waves. Give it a B grade, and mark it down as a place you’ll definitely want to cast to the next time you’re in the neighborhood.

On the far right we have structure, depth change, and an indication that there’s current — small standing waves in the mouth of a cut (which are not visible on similarly-situated coves in the same shoreline). With all three factors visually present it gets an A, and you’ll want to make it a point to visit this one when you have good topwater conditions. And for those who want proof: look at the picture of PropTalk editor Fish Crushin’ Kaylie (in the blue hat below). She caught this fish casting at the same riprap seen in this Google image.

The Eyes Have It

All of what we just talked about notwithstanding, the fact remains that in all things fishing there are no “rules,” and you never know what odd detail

or quirky feature will make a so-so looking spot turn out to be awesome, or an awesome-looking spot turn out to be a waste of time. So even after you Google-scout and map out a day’s adventure, the first few times you fish an area you should stay on the move and try to hit as many different potential spots as possible. Initial trips to new waters should always be looked at as intel-gathering missions as much as anything else.

In that vein, remember that particularly with topwater, time of day and light levels will have a huge impact on how successful you are at any given spot. Let’s reconsider those ABC hotspots we looked at just a moment ago. You know daybreak is primetime, so it makes sense to hit A pre-dawn, then try B as the sun’s just coming up, then try C in full daylight. That’s a solid plan. But remember that you just stacked the deck in spot A’s favor. If you catch four fish at A, two at B, and two at C, you might want to consider trying C during prime-time on your next trip because it has out-performed expectations based on both Googleappeal and timing.

Wait a sec — what about tides and currents? Was the current meh at daybreak, then cranking when the sun was up? In that case, you’ll need to give more points to spot A and subtract from spot C. Or, did heavy cloud cover move in? Did a front pass through? Did someone on your boat slam a hatch as you attempted to stealthily approach any of the spots? The puzzle is just as complex as it is with any other form of fishing, but spending some time prospecting will give you a leg up as you start sorting through the pieces. #

# Images courtesy of Google earth

# Structure, current, and depth changes equal fish!

Fis H i NG F O re CA s T

We all know printed fishing reports are generalized, and weeks have passed before the report gets into your hands. for timely, up-to-date reports, visit our website fishtalkmag.com. current reports will be published every friday by noon — just in time for your weekend fishing adventures. in the meantime, here’s our monthly prognostication.

Coastal

July is the month when butterfish start flying out of the tackleshop freezers. We can’t yet say if the tuna will set up shop on the inshore lumps this summer, but if they do, chunking butters is usually the way to go. Out at the canyons, meanwhile, there should be plenty of mahi-mahi on the floats and flotsam. Inshore you can expect the reefs and wrecks to be producing sea bass, and with a little luck, cobia will be roaming the shoals. Fishing in the bays may be a bit slower than spring, though, now that the heat has set in for real. Some flounder should be swimming in the channels and you can expect to find snapper blues, kingfish, and spot or croaker in the surf.

Freshwater

July can be a tough month for freshwater anglers in some areas, but the bite should be happening in others. Snakeheads will be guarding those fry balls, so target them every chance you get. In reservoirs expect the fish to be holding relatively deep in search of cool temps, and plan to fish early and late in the day for the best bite. And if the rivers run low trout fishing will get tough but smallmouth should continue to provide decent action; don’t forget the crawfish patterns.

way n orth

Up on the flats daybreak and dusk will be best now that the mercury is shooting through the roof, but if this season is like last year, we should enjoy good largemouth action with some stripers also hitting topwater at daybreak. Look for shaded shorelines with structure if you want a fresh white perch dinner, and if a (near) sure thing sounds appealing, you can count on the blue cats to be biting from Perryville to Port Deposit.

Upper Bay

Come summer the upper Bay has held the lion’s share of the rockfish for many years now, and there’s no reason to believe that will change this July. Mid-month, of course, we’ll have to shift our sights to different targets as stripers go off-limits from July 16 through July 31. That won’t bother perch aficionados too much, since the whites should be hitting Perch Pounders, spinners, and grass shrimp, particularly in the shade of docks and overhanging trees.

Gathered over the past month by Dillon Waters

# Reports editor Dillon Waters flounders around at the coast.

Middle Bay

When stripers go out on the 16th of the month we’ll all be crossing our fingers that the bluefish and Spanish mackerel have come to town in good numbers. The past few years we’ve had decent numbers especially in the vicinity of Poplar Island, and hopefully we’ll get a repeat performance. If not, don’t forget that speckled trout may be summer visitors in Eastern Bay, the Choptank, the Patuxent, and several other mid-Bay locations.

l ower Bay

We should have a healthy mix of specks and redfish right about now, but the question on everyone’s mind will likely be just where those roving schools of big bull red drum are. Oh, and how’s the cobia bite these days? Also be sure to remember that last season blues and macks were chewing hard on green/pink spoons throughout the lower Bay.

Tangier, pocomoke, and l ower Shore

Will the heat of summer put the kibosh on the speckled trout bite, or will we see good action? It’s impossible to predict, but we note that last year from mid to late July there was a noticeable spike in the bite for a few weeks — let’s hope for a repeat. There were also hordes of blues around in open water, so don’t forget the binoculars.

way South

With summer in full swing there’s a good chance the inlets will be packed with boats, but there’s just as good a chance that the pilings of the CBBT will be packed with everything from sheepshead to triggerfish. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing plenty of cobia this month too. Oh, and Spanish mackerel, and bull reds, and flounder, and… and… is there any Chesapeake gamefish that can’t be found at the mouth of the Bay in summertime?

# When it comes to summertime rockfish, the Bay Bridge and north of it have held all the cards in recent years. But starting July 16, northern Bay anglers will have to go on the hunt for alternative species.

Sidearm vs. Through Hull Transducer Mounts

By David Rudow

Mounting a fishfinder on your kayak is a big help in many Chesapeake fisheries, but getting the transducer mounted in a kayak isn’t always straightforward. The two most common ways of mounting a transducer are arm mounts and hull mounts — but, how the heck are we supposed to know which one best fits our needs? Is one “better” than the other? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons I uncovered during my experience testing a Lowrance Hook 7 Reveal fishfinder and a 3-in-1 Triple Shot Transducer, which I tried both ways through several months of fishing.

Arm Mount

Pros:

• Can be switched between kayaks in a matter of seconds.

• Transducer is above or level with the bottom of the hull, so it can’t be damaged by running aground.

Cons:

• Creates a significant amount of drag, reducing speed and impacting steering.

• Creates a ton of noise going through the water. Aggravating to the angler, and most likely the fish, too.

• Can come out of the water on large waves.

• Sidescan gets interrupted without the perfect positioning.

• Gets in the way when handling and fighting fish.

• Hard to neatly contain the wires.

Hull Mount

Pros:

• easy to install (in a Hobie Compass) with Hobie’s Lowrance-ready plate.

• No noticeable drag.

• Wires run neatly within the hull or under your seat.

• One less thing to worry about when rigging/unrigging the kayak.

• Completely out of the way when fishing.

Cons:

• Installation may be tougher with a kayak not designed with a dedicated fishfinder transducer mount.

• Difficult to transfer from boat to boat.

• May need to buy a protective plate for shallow-water fishing, to prevent damage.

It was a world of difference switching between the two transducer setups. For my needs the hull mount blew the arm mount out of the water, mainly due to the absence of drag and the ease of use. I noticed a drop in speed of about 0.2 to 0.3 mph with the arm, and it was loud enough that I was constantly worried about scaring fish while trolling and fishing shallows. Also, both side-scan and down-scan seemed a bit clearer and had less clutter with the hull mount. I purchased a Berleypro cover to pair with the existing Lowrance mounting plate in the Compass and the 3-in-1 Triple Shot to protect it from impact. Installation was as easy as catching a blue cat, with just seven screws and three steps. The only case that I would think an arm mount would be favorable is if I had another kayak or boat I intended to use the transducer with (I wish!). Even then, I probably would end up mounting it on the hull and undoing some screws when I needed to switch it.

Charters, Guides, and Headboats

One of the most difficult ways to learn how to fish the chesapeake Bay and atlantic ocean is trial and error. then there’s the boat issue; we don’t all have one. luckily, the Bay is full of knowledgeable guides and charter captains ready to show you the ropes. Below you will find a directory of professional guides, charter boats, and head boats to get you started on your quest for the perfect fish. Whether you like to fly fish, troll, or bottom fish, there’s likely a local expert who can lend a hand.

Fish With Weaver

# This happy crew reeled in a boatload of sea bass off of Ocean City aboard the Morning Star. Photo courtesy of Capt. Monty Hawkins.

n ew l ocation

Tri-State Marine (TSM) has announced a second location opening in Annapolis, MD. While they have long enjoyed a premiere location in Deale, MD, on 10 acres with the largest indoor boat showroom in the US, TSM is excited to better serve its customers from an additional location at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard. Easily accessible by land or water on Back Creek in Annapolis, customers will find a selection of Grady-White, Parker, and Sea Pro boats, along with TSM’s best-in-class service, particularly its Yamaha Outboard service, for which they are 5-Star Gold Certified. Currently, TSM has a sales advisor on-site Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p. m. each day. To reach them, please call (410) 562-6247. To schedule service, please call (410) 867-1960. In October, the new sales office and service areas will be completed, and this location will be staffed full-time. “We’re incredibly excited about the addition of an Annapolis location, given that so many of our customers live in Annapolis, Severna Park, and Kent Island,” said Keith Rhodes, owner of Tri-State Marine. “To be able to service them locally while providing greater accessibility to acquire new customers is a natural progression, building on what Tri-State Marine has accomplished over the past 50 years. Bert Jabin on the Annapolis Waterfront is really a perfect fit for us—an incredible location in a prestigious and very well-regarded yacht yard. We couldn’t be any happier with our decision.” tristatemarine.com

n ew Facility

Grand Opening

Parish Creek Landing marina, boatyard, and boatel in Shady Side, MD, celebrated two years under new management with a grand opening this spring. In that short time Parish Creek Landing has been revitalized with numerous improvements including replacing or renovating the marina office, the bathrooms and showers, indoor boatel racks, the diesel and gasoline fuel systems, and their travel and fork lifts. “It’s really exciting how we’ve been embraced by the community,” says owner and official First Mate Steve Schwat. “We thought we were just buying a marina, but the support we’ve had is incredible. And we plan to do much more to improve Parish Creek Landing in the future, too. We’re making a substantial investment here and we now have plenty of room for more boats and new customers. We have the new racks which are tall enough to accommodate T-tops, and there’s even a fish cleaning station in the works.” Parish Creek Landing also manages the slips at Leatherbury Point and is less than an hour from Washington, DC. Visit parishcreeklanding.com or call (410) 867-4800 to learn more.

Suzuki Marine USA, Inc. announced the completion of its state-of-the-art Suzuki Marine Technical Center located at 1 Suzuki Way in Panama City, FL. The recently completed development of this 20-acre waterfront property includes a 9037 square foot main building providing office space, conference rooms, technical/service bays, inside boat storage, and other important equipment. Other amenities of the property include additional buildings, a private launch ramp with docks, and a 300-foot protective seawall. The fleet of Suzuki demo boats on hand at the grand opening event included the SeaPro 259 with twin Suzuki DF140 outboards, which recently completed the Suzuki EcoFuel Run to the Capitol, a 940-mile run by water from Florida to Washington, DC, for the 2023 American Boating Congress to promote new sustainable marine fuels. Among the products and innovations being endurance tested and evaluated was Suzuki’s innovative Micro Plastic Collecting device, which integrates with the engine’s cooling system to remove micro plastic pollution from the water as the boat is driven. This device is now standard equipment on all variations of Suzuki’s DF115 and DF140 four-stroke outboards, two of its most popular selling models across the U.S. and around the world. This is but one part of Suzuki’s global Clean Ocean Project initiative, which seeks to explore new technologies and activities to clean up coastal pollution, reduce the use of plastics in products, packaging, and business practices, and explore sustainable alternatives. This ongoing commitment will be reflected in activities at Suzuki’s Technical Center. suzukimarine.com

BRO k ERAGE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIONS

DONATIONS

DONATE YOUR BOAT

Help a Wounded Veteran 240-750-9899

BOATs4HEROEs.ORg

POWER

2019 Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230 IBR Jetski Rotax supercharged engine w/ 230 HP and only 60 hours! Load Rite Trailer included, Storage Cover, bluetooth sound system, ski tow, and more! $14,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20372

2021 Sea-Doo Fish Pro 170 & Sound System Jetski iDF & Sound System, Rotax 170 HP, karavan Trailer w/ Spare Tire, Storage Cover, Bait Cooler, Bow Storage Hatch, Removable Transom Cooler w/ Rod Holders, Stereo, Garmin DF / FF /GPS, Trim Tabs, In-Dash Hour Meter, (5) Rod Holders, and more! $16,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20424

2020 Mako 19 CPX Upgrade to Mercury 150 4-stroke w/ only 175 hours, warranty remaining until 8/25/2023, 2020 eZ Loader bunk trailer, Lowrance elite 9» GPS/ Fishfinder, Garmin echoMap 74Sv GPS/Fishfinder, and more! $36,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20368

2012 Crownline 21 SS 4.3L MPI 220 Mercruiser, Heritage Tandem-Axle Trailer w/ Spare Tire, Bimini Top with Boot, Bow Cover, Cockpit Cover, Carpet Runners, Sport Seats, Digital Depthfinder, Hour Meter - 175, Stereo with (4) Speakers, and more! $25,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20238

To

22’

‘96 $17,500 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

29’ Tiara ‘00 $44,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Reef Dawg) 34’ Hydra-Sports ‘14 $254,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(key Gull) 25’ Carolina Classic ‘06 $58,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2021 Sportsman Heritage 251 CC Twin F150XCA Yamaha Outboards, Yamaha extended Warranty until 8/7/2024, 51 hours, new trailer available, Steel Blue w/ White Bottom, Desert Tan Upholstery, White Powder Coating, Hard Top, and more! $129,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, s ales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20367

(Hot Pursuit) 30’ Pursuit 3000 ‘00 $54,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2015 Crownline 350 SY Twin Mercruiser 8.2L MAG 380Hp each, Bravo Series Drives, Axius Drive System - Joystick and Sky Hook w/ DTS, Aluminum Hardtop, Generator, AC / Heat, electric Cockpit Grill, Stainless Steel Refrigerator, Galley, Head Compartment - (Shower with Adjustable nozzle, electric flush toilet, teak seat, cabinetry with solid surface countertop), Dealer Maintained, A Must See!! $229,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20458

27’ Grady White ‘18 $209,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Severn Sunrise)

(Game Hog) 40’ Robbins ‘99 $120,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Martini & Me) 42’ Post ‘81 $65,000 Andy Stratton 908.265.7670 andy@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

1990 Nautique 42’ Sportfish Twin Cats, Onan Generator, pulpit, anchor winch, outriggers, aluminum hardtop with enclosure, factory heat air, fresh bottom paint and zincs. $139,000 Michael: 704.425.4108

(Off Duty) 28’ Bertram ‘83 $29,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

Shamrock

31’ Tiara 3100 Open 1985 Dual Crusader 454, Furuno Radar, Plotter, Sounder, Digital Yacht AIT 2500. $24,900 Call Charlie Iliff 410.227.1066

(Busted Flush) 32’ Stamas ‘78 $31,000 Lars Bergstrom 910.899.7941 lars@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net*

33’ Bertram ‘80 $45,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

MAR k ETPLACE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIONS

HELP WANTED

P/T Delivery Drivers for three-day-a-month magazine distribution routes in Maryland. Compensation based upon quantity of stops. Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, reliable vehicle, and be able to lift up to 25 lbs. Contact Beatrice at 410.216.9309 or beatrice@spf-360.com

Capt. Wanted for Fishing Guide Service out of OC

Looking for someone experienced for established charter operation. I expect 150+ charters from June to October. Must have Captain’s License and Maryland Guide’s License. Call 443.944.5484 or 443.669.6214

Yacht Sales - Curtis Stokes and Associates, Inc. is hiring new salespeople for our Chesapeake area operation. Candidates must be honest, ethical and have boating experience. This is a commission only position. Contact Curtis Stokes at 410.919.4900 or curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

MARINE SERVICES

RENTALS

Waterfront Cottage in West Ocean City for Rent DeeP waterfront w/dock, privacy, easy parking, vintage original 2/3-bedroom, 1 bath, outside shower, July-Sept/Oct Rental. Close to Sunset Grille, Berlin, Assateague & local business owners� neighborhood. Call/text 410.458.9069 ASAP for rental or email stephsteinmetz38@gmail.com

S LIPS & S TORAGE

TAC k LE SHOPS

R EAL E STATE

For Sale: 80 Acres - 2 Lots - Septic Approved Golf cart marina area; Chincoteague Bay at your footsteps; 4 buildings allowed; 2 ponds; incredible wildlife. ONLY $498,000 Preservation Opportunities w/ more acres available. video sent upon request. Text 410.458.9069 or stephsteinmetz38@gmail.com

Tips & Tricks

Spadefish love structure. When chumming for them, be sure to anchor far enough upcurrent of the fish-attracting item that your chum and baits have the time and distance necessary to sink before reaching it.

Always net fish head-first. Chase their tails, and the fish can swim away from you.

You plan to troll for Spanish mackerel? Pull small three- or four-inch spoons. Also, pull spoons. And on each and every line, make sure you have… spoons!

You want to catch a Spanish mackerel on the fly? Try using a two-handed strip to get your streamer moving at mack-speed. Tuck the rod under your arm, grab the line, and strip handover-hand as fast as you can.

1980 33’ Bertram - $45,000 David Robinson - 410.310.8855

2014 34’ HydraSports - $240,000 Curtis Stokes - 410.919.4900

1981 42’ Post - $65,000 Andy Stratton - 908.265.7670

2017 23’ Bulls Bay - $47,900 Jack Kelly - 609.517.2822

1996 22’ Shamrock - $17,500 David Robinson - 410.310.8855

2021 60’ Custom Phil Jones - $690,000 David Robinson - 410.310.8855

1999 40’ Custom - $120,000 David Robinson - 410.310.8855

1978 32’ Stamas - $31,000 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

2018 27’ Grady-White - $209,000 David Robinson - 410.310.8855

1983 28’ Bertram - $29,500 Curtis Stokes - 410.919.4900

2020 30’ Scout - $349,000 David Robinson - 410.310.8855

2005 23’ Boston Whaler - $42,000 David Robinson - 410.310.8855