FishTalk Magazine June 2024

Delaware

Pontoon Express | 302-945-0654 22572 Harbeson Rd, Harbeson, DE pontoonexpress.com

North Bay Marina Inc | 302-436-4211 36543 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE northbaymarina.com

Maryland

Annapolis Inflatables/Fawcett Boat Supplies 410-267-8681 | 919 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD annapolisinflatables.net

Intercoastal Marine | 410-335-0458 2925 Eastern Blvd, Baltimore, MD intercoastalmarinemd.com

Scott’s Cove Marina | 410-784-7624 10551 Eldon Willing Rd, Chance, MD scottscovemarina.com

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

Maryland Boat Sales | 410-574-3988 2426 Holly Neck Rd, Essex, MD mdboatsales.com

Powersports of Crofton | 410-697-5965 7045 State Route 3 North, Gambrils, MD hondaofcrofton.com

Galahad Marine | 410-827-7409 121 Rental Ln, Grasonville, MD galahadmarine.com

Danny’s Marine LLC | 410-228-0234 3559 Chateau Dr, E. New Market, MD dannysmarine.com

PYY Marine | 410-255-1771 1132 Pasadena Yacht Yard Rd, Pasadena, MD pyymarine.com

Thornes Marine | 410-957-4481 1237 Greenbackville Rd, Stockton, MD thornesmarine.com

Virginia

Jett’s Marine, Inc. | 804-453-3611 18477 Northumberland Hwy, Reedville, VA jettsmarine.com

Friday’s Marine | 804-758-4131 (Malise Marine Sales & Service) 14879 GW Memorial Hwy, Saluda, VA facebook.com/fridaysmarine

Legasea Marine | 757-898-3000 821 Railway Rd, Yorktown, VA legaseamarine.com

IN STOCK NOW

IN STOCK NOW

nc Weekender 24’ through 42’

IN STOCK NOW

nc sport 24’ - 30’

IN STOCK NOW

High-performance boats with outstanding seaworthy qualities. Leader WA 24’-41’

Leader cc 22’ - 35’

LUXURY AND AFFORDABLE PONTOONS IN STOCK

ecLipse

Rudy maRine is Renowned foR expeRt engine Rigging seRvices!

GenevA

HuRRy - Limited Quantity foR spRing instaLL on aLL avaiLaBLe modeLs

LF300XA

F300XA

F300XCB (DEC)

F250XCB (DEC)

32606 DUPONT BOULEVARD, DAGSBORO, DE 19939

ONLY MINUTES FROM THE CAPE MAY-LEWES FERRY 302-945-2254

*ALL PREVIOUS PURCHASES ARE EXCLUDED

F25SWTHC

F25LWTHC

T9.9XWHB

F6SHA

F4SHA

F2.5SMHB

PERFECTED.

DeLaWare

Rudy Marine | 302.945.2254 32606 DuPont Blvd, Dagsboro, DE rudymarine.com

North Bay Marina | 302.436.4211 36543 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE northbaymarina.com

STEERING

Rt 113 Boat Sales | 302.436.1737 52 Cemetary Rd, Selbyville, DE rt113boatsales.net

marYLanD

Fairwinds Marina | 410.216.0205 1000 Fairwinds Dr, Annapolis, MD 21409 fairwindsmarina.com

Tri-State Marine | 410.562.6247

7320 Edgewood Rd, Annapolis, MD tristatemarine.com

Annapolis Inflatables/Fawcett Boat Supplies 410.267.8681

919 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD annapolisinflatables.net

North Point Yacht Sales | 410.280.2038 7330 Edgewood Rd, Ste 1, Annapolis, MD northpointyachtsales.com

Beacon Light Marina | 410.335.6489 825 Bowleys Quarters Rd, Baltimore, MD beaconlightmarina.com

Annapolis Boat Sales, LLC | 410.604.6962 1629 Postal Rd, Chester, MD annapolisboatsales.com

Tri-State Marine | 410.867.1447 5861 Deale Churchton Rd, Deale, MD tristatemarine.com

Jim’s Marine, Inc. | 410.648.5106 96 East Cross St, Galena, MD jims-marine.com

Bosun’s Maryland | 410.286.1350 411 Winchester Creek Rd, Grasonville, MD bosuns.com/about-us-maryland

Hudson Marine | 410.643.6768 219 Hess Rd, Grasonville, MD 21638 hudsonmarinellc.com

Rudy Marine | 443.995.3785 3033 Kent Narrows Way S, Grasonville, MD rudymarine.com

Anchor Boats, Inc. | 410.287.8280 448 N Mauldin Ave, North East, MD anchorboat.com

Campbell’s Boatyards - Jack’s Point 410.226.5105

106 Richardson St, PO Box 410, Oxford, MD campbellsboatyards.com

Ventnor Marina | 410.255.4100 8070 Ventnor Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122 ventnormarinamd.com

Haven Harbour Marina | 410.778.6697 20880 Rock Hall Ave, Rock Hall, MD 21661 havenharbour.com

Virginia

LoCaL Yamaha Dea Y!

Oyster Cove Boatworks | 804.824.9904 5195 G Washington Mem Hwy, Gloucester, VA oystercoveboatworks.com

Norfolk Marine | 757.461.3391 5221 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA norfolkmarine.com

Jett’s Marine, Inc. | 804.453.3611 18477 Northumberland Hwy, Reedville, VA jettsmarine.com

Oyster Cove Boatworks | 804.824.9904 27 Campbell Dr, Topping, VA oystercoveboatworks.com

Oyster Cove Boatworks | 757.716.1819 1305 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA oystercoveboatworks.com

Legasea Marine | 757.898.3000 821 Railway Rd, Yorktown, VA legaseamarine.com

& depth shading, using all-new TZ MAPS. Don’t just take our word for it. See for yourself. Scan here, and we’ll show you!

on the cover

41 Summer Flounder Fun

Flounder fishing at the inshore wreck and reef sites. By Lenny Rudow

43

The AI Angling Invasion

Is the Terminator about to be casting On Golden Pond? By Staff

45

Chinco-YES!

Part I: Blackfish Bank and nearby wrecks. By Wayne Young

47

Migratory Mayhem

It’s time for peak action as yellowfin cruise up the coast. By Staff

presented by siriusXM Marine

51

Panfish Pandemonium

How to locate and catch post-spawn crappie. By Jim Gronaw

53

How To Fish Bottom Sweepers for Beginners

Make a clean sweep on your next bottom fishing adventure. By Staff

55

Blue Cats in the Bullseye Part III: Catch a New PB

How to target trophy blue catfish. By Staff presented by Fish and hunt Maryland

Captain Josh Lowery and his father Brian enjoy some flat-out fantastic flattie action.

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

ANGLER IN CHIEF

Lenny Rudow, lenny@fishtalkmag.com

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@fishtalkmag.com

ASSoCIATE PUBLISHER

Chris Charbonneau, chris@fishtalkmag.com

MANAGING EDIToR

Molly Winans, molly@fishtalkmag.com

SENIoR EDIToRS

Beth Crabtree, beth@fishtalkmag.com

Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@fishtalkmag.com

CoPY EDIToR

Lucy Iliff, lucy@fishtalkmag.com

FISHING REPoRTS EDIToR

Dillon Waters

ADVERTISING SALES

Katie Lange, katie@fishtalkmag.com

Eric Richardson, eric@fishtalkmag.com

CUSToMER SERVICE MANAGER

Brooke King, brooke@fishtalkmag.com

DISTRIBUTIoN / BRokERAGE / CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER Beatrice M. Roderick, beatrice@fishtalkmag.com

ART DIRECToR / PRoDUCTIoN MANAGER

Zach Ditmars, zach@fishtalkmag.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRoDUCTIoN ASSISTANT

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

Martin and Betty Casey, Gregory and Dorothy Greenwell, Dave Harlock, Ron and Colleen Ogden, 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 or beatrice@fishtalkmag.com.

2024 Rudow’s FishTalk LLC

Rudow’s FishTalk Recycles

navigating peace of mind

Unpredictable waters

THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE

Embarking on the open water is an exhilarating experience, lled with the promise of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend cruiser, safeguarding your vessel with proper insurance is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Explore the reasons why every boat owner should prioritize boat insurance for a worry-free voyage.

Navigational exibility

The open water can be unpredictable, with unexpected storms, collisions, or other potential accidents. Boat insurance can give you nancial protection if there is damage to your vessel, providing coverage for repairs or replacement.

Damage and injury

Accidents on the water can result in damage to other boats, docks, or even injuries to passengers. Boat insurance offers liability coverage, which can pay for damages or injuries you’re liable for while boating, up to speci ed limits, and lawsuit costs if you’re sued. This includes damage you cause to another watercraft or if someone on or near your boat is injured and you’re found to be legally responsible.

Theft and vandalism

Unfortunately, boat theft and vandalism are realities that boat owners face. Boat insurance has comprehensive and collision coverage that can protect you against events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism.

Incurred medical payments

Accidents on the water may lead to injuries for you or your passengers. Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you are in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

Peace of mind for nancing

If you nanced the purchase of your boat, most lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. Having boat insurance not only ful lls these requirements but also gives you peace of mind knowing that your nancial interests are safeguarded.

Some water municipalities and marinas may require proof of insurance for docking or accessing certain areas. Boat insurance allows you the exibility to explore different destinations without worrying about entry restrictions.

Emergency towing and assistance

Progressive boat insurance can include optional Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage. If your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, Sign & Glide® pays for on-water towing, jump starts, soft un-groundings, and fuel delivery.

Wreckage removal

If your boat sinks, Progressive boat insurance will cover the cost of removing your boat from the water (if removal is legally required).

Investing in boat insurance is not just about protecting a valuable asset; it’s about safeguarding the memories, experiences, and joy that come with your on-water adventures. Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your journey—navigate with con dence, knowing that Progressive boat insurance has you covered. Ensure a smooth and worry-free voyage, because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.

Notes from the Cockpit

By Lenny Rudow

Q: What rod and reel should I get?

A: Do you have three or four hours to discuss the answer?

Iget asked all the time about different rod and reels, which is best for X or for Y, which is the best all-around starter setup, and/or which should someone get to set themselves up for fishing the Bay. And I always have to start off by explaining that rods and reels (plus what line they’re spooled with) are sort of like a set of crescent wrenches. The properly fitting crescent wrench will always be ideal for turning one specific nut. Of course, you can usually get by with an adjustable wrench that can be used on multiple nuts — and some of the time you can make a pair of pliers work.

But even when it comes to an adjustable wrench, size matters. You need to at least be in the right ballpark. Same goes for fishing rods. Take casting spinners for white perch, for example. While an ultralight rig would be ideal, you could use a light or even a medium-sized setup with some hope of catching fish. But if you tried using a 10’ long surf rod with 40-pound test, the odds would grow a lot longer.

Then, there’s technique to consider. If you’d rather fish for perch with bottom rigs and grass shrimp as opposed to spinners, you’ll want a very different rod and reel. Trollers are in an entirely different gear galaxy than jiggers and casters. Same goes for shoreline versus boat versus kayak, lake versus bay, and river versus surf.

Net result? We anglers need lots of different rods and reels to get as close to ideal as possible in many different scenarios. My own personal stock usually ranges between 35 and 45 rods and reels, and I know plenty of people who maintain an arsenal three times the size of mine.

Not everyone wants to or can afford to maintain tons of gear, however, especially people just getting started in fishing or those who simply may not have anywhere to store that many fishing rods. So, that question still comes up all the time and I’m sure it always will: What rod and reel should I get?

Setting aside all the different factors, nuances, and details, here’s my four-hour answer condensed into a few sentences: If you’re looking for a single rig to use for fishing throughout DelMarVa land, consider a 6’6” medium-light fast-action rod with a 3500 series spinning reel, and then spool it up with 12- or 15-pound braid. Tie on a fluoro leader, and it’s a good setup for casting to schoolie rock or slow-trolling

plugs on the Bay. Downsize the leader and head for the river to target smallies and you’ll get by. Downsize it even more and add a bobber and you can make it work for crappie, bass, and pickerel in lakes and ponds. Put a Fluke Killer on the end and head for the coastal bays with a solid chance of success. It will still be too big for some things and too small for others, but in terms of versatility and for covering as many bases as possible, while considering our specific regional angling opportunities, I don’t think you can make a better one-size-sorta-fits-all choice.

Remember, this one angling wrench won’t be ideal for every angling situation out there. But it will cover far more than most. And if you get one there’s a strong likelihood you’ll be well on your way to becoming a true fishing nut.

# A 6’6’ medium-light fast-action rod with a 3500 series spinning reel is about as versatile as they come for the fisheries in our neck of the woods.

Crowdy Chesapeake

Dear FishTalk,

Irecently read the articles about crowds, regulations, and soft launches in FishTalk. All good stuff. Check out this picture from the 1968 “Fishing in Maryland” magazine. Talk about crowds at the Bay Bridge! And 1968 regulations, it’s no wonder why the Bay was depleted.

Walt T., via email

Dear Walt, We couldn’t reproduce the image in the clipping you sent us due to copyright law. However, we did a count — there were 168 boats showed along a 20-piling stretch on the east side, from the eastern channel edge going towards Kent Island. Anyone who may happen to have the 1968 “Fishing in Maryland” can verify it on page 51. Crowded, indeed!

Personapuncation

Q: What did the fish cry out as he fought against the line?

Send your fish photos, questions, and comments to lenny@fishtalkmag.com

A: Salmon call 911!

Anonymous

Meet our biggest and best saltwater trolling motor yet. Riptide Instinct™ QUEST™ has a treasure trove of features for chasing trophy fish: shaft lengths up to 100”, Auto Stow/Deploy and all the power you need for offshore fishing. FREE REIN TO FISH FEARLESSLY IN SALTWATER minnkotamotors.com/Instinct

Fis H N E ws

By Lenny Rudow

Another Record Fallfishes

Just what is up with these fallfish? Last year, two years prior, and two years prior to that we’ve reported on new state record fallfish caught in Maryland. In the course of five years this has raised the bar from 2.07 pounds to—as of this spring—3.2 pounds. On April 1 angler Blake Cronk reeled in the new record fish from the North Branch of the Potomac River while casting worms and spinners in hopes of hooking trout. Congratulations Blake, but we have to wonder… is there a five-pounder swimming around out there somewhere?

TCO on the Go

Tackle Cove Outfitters, of Irvington, VA, has announced sponsoring a series of Chesapeake Youth Fishing Camps to be held on Carter’s Creek off the Rappahannock River. The two-day sessions run from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. and are being held from June through August. Campers (grades five through nine entering fall of 2024) will learn fishing skills, knottying, how to use different fishing gear and tools, and about Bay ecology. Weather permitting, campers will also receive on-thewater instruction while fishing from a center console and/or fishing kayaks. Enrollment is very limited to ensure a safe, quality experience; visit the Youth Camps page at tacklecove.com or email salestacklecove@gmail.com for more information.

# Sign up now for Tackle Cove’s Youth Fishing Camps.

More Casting for the Kids

The Maryland DNR has a full slate of angling activities in store for kids, as the Youth Fishing Rodeos, for kids aged three to 15, continue through the 2024 fishing season. These free events are held in multiple ponds and parks throughout the state in 14 different counties, and while all are open to the public, attendees are asked to register as some venues have limited space. Details and contact information can be found on the Maryland DNR Youth Fishing Rodeos webpage.

CRAB-daptive Angling

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), known for its therapeutic sailing programs serving people with disabilities and underserved youth, has rigged its Gemini power catamaran for fishing. Ready to cast off with wheelchair accessibility for anglers with their new fishing guide, George Turner, CRAB received support for fishing gear and equipment from the Annapolis Rotary Club Foundation and asks that anyone seeking more information about Adaptive Fishing with CRAB contact manager of programs Shannon Rohrer at shannon@crabsailing.org.

# CRAB has outfitted one of its boats for angling action.

Top Tagger

Yorktown angler Ed Shepherd was awarded the Top Tagger trophy this spring by the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program. Shepherd tagged 3260 of the 14,700 fish tagged by the program, which has hit a grand total of 417,000 fish since its inception in 1995. Data collected by this cooperative effort between the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission assists managers in learning about fish migration, growth, and habitat use. Visit vims.edu/vgftp to learn more about the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program.

2023-2024 Pickerel Wrap

This spring anglers gathered at The Boatyard Bar & Grill to celebrate the award winners of the 2023-2024 Pickerel Championship. The dynamic duo father-son team of Raymond and Talan Vrablic made an indelible mark on this year’s competition, with Raymond winning for the single biggest pickerel (27.75 inches) and the biggest three-fish stringer (an eye-popping 81 inches), while Talan won the Youth category with a monster 26.5-inch pickerel. Also scoring multiple trophies, FishTalk Contributor Eric Packard landed the Kayak category win with a 26.5-inch fish and second place for the three-fish stringer putting a 78.5 inch total on the board. Angler Carl Childers took third for the combined catch with 77.75 inches. WTG, pickerel sharpies!

IT’S THE LAW!!

OVER 16’ CARRY A COMBINATION OF U.S. COAST GUARD APPROVED DAY & NIGHTTIME SIGNALS!

• FLARES HAVE EXPIRATION DATES AND MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 42 MONTHS! Know The FACTS About ORION Marine Flares

1. In an emergency situation on the water, PYROTECHNIC FLARES are the most DYNAMIC, BRIGHT & RECOGNIZED signal clearly conveying the message that assistance in needed.

2. Flares are self-contained and require no batteries (which often corrode leak and lose charge in extreme marine environments as well as posing environmental concerns upon disposal).

3. PYROTECHNIC FLARES are up to 300X* BRIGHTER than a flashing LED Electronic Beacon.

4. Orion flares DO NOT CONTAIN Perchlorate, a chemical of concern associated with groundwater pollution.

5. As a result of the altitude achieved by pyrotechnic aerial flares, the sighting area for these signals is exponentially greater than for electronic beacons:

Sighting Area (based upon signal height above horizon) SOS Beacon 3 Mile Radius 12-gauge aerial flare 27 Mile Radius

6. Flares are US Coast Guard APPROVED Day and Nighttime signals**. Flashing Electronic Beacons are certified for nighttime use only and require a separate daytime signal.

7. Orion flares are MANUFACTURED IN THE USA whereas most electronic beacons are imported from China.

UNDERSTANDING LOCATE VS ALERT SIGNALS

Due to the curvature of the earth and line of sight restrictions, potential rescuers can only see handheld electronic light and handheld flares (LOCATE SIGNALS) up to 3 miles away. NEW HANDHELD ECO-FRIENDLY FORMULATION. BURNS 35% BRIGHTER WITH 33% LARGER FLAME. Anyone beyond 3 miles will not see Locate Signals. This is why aerial flares (ALERT SIGNALS) should also be on your boat. ALERT SIGNALS can be seen as far away as 41 miles to alert potential rescuers you require assistance. As rescuers approach, LOCATE SIGNALS help pinpoint your exact location.

# The father-son Vrablic team crushed it in the 2024 CCA Winter Pickerel Championship.

Bassn’ in the Bay

On June 1 bass fishing icon Mike Iaconelli’s Ike Foundation ProAm Bass Tournament comes to Chesapeake Country. The event will run out of Anchor Marina in North East, MD, with prizes totaling $40,000 and a first place prize of a new Bass Cat Bobcat bass boat with a Yamaha outboard. More important than the prizes, this tournament is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds go to furthering their mission to get more kids into fishing and the outdoors, especially youth in areas where such activities are not readily available. The event is capped at 150 boats and there’s no registering on-site, so visit theikefoundation.org to learn more asap.

Singing the Blues

June 7 to 9 is the Blues for D.U. bluefish tournament, held out of Bahia Marina in Ocean City, MD. The tournament benefits Ducks Unlimited, and trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for the first through third place fish plus a prize pack for the top Junior Angler. Visit bahiamarina.com to get the full scoop.

MTuna Time

ark off June 19 for registration and the captain’s meeting of the Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament. Anglers pick one of the next three days to fish, anywhere within 85 nautical miles of the Cape Henry RW CH buoy. This is a trolling-only event, with weigh-ins at Long Bay Pointe Marina in Lynnhaven and the Virginia Beach Fishing Center in Rudee. Visit vbtuna.com for more information.

Competing in Kayaks

The sixth annual Fish N Paddle Saltwater Slam kayak fishing tournament takes place in Ocean City, MD, June 22 and 23. The tournament features a $7000 guaranteed payout with the top heaviest stringer of three fish of qualifying species combined, plus multiple optional divisions. Visit fishnpaddle.com to get the details.

HOT NEW 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.

Radiant Results

By Eric Packard

If you are looking for an alternative to standard fishing clothes then you need to check out Sitka Gear. Sitka manufactures an assortment of gear primarily for the hunter, but much of it is crossover and everyday gear, too. I tested one of their Radiant Hoodies, and found fishing in this hoody is a must. It fits great and looks great on and off the water, while providing UPF20 sun protection. It’s hooded so you can pull the fabric over the bill of your fishing hat to provide additional protection for your face, and the pull-down sleeves have thumbholes, providing sun protection to the back of your hands as well. The Radiant Hoody checked all the boxes when I tried it, whether I’ve been out hunting striped bass on the Bay, casting on largemouth bass in a reservoir, or eating dinner out at a local crab house with friends. Price: $79. Visit sitkagear.com to learn more.

We’re Hooked

Planted firmly in the “What Will They Think of Next” category, we have the PYI Revolve Boat Hook. As anglers, we don’t love the idea of cluttering up the gaff and scrub brush racks with boat hooks, but this nifty invention lets you stow a 6’3” long boat hook in a space about the size of a coffee mug. It’ll easily fit in a glove box or an under-seat compartment. How the heck is this possible? The composite material is rollable, and has a flat shape. When you unroll it, however, the edges of the material come together to form a rigid tube. After use, pull the edges apart and start rolling it back up, and the tube flattens itself out as you go. We found it took less than 30 seconds to assemble or re-roll for stowage, and was plenty strong to pick up a 10-pound anchor. Price: $119. Visit pyiinc.com to learn more.

Welterweight Champ

Looking for a spinning reel that’s big but not huge, light but not flimsy, and high-quality but not ridiculously expensive? Meet the latest form of the Shimano Saragosa in the SW6000HG, a reel we spent the past season putting through heavy-duty saltwater trails with the likes of mahi-mahi and cobia. It’s rated for 30- to 65-pound braid (capacity is 295 yards of 30-pound test or 140 of 65-pound), takes in up 40” of line per crank, has a 5.7:1 gear ratio, and weighs in right at a pound. Features include a cross-carbon drag, Hagane gear and body, and five SA-RB shielded bearings. We like the feel of this reel, while noting that some anglers may have a love-hate relationship with the manual-close bail system (favored by others for its failsafe operation and the elimination of premature triggering). What we like even more is its hardiness. Despite repeated exposure to the brine it shows no sign of corrosion or wear and is sealed all around to prevent water intrusion, even claiming an IPX8 rating on some parts. Price: $269. Visit fish.shimano.com to learn more.

Lifting the Veil

There’s a new book out from local angler-author John Veil, specific to some of his home waters: Kayak Fishing on the Severn River. In it he covers launch locations, the different parts of the river, and applicable tactics like casting and retrieving, trolling, jigging, and bait fishing. And Veil knows what he’s talking about, logging 250 days on the Severn in the last two years alone. Those new to kayak fishing will also enjoy the sections on choosing and outfitting a kayak for fishing tributary rivers like the Severn, and everyone will benefit from his discussions on what to look for when prospecting the river for productive habitat. The book is available in two versions, color ($34.99) and blackand-white ($17.99) at amazon.com or directly from John for $25/$12. Contact: javeil09@gmail.com

1 Out of 10

We’re thoroughly confused by the SmartstickX 9 in 1 Fishing Tool Set. First, it’s a seven-inch multitool stick of sorts with a whistle, knife, flashlight, bottle opener, broken cone(?), magnesium alloy rod, rope, and light switch (? again), and as far as we can tell isn’t really for fishing, except that the end cap spins off and there’s some mono line wound around the tip. No way that stuff will get twisted and kinky! Anyway, what’s really got us wondering is the picture. We’re not sure if the manufacturer thought the lure looked like a real fish on the hook, or if they’ve just invented a new way of rigging. What say you?

Price: $29.99. Visit amazon.com to learn less.

We’re Enchanted

Who says dry bags have to be olive green, drab gray, or camo? Certainly not Fishe, with their new Enchanted Grayling Roll Tote Dry Bag. This company focuses on functional fishing outfits and accessories for women, and their idea of a dry bag is to make one with waterproof welded seams, a roll-top enclosure with top strap, an adjustable shoulder strap, and a front pocket secured by a splash-proof zipper. Oh, and it’s anything but drab, with splashes of color, swirls, and dots reminiscent of a grayling’s magical markings. Capacity is 22 liters/18” high by 13” wide. There are also Unbound Trout, Steel My Heart steelhead, Permit Paradise, and Mr. Cutty cutthroat versions available, each with species-matching patterns. Price: $150. Visit fishewear.com to learn more.

Tiger by the Tail

If you want to cast a crankbait that simply looks better than all the others, check out Tiger Crankbaits. These handpainted beauties are airbrushed then dipped in KBS clearcoat, and the difference between a Tiger and an off-the-rack crankbait is like the difference between steamed crabs and boiled crabs — there’s no comparison! Added bonus: These crankbaits are crafted right here in our region, in Chesterfield, VA. Price: Varies by lure. Visit Tiger Crankbaits on Facebook to feast your angling eyes on more of their creations or get additional info, or email tigercrankbaits@gmail.com

Getting Tricky

Trika rods have only been around since 2020, but if you want a high-end rod for midrange prices this is one you’ll be checking out. They’re built with what they dub “EkkoChamber + Axial Weave” technology, which is a multidirectional carbon fiber weave designed to magnify vibration from five to 150 hertz while also eliminating tip oscillation and recoil. As a result, on the Trika 6X spinning rod (available in 6’6” to 7’6” medium and medium light, mod fast to extra fast action), they claim double the sensitivity, 23-percent longer casting, and seven percent less weight as compared to leading competitors. Added bonus: these rods are built in the US of A. Price: $299. Visit trika.com to learn more.

Bugs, Be Gone!

We’ve talked about Thermacell mosquito repellers on these pages before, and now they have a more potent model with nine hours of battery life called the EX90. It creates a 20’ zone of protection and takes the same refillable 12-hour cartridges as the older E55 model. LED status indicators let you know when it’s on the job, and it recharges via USB when the power runs out. Like other Thermacells the cartridge contains metofluthrin, which has been shown to repel up to 97-percent of mosquitoes in field testing — and we’ve seen it keep mosquitoes at bay in some of the most challenging marshes of Chesapeake country. Price: $49.99. Visit thermacell.com to learn more.

fairwindsmarina.com

Winchester Creek Rd, Grasonville, MD bosuns.com/about-us-maryland

totalmarine.com

Ask an Expert

Q: What are your top two or three trolling lures for rockfish in June?

A: I tie my own and I do have some favorites. My one-ounce black head/white mouth Pac Man with a green glow skirt, and a one-ounce purple head/yellow mouth chugger with a chartreuse skirt. Both are rigged on umbrella rigs with Tsunami Shad. I also throw in a white and pink one- or two-ounce Pac Man with a white “fish scale” skirt early in the season. And when fish are loading up on May worms be sure to throw out a few red hoses, they will never let you down.

Q: Do you pull planer boards at this time of year?

A: We all know they are a pain and a nuisance so I try not to, but some days the fish get finicky or aren’t schooled up the way you want them and they do catch fish. I shorten up how far I put them out and only run five to eight lines off them (as compared to 10 to 12 historically, for trophy season). The go-to setup is oneand two-ounce tandems with four to 12 ounces of weight. But again, if its May worm time don’t hesitate to drop a few hoses out there.

Q: What portion of the water column are you focusing on?

A: The one that has fish in it—with today’s electronics we know where the fish are, and then it’s a matter of speed up, slow down, or make a little turn to put your baits where they are. Don’t be afraid to turn when you mark fish, it speeds up the outside lines and slows down your inside lines so you can cover different depths.

Q: Since you mention speed, just what speed are you shooting for?

This month we pose some questions about early summer trolling for rockfish to Captain Billy Gee, of ebb Tide Charters based in Deale, MD. You can reach Capt. Billy and Ebb Tide Charters at ebbtidecharters.com, on Facebook, or call (410) 703-2549. This winter look for him at the local fishing shows, where you can buy some of his custom hand-tied lures. # One of Capt. Billy’s hand-tied favorites.

A: I’ve had days when you can forget about it if you’re not doing less than two knots, but in general 2.5 to 3.0 knots is a good starting point. The tide and wind dictate it some days. Just watch your lines and they will tell you if you’re doing something wrong. You don’t want them stretched out like a banjo string but you also don’t want to be cleaning off sea grapes every 10 minutes. This is something you’re going to have to play with on your specific boat to get dialed in.

Q: open Mic – if you could say anything to all the anglers out there what would it be?

A: This isn’t a spring tactic, it’s an all-time tactic: Make friends and join a fishing group. Most people have full time jobs and can only get out once or twice a month, so you can’t keep up with where the fish are (Editor’s Note: and sign up for the FishTalk fishing reports!!) Go to a fishing club meeting like the Pasadena Sportfishing Group, make friends, and get phone numbers. That buddy you meet might one day put you on the fish of a lifetime — or become a friend for a lifetime.

June through Jun 1

Wachapreague shore girls flounder tournament

Fishing times: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Awards banquet June 2 at 1 p.m. at Island House Restaurant. Proceeds benefit Dogs Deserve Better - Eastern Shore Virginia, and there are cash prizes for first through third place plus calcuttas. Find entry on FB page or contact: nlkatr@aol.com or (757) 787-3970.

1-2

Bosun’s marine/ccamD

Reef Building event

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. family-friendly, all-ages event at Bosun’s Marine Maryland (411 Winchester Creek Rd, Grasonville). Hands-on reef building activity. RSVP at bosuns.com or call (410) 286-1350.

7-9 guardian of the Pearl Rockfish tournament

Mandatory captain’s meeting on June 7. Register to fish one or two days (June 8 and 9). The tournament promotes heritage, tourism, and fishing for the town of Rock Hall while raising funds for the Rock Hall Vol. Fire Company which serves it and surrounding communities. Learn more and register: rockhallvfc.org/ rockfishtournament

8 Bands in the sand

Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and Title Sponsor Annapolis Subaru for a night of live music on the beach raising critical funds to help save the Bay! Sells out quickly.

8

herrington harbour north marina Resort Boater Yard sale Nauticalthemed yard sale 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Herrington Harbour North Marina Resort (389 Deale Rd, Tracys Landing, MD). Do you have boating gear to sell? Reserve a spot: david@herringtonharbour.com or (410) 867-4343. There is no fee to sell, but registration is required.

8

mD DnR Youth fishing Rodeo

7 a.m. at Hillcrest Park Lake. Sponsor: Baltimore Highlands Recreation Council. Ages 3-15. Contact: Joan Mitchel, (410) 887-6994.

8

Youth fishing Rodeo

8 a.m. at Calvert Cliffs State Park. Sponsor: Calvert County Parks and Rec. Ages 3-15. Contact: Sandy Abell, (410) 535-1600 x2829.

12

frederick saltwater anglers monthly meeting

Food starts at 6 p.m. followed by meeting at 7 p.m. at 289 Willowdale Drive, Frederick, MD 21702. Each meeting has a speaker, vendor, prize raffle, and 50/50.

12-18 maryland fleet Week and flyover Baltimore

An exciting line-up of ship tours, festivals, flyovers, and educational activities at the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, North Locust Point, and Martin State Airport.

14 casey cares 7th annual Rockfish tournament

A great day and evening of fishing, fundraising, and celebrating at the Bay Bridge Marina and The Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club on Kent Island. Register at CaseyCares.org!

14 talbot chamber fishing tournament

Fishing fundraiser benefitting the Talbot Watermen’s Association. At Knapp’s Narrows Marina in Tilghman, MD. Half-day charters or recreational boaters can bring their own boat. To register, call (410) 822-4653 or visit talbotchamber.org

14-15

tuna & tiaras

Ladies-only tuna tournament. Over $110,000 awarded in 2023. Photo contest free to enter. The cause: Women Supporting Women.

14-16

36th antique and classic Boat festival and coastal arts fair

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. Featuring the theme “It’s All About Fishing,” celebrating boats from builders such as Boston Whaler, Rybovich, Egg Harbor, Hatteras, and more.

14-16

fsa offshore challenge

Presented by the Frederick Saltwater Anglers in Chincoteague, VA. Open to the public; you do not need to be a member to fish this tournament.

15

6th annual cobia east coast championship

Online registration: $275 (closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 13). On-site registration: $300. Additional calcutta divisions available. Over $63,000 paid out in 2023. Awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. at Legasea Marine in Yorktown, VA.

15 free kids fishing tournament

Hosted by the North Bay Fishing Club. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Levy Pavilion at North East Community Park (250 W. Walnut St., North East, MD). Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. or pre-register by emailing northbayfishingclub@yahoo.com with children›s name and age. Free, prizes, three age categories: 5-8, 9-12, 13-16. Loaner rods and bait available to borrow or bring your own. Free picnic lunch after for all participants.

16 mD DnR Youth fishing Rodeo

10 a.m. at Cypress Branch State Park in Kent County. Sponsor: Maryland Park Service. Ages 3-15. Contact: Erin Gale, (410) 820-1668.

20 combos for kids

Combos for Kids provides fun opportunities to celebrate and enrich the lives of children and their families through the sport of fishing. Presented by Anglers Sport Center. At Podickory Point: Annapolis City Police - Kids Fishing (boats needed). Contact: EJ Harman, (410) 299-2693.

21-23

9th annual kids catch-all

Open to all youth anglers ages 3-18, parents may help reel in fish. Every angler receives an award. A portion of the proceeds benefits Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva, Inc. At Indian River Marina in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Register online at kidscatchall.com

24 June caPca Program

6:45 to 8:30 p.m. virtual program with CAPCA. Speaker: Mike Singer, Founder of the Facebook group Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay Ship Watchers. Topic: “Watchful Eyes on the Key Bridge: The Unfolding of a Timeline.” Free. The Zoom link will be posted on the home page a week before the program (capca.net).

27

combos for kids Combos for Kids provides fun opportunities to celebrate and enrich the lives of children and their families through the sport of fishing. Presented by Anglers Sport Center. At Mike’s Beach: Voices for Children (Boats needed - crabbing).

Contact: EJ Harman, (410) 299-2693.

July

4

13th annual solomons island fourth of July Boat Parade

Location: 8.331264 by 76.450065 (up Mill Creek) in Solomons, MD. The starting cannon will sound at noon. Show your American pride and dress up your boat or your person and join in the fun (stars and stripes only). Follow the boat in front of you and do not lag behind (must be able to do 6 mph); safety first. No registration, just show up. For more information, please contact  Melissa.mccormick101@gmail.com and stay on channel 68 the time of the parade.

10

frederick saltwater anglers

monthly meeting

Food starts at 6 p.m. followed by meeting at 7 p.m. at 289 Willowdale Drive, Frederick, MD 21702. Each meeting has a speaker, vendor, prize raffle, and 50/50.

12-14

fsa summer slam

Presented by the Frederick Saltwater Anglers in Deltaville, VA.

12-14

Potomac Jazz and seafood festival

Featuring music from nationally renowned jazz artists and delicious local seafood at the St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point, MD, and in the charming Town of Leonardtown.

20 chesapeake Bay Paddle

An epic day of paddle races and a post-paddle festival to celebrate and help protect the Chesapeake Bay. Hosted by Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club. 35-mile, 10-mile, and 3.2-mile course options. Kent Island, MD.

25 combos for kids

Combos for Kids provides fun opportunities to celebrate and enrich the lives of children and their families through the sport of fishing. Presented by Anglers Sport Center. At Mike’s Beach: Baltimore County Police youth outreach (boats needed - crabbing). Contact: EJ Harman, (410) 299-2693.

# Dylan tied into hammer 4.6-pound rainbow trout in Deer Creek.

# “Tink” Reese scored a snakehead to add to his resume.

# Lindsay found the bass biting at a Delaware pond.

# Brooks and Nick caught some nice hickories on Mattawoman Creek this spring.

# Bo tied into some true MONSTeR catfish… we’re thinking that pair probably weighs more than Bo does!!

Mark hooked into a beautiful slot redfish this spring.

FIS H PIC

OF THE MONTH

Isaiah tried nymphing for the first time ever, swung for the fences, and connected.

# Two-year-old Jonah was sharpening up his fly casting skills in Tyaskin, when a 50-pound mahi-mahi almost bit his hookless line!! (See the fin? Right there, in the background – Mahi!)

# Ian tied into a tank of a snapper while fishing in Charleston.

#

#

# Lucy scored big on the carp this spring.

# William was casting his flyrod in a local pond when he hooked into this 26-inch, 9.8 pound bucketmouth. He reminds us, however, that it’s not the size that counts.

# An early season trip to Assateague paid off for James when this big bluefish attacked.

# Brian broke the 32-inch mark while casting from the beach on Assateague.

# Camelia caught her first ever hickory shad, and it was love at first fight.

# Nathan took careful aim and went home with a snakehead.

# Hunter caught and released this beautiful striper near Bloody Point on easter morning.

# Seth tied into some serious choppers while kayak fishing in the back bays of OC.

# Dale tapped into the white perch run in a big way.

# Dan found the flounder at Wachapreague this spring.

# Bryson celebrated his 12th birthday the best way possible, hooking into this 13.5-pound dragon near Aberdeen.

# Brian tied into a beautiful speck — as well as a red, white perch, and rockfish — in the Pocomoke.

# Okay Christopher, we know those flatheads get big but SHeeSH!!!

# Brian and Brandon took a trip to the Outer Banks and enjoyed some epic action.

# Randy found the bluefish snapping on Assateague.

Hot New Fishboats

By Lenny Rudow

Robalo R180:Listen to Reason

It was decades ago, but I can still remember when my knee-high kids were ping-ponging around in the cockpit of my 19’ center console wearing Scooby-Doo life jackets. Sure we tried to catch fish back then, but the bigger concerns were making sure that shoes stayed tied and everyone remained inside the boat. On small fishing boats this isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Low gunwales and a lack of deep seating will set any parental unit’s radar on red alert, and for an angling mom or dad, will likely eliminate many small boats from consideration. One that will make the grade, however, is the Robalo R180 Center Console — this is just about the deepest 18-footer around, and it’ll keep those active ankle-biters where they belong.

The R180 is the smallest boat in Robalo’s lineup, and though it isn’t a new model for 2024, it does have a new facet which makes it noteworthy: the price. As we’ve pointed out before, boat pricing changes fast and varies quite a bit and we don’t like printing numbers on these pages because by the

time someone reads this they could be inaccurate. But while most boat prices have been going through the roof, Robalo has kept this one in check. In fact, look up the average price of a new car in 2023 then look at the current price of a 2024 R180 on their website, and you’ll see that the boat goes for less. That’s surprising, but what’s even more surprising is that it comes with a standard aluminum trailer with disc brakes. Oh, and a Yamaha F115 that’ll have you and the family cruising at 30 mph and grinning from ear to ear when you break 40 mph at top-end.

The R180 has all the trappings of a serious fishing machine including a 15-gallon lighted livewell, fore and aft coaming bolsters, four rocket launchers on the leaning post, four flush-mount gunwale rodholders, and vertical racks for six rods on the console. And while the aft jump seats fold flat to provide elevated casting positions, when they’re in use they’re still well below gunwale level (read: safe for the tykes), as

is the forward console seat. There’s also a 25-gallon fishbox under the foredeck plus a cooler under the leaning post.

Most relatively low-priced center consoles have plastic rodholders

Qui CK F ACTS

LoA: 18’4”

Beam: 8’0

Displacement: 2625 lbs.

Draft (hull): 11”

Transom Deadrise: 18 degrees

Fuel Capacity: 50 gal.

Max HP: 150 hp

A REA D EALERS

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

# Major Bonus Alert: Most 18-footers are too small to house a head compartment, but in this case the front of the console swings open to access a head compartment with a portable MSD.

lining the side of the console, but here you’ll find powder-coated rail-mounted holders. Most have plastic drink holders, but this one has stainless-steel. And most will consider helpful items like a battery switch, a compass, a Bluetooth stereo system, removable bow cushions, and a fuel/water separator to be cost-adding options, but on the R180 they’re all stock features. The bottom line? If you’re looking for a boat that’s small enough to easily maintain and easy to trailer but has the beef to hit the Bay on a regular basis — and you want to be able to pile in the kids without worry — this boat belongs on your short-list.

Yamaha 255 FSH Sport H: Control Your Destiny

Boat owners consistently report that docking is the most stressful part of their day, and outboard manufacturers managed to thoroughly de-stress that experience with the addition of joystick controls like the Helm Master EX. Too bad you can’t get a Helm Master EX joystick on a jet boat… right?

At the 2024 Miami international Boat Show we jumped aboard a Yamaha 255 FSH Sport H, the world’s first jet boat

Qui CK F ACTS

LoA: 24’6”

Beam: 8’6”

Displacement: 4835 lbs.

Draft (hull): 1’10”

Transom Deadrise: 20 degrees

Fuel Capacity: 111 gal.

Max HP: NA

A REA D EALERS

Beacon Light Marina, Middle River, MD, (410) 335-6200 or beaconlightmarina.com;

controlled via Helm Master EX, then took the stick-equipped helm. And we were blown away by how well the system worked. Just like an outboard boat, when you push the stick sideways you can crab the boat right up to the dock. Twist it and the 255 FSH Sport H spins in its own length. Nudge it forward or aft to make minute position adjustments. Slow speed dockside maneuvering can only be described as precise. And, well, easy. What wasn’t so easy was incorporating the joystick into a jet boat. In previous models one main shifting and steering cable controlled both jet nozzles and deflectors. In order to operate them independently and gain the level of desired control, the cables

were replaced with individual actuators for each system. That made it possible for the Helm Master EX joystick and control integration, which we’ll hopefully see on more models in the future but for the 2024 model year is only on the 255 FSH Sport H.

We were thanking our lucky stars Yamaha Boats chose to put this system on a center console fishing boat as opposed to one of their runabouts, and the 255 FSH Sport H is their topof-line offering. Powered by a pair of 1812cc supercharged SVHO Yamahas blasting water through 160mm highpressure pumps with three-bladed stainless-steel impellers, this boat has gobs of punch and can take you to a top speed in the mid-50s.

By Lenny Rudow

Upgrades and additional features are packed in from stem to stern, because Yamaha Boats offers different trim level models as opposed to a base boat and lots of optional features. Since this model sits at the top of the heap, the upholstery is automatically upgraded, the helm gets a phone holder with wireless charging, the snap-in Marine Mat foam flooring is included, and there’s a 12” Simrad MFD at the helm with a through-hull transducer already installed.

Yamaha Boats has been building fishing models for quite some time now, and has the angling equipping down pat. The 255 FSH Sport H has racks for six rods on the sides of the console, six flush-mount holders, an insulated fishbox, a 30-gallon livewell in the stern, a stowage compartment in the deck sized for a five-gallon bucket, five rocket launchers on the Ttop, and forward modules integrated with the bow compartment seatbacks that incorporate a second aquarium-

style livewell on one side and a tackle stowage station in the other.

Like their sport boats the stern incorporates a two-level swim platform that includes aft-facing seating. More importantly, it has easy-to-access pump cleanout ports. Still, families who enjoy fishing one day and watersports the next will appreciate the arrangement. The bow similarly splits the difference

Ybetween family fun and fishing with a removable cocktail table that also serves as a filler platform to turn the bow into a casting platform.

For those who favor prop-free boating there aren’t many center console fishing boat options, and for those who want joystick-easy docking there’s just one. This one. If you want complete control, it’s time to take the helm of the 255 FSH Sport H.

MVP Aero: Aerial Angler

ou say you want to fly directly to the hotspot, land on the water, and stick around for a few days? That itinerary won’t change if you’re sitting in the cockpit of an MVP Aero. This twin seat seaplane has a fold-up canopy that swings back to expose a fishing deck with a removable pedestal seat. When you’re done casting for the day you can set up the integrated tent that turns the cockpit into a mini-camper. Added bonus: the wings sweep back so it can be moored in a regular boat slip. There’s just one problem: prototyping work was paused last year. But the design is solid, having been created by a former Cirrus Aircraft engineer. What bold boatbuilder will pick up the challenge? We don’t know but we sure hope someone takes the reins — and that they set aside some time for us to do a sea trial when the project is complete.

# It’s a first: Helm Master on a jet boat.

Summer Flounder Fun

Flounder fishing at the inshore wreck and reef sites.

There’s no mistaking the “rattle-rattle-THUMP!” of a feisty flounder attacking your bait. These oddly shaped bottom dwellers strike with authority and fight with a unique combination of vibrating head-shakes and tail-kicking tugs. Plus, if you’re aching to stuff a fish with crab imperial, bread and fry some fillets, or whip up a batch of fish tacos, few fish can compare with flatties. Ready to make them a target? Once summer hits you can catch them through much of the Chesapeake and all of our coastal bays and inlets, but your best shot at both quality and quantity lies just off the coast from Delaware down through Virginia.

Finding the Flounder

There’s no secret to locating these fish: the artificial wreck and reef sites are usually riddled with them. You can get the exact locations for many different options, including GPS coordinates, from the various state agencies. Just Google “Delaware artificial reefs” and the DNREC guide pops right up. Same for Maryland, and same for Virginia. Anglers fishing out of Ocean City, MD, can get a major leg up and about a bajillion more sites with coordinates and reef layouts by joining the Ocean City Reef Foundation, at ocreefs.org. A $50 dona-

By Lenny Rudow

tion gets you a reef network chart book detailing the exact locations of the acres and acres of reefs they’ve established. Chipping in for a good cause and getting one of these is your hands-down best method of finding more flounder (plus sea bass and tautog) hotspots than you could hope to fish in a lifetime.

Some reefs are, of course, better than others, and which will be hottest can change on a day-to-day basis. That said, as a rule of thumb those closest to the inlets will have the most pressure, and those which

are a bit farther afield tend to produce the best catches. Run two to five miles into the ocean and you can catch a few. Run five to 15 miles and the potential increases. Run 15 to 25 and you’re likely to fill the box with fat fish. Sharpies targeting doormats generally cruise no less than 15 miles unless they have a secret location closer to home that doesn’t see much competition.

Upon arrival at a reef site, many anglers will shift into neutral, drop their lines, and immediately begin fishing. This isn’t the best move. Instead, meander around a bit and identify the

# Captain Josh and Brian score a nice one while drifting the wrecks and reefs off OC aboard the Reel Current.

areas with the highest concentration of reef materials. Then shift to neutral for a minute or two while watching the GPS to determine your drift pattern. With that knowledge in hand you can pull into a position that will send you drifting alongside the most structure for the longest period of time.

The key word in the above paragraph is “alongside.” Flounder tend to congregate next to structure, not overtop of it like sea bass. Drifting across scour holes and flats surrounded by structure will produce more fish, and drifting right over the structure will produce more snags.

Top Offerings

Traditionalists will drag a Fluke Killer rig baited with squid, live spot or minnow, or a squid/baitfish sandwich. Some sharpies prefer a tandem bucktail rig sweetened with strip baits or Gulp! But the handsdown most productive offering for the widest swath of Mid-Atlantic anglers drift fishing at the wreck and reef sites will prove to be a top-andbottom Fluke Killer baited with tasty twisters like Fishbites Fight Club or Gulp! Swimming Mullet.

You can find any of these tandemhook rigs (adorned with bucktail

TiP: When you catch one sea robin after the next don’t be quick to pull up stakes. Sea robins and flounder often feed in the same areas, but they bite best on different tides. Stick it out, and there’s a good chance that as the tide changes the sea robins will mysteriously disappear and flounder will be swinging over the gunwales.

teasers and/or a spinner) at coastal tackle shops. But don’t try to thread the tail on as you would when adding one to a jighead. Simply take it and slide the hook right through its nose

with the point going in the bottom “jaw” and coming out through the top of its molded head just aft of the fake eye. It may look downright silly to our human eyes — but it works for fooling those flounder.

Color choice generally includes white, chartreuse, and pink, but other colors will have their days and you never know what will work best until you try it. Savvy anglers will leave the dock with at least these three shades in the box and hopefully a couple others to try, make sure a wide assortment is offered up, and adjust the different colors as the fish’s preference of the day becomes clear.

When it comes to inshore fishing in the open ocean flounder are one of our top targets. Few fish are as fun to hook up with, and as tasty on the plate. So this summer make sure you plan to point the bow for the inlet — and get ready for that “rattle-rattle-THUMP!” #

# Gulp! Swimming Mullet have taken over as the most popular bait these days.

# Note the tandem Fluke Killer which fooled this flattie into biting.

Is the Terminator about to be casting On Golden Pond?

By Staff

Will AI soon be playing a role in a fishery near you? Love it or hate it, as crazy as it sounds, the answer is a definite “yes” if you own a modern fishboat with modern electronics or plan to get one anytime soon. Even in a sport where life can be as simple as threading a worm onto a hook, artificial intelligence is already making inroads. And it might actually help you catch more fish, or at the very least make it easier to drive your boat to them.

Electronic intelligence

As things stand, my chartplotter is already a lot smarter than I am. At least, it seems to be confused much less frequently. That may not be saying

a lot, but in truth it’s amazingly good at computing stuff without any extra “intelligence” involved. Still, several of the units sitting at the helm of fishing boats are already applying this new wave of I.Q.

Furuno is an early adopter and their new TZtouch XL units capitalize on AI with improved navigational safety, in what they’re calling Risk Visualizer and AI Avoidance Route. Both

# AI generated image by Canva

are calculated in big-brained MFDs, spinning endless ones and zeros around at Ludicrous Speed inside of a hexacore processor. Risk Visualizer provides a 360-degree visual representation of potential collisions while AI is watching (with DRS radar and bathymetric intel) for everything around the boat. That includes moving objects, so it can watch a boat and highlight it as a collision risk if it alters course to cross yours, or deemphasize it as a risk when it turns away. With AI Avoidance Route active, the MFD will incorporate this same intel and decide on the safest route to avoid any detected hazards along your calculated route. Tap a button and an integrated Furuno NavPilot autopilot will drive the boat accordingly. As potential hazards change course, the AI-driven tech has the ability to constantly track it, recalculate, and reconsider. Since this tech has popped up (grown up?) more or less overnight we’re betting it won’t be too long before your fishfinder pulls back the throttles when you run past a big school of fish, or the autopilot turns you towards birds diving far beyond the horizon.

A company called Avikus, meanwhile, has been harnessing AI to develop the NeuBoat system. NeuBoat is designed to handle dock-to-dock route planning and navigation, obstacle detection and collision avoidance via light detection and ranging (LIDAR), as well as automated docking and undocking. You can monitor the boat’s decision-making via a wireless tablet, including 360-degree and birds-eye views of the boat gained via cameras that act as robotic eyes. Futuristic? Youbetcha, but it’s expected to hit the market this year.

Ai for the Fishermen, or the Fish?

One area where AI is already having a direct impact on anglers is in fisheries research. As it turns out, computo-brains are really good at interpreting images. And while you or I might gaze at the flanks of a striped bass and see mere stripes, AI sees a fingerprint. The more fish it sees the better it is at differentiating them — and even at predicting how an individual fish’s patterns will evolve as it ages. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eastern Ecological Science Center has been training it on trout; the accuracy rate is already up to 90-percent and it’s expected to continue to improve. The first field testing is being implemented this year in a joint project with the USGS, AI builder Wild Me, and Trout Unlimited.

This tech could eventually replace fish tagging. Fish can be “fingerprinted” when young and recognized decades later. The process isn’t invasive, and the

tech can be placed right into the hands of anglers like you and me. It’s looking more and more likely that one day, we’ll open an app, take a photo of the fish we just caught, and learn its history at a glance while fisheries scientists learn of its capture.

Future Perfect

While these products and projects are already real, there’s plenty more under development as we speak. There are companies training AI to “read” a body of water and judge the hotspots most likely to produce fish at any given time by taking factors like bathymetry, seasonality, weed growth, weather patterns, fish habits, and more into account. You might one day open up your phone’s camera, scan a lake, and with a glance at the screen know where all the best hotspots are likely to be. AI is also being tested by lure manufacturers to design better fishing lures. And it’s being dabbled with in the commercial fishing industry to interpret historical catch data and then suggest where the largest schools of fish might be found today, tomorrow, and the next day.

Will this tech injection into the fishing world be a good thing, or a bad thing? We’re pretty sure that like most tech, it will cut both ways. Some people will appreciate the help, while others will probably want to make their own decisions using natural intelligence (or as we anglers call it: guessing). Either way, many people will opt to get every fish-catching advantage they can… even if they’re still putting a worm on a hook using their own two hands. #

# AI can look at the trout’s spots, determine how the fish will look years down the line, and recognize it in the future.

# Furuno’s TZtouch XL can adapt and adjust to what it sees thanks to a dash of AI.

Part I: Blackfish Bank and nearby wrecks.

By Wayne Young

Visiting Chincoteague has been in the back of my mind ever since first hearing about the Virginia Capes. It’s a long way to haul my baby white whale over from Northern Virginia, and then, what’s there to fish? From the various fishing reports by local experts, a whole lot. What the reports don’t do, however, is show the structure — what the bottom, reefs, and wrecks look like. Understanding structure by type, composition, configuration, and condition is important to selecting which features to fish and how to fish them.

On the way out of Chincoteague Inlet towards the state reef, there is an old wreck on the north side (yellow circle and bottom left insert on Chart 1). The Coast Survey’s Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System (AWOIS) records many bottom anomalies, and AWOIS records this wreck as unknown. Its presence was published in a 1978 Notice to Mariners by the Coast Guard. North of the inlet around the point in the red circle on Chart 1 lies the wreck of the P. J. Hooper which dates from 1950. No additional background about type or length of vessel is recorded but the BDV image shows scattered wreckage, which can be great for flounder fishing. The main mass is about 150’ long by 100’ wide.

The banks just outside the inlet were historically very productive, although commercial overfishing occurred during the 1970s and 1980s. About 5.5 miles offshore is the Blackfish Bank Reef, one of the artificial reefs in the Virginia reef program. This is one of the very early privately sponsored permitted reefs. The artificial reef along with the wrecks provide structure that increases biological carrying capacity and a physical deterrent to trawling.

An early history of Virginia artificial reefs was prepared in 1983 by Jon

Lucy for the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences at the College of William and Mary. His paper reports that citizens in Chincoteague and the local Coast

Guard Auxiliary sponsored artificial reef development in 1968 and 1969. Another reference, discussed later, puts reef development even earlier. Perhaps the

# Chart 1: Wrecks inside and just outside Chincoteague Inlet. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.

# Chart 2: Large unidentified wreck on Blackfish Bank northwest of Blackfish Bank Reef. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.

small fish havens are associated with that effort. Planned materials of opportunity included scrapped car bodies, tires, and obsolete barges. The Lucy paper reports that two menhaden vessels were sunk in the reef site in 1970. The context puts these wrecks at the Blackfish Bank Reef.

The little square fish haven is located on a bank northwest of Blackfish Bank Reef. Immediately southeast of the small fish haven and about 1200 yards northwest of the Blackfish Bank Reef’s northwest corner is a large wreck (red circle in Chart 2). AWOIS sheds little light about this wreck, recorded by the database in 1982. The debris field measures about 400’ long by 40’ wide. The wreck is mostly demolished except for a portion of its northwestern end where the only remaining section of the hull is visible. There is what appears to be a keelson or keel, suggesting that the hull section is upside down.

Turning now to Blackfish Bank Reef, it was permitted circa 1970. It is now administered by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). As with all VMRC reefs, there is a latitude and longitude grid drawing showing the recorded location of reef materials. Lo-

ran was used for the earliest placements. Many coordinates taken with Loran have not been verified with GPS, so there is some position error associated with the grid. VMRC also has a side-scan sonar report that was prepared in 2010 and is accessible on the Commission’s artificial reef website. The grid drawing shows, and the sonar report confirms, that there is a sunken vessel. North of the vessel is an unidentified object. With no other vessellike objects showing in the BDV image, both of these reefs are probably the menhaden boats reported by the 1983 Lucy paper. Their location is shown in Graphic 1, which is an overlay of the grid onto the BDV sonar image. Coordinates for the southernmost wreck from the 2010 sonar report are 37’50.23945 x 75’15.39190. Approximate coordinates for the other probable vessel remains are 37’50.289 x 75’15.356.

Additional deployments to Blackfish Bank Reef documented by the VMRC website include 40 armored personnel carriers in 1998, 50 New York City Redbird subway cars in 2003, and 100 stainless steel subway cars from New York City in 2008. The armored personnel carriers are located in the lower left middle of the

site where the military vehicle icons are shown. Some fishing reports say three or four tanks were deployed. However, the VMRC data only record personnel carriers. Their composition is thick metal, making them more durable than the subway cars, which are scattered as patch reefs mostly in the northeast quadrant. Review of the 2010 sonar report images suggest that some of the subway cars are caved in or missing sections. Although not conclusive, Redbird cars have shown rapid deterioration at other reef sites. Similar deterioration at this reef site would not be surprising. The stainless-steel cars, although with sides and tops made from thin sheets of metal, should fare somewhat better. Only the car boxes were deployed; there are no undercarriages or rolling stock. Physical condition issues notwithstanding, the subway car patch reef system is frequently mentioned as a go-to hotspot. Also reported is that the subway car reefs are hard on tackle, so expect to lose some rigs. Coordinates for all of the individual reefs keyed to a BDV graphic image are published in the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association’s “Virginia Artificial Reef Guide.” Join us next month for Chinco-YES! Part II, continuing on to more wrecks and reef sites off the Chincoteague coast, including Winter Quarter Shoal, the David Atwater, and more.

# Graphic 1: Left – Screenshot of probable menhaden boat reefs. Middle - VMRC grid superimposed over the Blackfish Bank reef site. Top Right – Armored personnel carriers and subway cars. Bottom right – Subway cars. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.

It’s time for

As yellowfin tuna cruise up the coast the next month is likely to be a good one. Or, maybe a great one. Of course, there’s no telling just how hot the bite will be months, weeks, or even days in advance. Will we get a swirl of warm water breaking off the Gulf Stream, heading inshore, and bringing the fish with it? Will big schools of sand eels tempt those tunas into staying for a while? Will storms and wind make it tough to get off the dock even as the fish are chewing? All we can do is hope for the best, but when you cast off the lines and point the bow eastward you’ll certainly want to have every advantage in your favor.

Finding the Fish

You probably know this already, but we’ll say it yet again: finding oceanic breaks and barriers is key. And, as we’ve also pointed out before, this means staying up on eddies and currents with sea surface temperature (SST) charts, finding plankton fronts, and ideally locating areas where the two coincide. SiriusXM

Fish Mapping is a top pick in this regard, not only because they’re FishTalk supporters (yay!) but also because having it aboard lets you look at the positions

Offshore Fishing

presented by

peak action as yellowfin cruise up the coast.

By Lenny Rudow

and movements of those temp breaks and plankton fronts when you’re actually out there on the water — right on your chartplotter — as opposed to predicting where they’ll be after looking at days-old data the night before.

Another factor we’ve delved into before is intel gathering, which we examined in detail last month in “Offshore Fishing Intel.” If you missed it, be sure to hit FishTalkMag.com and check the article out. One item we have yet to explore, however,

# Finding eddies, swirls, and temperature breaks is often just as important — and sometimes more so — than finding a canyon edge.

is also one of the most obvious ways to find fish: head for the canyons. Wilmington, Baltimore, Poormans, Washington, and Norfolk Canyons are all within reach of most of the fishing boats (more or less) running out of Mid-Atlantic ports like Indian River, Ocean City, and Virginia Beach. These jagged rips in the Continental Shelf catch the ocean currents and create upwellings, swirls, and eddies that regularly hold fish. They also have contours and structure that attract crustaceans and ground fish, which both helps bring in larger predators and also provides a backup plan in case the pelagic species don’t cooperate. But. There’s always a but, and we’ll get to that later. First, let’s take a quick look at each in turn.

1. Wilmington Canyon

The Wilmington is the farthest north and is also one of the largest canyons off our shores, cutting west and then towards the north into the sea floor. The tip can be phenomenal but the pair of bowls eaten into the west side also produce spectacular catches at times, as can the northern bight. Expect its western edges to out-produce other portions more often than one might guess.

Offshore Fishing

presented by

2. Baltimore Canyon

The next canyon moving south is the Baltimore, which also juts in and to the north but is slightly smaller and has less abrupt drop-offs in the tip. As a result the bights and especially the northern bight are often a good bet here.

3. Poormans

Poorman’s isn’t as much a true canyon as it is a pair of crescent cuts into the edge of the shelf. Still, the change in geography is enough to cause current changes and distortions and at times it can be incredibly productive. Poormans also has bottom conducive to golden tilefish, always a good plan B.

4. Washington

Thanks to the “bigeye hole” (the northern notch in the east wall), the Washington is one of the most popular destinations around. And yes, a lot of bigeye are caught here — as are yellowfin, billfish, and more. The northern bight is also a reliable producer, and both bights hold golden tilefish in the 650’ to 850’ depth range.

5. Norfolk

The Norfolk is a bit different than canyons to the north as it takes a westward turn and the tip doesn’t shift towards the north like the others. Both bights can be hot and since there’s rockier bottom in the tip, catches like wreckfish become more likely when baits are dropped to the bottom.

1

4 3 2

Now, for the but: the canyons counter-intuitively create a trap of sorts for many anglers. We always hear about this canyon or that one, and it’s 5

Running to the edge of the Continental shelf in your own boat is a big endeavor, one which will push the safety margins for just about any recreational angler. If you missed last month’s article on small boat safety offshore be sure to check it out at the website. And remember:

• Carry an EPIRB, PLB, or satellite messenger so you have some form of panic button aboard.

• If you don’t already have SiriusXM consider adding it to your system so you get near-real-time weather displayed right on your MFD screen, including storm tracking and wind forecasts.

• Make sure your VHF radio has functional DSC, meaning it has GPS data and has been registered with an MMSI number. Then if you call the Coast Guard, they’ll automatically have your exact position.

a big ocean out there so making a canyon your destination just about always seems like a good idea. And it’s true that being at one of these cuts in the shelf means you can try different options like deep-dropping or bailing lobster floats for mahi. However, the presence of fish like tunas will be dictated by the water currently in them and the presence (or lack thereof) of bait.

Offshore sharpies won’t simply pick a canyon and head for it. Instead, they’ll study the SST, or if they’re armed with SiriusXM they’ll look at the most current satellite shots available both before leaving the dock and when arriving on the scene. And they’ll recognize that a temperature break swirling across

Anglers know that Fish Mapping’s satellite-delivered service shown on their MFD — including sea temperature fronts, plankton fronts, fishing recommendations and more — helps them find fish faster.

Now Fish Mapping subscribers can view the fishing features they love on their smartphone or tablet while on shore using the new Fish Mapping App!

Offshore Fishing

presented by

an open edge of the shelf is a better bet than the canyons themselves if the water in them is blasé. They may also stay inshore of the shelf if there’s an eddy of water swirling inside. They’ll remember that when it comes to pelagics, physical structure is only one part of the equation and temperature-based structure is every bit as important.

Tempting the Fish

When it comes to tuna, finding the fish is generally the toughest part of the battle and stock-and-trade tactics usually get them to bite. We’ve covered basic tuna trolling tactics plenty of times in FishTalk so we’re going to skip it here; if you need a refresher go to the website, look for the search box in the upper right corner, and type in “tuna trolling.”

Sometimes, however, you’ll find yourself around tuna that are playing hard to get. In recent years during the midsummer months this has included encountering breaking fish which were 100-percent unwilling to attack trolled baits and lures, which is why we have a feature on how to get them snapping by casting topwater lures in next month’s edition (stay tuned).

Along with topwater there are a number of tactics you can try to get unwilling fish biting. Sometimes one or another will work but there’s just no way to predict which will do the trick, so when you’re sure there are tunas around but your baits go unmolested be sure to try:

• Set a string of small (four- to fiveinch) cedar plugs behind the boat, keep the rod in hand, and jig it erratically as you troll.

• Rig a “dangler” by putting a plastic squid on a two-foot dropper line, 20’ in front of a large plug or chugger. Run it back from a long rigger position and set it so the squid dips into the water intermittently.

• Fly a kite and skip a plastic squid or flying fish along the surface.

• Rig a small squid and pull it on a light leader (see “Rigged Squid Saves the Tuna Fishing Day” at FishTalkMag.com).

• Get a bait down deep via a planer or “poor man’s downrigger” line. So, how will June of 2024 play out on the offshore grounds? We’re not about to try and make any predictions. But one thing is for sure: if those tuna come cruising up the coast you’ll have to find ‘em and tempt ‘em, and having every advantage in your favor is a good way to help make that happen. #

For more offshore fishing content, visit fishtalkmag.com and type “offshore” in the search box.

# Don’t be deceived by small bodies of water, often they can produce some very large crappie.

Panfish Pandemonium

How to locate and catch post-spawn crappie.

By Jim Gronaw

Spring crappie fishing is a glorious thing — meaty slabs that taste great, bobbers going under, and the tug of a big panfish coupled with the joys of family fishing. Great times, great memories. But what happens after all those fish have completed spawning and vacated the shallows? Is crappie fishing over with until the cooler weather of the fall? Do we have to go slab-less all summer long?

Not at all. As a matter of truth, post-spawn crappie action can be hectic and dependable fishing. Indeed, the spawn is over, fry has hatched, and the fish’s habits have changed a bit. But don’t let the lack of shallow fish discourage you. Here is a plan of attack for crappie fishing once the spawn is over.

Thinking Deeply

Depending on the water you fish, crappies almost assuredly will seek deeper,

cooler waters, along with structure, that will make their lives easier. Deep can be relative, and eight feet in a small farm or mill pond can be comparable to 20 feet in a larger reservoir. Brush piles, fallen logs, and deeper weed edges often are the home waters for late spring and summer crappies once their spawning chores are done. However, immediately after the spawn, crappies tend to take a period of time for recovery, especially the larger, adult male fish that are so important in protecting and nurturing the newly hatched offspring. If the tattered, worn-out males are absent from the shallows you fished last week then give the fish 10 days or more to settle into a post-spawn protocol.

Marina docks in tidal areas are crappie magnets, as are bridge pilings and overpasses that can offer both shade and deflection of current. Pay attention to the tidal flows and put your jigs in noncurrent areas as the tides shift. Also, pay attention to the shade-line of bridges

and underneath piers where dock-shooting tactics can get your jigs way back underneath the boards and in where the fish are. Deeper weed beds in the 10- to14-foot depth range are sometimes sweet spots for crappies, too, provided larger gamefish like pickerel or bass don’t spook them out. And on those shallow mill ponds of Delmarva don’t be afraid to fish a single, isolated piece of structure like a solitary log as it could hold a few big fish in a relatively barren expanse of water. Check out emerging lily pad fields, too, with a bobber and jig/minnow option.

Timing Is Everything

In many bodies of water post-spawn crappies develop a nocturnal trend and feed primarily during dusk, dawn, or even during night. Established lighting on docks and marinas can draw nighttime crappies as insects and minnow activity pick up and trigger a bite. Late evening and dawn are also cooler and productive.

Some of our best crappie fishing for larger 12- to 14-inch fish are during the dawn’s early light. We like to use small crank baits like Rapala Count Down #5s in baby bass and shad patterns. Casting them on four-pound line, you can make long throws to a variety of structures and fish these slowly. Stikes often are heavy, abrupt thumps. If you’re casting these lures in and around woody structures, then heavier lines like 10-pound Power Pro or Yo-Zuri Super Braid may be needed to wrestle a 14-inch slab from the wood. We like to use an eight or 10-pound leader of mono or fluorocarbon and attach the lure with a small cross-lock snap.

As always, it pays to be familiar with your waters prior to fishing at night or under low-light conditions. Scout ahead if necessary and be aware of your surroundings and any other boating activity that may be in the area.

Yaks & Jons

Many of the lakes and small venues where you’ll find these fish offer excellent kayak or small boat fishing for crappies and some of our best catches have been made in these. Sometimes, a quality lake does not have a ramp or access for larger craft and that’s when the kayak gig can save the day for crappies after the spawn. This is especially true for those smaller tidal creeks and Eastern Shore millponds that are only seven to 10 feet deep.

Once the algae and weed growth comes on many fish relate to the deepest water near the pond’s dam face and other shaded or deeper channels, if they exist. Again, any fallen wood can hold fish as well and if the tree has plummeted into deeper water so much the better.

Some public and private venues have aerators, and these often attract large schools of suspended crappies. They provide oxygen,

disoriented prey, and sometimes cooler water. A simple bobber/jig combo will often catch plenty of crappie along with other species such as bass and bluegill. As they are mid-lake, a kayak is as easy and stealthy as it gets for cruising up on these panfish attractors and quietly catching fish.

About suspended crappies: they will do exactly that, suspend, and sometimes large concentrations of fish can be right out in open water areas in great number. You’ll see this in larger water bodies as they calmly swim from one area of the lake or cove to another in search of baitfish or even insect hatches in the late spring or early summer. You can utilize either drifting, trolling, or sonar to locate schools of suspended fish.

Tackling the Tackle

For about 80-percent of our postspawn crappie forays we use either a 1/16th or a 1/32nd ounce jig head with a two-inch plastic of some sort. In

recent years, we have leaned on the ZMan Micro Finesse Baits and the Mule Jig durable baits for the bulk of this fishing. You can fish these super stretchy plastics in either the Mule Jig heads (1/32nd and 1/48th ounce) or the 1/15th and 1/20th ounce Schroomz Jig Heads. Others work well, too. But the reason we like the durable baits is because once you find the color the fish like you can catch a ton of fish on just one bait literally the whole trip.

We fish these either below a bobber or by simply casting them on light mono. An ultralight spinning set up that feels comfortable to you is the weapon of choice and longer casts are often a plus, especially if you encounter spooky fish or clear water conditions. As mentioned earlier, small crank baits can be the bomb when crappie get tired of all those plastic options, or you need to go deeper.

Don’t let post-spawn crappies give you the run around. Hit your favorite lake for fun and fillets! #

# Post-spawn slab hunting can produce some beautiful fish.

How to FisH Bottom sweepers for Beginners

By Staff

Make a clean sweep on your next bottom fishing adventure.

Ajig head is a jig head is a jig head, right? It has a hook and a lead head. Done deal.

Well, sort of. You’ve undoubtedly noticed that there are about six kajillion different shapes, sizes, and varieties of jig heads. Teardrops, coneheads, popeyes, triangles, footballs, boxing gloves, mules, and the list goes on and on. Most of these are for threading on a soft plastic tail or a chunk of bait. But a few, like that mule, have very specific traits that make them ideal for specific fishing situations. And one that Chesapeake Bay and coastal Atlantic anglers need to be familiar with is the bottom sweeper jig.

What Is a Bottom Sweeper Jig?

Sweepers are weighted and designed to sink like a rock, land on bottom with the hook pointing up, resist rolling onto the side, and hit potential snags below the attachment point with the head’s curved surface. They also have a very short shank with almost no distance between the end of the head and the beginning of the hook’s bend.

Why Use a Bottom Sweeper?

Bottom Sweepers have a number of advantages over going with the usual bottom rig. First off, you need less overall weight on the line, and thus can use lighter tackle, to keep your bait in the strike zone. Secondly, thanks to that design sweeper jigs tend to slide or bounce off of structure since the one potential fouling point is below the attachment point and is rounded. So snags get reduced, though certainly not eliminated. Top-and-bottom rigs, on the

# eric dropped down a Bottom Sweeper baited with sand flea, and this beautiful sheepshead found it too enticing to resist.

What To Target With Bottom Sweepers

Combining all of these attributes makes for a funny looking jig head, and you couldn’t fish a soft plastic on one if you tried. However, it also results in a head that’s ideal for use with bait around snaggy structure in relatively deep water and/or strong currents. And the idea is to present a natural bait where you might otherwise be using something along the lines of a top-and-bottom rig.

other hand, have multiple snag points including the weight plus both hooks and get snagged with frustrating regularity. Most important, however, is that a sweeper is connected directly to your line. There are no wire arms and additional leaders between you and the hook, so your bite sensitivity gets a major-league boost and you can feel the slightest nibble or tap.

Toss out a baited sweeper jig and you never know what you’ll catch. As with any other form of fishing, all bets are off as to who will bite — and as soon as you start making predictions you can bet the unexpected will happen. That said, these specific jigs really shine when targeting crustacean-crunching critters like tautog and sheepshead. Both of these species are known for having finicky bites to say the least, and when it comes to turning a nibble into a bent rod, tautog are the undisputed champions of frustrating anglers up and down the coast. Sheepshead score a close second place. By eliminating all the extra hardware and feeling that tap a fraction of a second earlier, you have a better shot at turning frustration into fillets. If, that is, you slam the hook home the moment you feel that tap.

Being designed to fill such a specific niche, bottom sweepers have one more attribute that’s ideal for togs and sheeps: that short hook is also quite stout, and is perfect for lodging into the toothy, boney mouths both of these species happen to have.

Baits for Bottom Sweepers

As a rule, savvy anglers will tip these jigs with crustaceans of one sort or another. Most favor sand fleas, fiddler crabs, or crab chunks, though some are partial to shrimp when fishing a sweeper for sheepshead.

When fishing fleas a whole one can be threaded onto the hook with the point going in the belly and coming out of the back. When fishing crab (blue, green, or white), chunk size depends on the size of the crab and the size of the quarry. Relatively small greens and whites may go on the hook whole or may need to be sliced in half and blue crab will need to be quartered from legal size, at least, to be cut down to a reasonable bait. In any case break off a claw then thread the hook in through the knuckle and into the body section. Fiddlers can go on whole but again, go in through a knuckle to avoid shattering the body’s shell. Shrimp are usually used in tail-only form, threaded on meat-end first with the hook point popping out of the tail, which gives it something firm to grab onto. Regardless, expect that when using shrimp you’ll likely lose plenty of bait so be sure to check it after every significant nibble. So, maybe a jig head isn’t just a jig head after all. At least, that certainly seems to be the case with the bottom sweeper. #

Don’t Sweep History Under the Rug!

“Bottom Sweeper” is a trademarked term by the inventor of this jig head, Capt. Dan Schafer of Insomniac Guide Service in Stone Harbor, NJ. As happens in the tackle biz there are now plenty of other options that are close, if not exact, to the original, which was patented in 2019. You’ll usually see terms like “sea sweeper” or just “sweeper jig” used instead of “Bottom Sweeper” on the packaging of alternate versions. Many of these work just fine, but if you want the original head for bottomsweeperjigs.com

# The Bottom Sweeper may look a little odd, but it serves its purpose well.

# The short, potent hooks on Bottom Sweepers are ideal for penetrating the tough mouths of tautog.

Blue Cats in the Bullseye: Part III

Catch a New PB: How to target trophy blue catfish

By Staff

Few things set off a chain-reaction of mental imagery like the thought of catching a fish of 40 pounds, 50 pounds, or more — even a new PB. And when it comes to blue catfish, we can add attaining hero-angler status since removing one of those big behemoths from the Chesapeake’s waterways means you’re saving the lives of dozens of native fish, crabs, clams, and other critters that the catfish might have eaten in the coming days. Wait a sec – dozens of fish, crabs, and critters in mere days? Youbetcha. Blue cats eat between eight and nine percent of their body weight per day. That means that a 50-pound fish will eat around four and a half pounds of native Bay dwellers in a single 24-hour period. We’d better get out there and start reeling in these fish asap.

iSO Bluezilla

In many areas it’s easy to find blue catfish, but it’s not always so easy to locate the spots where the true giants live. Start off by looking for deep water. Blue cats will often be hanging right at channel edges or along the drop-off into a hole, and when they’re found prowling shallows it’s usually with close proximity to deeper waters. Next, narrow your search down by looking for hard structures like deadfall or bridge pilings. It may or may not be visible depending on where you’re fishing, but you can also detect structure by where you snag. Yes, this is a curse as much as a blessing, but if casting to a certain spot results in a snagged line as often as a bite, at least you know there’s something down there. Try casting slightly off to one side or the other because that something may well be an excellent abode when looked at through the eyes of a blue catfish.

In areas with strong currents another thing blue cats love to hang out around is large rocks, the bigger the better. Again, you may or may not be able to see a boulder in the water from your vantage point. Often, however, a visible surface rip in the current will give away a boulder’s location; it may be quite subtle coming from a rock 10 or more feet beneath the surface but if you look closely while waiting for bites you can sometimes spot a tell-tale ripple that seems to always stay in the same place. Try casting your bait right behind it so the tempting morsel sits in the current’s eddy.

Meal Fit for a King

Morsel? Well, maybe not so much. Elephants might eat peanuts, but if you give them the choice between a peanut and a truckload of peanuts you know which one they’ll opt for. When using cut fish like bunker, gizzard shad, or white perch, a chunk the size of your palm is not out of line. Many anglers particularly like using

# New PB! New PB!

Catch Catfish and WIN!

The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count continues all year, anyone can enter, it’s completely free, and you could win awesome prizes ranging from Engel coolers to Marucci sunglasses! Just sign up (visit ccamd.org/count or register on iAngler), then log your invasive catches including blue catfish, flathead catfish, and snakeheads, by taking a picture of them on a ruler. Every time you log a catch your name goes into a digital hat for the prize drawings. Every month five winners will be drawn and announced on Live with Lenny

The catch information and stomach contents information we anglers provide is shared with fishery managers to help them build an understanding of where these fish are concentrated, what they’re eating, and the overall state of our fisheries. So you not only get to go fishing and win stuff, you also help the biologists figure out how to battle the invasives invasion.

the head and back of the fish. Go four or five inches back from the nose, slice the fish in half, then insert your circle hook through the baitfish’s jaws.

Another way top catfish trophy-hunters tempt river monsters into biting is by using live bait. Bluegill and white perch in the five- to seven-inch range are the most common choices. These can be liphooked or skewered through the back, and you won’t hurt your chances if you grab the bait knife and make a nonlethal slice or two on the fish’s side.

Get a Boost

In some areas it’ll be easy to cast to a channel edge or a hole, but in some other areas not so much. So, along many shoreline hotspots you’ll want to heaveho your offering as far out as possible to reach deep water. To give your casting distance a boost start off by choosing the longest rods you’ve got. All other factors being equal, more rod length translates into longer casts, and when bank fishing for big blue cats it’s not uncommon to see people fishing with surf rods nine, 10, or even 12 feet long. Also remember that slower action rods will cast farther than fast action rods. Since they bend farther down they can load up with more potential energy, and the tip springing back to form will help add a bit more fling to your cast.

Additional weight can help in the casting department, too. An ounce of lead might be plenty for getting the

maximum casting distance out of a light rod and two ounces could be overkill. But with very large rigs you can up the ante and use two or maybe even three ounces of weight to send that lead flying for a country mile.

One final factor that comes into play when you’re trying to maximize casting distance is line choice. Thinner diameter lines will sail farther than thicker diameters, and using braid tends to give you another advantage since it doesn’t get springy and slides easily through the guides. Also remember that a full spool will cast farther than a partially filled one.

Whenever you’re casting for maximum distance from a shoreline be sure

your bait is up to the task. Delicate baits like chicken liver or previously frozen bunker may tear off the hook from the force of your epic swings or the sudden deceleration of the splash-down. Choosing bait that has a bit less scent but a lot more ruggedness, like cut fresh bluegill or white perch, will be a good move.

As you decide on where you’ll fish, don’t forget that the Maryland Catfish Trail details dozens of shorelineaccessible hotspots. All are open to the public, and many of these spots are ideal for family fishing with picnic areas, restrooms, and other facilities nearby. Check ‘em out at fishandhuntmaryland. com, and we’ll see you out there on the Catfish Trail!

The majority of the blue catfish catches you’ll make will generally consist of 18” to 32” fish, which are ideal eating size. For fish above this size range there may be public health consumption advisories in place in specific waterways. Most call for limiting the amount of fish you consume per month, so be sure to check the Maryland Department of the Environment’s online map of consumption advisories.

When we’re fishing in an area with consumption advisories and we catch a blue cat so big that it has more meat than can safely be consumed, the DNR encourages us to still harvest the fish as opposed to releasing it back into the environment. That puts an eco-conscious angler in a conundrum, because we don’t want to see any fish go to waste. There is, however,

Resource Management

a way for us to double-down on our Bay-saving angling actions: turn that fish into fertilizer. Not only will it be excellent for the plants in your garden, it also eliminates the need to buy fertilizer and spread it in areas where doing so could eventually add to the nutrient load being washed into the Bay. But you can’t just bury a 50-pound fish in your backyard — at least not unless you want every feral cat within 100 miles burrowing around in the garden. Here’s how to make safe, effective fertilizer with fish that aren’t destined for the dinner table.

1. Chop the fish into chunks. Smaller is better, but there’s no need to be exact about the process.

2. Put the chunks, guts, and everything into a five-gallon bucket or similar container.

INTRODUCING

Catfish Trail

3. Add water until you have a two-toone ratio of water to fish.

4. Add one cup of molasses (it helps jumpstart microbe growth).

5. Close the container with a tightfitting lid. Unless you want to hear about the smell from every neighbor within a three-mile radius, the tightfitting lid is critical.

6. Let the mixture emulsify for a full month.

7. Remove the top and pour the liquid through a strainer to remove large bones.

8. Your emulsified fish fertilizer is now ready for use. It can be diluted down at a four-to-one ratio and then used to water your plants directly.

9. Just LOOK at those tomatoes!!!

Calling for Covers

You say you’d love to see yourself or your angling buddy on the cover of FishTalk Magazine? When you go for blues or flatheads be sure to take plenty of pictures, because some lucky catfish angler will end up being our November edition cover model. Pictures need to be:

• In a vertical upright format, with room at the top and bottom for the title and cover blurbs.

• High resolution and in focus.

• Showing a blue or flathead catfish caught in Maryland waters and an angler or anglers with BIG SMILES on their faces!

We’re accepting entries at FishTalkMag.com/contest right now, so snap off some awesome cover-style photos as you enjoy catching those catfish all summer long — you never know, you might just end up on the cover of FishTalk!

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 Tune in Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 6 p.m. for a new episode!

Invasive Catfish Conver Contest

Fis H i N g Fo RECA s T

Predicted after review of past reports gathered By Dillon Waters.

Editor’s Note: 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.

Coastal

With spring finally turning into summer June is a month of red-hot fishing all along the coast, and that goes from the tuna-filled canyons to the sandy beaches of our barrier islands. If 2024 is similar to 2023 we’ll be seeing 30- to 50-pound yellowfin plus some marlin on the offshore grounds this month, plenty of sea bass biting inshore, and flounder, rockfish, and bluefish in the coastal bays. Remember that early June can also be a fantastic time to find big sharks on the beach and panfish like kingfish will be patrolling the suds in good numbers by now, too.

Freshwater

Though stocked trout action has wound down by this point June will likely offer awesome action on bass and crappie in our region’s reservoirs, and western bodies of water like Deep Creek should be hitting their peak before the summer crowds arrive. In the lakes look for shallow water structure to be hot for largemouth, especially early and late in the day. In the rivers smallmouth should be chewing on swimbaits, spinners, and similar offerings. Oh, and those snakeheads? It should be a good bite though by the end of the month they may shift into spawning mode and get a little tougher to tempt.

# Our intrepid reports editor Dillon Waters tied into some nice blues as summer set in last year, and is certainly hoping for action like that this June.

Way North

Anglers, rejoice! The beginning of June means the reopening of northern areas of the Bay to rockfish. And June can be a great month up this way, both on the Flats and up the rivers. Added bonus: snakeheads will be prowling many of these waters as well. Double-added bonus: you just know the blue catfish will be biting all over the darn place.

u pper Bay

Rockfish are on! Rockfish are on! This month we can expect them to begin schooling in earnest and areas like the mouth of the Chester and the Bridge should become prime zones of activity. What about the mouth of the Patapsco? It’s been a winner in recent years, but events at the Key Bridge have certainly thrown us a curveball and as we go to print we just don’t know how fishable it will be.

Middle Bay

June will likely hold some exciting transitions in the Middle Bay and despite a near-certain focus on the rockfish we can also hope for the appearance of bluefish and speckled trout in more southern areas, and better numbers of bottom fish like spot and croaker. This month also marks the beginning of summerish perch fishing, as the whites move up to piers, riprap, and shorelines in the tribs.

Lower Bay

Yes, rock will take center stage here, too, but by June we’ll likely be seeing good numbers of specks, redfish, and other southern species. Mid-month when cobia come in you can bet they’ll steal the spotlight and hopefully this year’s run will be stronger than what we saw in 2023. Plus, while it will be tougher than last year to find keeper-sized fish with the minimum jumping to 17.5 inches this month, flounder should be moving in along channel edges and drop-offs by now.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore

In this zone of Chesapeake Country you can find just about any species that prowls the Bay during June, though we have to expect that rays will be problematic. Still, it’s well worth culling through the cownoses to get to rock, drum, and reds in the shallows and blues then cobia in open waters. We note that last June there were quality redfish hitting soft or peeler crab near the grass beds; finding clear water will be key.

# Let’s hope this year’s cobia bite is a good one – we know Todd has his fingers crossed.

Way South and VA

It’s a case of “all of the above” this month where the Bay meets the ocean, but big bull reds will likely have the full attention of trophy-hunters as June sets in. By the middle of the month attention should shift to the cobia run, as anglers travel from far and wide to get in on this action. Both sight fishing and chumming should produce and if history is any indication Cape Charles and the CBBT will be epicenters of the action. Hopefully Spanish mackerel will move in before the month is out, and it’s a safe bet that flounder, speckled trout, puppy drum, and bluefish will be around in good numbers by now, too.

Current reports will be published on our website every Friday by noon, just in time for your weekend fishing adventures.

FishTalk’s weekly fishing reports are presented by:

Getting Lit

By Eric Packard

It’s getting late in the day and the sun is setting, but all you can think about is tying one on. Is it time to get lit?

Your kayak, that is. And now you have more choices than ever, as manufacturers provide plenty of lighting options for that late night kayak run to your favorite fishing hole.

Fishing at night is often a great way to catch that big fish you’ve been after. Whether it’s a blue catfish, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, or a snakehead, summer is the time to hit the water after the sun sets or just before it rises to catch your personal best. Some of the biggest fish feed right before the sun rises or well into the night.

But you’ll need to get a light or lights on your kayak. Whether you’re in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, or beyond, the rules say that vessels under oars may display the lights prescribed for sailing vessels. That is a white light on the stern, a red light on the port side of the bow and a green light on the starboard side of the bow. But if not, one must have an electric torch ready at hand or lighted lantern showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision. Setting the rule aside, it’s just plain smarter — and safer — to use lighting whenever visibility is restricted so boats can easily see you. And remember that if you power your kayak with a motor, electric or other form of propulsion it becomes a motorized vessel and you are required to install navigation lights as described above.

There are several companies that provide lighting. YakAttack, Yakgear, and Scotty are just a few who sell a 360-degree white light mounted on a pole that will fit into

your rod holder or rail system. There are several companies that sell lighting in other formats such as West Marine, Gradian Angel, and NIXY who sell running lights. Prices range from $30 to several hundred dollars or more.

Whether you’re under power or using a pedal or paddle kayak you’ll have different requirements. For a kayak under pedal or paddle a simple flashlight, head lamp, or lantern should suffice on waters where powerboats don’t frequent. But you can go a step further, and when fishing in an area where there’s boat traffic you certainly should. An all-around 360-degree white light on a short pole that’s track mounted or placed into one of the rod holders

works well. These are usually powered by batteries, so simply keep the batteries fresh, have spares on-hand, turn it on, and you’re good to go. Once you put an electric motor or other on your kayak you’ll need navigation lights, the bow-mounted red and green with a white light on the stern of the kayak. This type of lighting can also be powered by batteries or you can go with a more expensive type of set up that connects to your fish finder’s battery power. Clampon and suction cup battery-powered combination lights are available as well as hard-mounted versions.

So, tie one on and take the cast, but don’t forget to get lit! You never know what’s going to bite after dark. #

# There are both battery-powered and hard-wired nav lights on the market.

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.

BR ok ERAGE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIONS

Carolina Skiff 18’ 238 DLV 2018 Suzuki 140Hp engine w/ 200 hours, Fishboxes,T-Top, Rocket Launchers, front / rear livewell, front sunpad, speakers, super clean. $29,999 (Stock# U-408) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

19’ Judge/Eastern Center Console

Nice, clean, upper Bay boat located in Rock Hall, MD. Stainless steel top, GPS, 90Hp Honda outboard. $28,900 trailer included. Call for additional info and pictures 410.459.5670

2016 Sportsman 19’ Island Reef Clean, low-hour boat w/ T-Top, Yamaha 115Hp. $32,999 w/ trailer. Beacon Light Marina 410.335.6200 sales@beaconlightmarina.com www.beaconlightmarina.com

2017 Mako Pro Skiff 19 CC Mercury 115 Four Stroke w/ 126 Hours. Trailer Included. $19,990 RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2016 Grady White 205 Freedom $59,990 Yamaha F150XBOnly 183 Hours. Trailer Included. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

Trophy Bayliner 20’ 2002 Mercury 150 2-stroke, Roller trailer, runs great, Cuddy cabin w/ toilet, well maintained. $9,995 OBO (Stock# U-361) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2020 Yamaha 210 FSH Sport Great Family and Fishing boat! Twin Yamaha TR-1 Jet Drives w/ 210 hours. extended Warranty until 6/14/2025. $52,900 w/ 2022 Venture Trailer. Beacon Light Marina 410.335.6200 sales@beaconlightmarina.com www.beaconlightmarina.com

2022 Sportsman open 212CC F150XB Yamaha Outboard, Venture VATB-4225 Trailer, explorer Blue w/ White Bottom, Ash Gray Upholstery, Offshore Package, T-Top, Premium Dual Chair Leaning Post w/ Flip-up Bolsters, Hours - 134, Vinyl Teak Flooring, and more! $63,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20778

2023 Sportsman open 212CC F200XB Yamaha Outboard, Custom Black engine, Yamaha extended Warranty until 7/13/25, Hours147, 2022 Venture Aluminum Trailer, Shark Gray Hull w/ Jet Black Bottom, Black Powder Coating, Ash Gray Upholstery, Platinum Package, Slideout Track, Mooring Cover, Underwater Lighting, Garmin DF/FF/GPS, compass, Hour Meter, Trim Tabs/ Gauge, and more! $79,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20744

2024 Boston Whaler 210 Montauk

A local favorite with lots of room fitting up to 9 people w/ bow cushions available for a very comfortable and dry ride. The 21 Montauk gets you into the 200Hp club which comes w/ digital throttling to make docking the boat that much easier. Lots of maneuverability for whatever the water activities you are enjoying this summer! Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

Scout 21’ 210 Dorado DC 2021 Mercury 150 4-stroke, new Loadrite aluminum Trailer, like new condition, rare find. $48,310 OBO (Stock# U-386) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2007 Sea Hunt 225 Victory Walkaround Alot of new recent upgrades including Minnkota Trolling motor setup! Yamaha F150 w/ 336 hours and a new F9.9 Kicker. $34,900 w/ 2022 Loadrite Trailer. Beacon Light Marina 410.335.6200 sales@beaconlightmarina.com www.beaconlightmarina.com

2021 Robalo Boats

F200XB Yamaha Outboard, Yamaha extended Warranty until 3/5/26, Hours - 192, Coyote Aluminum Tandem Trailer w/ Brakes and Winch, Center Console Cover, Hard Top w/ electronics Box, Rocket Launcher, Spreader Light, Leaning Post, Compass, Simrad GPS, Simrad VHF, and more! $69,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20677 2023

Brokerage & Classified

2024 Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless Newly designed hull! Balanced perfectly between the local favorite 210 Montauk and the durability of the Outrage hull model, this 22-foot boat just feels much bigger but w/ all the maneuverability, a little deeper V that can handle rougher waters. Big lounge seat up front w/ a massive storage locker underneath. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

22’ Shamrock ‘96 $17,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

22’ Shamrock ‘99 $20,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

Wellcraft 22’ 222 Fisherman CC, 2019 Mercury 4-stroke 150, new alum. Loadrite trailer, powder coated hard top, head compartment w/ toilet, low hours, super loaded. $44,888 OBO (Stock# U-385) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2000 Grady White 232 Gulfstream Overall great fishing platform w/ a comfy cabin and wide beam! Single Yamaha 225 OX66 2 Stroke. $34,900 (No Trailer included). Beacon Light Marina 410.335.6200 sales@beaconlightmarina.com www.beaconlightmarina.com

2016 Sportsman open 232 CC F200XB Yamaha Outboard, Hours640, engine Cover, (New trailer available for $5,439, Used trailer available for $3,500), Offshore Package, 12” Simrad GPS w/ Stereo, Structurescan Transducer, Porta Potty, Under Leaning Post Tackle Station, Slide Out Cooler. Purchased new from Riverside w/ all services performed by us, customer trading up to a new Sportsman Heritage 261! $56,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20679

2023 Sportsman open 232CC

F250XB Yamaha Outboard, engine Warranty until 10/20/25, Hour Meter214, Venture Aluminum Trailer, Sea Glass Green Hull w/ White Bottom, Desert Tan Upholstery, White Powder Coat, Platinum Package, Second Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv MFD 9”, Garmin Fandom Radar, Under Leaning Post Tackle Storage, ShipsDek Flooring, Minnkota Trolling Motor System, and more! $97,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20652

Trophy Bayliner 23’ 2302WA 2000 Mercury 225 Optimax, Loadrite roller trailer, hard top w/ electronic box, runs great, cuddy cabin w/ toilet, wellmaintained. $19,995 OBO (Stock# U-332) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2019 Cutwater C242 Sport Coupe $94,987 Priced to Sell! 300Hp YAMAHA. equipped w/ Aft Cockpit Sunshade, AC, Bow Thruster, Garmin GPS Chartplotter w/ depth sounder, electric Grill, and more! Call Josh Miller at 810.531.9191 or jmiller@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2020 Cobia 240 CC Twin Yamaha F150 w/ 184 Hours. Tidewater Trailer Included. $112,500 RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2022 Bayliner Trophy T24CC 250 4S Mercury Outboard, Mercury Warranty until 7/16/25, Hours – 30, Power Assist Steering, (new trailer shown in photos is available for $6,746), Graphite Interior, Stainless Steel Upgrade, Ski-Tow Pylon, Center Console and Helm Seat Cover, Bow Filler Cushion, CC Fishing Seats with Livewell, Digital Dash with Mercury Vesselview ink - Twin 9” GPS, and more! $69,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20671

2024 Boston Whaler 240 Vantage

Another Chesapeake Bay icon of the Boston Whaler family is our 24 Vantage. Perfect ski boat for the family, fits 11 people and has a top speed of nearly 50mph. every Whaler is built w/ a foam filled hull, so this unsinkable legend is one of the safest boats on the water. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

Century 24’ 2400CC 2007 Yamaha F250 4-stroke, Venture aluminum Trailer, T-tops w/ electronics box, new cushions, head compartment w/ toilet, well-maintained, low hours. $39,999 OBO (Stock# U-381) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

Twin V 24’

4-stroke Mercury, new custom fitted alum. Loadrite trailer, dual console, powder coated hard top, full head compartment w/ toilet, super load, 9 hours. $149,999 OBO (Stock# U-390) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

Wellcraft 24’ 242 Fisherman CC 2020 Mercury 250 Verrado, new alum. Loadrite trailer, powder coated hard top, head compartment w/toilet, low hour, super loaded. $57,996 OBO (Stock# U-396) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

(key Gull) 25’ Carolina Classic ‘06 $49,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2017 Sportsman open 252 CC Twin F150XB Yamaha Outboards, Venture Trailer 7225, White Hull, Black Powder Coat, Hard-Top w/ Rocket Launchers, Spreader Light and Outriggers, Spray Shield, Simrad 12” GPS, Simrad VHF, Compass, Hours - 570, Trim Tabs / Trim Gauge, Bottom Paint, Lots of extrasmore to come! $99,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20803

2019 Sportsman 251 Heritage Yamaha F300XCA w/ 76.4 Hours. No Trailer Included. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2021 Sportsman open 252 CC Twin F150XCA Yamaha Outboards, Yamaha extended Warranty until 2/2/26, Hours - 631, (display 2021 Venture trailer available for add’l $5,000), Shark Gray w/ White Bottom, Hardtop w/ electronics Box, Rocket Launchers, Spreader Light, and Outriggers, Windlass, Underwater Lighting, Trim Tabs/Trim Gauge Auto Pilot, (2) 12” Garmins, Minnkota Ultera 10’ Power Pole, electric Trolling Motor, Boatel Kept! $124,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20628

2024 Boston Whaler 250 Dauntless For boaters seeking a higher-quality bay boat experience, the all-new 250 Dauntless raises the bar. Smooth-riding performance and a spacious center console layout combine w/ amenities for fishing, watersports, comfortable offshore cruising and beyond. From the inviting bow lounge to the sleek redesigned hull, the 250 is more than just confident - it’s dauntless. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2024 Boston Whaler 250 outrage Powered by twin 300 v8s - This incredibly dry haul even in the worst of seas is truly a well thought out design. Our 250 Outrages are equipped with the fishing package, including rod holders, a livewell, fresh and raw water washdowns, and a tackle storage center. Safety factors - self-bailing cockpit, stainless steel grab rails, and tempered glass windshields provide peace of mind for you and your crew. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

Aquasport 25’ 2500CC 2020 Twin F150 4-stroke Yamaha, Venture alum. trailer, radar, twin Simrad, head compartment w/ toilet, and much more. Super low hours. $89,995 OBO (Stock# U-365) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2023 Pursuit DC266 $199,990 Twin Yamaha F150XCA - Under 20 Hours. All Warranties Transferable. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2024 Pursuit S268 Sport Twin Yamaha F200XSB. Trailer Available. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

Cutwater 26’ C-26 2016 Volvo Penta in-board diesel, new customer fitted Loadrite aluminum trailer, super loaded boat, like new condition, super low hours. $149,995 OBO (Stock# U-395) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

Jeanneau 26’ 7.5 CC 2022 Yamaha F300 4-stroke, white powder-coated T-top, Garmin electronics, Fusion stereo, electric windlass, bow thruster, head compartment w/ toilet, under 40hrs., super clean. $99,995 OBO (Stock# U-387) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

(Reel Blessed) 28’ North Coast ‘21

$239,000 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822 jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2017 Boston Whaler 285 Conquest

2020 Pursuit S288 Sport $255,000 Twin Yamaha F300 w/ 90 hours. Trailer Included. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2023 Boston Whaler 280 Dauntless Our 28 Dauntless here is the perfect combination of fishability and family cruiser. equipped w/ retractable aft sunshade and bow sunshade that is very quick and easy to install - this single-engine 400Hp is more than enough juice to run across the bay even in the worst of conditions. Sale Pending. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2024 Boston Whaler 280 outrage Powered by twin 400 v10s - This incredibly dry haul even in the worst of seas is truly a well thought out design. equipped with the fishing package, including rod holders, a livewell, fresh and raw water washdowns, and a tackle storage center - The 280 is a self-bailing cockpit, stainless steel grab rails, and a tempered glass windshields providing peace of mind for you and your crew. One difference in the layout of the deck is the 280 Outrages offers a large lounge in the bow seating areachildren and ladies first notice and their favorite part of the boat. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

Find boat reviews at fishtalkmag.com

Parker 25’ 2520 Pilot House 1993 Yamaha 250Hp, Karavan aluminum trailer, solid floor and transom, super clean, awesome 6pack boat. $39,999 OBO (Stock# U-389) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

$274,987 Fully loaded and IMPeCCABLY maintained 2017 Boston Whaler 285 Conquest. Twin 250Hp Mercury Verado’s - only 320 hrs. Lift kept, single owner boat. Call Josh Miller at 810.531.9191 or jmiller@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2024 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage Beautiful classic white hull with chrome decals, big enough to host the entire family including aunts and uncles - the twin 300s that will reach almost 60mph! Plenty of room to host for any occasion or head out and catch some local rockfish out on the Bay. A must see! Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

(Hot Pursuit) 30’ Pursuit 3000 ‘00 $49,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Elba) 31’ ocean Master ‘98 $79,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2018 Sportsman open 312 CC Twin 300 Yamaha Outboards, custom painted White, Yamaha Factory engine Warranty good until 6/19/24, engine hours: 639, (New Tri-axle Trailer available for $11,129), Optimus electric Power Steering, 2x Simrad NSS16” evo3 MFDs, Simrad Dome Radar, Simrad RS35 VHF. Service fully up to date, records on hand. *Boat is currently wrapped but is available to board & view* $199,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20745

2021 Cutwater 32CB $349,000 “Red Knot” is New to the market. Meticulously maintained, Features A/C, Bow Thruster, Dinghy, GPS Plotter, Depth finder, Radar, and more. Call Robert Tolbert at 443.595.6210 or robtolbert@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com 2023 Cobia 320 CC BLOWOUT LeFTOVeR PRICING! Twin Yamaha XF425. Yamaha Helm Master Joystick w/ Autopilot. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2024 Boston Whaler 320 Vantage

This is our 320 Vantage, and comfortably fits 14 people. An adjustable port lounge gives you lots of options for your boating enjoyment. Bluetooth ready. 3/5/10 year warranty available. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2024 Pursuit DC326 Twin Yamaha F300NSB. Yamaha Helm Master Joystick w/ Autopilot. Generator, Air Conditioning, Full electronics Package. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2024 Boston Whaler 325 Conquest Pilot House Fish, cruise, never have to choose. With the new 325 Conquest, “split personality” takes on a whole new meaning. This adventurous boat is so much more than a cabin cruiser - Designed for maximum versatility, the 325 offers purposeful amenities for all your favorite activities. The conquest offers ultra-convertible port lounge, full front glass windshield for incredible visibility, and a spacious cabin perfect for overnighting. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2024 Boston Whaler 330 outrage Built for the ocean but easy enough to handle through ego alley downtown Annapolis! equipped w/ white 400Hp v10 engines to maximize performance on our newly designed Outrage. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

33’ Bertram ‘80 $45,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Dottie k) 34’ Silverton ‘05 $119,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

34’ Intrepid ‘01 $145,000 Curtis Stokes 401.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2022 Sportsman open 352 CC Fully loaded w/ Triple Yamaha F300XSB’s. Digital electric steering, LOW HOURS, Venture Aluminum Trailer, Garmin GPS/VHF/Radar/ SiriusXM Antenna/Screens,12V A/C Cabin & Cockpit, Teak Package (Helm, Captain’s Chairs, Bow Backrests), Gull Wings, electric Reel Outlets, SeaKeeper 3 Gyro Stabilizer w/ extended warranty, Yamaha Auto Pilot, Outriggers: Gemlux Bluewater Bases w/ 22’ Carbon Fiber poles, FLIR M232 Thermal Camera. *THIS IS A MUST See & TeST-DRIVe!! Save almost $100,000 over the price of new!!* $469,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20806

For all the latest listings, visit

(Rivendell) 36’ Nauset ‘90 $98,000 evan Joseph 804.396.5446 evan@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2024 Boston Whaler 380 Realm The 38-foot Realm is the ultimate host with the most boat ride - You will draw attention in the best way possible! Perfectly equipped w/ Quad 400 v10s, bow thruster, and joystick pilotingNo matter the amount of your boating experience these tools make docking such a big boat look easy. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

(Double Eagle) 42’ Hatteras ‘78 $89,900 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822 jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Martini & Me) 42’ Post ‘81 $35,000 Andy Stratton 908.265.7670 andy@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

MAR k ETPLACE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIONS

Seeking P/T Magazine 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. For more info, call 410.216.9309 or email info@spinsheet.com

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

Brokerage/ Classified Order Form

Mid-Atlantic Dealer

Legasea Marine in Yorktown, VA, has been appointed as a Mid-Atlantic dealer for Axopar Boats. Axopar’s award-winning boats are renowned worldwide for their modern styling, exhilaration to drive, fuel efficiency, and undeniable value. With this agreement, Legasea Marine expands its new boat brand offerings to include Axopar’s complete lineup in five size ranges: 22, 25, 29, 37, and 45. Founded in Finland in 2014 and recipient of NMMA’s Customer Satisfaction Index Award for 2023, Axopar has built more than 6000 boats through a network of more than 100 dealers in more than 50 countries. “We are thrilled to offer our customers Axopar’s exceptional lineup of highly functional vessels that represent the epitome of Scandinavian design and engineering excellence,” commented Chris Hall, president and co-owner of Legasea Marine. “Axopar’s commitment to quality and adventure aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to providing boaters with unrivaled on-water experiences.”

Johan Holm, head of sales for Axopar Boats, says, “Welcoming Legasea Marine as our newest dealer in the U.S. is very exciting for us! We look forward to seeing a lot of new Axoparians on the waters with the help of their experienced sales team.”

Axopar’s design team explored the idea of using their creations for more than just boating. Whether transporting a multitude of gear for a day of fishing or diving on a wreck, surfing, biking, or camping on an out island, Axopar boats excel at getting the most out of a day in the great outdoors. Modularity, designed for discovery and escapism, is the brand’s standout strength as customers can specify a deck and interior that perfectly suits their needs for anywhere their adventures may take them. Legasea Marine has committed to a full floorplan of Axopar models and the first new boats should begin arriving on-site later this summer. legaseamarine.com/axopar-boats

Charters

While you’ve likely seen this “darling” classic powerboat on the water in Annapolis, did you know that it is available for charters? Darling Charters Annapolis was established in the fall of 2022 by Bill and Alexandra Clary, two lifelong sailors, and is conveniently based at the foot of Fourth St. in Eastport near many favorite restaurants and bars. The concept for Darling Charters came from the couple’s desire to share their passion for boating and Annapolis’s unique waterfront, and to deliver it in a classic motorboat with first class touches (think cashmere blankets and elegant charcuterie boards). Darling, a Wasque 32 built on Martha’s Vineyard in 1973, turns heads wherever she goes. Bill hails from a boat building background and takes on the role of Darling’s “technical tinkerer.” He was responsible for the major hull and deck restoration last year and uses his skills to keep her in top shape. Alexandra is Darling’s captain and loves sharing her passion for the water and classic boats. Together they make a perfect team both on and off the water. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, corporate event, or simply seeking a serene escape on the water, Bill and Alexandra are dedicated to crafting an unforgettable cruise tailored for you. They would love to speak with you about creating your own custom experience. Check out their website, darlingcharters.com, or call (667) 225-7184.

New Locations

Annapolis Electric Boat Rentals has recently joined the SeaDC group of companies. This adds two new locations in Baltimore and Washington, DC, but rest assured, there will be the same great experience you’ve come to expect at each location. Annapolis Electric Boat Rentals, LLC offers a unique and exciting way to tour the water. These eco-friendly vessels are battery operated and offer the ability to experience a day on the water in a silent luxurious boat that you drive yourself. Boats comfortably seat 10 adults and are safe for all ages. Rent from one to three hours and bring your own food and beverages (including alcohol); great for special events. These boats feature a fully enclosable window system, life vests, and all Coast Guard approved safety gear. Guests must be 21 with a valid driver’s license and credit card to rent. aebrentals.com

s end your c hesapeake Bay business news and high-resolution photos to kaylie@fishtalkmag.com