At 629 pounds, Yamaha’s new V6 Offshore F350 is a featherweight knockout. Stealing all the best design cues and advanced features from its V6 and V8 siblings, the new F350 is the dawn of a new power platform. It’s also the lightest F350 in its class—by more than 65 pounds. Pair it with Helm Master® EX and Siren 3 Pro for exhilarating boating and incredible control in a powerfully light design. THE ALL-NEW YAMAHA 4.3L V6 OFFSHORE F350.
Rudy Marine | 443.995.3785 3033 Kent Narrows Way S, Grasonville, MD rudymarine.com
3033 Kent Narrows Way S, Grasonville, MD rudymarine.com
Anchor Boats, Inc. | 410.287.8280
Anchor Boats, Inc. | 410.287.8280 448 N Mauldin Ave, North East, MD anchorboat.com
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
Campbell’s Boatyards - Jack’s Point | 410.226.5105 106 Richardson St, PO Box 410, Oxford, MD campbellsboatyards.com
Norfolk Marine | 757.461.3391 5221 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA norfolkmarine.com
Norfolk Marine | 757.461.3391 5221 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA norfolkmarine.com
Jett’s Marine, Inc. |
18477 Northumberland Hwy, Reedville, VA jettsmarine.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
52
Fall Bass Savvy
Now’s the time to enjoy a red hot bass bite. By Jim Gronaw
54
Southern ESVA Part I
The southern tip of the Eastern Shore of Virginia has more hotspots than Verizon. By Wayne Young
56
Hoodini Show
Wahoo are escape artists that frustrate countless anglers. By Staff
58
How
To Fish Topwater Lures for Beginners
Plopping, popping, and heart-stopping strikes. Learn how to conjure up the most exciting bites in fishing. By Adam Greenberg
61
Buyers’ Market
It’s prime time to get a new fishing boat. By Staff
66
Slot To Trot
How to avoid stripers outside the slot and catch the 19” to 24” fish. By Lenny Rudow
68
Hotspot in Focus: Tilghman Reef
Every Middle Bay angler should consider paying a visit to Tilghman Reef. By Staff
Vadim wiggled that paddletail just so, and... WHAM!
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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
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TACTICIAN
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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.
Fish For A Cure (F4AC) is a fishing and fundraising competition that benefits cancer patients and their families in our community. Over the last 17 years, F4AC has raised more than $5 million to support the Cancer Survivorship program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. The 18th Annual F4AC Tournament, Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge, and Shore Party will take place at Safe Harbor Annapolis, our new tournament home.
PRESENTING SPONSORS
LHAAMC Medical Staff
The Albert W. Turner Charitable Lead Annuity Trust / Carrollton Enterprises
SHORE PARTY SPONSORS | Heller Electric Company Inc. • REALTORS Biana Arentz, Pam Batstone and Heather Giovingo The Wiggins Law Group P.C.
CAPTAIN SPONSORS | AllTackle • FishTalk • Continental Contractors, Inc. • KPMG LLP • MaxSent • PropTalk • What’s Up? Media BAR SPONSOR | Katcef Brothers Inc.
ANGLER SPONSORS | Eagle Title • Fulton Bank • Liff, Walsh & Simmons • Liquified Agency
FIRST MATE SPONSORS | Allstate Insurance: Riggins & Valcich Agency • Anne Arundel Moms • Apple Signs, Inc. • Bluewater Yacht Sales
Brait Family Foundation • BuilderGuru Contracting • CAM Wealth Management - Ameriprise Financial
Doldon W. Moore and Associates, LLC • HMS Insurance Associates, Inc. - A Marsh McLennan Agency MacKenzie Contracting Company, LLC • Naptown Scoop • North Point Yacht Sales
St. John the Evangelist School • St. Mary’s Elementary School • Sunraycer • The Kahan Center • Wharf 38
NAVIGATOR SPONSORS | Allegis Global Solutions • The Giving Collaborative • MAD Soaps • Rentals to Remember St. John Properties • UnitedHealthcare • Water Works Car Wash
DECKHAND SPONSOR | Harbor Roofing and Contracting, Inc. • Intrinsic Yacht & Ship • Stumpf Electric, Inc.
Notes from the Cockpit
By Lenny Rudow
Greetings FishTalkers, welcome to the winding down phase of summer and the ooh-it’s-about-to-bust-loose anticipation of Rocktober fishing. As for now it’s still a bit warm out there, warmer than it used to be for this time of year. A warming climate, burgeoning human population, and rampant development are polluting the Earth in ways we’ve never seen before. Clearly, it’s up to each and every one of us to help save the environment — and thus the Bay — in each and every way we can. So, I ask you all to:
Save on water use by showering only when absolutely necessary, specifically, only after you go fishing. If you get any pushback from your spouse simply explain that you are pulling out all the stops in your battle to
save the environment. Keep it up for a few weeks and eventually he or she will identify the pattern, then beg you to go fishing more often.
Stop mowing your lawn. All that mowing contributes to global warming whether you’re burning gas or sucking up electricity, and on top of that, lawns are poor habitat for pollinators, insects, and rockfish. Instead of mowing, plant it with native fauna. Plus, if you quit mowing the lawn you’ll gain an hour or two of fishing time each and every week.
Start a compost heap. This is an excellent way to cut down on your contribution to the use of landfill space, while at the same time creating rich soil you can use for the native fauna now germinating among the crabgrass and dandelions in your lawn. Of course,
Eat mor fishes
in order for that soil to be rich it needs plenty of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, which come from fish. You’ll have to add at least another hour of fishing time to your schedule each and every week in order to ensure a steady supply of postfillet remains you can mix in.
Cut greenhouse gas emissions by becoming a pescatarian and reducing the demand for beef, thus encouraging the volumetric reduction of cow flatulence. You will still need a source of protein, so you will have no problem explaining to your boss and/or spouse why it’s necessary to go fishing far more often than you already do.
Help remove litter from the water by dedicating at least one hour per week to walking the nearest shoreline and picking up trash... between casts. Replace that gas-guzzling truck or car with a boat. According to the EPA, recreational powerboats account for less than one percent of U. S. greenhouse gas emissions while cars and trucks account for more like 28 percent. Logic dictates that we should get rid of all those land vehicles and start going everywhere in our boats. (Note: If you currently own an electric car you will have to get an electric boat in order for this line of reasoning to pan out. Sorry.) Then you’ll be able to troll every day on the way to work or coming home from the grocery store, surely snagging a plastic bag here and there, which will also help contribute to cleaning up our waterways and coincidentally gain you several hours of fishing time per week.
Thank you, dear FishTalkers, for helping us save the world. It requires sacrifice and dedication. But if we don’t do it nobody will.
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
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
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, protecting 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. Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes
to learn more.
Adrift on the Drift
Dear FishTalk,
Ihave a 23’ center console with a Minnkota Terrova trolling motor. My question is specific to using my trolling motor while drifting eels for rockfish. Are there any techniques that you know of to use the trolling motor when fishing eels in holes for stripers? I’ve tried to Spot Lock over top of them (without other boats drifting the area) and drop eels down, but that doesn’t seem to produce like the drift. I tried drifting up into the current to extend the time in the fish zone, but that didn’t seem to work either. I fished a few 18’ to 23’ holes last night with the bottom completely stacked up with stripers. I caught a few drifting and then tried these different things with the trolling motor but nothing seemed to work. I Spot Lock often when chunking or fishing peelers and have lots of success. I’m just trying to figure out if the trolling motor can give me any advantage in the eeling game. Thanks for any help.
-Dan, via email
Dear Dan, The newest Minn Kota motors have a function designed just for this purpose (they call it Drift Mode), but like yours, mine predates this feature. One thing I do is set a waypoint upwind, put speed low enough that the boat’s barely creeping, and “drift” upwind. We also contacted Kevin from ComMar, our Minn Kota sharpie, and ran your question past him. He mentioned that there’s a video called “Creating a Drift on Slack Tide with a Trolling Motor” that you can find at YouTube which shows doing just this, setting a waypoint then using autopilot to steer there at the rate of travel you want to “drift.” This not only works in slack water but also will allow you to slow down or speed up a drift pretty much exactly however you want.
Mind. Blown.
Dear FishTalk:, Knock knock
Who’s there?
Hake
Hake who?
And the lotus blossom blows in the wind. -Anonymous
Releasing Them Right
Dear FishTalk,
Iwanted to thank you for your continued education on releasing fish. I was able to jig up a 20-incher yesterday which I would normally release, but it took forever to get the jig out. In the past I may have tried to release the fish but after four minutes knew it had no chance. Now my mother-in-law will get a nice rockfish dinner. While death was still the result at least it is better than a floating carcass, in my opinion.
Dear Keith, We certainly agree!
-Keith W., via email
Send your fish photos, questions, and comments to lenny@fishtalkmag.com
Fi SH N E w S
By Lenny Rudow
Another?!
Yes, it’s happened again, folks— after seeing one fallfish record after the next fall, the fallfish record has fallen yet again. This time it tumbled in Virginia, where angler Danny Aborgast landed a three-pound, 12-ounce fish in the Cowpasture River. That beats out the previous record fish (also from the Cowpasture) caught just two years ago by three ounces. And that previous record was also tied as the IGFA all-tackle world record. It tops the Maryland record—which has changed hands three times in the past two years—by half a pound. Congratulations, Danny, we salute you. But the way these fallfish records have been falling we’d say don’t plan on resting on your laurels; you’d better keep at it!
At its summer meeting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted to create a workgroup to study and consider additional protections for menhaden from industrial fishing operations in the Chesapeake Bay. The motion, supported unanimously by the menhaden management board, was put forth by Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Maryland executive director and Maryland ASMFC delegation member Allison Colden after the group heard testimony regarding the recent collapse of osprey nesting success, which a 2023 College of William and Mary study shows is failing at the highest rate ever recorded. In response to a CBF press release lauding the move, the Menhaden Fisheries
# Is a lack of menhaden affecting osprey reproduction? The scientists can’t yet say for sure, but it would seem self-evident that removing 51 metric tons from the food chain could be impactful.
Get to Work!
Coalition issued its own press release detailing every potential reason for the osprey collapse other than a lack of menhaden (shocker alert) and then proceeded to quote an Ocean Harvesters spokesman (Ocean Harvesters operates Omega Protein’s fleet) as he criticized CBF’s position (doubleshocker).
Will this workgroup manage to make any headway, or will Omega continue to succeed at stymying all efforts to make reasonable decisions regarding industrial menhaden fishing in the Chesapeake— the last estuary on the East Coast where largescale menhaden reduction fishing is still allowed to take place? That’s TBD. Meanwhile, there are a few things we can state as irrefutable facts:
• Virginia gets 78.6 percent of the annual menhaden harvest quota, and of that one company, Omega Protein, gets 90 percent.
• 51,000 metric tons of menhaden are allowed to be harvested from Virginia’s portion of the Bay—that’s enough fish to literally circle the globe when laid head to tail.
• Five years ago, Omega announced it would ignore legal limits and then blatantly exceeded the cap by 35 million pounds.
• Two years ago, Kiptopeke State Park had to be closed due to all the dead fish, including red drum, which washed up after Omega boats spilled an “unknown” number of dead fish into the water.
SAV, 2023
The reports are in for Chesapeake Bay submerged aquatic vegetation in 2023, with Maryland and Virginia reporting a seven- to eight-percent increase in Bay grasses as compared to 2022. Much of the increase came from areas of the Bay with relatively high salinity, the Tangier Sound in particular with a 1048-hectare increase and Mobjack Bay with a record 445 hectares. Freshwater areas didn’t do as well, although the Susquehanna Flats and Northeast River both had strong showings, and the upper Chester hit the ball out of the park with its restoration goal hitting 432 percent.
NMore Oysters, Please!
OAA has announced a recommendation to award Maryland $10 million to fund new oyster reef construction in the Chesapeake Bay. The grant, funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, would pay for building reef bases on 50 to 75 acres within existing oyster sanctuaries. More oysters directly translates into cleaner Bay waters and more habitat for fish, but let’s not forget: in the past certain politicians have bent to commercial interests and attempted to open these “sanctuaries” to harvest. Anglers should remember to support those legislators who fought to keep harvest in sanctuaries—where restoration has in no small part been paid for with our tax dollars—closed. We should also be prepared to voice concern should any new attempt be made to harvest from sanctuaries.
White Marlin Open Recap
It won’t be news to anyone that the White Marlin Open, the world’s largest and richest billfish tournament in the world, is held right here in the Mid Atlantic zone in Ocean City, MD. What was a bit surprising this year was that a pair of OC boats, the Billfisher and the Moore Bills, came within a hair’s breadth of taking top billfish honors but...
The Billfisher brought in a white marlin at 76 pounds which was topped by a mere 1.5 pounds by the Waste Knot (out of North Carolina). That fish was still worth a whopping $1.8 million, so while we wish the crown had gone to an OC boat, we aren’t about to start shedding any tears for those guys. The Moore Bills also had an amazingly
close call with an 894-pound blue marlin that the Stone Cutter (out of Florida) somehow beat by a measly 3.5 pounds. Ouch! The tuna category was dominated by three Jersey boats (ouch, again!), but the biggest wahoo was nailed down by a local boat, the American Lady out of
Indian River, DE. The biggest dolphin went to another foreigner, caught on a boat named the Catch 23 which is owned by some guy nobody’s ever heard of named Michael Jordan. Here’s to hoping that in 2025 we’ll see top honors go to a boat from DE, MD, or VA.
# OC natives the Billfisher and Moore Bills came within SO close! Photos by the White Marlin Open
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.
Chillax
Yes, we’re sick and tired of hauling all that ice in the cooler, too. We’re also sick and tired of eating cold food when we’re out fishing. The Nebo Polarpak Hybrid cooler/ warmer electric cooler bag is an interesting solution, because it can not only cool its contents to 27-degrees below ambient temperature, it can also warm up to 140-degrees. The hybrid cooler/heater is powered by 12-volts (a 110-V adapter and 12-V plug are included and it’s compatible with a variety of Nebo’s Power Station portable batteries) and operates via a quiet brushless fan motor that uses about as much juice as a lightbulb. The 600 Denier polyester bag has 16 quarts of capacity (about a 24-pack), zippered side pockets, and a shoulder strap. Plus, the cost is just as palatable as the hot stew you’ll now be able to stow. Price: $129.99. Visit nebo.acgbrands.com for more info.
BBlades of Glory
ladebait fans will want to know that Berkley has upgraded its classic Johnson ThinFisher blade-bait, which is available in 14 different color patterns and half, quarter, and three-sixteenths of an ounce sizes (1.5 to 2.25 inches). The finish is improved, the snap has been upgraded to an “EasyChange,” and the hooks have been upgraded to black nickel Fusion19 trebles. The shape remains the same as do the three attachment points for high, medium, and slow retrieve/vibration, and the built-in rattle chamber. Price: $5.99. Visit purefishing.com to learn more.
Maxing the Merc
Mercury’s new V-10 350- and 400-hp engines can make that boat of yours fly, but now it can fly more efficiently than ever before because Sharrow Marine has announced the new X10 propeller, available in both three- and four-blade models for the V-10s. Unlike most vanilla propellers the Sharrows are fine-tuned for different outboards and the boats they power, to the tune of one- to twothousandths of an inch. And the performance advantages are extreme. In our testing we found a rather spectacular 60-percent efficiency boost at 3500 rpm and seven percent at 4500 rpm, with a 10-mph speed advantage at 3500 and three mph at 4500 rpm. Handling was noticeably crisper, and sound levels were substantially reduced. The tech is in the tips — the propeller tips, that is — because the Sharrow doesn’t have any. Instead, blades are replaced with loops to radically reduce efficiency-sapping cavitation. The exact results of switching from stock props to Sharrows differ with different boat and motor packages, but one thing is for sure: if you have Mercury V10s on the transom, you’ll want to know more. Price: $5995. Visit sharrowmarine.com to get the scoop.
Digging for Gold
You want to deep-drop for golden tilefish, but you don’t want to crank a reel for 15 minutes to bring the fish up? Electric reels are the answer, but most boats don’t have outlets in the cockpit and nobody enjoys having a big battery sitting on the deck. That’s why Penn introduced the new Fathom Electric Cordless, which gets its oomph from an integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Fathoms also boast an LED display with line counter, 30 to 40 pounds of winding pressure, and auto-stop functionality. Fathoms are available in 30, 50, and 80 classes and these reels won the top prize at ICAST, the Best of Show award. Price: $799 to $899. Visit pennfishing.com to get all charged up.
Critical Kit
The last time I opened up the first aid kit on my skiff to get out a band-aid, when the zipper came open I discovered a blob of moldy, soggy gear. That won’t happen with the Uncharted First Aid Plus aboard, because this 600D welded tarpaulin kit is completely waterproof. It’s also jam-packed with first aid gear ranging from bandages to a CPR kit, plus a first aid guide. But Uncharted takes the First Aid Plus farther, also equipping it with emergency gear like a flashlight, multitool, and waterproof matches. The kit is 8” x 6.6” x 3.8”, weighs just under three pounds, and also has spare compartments for adding epi pens or other personal medical devices. Price: $139. Visit unchartedsupplyco.com to get a safety boost.
Bosun’s
Beat the Heat
By Kaylie Jasinski
The Helly Hansen LIFA Active Solen Graphic Hoodie is available for both men and women and combines some pretty interesting technologies to deliver the sun protection we all need these days. The first is the S. Café process, which infuses the hoodie’s fabric with used coffee grounds, giving it UPF 50+ sun protection without the use of chemicals. The second is LIFA ACTIVE technology, which is excellent at wicking, moving moisture away from your skin so you stay dry. The fabric is also quick-drying, odor resistant, and durable. The hood provides extra protection for the head and neck, and the only thing I would add to this hoodie is thumb holes to keep the backs of my hands more easily covered. The main things I look for in sun shirts are that they are breathable, as I definitely do not want to overheat on a hot summer day, and that they are quick drying. On both counts this hoodie delivered. If you want a more relaxed fit, I would size up. Price: $60. Visit hellyhansen.com to check it out.
SHit the Road
uper-coolers can hold that ice for an awfully long time, but every time you carry one around you’ll regret it because those things weigh a ton. Enter, the Rugged Road. These coolers are coated with Rigorite (which Rugged Road says was developed by the military for bomb-proofing walls) and are insulated with Fridgite. Best of all, they weigh around half as much as usual for a super-cooler of similar size, yet are capable of holding ice for up to a week. Sizes include a 45, 65, 85, and a new 115. Price: $299 (for the 45) and up. Visit ruggedroadoutdoors.com to chill out.
Discover a career in
If you know someone between the ages of 18 and 25 who enjoys working with their hands and like being around the water, send them to www.mtam.org/careers
Boating
Hunter Bossom wanted to explore opportunities where he could use the diesel mechanic skills he learned in high school. MTAM's program placed him with Hild’s Marine, a mobile diesel engine service. Hunter found the internship program a great way to train and was offered a full-time position at the conclusion of his sixweek internship. Thrilled to be employed in the marine industry, he continues working for Hild’s throughout the Chesapeake region and in Ocean City, MD.
X Marks the Spot
FishTalk readers know that we usually reserve one slot in Hot New Gear for pure entertainment value, shedding light on some of the wacky and weird fishing tackle that pops up on the market. When we first spied the Xpece One we thought it would fall into that category, but heck, the more we looked at this thing the more we wanted one—and the attendees at ICAST clearly agreed since they awarded it Best New Electronics of the 2024 show. This drone is designed specifically for anglers, and both the drone and the controller are IP67 waterproof, saltwater compliant, and sandproof. It can haul a monster bait of up to 10 pounds, fly in winds up to 40 mph, and has return home functionality. You can even troll with it for up to a mile, mark the spot you dropped a bait via GPS, or scout for fish with the HD camera. Who wouldn’t want one of these things?! Price: $2299 (well okay, that might deter a few of us). Visit xpece.com to get a bird’s eye view.
A Better Bucket
This one’s super-simple, people, but we love it: the Frabill Collapsible Bait Bucket. It’s exactly what it sounds like except for one little detail — the Frabill folks designed it so when collapsed, it’s the same size as a Plano 3700 box. That means that in many cases it’ll slide right into the slots in your tackle station or tacklebox, which are commonly sized to fit those Planos. The bucket holds six quarts, has a folding handle, and is available with or without an external aerator. Price: $44.99 (with aerator)/$29.99 (without). Visit frabill.com to give those minnow a new home.
redesigned
Ask an Expert Captain Larry Geipe
Q: Tell us what gear you use for rockfish in late fall.
A: In addition to finding school-sized fish larger ocean fish will begin migrating into the Bay so it’s best to be able to cover a wide range of possibilities in terms of lure sizes and weights. Half of my gear will consist of 6’6” medium extra fast rods, 2500 to 3000 class spinning reels spooled with 10-pound braid, and 20-pound mono leaders. On these, I’ll cast BKDs and 5” paddletails rigged on 1/4- to 3/4-ounce jig heads. The other half of my gear will consist of 7’0” medium-heavy rods, 3000 class spinning reels spooled with 10- or 15-pound braid, and 20- to 30-pound mono leaders. On these rigs I’ll cast 6” to 7” paddletails rigged on one or 1.5-ounce jig heads.
Q: Rank your top three favorite colors for us, and tell us how you choose which to use and when.
A: You can’t go wrong heading out on the water with the two Chesapeake favorites: chartreuse and pearly white. But there are so many great colors on the market and it’s always good to experiment and mix it up. If you are not catching fish, keep switching things — colors, weights, and
presentations. Also, adding skirts to plastic baits is a great way to increase variety in both lure color and action.
Q: We all hope to find breaking fish this time of year, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen.
When birds are MIA, what’s your next move? What sorts of areas do you head for?
A: It can be a blessing when breakers and birds appear, but there are many days when it doesn’t happen. My advice is to put the binoculars down and rely more on your sonar. Your electronics are your best friend and it’s all about finding the bait. If you are not finding bait, move on until you do. As you search, think in terms of patterns: river mouths, ledges, humps, points, and channel edges. Analyze your chart and think of how the current might be moving schools of bait over ambush points. If you get into a pocket of good fish, look for the same pattern elsewhere on your chart.
Q: Do you have any favorite species other than rockfish you like to pursue in late fall? If so, give us the lowdown on what you use and how you find ‘em.
A: It really depends on the weather. If we have a warm October and there haven’t been any significant cold fronts, it’s possible to still encounter big blues, reds, and maybe some specks that are still hanging around.
Q: Tell us your number one tool for catching fish oTHER than rods, reels, and lures, and give us one great tip for using it.
A: I consider sonar to be my greatest tool for catching fish. I rely heavily on traditional, side-scan, and forwardlooking (LiveScope) sonar to locate fish. Anglers who develop skill in reading side-scan out to distances of over 70’ have a real advantage in finding fish. Until you are sure what you are looking at, it’s best to work with smaller distances on your side-scan and move out from there as you gain confidence.
Q: If you could say anything to all the anglers out there, what would it be?
A: Resist the urge to crowd other anglers or run your boat directly into working birds. It can be very tempting to want to get in close to others who are having success, especially if you are not, but engine noise is a proven bitekiller and motoring in close will not only shut down the bite for others, but for you as well. Stealth and etiquette are called for in these situations. Cut your drift up-current from the action such that you can drift through the area with your engine off and at a reasonable distance from others. Fish move around and they are just as likely to move under your boat as they were to go under the boats of the people who were there before you. Also keep in mind that bigger fish are often deeper and further off the smaller fish that might be breaking the surface. I’ve had some of my best days on big fish watching others jockeying for position under birds hundreds of yards away from where I was.
This month we chat with Capt. Larry geipe of Chasing Light Charters, about chasing fish on the Bay as fall sets in.
Through Mar 31, 2025
cca great chesapeake invasives count
Help fishery managers collect important data about which invasive species are being caught and where. Log your catches and get entered to win prizes each month. Free to register at ccamd.org
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annapolis Powerboat show City Dock, Annapolis, MD. Tickets: annapolisboatshows.com
3
liVe with lenny
Bring your questions and tune in to our live stream at 6 p.m. on Facebook or YouTube as we tackle various fishing topics.
5 barktoberfest annapolis
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Town Center Boathouse Pavilion in the East Village (1906 Towne Centre Boulevard). Expect plenty of steins and canines as this event celebrates German-style beer, Bavarian food, and pawsome four-legged friends. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Anne Arundel SPCA. Free and open to the public. Reservations required at annapolistowncenter.com
5 fsff monthly fly tying 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers clubhouse (behind Ford Hall) at the Davidsonville Family Rec Center. Join FSFF as one of our members instructs us on how to tie a couple of fly patterns and demonstrates proper tying techniques. All materials will be provided. Please bring your vise and tying tools if you have them. Questions: rybeer@gmail.com
5 little bobbers fishing Derby at cbec
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville, MD. The event will not only raise funds for creating fishing reefs and oyster beds at CBEC but also introduce kids to the hobby of fishing. Register: bayrestoration.org
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fsa musser memorial King Mackerel tournament presented by the Frederick Saltwater Anglers in Harkers Island, NC.
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cca annapolis chapter fundraising banquet
A celebration of conservation, and all things Chesapeake Bay. This fundraising dinner directly supports CCA Maryland’s focus on ensuring the health of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them. 6 to 9:30 p.m. the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Philip Merrill Center in Annapolis. Food, drinks, oysters, raffles, live and silent auctions, and more.
10-14
annapolis sailboat show City Dock, Annapolis, MD.
12 Party in the Port 6 to 10 p.m. at Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, MD. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. EYC’s boat show bash open to the public, featuring live music, food, libations, and more.
12
Westminster oyster stroll 12 to 4 p.m. Shop, slurp and stroll through historic downtown Westminster! This is an annual festival featuring local oyster farmers, live entertainment, delicious food, and a lot of fun for the whole family! Designed to raise awareness about Chesapeake Bay farm-raised oysters and highlights how Westminster is working to restore wild oysters back into the bay. Directly supports CCA Maryland’s Living Reef Action Campaign.
# Don’t miss the Annapolis Powerboat Show October 3-6 at City Dock.
CELEBRATING CONSERVATION FOR 53 YEARS
As the golden hues of autumn settle over Easton, Maryland, the town gears up for its most anticipated annual event: the Waterfowl Festival. Now in its 53rd year, the festival is set to return from November 8-10, 2024, transforming this charming town into a vibrant hub of wildlife art, sporting heritage, and conservation efforts.
The Waterfowl Festival, founded in 1971, was conceived as a way to celebrate and preserve the rich traditions of the Chesapeake Bay region. Over the years, it has grown into a premier event that attracts wildlife enthusiasts, artists, and families from all over the country. The festival’s mission remains steadfast: to raise funds for waterfowl habitat conservation while providing a platform for artists to showcase their works and for visitors to engage with the natural world.
The Waterfowl Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of our 2024 Legacy Conservation Partners.
Oct O ber (continued)
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Yorktown market Days - fall festival
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Shop more than 40 different vendors and artists selling seasonal favorites. Enjoy free, familyoriented activities like face painting, a hay maze, a petting zoo featuring miniature animals, and pumpkin painting. Free.
for more details and links to event websites, visit fishtalkmag.com/ calendar
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Yorktown market DaysPaws at the river
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. This special day is designed to bring awareness to animal rescue organizations and help place adoptable pets in their furever homes. Pet portrait station, delicious doggy delights, and informational booths, also trick-or-treating for the kids. Free.
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caPca monthly meeting 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. (inperson and hybrid) at the Annapolis Elks Lodge in Edgewater, MD. Speaker: Capt. Bob Schwartz. Topic: Occoquan River - Working Together to Keep the Waters Safe. Chesapeake Area Professional Captain’s Association.
WAY MORE THAN CRAB
N O vember
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fsff monthly fly tying
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers clubhouse (behind Ford Hall) at the Davidsonville Family Rec Center. Join FSFF as one of our members instructs us on how to tie a couple of fly patterns and demonstrates proper tying techniques. All materials will be provided. Please bring your vise and tying tools if you have them. Questions: rybeer@gmail.com
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fsff monthly meeting
7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse (behind Ford Hall) at the Davidsonville, MD, Family Rec. Center. Speaker: Joe Bruce. Questions? Email Ryan Harvey at rybeer@gmail.com
DOCK BAR GUIDE
8-10 easton Waterfowl festival
For three days, discover the best of local wildlife, nature, art, heritage, food, and fun at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, MD. Tickets: waterfowlfestival.org
9 fish for a cure
F4AC is a fishing and fundraising competition that supports the Cancer Survivorship Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. The 18th annual tournament, Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge, and Shore Party (5-9 p.m.) will take place at Safe Harbor Annapolis. Shore Party tickets cost $150 per person for those not in the tournament. Donate or register at fishforacure.org
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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.
16 Yorktown market Daysharvest festival
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Kids young and old will enjoy this autumn extravaganza, which features a live animal show, petting zoo, balloon art, inflatable axe throwing, hay rides, and a pie eating contest. Purchase holiday staples like turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, cornbread, dinner rolls, and pumpkin pie. Local jewelers, painters, and photographers will also be selling their holiday handiwork. Free.
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fsff hands-on session
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse (behind Ford Hall) at the Davidsonville, MD, Family Rec. Center. Club member Jim Del Bovi is going to address kayak fishing safety in tidal waters. Questions? Email Ryan Harvey at rybeer@gmail.com
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rrYc lights on the creek lighted boat Parade
Hosted by the Rappahannock River Yacht Club (RRYC) on Carters Creek in Irvington, VA. Parade forms at 5:30 p.m. near Custom Yacht Service on the eastern branch of Carters Creek. RRYC will be open to the public to watch the parade and will host a post-parade party at 7 p.m. Prizes. The parade is open to any type or size of boat.
Do you have an upcoming event? send the details to kaylie@fishtalkmag.com
# Henry caught this redfish in Eastern Bay this summer.
# Flip tied into a Patuxent River MONSTER!
# Natalie caught a baby redfish in Ramsay Lake off the South River.
# Felix hooked into this beast of a blue cat while fishing in the CCA Maryland Catfish 4 Charity event on the Patuxent River.
# Dave Moore of Shark Whisperers tied into this beautiful red on the sands of Assateague this summer.
# Eric hooked up some 10-poundplus mega-sheeps at the CBBT.
# Jackson caught this 21” rock off the Bay Bridge on a 3/8-ounce skirted jighead with a five-inch chartreuse paddletail.
# Herb located this nice speck in the Choptank.
# Tim gave the golden tilefish double trouble, reeling a 30- and a 43-pounder up from 800’ below on the Naked Spanny Mac.
# Ike caught a nice largemouth.
# Ford fooled this Potomac River smallmouth with a buzzbait.
# Keith tied into this beaut of a smallmouth.
OF THE MONTH
# Savannah, also known as “Rockfish Barbie,” wrangled up this rockfish in Eastern Bay.
# Nolie and Courtney celebrate a cool catch as they cool off in the lake.
# Bob and his grandson Patrick doubled up on black drum and landed ‘em both, and grandson Ben tied into a bruiser drum of the other variety.
# Connor, Baily, Brennan, Frisco, and Jace filled that bushel basket.
# Ryan landed this cobia trolling red tubes near the Target Ship.
# Kai tied into this absolute hammer of a white perch in the Magothy.
# Amy caught this beautiful red in Linkhorn Bay while visiting Virginia Beach.
# Dave, Alex, Robbie, and Kevin found a chunky cobia (along with some chunky bluefish) this summer.
# Deane had a great day sight fishing near Cape Charles.
# The Willards went to Nags Head and enjoyed some southern-style angling.
# Tyler found the elusive Annapolis puppy drum.
# Maverick hooked up this chunky carp using his homemade bait ball recipe. Share that recipe with us, Maverick, that stuff clearly works!
# Zach found a nice one out at Thomas Point Light.
# William enjoyed some pond action when the heat let off this summer.
# Declan pulled up a beastly 33” blue cat fishing in the Pax with his uncle Jesse.
# Ben tied into this gorgeous redfish on Lucky Strike Fishing Charters out of Hollywood, MD.
# Paul hoisted this 28” channel cat out of a Carroll County pond.
# Chris caught this true river monster fishing in the Sassafras.
By Lenny Rudow
Parker 2420SC: All weather Angler
Center consoles are great in good weather, but their biggest downside is undeniable: during the colder months of the season you’ll need to layer up in a big way. You’ll still freeze your keister off when running, rain can be a trip-killer, and if there are kids aboard there’s a good chance you’ll make them miserable. For charging onto the Chesapeake from October through May cabin boats have a serious leg up. And one of the newest offerings to hit the water is the Parker 2420SC.
You may have noticed a change through the Parker lineup in recent years, as the newer models boast an enhanced level of finish, comfort, and familyfriendliness. This certainly holds true with the 2420SC. Beyond offering full weather protection at the helm, the cabin boasts an unusually large berth. The helm station doesn’t go all the way down to deck level but instead is open underneath, adding a third more space for stretching out. And Parker adds foam decking pads to the
cabinsides so it’s comfortable to lean up against them. Naturally there’s a spot for a portable MSD, and comfort during the warmer months of the year gets a boost thanks to an opening windshield and side windows. Your comfort as captain gets a big boost, too, if you opt for the Seaspension active suspension seat pedestal, which was rigged on the boat we checked out.
Additional seating can also be found in the cockpit, where our boat had a doublewide fold-away lounge seat. What you’re more likely to be interested in back here, however, is the wide-open acreage. Parkers have always been focused on delivering maximum fishing space and the 2420SC is no exception. From the cabin bulkhead to the transom it’s wide-open casting territory, and trollers will want to note the availability of a second helm station in the cockpit. You’ll also want to opt for the six-rod rocket launcher rack. Four gunwale holders come stock, as do two in-deck fishboxes plus a fishbox in
the transom alongside the livewell, and a raw water washdown. Note that the fishbox in the transom is monstrous, and yes, I did climb inside and close the hatch to prove the point while we were filming our video of the boat.
What about the loss of all that bow fishing space? Parker snatches much of it right back. While walking forward we had a deep appreciation for the hardtop grabrail, cabin side grabrail, and tall bowrail they added on. You can walk forward with a firm grip each and every step of the way. And when you get up front you’ll find a flat bowdeck with plenty of level deck for a pair of anglers to stand from while casting.
Another big change you’ll see in the 2420SC versus old-school Parkers: performance. The boat’s available with a single 300 or twin 150s or 200s, and with a pair of Yamaha F200s on the transom top-end gets into the upper 50s. Yes you read that right, a Parker cabin boat can now travel at highway speeds. And set
Hot New Fishboats
THE FORMULA 457 CENTER CONSOLE FISH HAS ARRIVED!
The 457 CCF boasts the finish and amenities expected of a Formula, with all the calculated planning and execution brought to bear for a superior and unparalleled offshore fishing battlewagon. The 457 is destined for the unique position of exceeding every expectation in the elite Center Console category.
At 45’7” with a 13’9” beam, and powered by triple Mercury 600 Verados, the Formula 457 will impress all comers. Built to your preference, from hard-core fish to upscale sport cruising, the 457 will match your boating style. Opt for foldaway aft seating and pressurized 50-gallon twin livewells for a pure fishing machine, or add a sculpted aft lounge and spacious swim platform for a sporting flair – we will build a boat to suit your desires. Choose the bait station/wetbar or the entertainmentready cockpit galley to your needs. You will love the triple 22” monitor dash and air-conditioned three-position helm. Add AC
to the second row and aft-facing seating for total crew comfort. All will enjoy the highly styled bow seating with elevated sun lounge and wraparound seating with power-adjust table. For a bird’s eye view and a top command angling platform, add the beautiful yet functional upper station with full controls and instrumentation, as well as lounging areas when the bite is slow.
Below, the cabin brings you 6’6” of headroom with a full aircraft galley with microwave, fridge, sink and abundant counter and cabinet space. U-lounge seating includes a table, convertible to a two-person berth. A well-appointed, spacious head features a separate, stand-up shower.
Visit formulaboats.com, a Formula Showroom or our headquarters to learn more about this elite game-changer.
THE 457 CENTER CONSOLE FISH –for All Your Offshore Adventures!
at a reasonable 4500 rpm cruise, it will clip along in the low- to mid-40s. We need to note that along with design and performance upgrades Parker has also upped the ante when it comes
to fit and finish. Inspect a 2420SC and you’ll find it’s a big jump up from old-school Parkers in every way — it simply looks like it’s been brought into the modern era of boatbuilding. Niceties
Qui CK F ACTS
L o A: 24’2”
Beam: 8’8”
Displacement: 4,880 lbs.
Draft (min.): 1’4”
Transom Deadrise: 21 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 140 gal.
Max. Power: 400 hp
A REA D EALERS
Legasea Marine, Yorktown, VA (757) 898-3000 or legaseamarine.com
Tri-State Marine, Deale and Annapolis, MD (410) 867-1447 or tristatemarine.com
like a four-speaker Wet Sounds stereo system, LED lighting, drink holders, and pop-up cleats have been added on. And while you’ll notice the boost in overall comfort level the moment you step aboard, it will really hit home the first time you push down the throttle on a rainy 40-degree day. # # Is that transom fishbox big enough to swallow a tuna? Youbetcha.
See the Parker 2420SC on video at FishTalk’s YouTube channel.
for a new or used boat? browse our catalog of in-depth boat reviews by visting fishtalkmag.com or scan this code with your phone’s camera.
Pursuit DC 306: Room to Roam
What’s the biggest problem with most dual console fishing boats? They try to do so many things at once — please the angler, please the family, please the cocktail-cruiser — that they feel cramped and jam-packed, almost as though they’re trying too hard to be all things to everyone. You want a dual console that pleases all these people yet accomplishes the task with grace and ease? Check out the Pursuit DC 306.
With well over 31’ of LOA, sheer size is a huge part of why this boat feels so roomy inside. But intelligent design plays an even bigger role. Take the portside aft-facing helmdeck seat, for example. Fishermen will love how the back swings down to access a tackle station with slots for multiple Plano boxes and bulk stowage; the kids will love kicking back against the comfy upholstery with Dri-Fast foam and mesh
backing; and the cocktail cruiser will love how the seat bottom flips up to open an integrated insulated drink cooler. All things to all people? Well, yes.
The bow and aft cockpits offer another example. Up forward you can leave the bow cushions at home and stand on the U-shaped seating when
it’s time to cast. Or, leave the cushions in place and you can kick back in the forward-facing lounger-style seats with arm rests when it’s family time. Add in the pedestal dinette table for hang-
Qui CK F ACTS
L o A: 31’11”
Beam: 9’11”
Displacement: 10,583 lbs.
Draft (min.): 2’2”
Transom Deadrise: 21 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 224 gal.
Max. Power: 600 hp
A REA D EALERS
Bosun’s Marine, grasonville, MD (443) 347-6314 or bosuns.com;
North Point Yacht Sales, gloucester Point, VA, (804) 885-4090 or northpointyachtsales.com;
Rt 113 Boat Sales, Selbyville, DE (302) 436-1737 or rt113boatsales.net.
ing around for drinks at anchor. Meanwhile, back aft with all the seating folded away you have an open cockpit for angling. Flip down the transom and gunwale seats and there’s room for four people to sit in comfort, and add in the cocktail table when it’s time to chillax.
As for armaments, the DC 306 is rigged for serious business when the rods are brought aboard. It has four flush gunwale rod holders, four more in the transom, and four rocket launchers on the hard top supports. Add in the hard top rocket launchers and you get five more. The transom livewell holds 26 gallons, and the fishboxes are evacuated with longlasting diaphragm pumps rather than macerators. Opt for the 20’ carbon fiber outriggers and you’re ready for everything from bluefish to bigeye.
# The port cabin has dedicated stowage for multiple items, without feeling cramped and over-tasked.
Another area of the boat that displays a multi-use attitude is the cabin. Well, cabins — each console has its own, the starboard side dedicated to a roomy head compartment and the
RETURN THIS FORM BY MAIL OR EMAIL: MaIl: 612 Third St., Ste. 3C, Annapolis, MD 21403 EMaIl: beatrice@fishtalkmag.com O R SUBS c RIBE ONLINE : fishtalkmag.com/subscribe-to-fishtalk
port side to an open area with dedicated stowage for cockpit and bow tables, safety gear, and up to eight rods. Removable cushions even make napping down there an option.
Pursuits have always been designed and built to hit high a performance bar, so it won’t come as any surprise that the DC 306 can break the 50-mph mark when rigged with a pair of Yamaha F300s. What may be a bit more illuminating is that at 4500 rpm you’ll be cruising at right around 40 mph, and when the kids are aboard and you want to keep things a bit more mellow, a 3500 rpm cruise is darn close to 30 mph.
Can you please all the people all the time? Well, of course not. But if you’re trying to satisfy anglers, family, and friends all at once, few dual consoles are likely to fit the bill as nicely as the Pursuit DC 306 — without making you feel like the boat’s trying too hard. #
I
f you need to find the very cheapest boat around, you’ll be interested in the $175 Pelican Solo. This six-footlong, 19-pound (ahem) kayak provides “superior stability” and comes with a safety flag. One thing: its maximum weight capacity is 100 pounds, so you’ll need to be as thin as your budget in order to paddle around… or be under the age of 12. Visit confluenceoutdoors.com to learn more.
your
and giving you peace of mind. Enjoy worry-free winters and smooth sailing come spring!
Fall Bass Savvy
Now’s the time to enjoy a red hot bass bite.
By Jim Gronaw
It’s October and you’re itching to get out for a few hours? You know of a certain little lake that has a good largemouth bass supply and the time feels right to get onto some good ‘uns. Bass fishing in the fall can be a great gig.
Many species turn on and offer great fishing once the days get shorter and the nights get cold, and largemouth bass are no exception. For me, this usually triggers a serious effort to seek some of the best bass fishing of the year. Some weed types are dying out in local waters and cooler nights have fish moving shallow to feed on any available forage in preparation for a long winter. Often, as in recent years, the fall bass bite extends into the winter months due to our pattern of warmer winters throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Combined with lower water levels and less angler effort, fall bassing can, in some waters, be a lonely game where overlooked populations exist in smaller public venues and community lakes. Often the bass outnumber other popular autumn gamesters like pickerel, snakeheads and even crappie.
Timing and Tactics
Try not to pay too much attention to the calendar, but rather weather patterns and conditions that key a good bite. A warm, dry October can be frustrating with lethargic bass that just don’t respond to those classic spinnerbait, crankbait, or Ned rig options. We like to target the fish when water temperatures dip below 55 degrees and remain there or lower for a few weeks. A lot depends on the progression of the season but clearly once we get overnight lows consistently in the 40s the fishing should bust wide open. Initially, these fish in the “55 zone” are more than willing to chase moving
baits like quarter- to half-ounce spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits including the classic Rat-L-Trap or the newer Googan Clutch. Depending on the forage base in your waters, colors can matter. Many smaller lakes have a golden shiner population that spells candy for a big bass so gold may be the optimal color choice. Some other lakes have a shadbased prey, and a silver pattern may produce better. Still others have only sunfish species as the main diet and
then the color scheme is different. Basically, it’s matching the hatch with lures that represent the bulk of the baitfish in the specific waterway you’re visiting.
When water temperatures drop below 50 you may have to slow down your approach. Still, a bass has no problem running down a fast-moving blade bait in 48-degree water, or even colder. Other options when temperatures are descending are the classic Ned rig and smaller crankbait series
# The author with a fine fall bass.
like the Rapala Count Down CD 5 or CD 7 for a slow fall and methodical retrieve.
Weather patterns matter, and we prefer a falling barometer that is accompanied by some wind and at least some cloud cover. Unfortunately, not everyone can “call in fish” or take a sick day when this occurs. However, my records indicate that big fish windows open up when a front is approaching and these conditions exist. The wind may be out of the north or the west, and gusty, but fish seem to respond well under these conditions most of the time. Ultimately, we go when the opportunity allows us to but timing matters.
Gear for Fall Bass
The type of cover and conditions will dictate your tackle requirements, as well as the top-end size of the bass you may encounter. Where we fish, a five- and six-pound bass would be the top-end specimen on any given day of the year and still not an everyday catch. Cover usually consists of dying or still green weed beds, fallen wood or small, incoming creeks and feeders that can draw fish, especially after a rain event.
The bulk of our fishing is done with medium spinning gear with 20-pound test braids. Rods are 7.0’ to 7.5’ sticks with power to set hooks and cast far. These moderate action, medium taper rods are also able to detect strikes that can be light at times. Often, fall largemouths will swipe at a lure and get hooked on the outside of the cheek or bottom of the lower jaw. This telegraphs to a slight tick or bump at the rod tip, calling for an immediate hookset. On days when fish are really thumping you’ll just get a hard strike, and the fish is usually on. It varies from day to day. Occasionally we will switch to a medium baitcasting outfit with 14-pound clear monofilament to toss half-ounce spinnerbaits. With retrieving lures like the spinnerbaits, crank, or rattle baits, we utilize a cross-lock or duo-lock
swivel tied directly to the braid with a Palomar or doubled clinch knot. This enables quick lure changes and helps in hook-setting chores with no mono or fluorocarbon leader. When we fish the Ned rigs in and around green weeds, we will drop down to 10-pound braid with a 10-pound clear leader for this finesse effort. Our favorite combo is the 1/15-ounce SchroomZ Head with a 2.75 TRD plastic, worked slowly around existing green weeds or brush.
Some conditions may require the use of heavier braid to wrestle big fish from brush, weeds, or wood. When faced with heavy cover it is wise to up your braid strength to 40 pounds or more. Hence, up your gear to medium heavy or heavy to accommodate.
The Rain Event
Some of our best fall bass forays have happened when incoming rain either muddies or raises water levels at creek mouths and triggers bass to stage or position in and around channeled areas to intercept baitfish. If the timing is just right, you can encounter a lot of fish in very small areas. Cold rain can be a turn-off, but if the temperatures are near the existing conditions, it could be game on.
Keep raingear, knee boots, waders, and an open mind when precipitation is on the way. Especially after an extended dry spell or warmer than usual fall weather, the rain game can be an X-factor for banner fishing. The fall bite for bass can be a prime-time event — this year see if you can’t bust a few hawgs from your favorite haunts. #
# Rain events can trigger some serious action.
I
Southern ESVA
The sou T hern TIP of T he e as T ern s hore of V I rg I n I a has more ho T s P o T s T han Ver I zon.
Large natural formations along with wrecks and obstructions along the lower east side of the Bay provide good structure for everything from croaker to cobia. In fact, this portion of the Bay is so riddled with fish that the “Coral Lump” (Site 1) and “Texeco Wreck” (Site 2) shown on Chart 1, “Ridged Bottom” between Site 1 and Cherrystone Reef, and the “Airplane Wreck” (the 35-foot obstruction at the north edge of Chart 1), were reference points for a seasonal tautog movement study by Jon Lucy and Michael Arendt for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in 2000.
A “BAG” Color Shaded Relief screenshot from the National Oceanographic Administrations (NOAA) Bathymetric Data Viewer (BDV) showing the Coral Lump is overlaid on Chart 1. This natural feature juts out to the west along the edge of a deep drop-off. And it’s huge, at about 500 yards long and 100 yards wide. Hang a hard right coming out the end of Mattawoman Creek Light and run about a mile and a half northwest along the edge of deep water and you’re at one of the most prominent natural reefs in the Bay.
By Wayne Young Par T
local name is unknown. A detailed entry about this feature is recorded in the Coast Survey’s Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System. The wreckage is somewhat broken up, extending about 335’ in length and about 75’ in width. When first recorded in 1968, the wreckage rose 15’ off the bottom. Both the BDV screenshot and a color multibeam sonar image show sedimentation and scouring variously across the site. So, the actual rise today will vary from
the original report. This is a good one for flounder, which can be hiding in the sediment both inside and outside the wreck.
Also shown on Chart 2 is a 39’ unknown obstruction (Site 3). A BDV screenshot and color multibeam sonar image screenshot show objects that have the appearance of long, narrow beams. Perhaps this is deck cargo that was lost overboard, or it could be deliberately placed reef materials. The site is small, about 75’ by 75’. Site 4, the Cabbage Patch Reef, is a Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) artificial reef presented in “Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reefs: Voyages of Rediscovery” (Young, 2020) and detailed in “Unlisted Fishing Reef and the Cabbage Patch” at FishTalkMag.com
Run about a half mile southwest across the old bed of the Susquehanna River and you’re at the Texeco Wreck (Chart 2). The derivation of the wreck’s
# Chart 1: Area general location chart for lower eastside bottom features. Insert – The Coral Lump. Screenshot from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.
Site 5 northwest of the Cabbage Patch is an unidentified 27’ obstruction that is widely distributed, shown as Site 5 on Chart 1 and Image 1. The feature is oriented north-northwest/ south-southeast and is about 200’ in overall length and 40’ in width. There are on the order of 20 individual small objects, each in a small scour hole. Perhaps the objects are lost cargo, but the distribution of the objects in a loose pattern and the presence of unofficial artificial reefs along the
lower East Side raise the potential that this could be a “bandit” reef, one place without the benefit of required permits. It’s worth a drift through to see if any flounders may be lying there ready to ambush unsuspecting prey.
Site 6 is without any doubt a constructed artificial reef, consisting of 23 concrete blocks that are heavily encrusted with marine vegetation. This one is definitely worth checking out when fishing in this region. Site 7 is located just outside the western edge of the York Spit Channel dogleg in proximity to Buoy G 23. It is the wreck of an unknown sunken wooden barge that is 70’ long, first reported by a Navy demolition team in 1971. What they were doing there
is not stated. Were they using the feature for training? The BAG screenshot shows the wreckage oriented north-south lying at the southeast end of a deep scour hole which extends from the wreck towards the northwest, suggesting the site is affected by strong flood currents and storm-driven wave energy from the southeast. This feature is charted and easy to find, and has enough structure to attract plenty of fish.
Site 8 is a small, unknown 29’ obstruction. The screenshot shows a small object in a scour hole. Site 9 is a small uncharted obstruction in position 37’08.446 x 76’07.546. The screenshot shows an object and a faint outline in
# Chart 2: Top right – Texeco Wreck. Bottom left – unidentified 39’ obstruction. Screenshots from NOS DR H12181 (2010). Top right – BAg image of Texeco Wreck. Bottom right – BAg image of 39’ obstruction. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.
a scour hole that resembles the gunnel outline of a vessel. Thus, this may be an uncharted wreck. Site 10 and Site 11 are both small, unknown obstructions. The latter is the largest, about 80’ by 15’. Both sit in scours. Off to the northeast of these obstructions and east of the Cabbage Patch Reef along the Eastern Shore are the Kiptopeke concrete ship breakwaters (Site 12). There are also shoreline structures and an old dolphin from when the site was the northern terminus of the Chesapeake Bay Ferry (my first, very early exposure to the Bay). Sometimes, one needs to go no further than the breakwaters to find fish. This structure has been there a long time and is deteriorated and heavily biofouled, providing pathways for predator and prey movement through the reefs. Plus, the breakwaters can sometimes be safely fished during conditions that would threaten those who venture from behind their protective shield; the large pocket of protection makes it particularly popular with kayak and small boat anglers.
Next month: Southern ESVA Part II, covering areas near the east side of the CBBT, Fisherman’s Island, and surrounding waters.
as well as being a regular contributor to fishTalk, Wayne Young is the author of multiple books detailing wrecks and fishing reefs in the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and beyond. all are available at Amazon.com, and you can find his Facebook page at “Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reefs.”
Hoodini Show
By Staff
Wahoo will slice off hooks and lures faster than you can read a single word in this sentence, hit inline swivels to de-rig your line, shake free even when solidly hooked, and are tougher to gaff than an eel. They have a near-mythical status as Houdini-like escape artists, causing endless frustration for the anglers that pursue them.
Still, we target these toothy, tasty underwater missiles, even as some anglers go entire seasons with oneto-five to one-to-10 success ratios. If you want to stop hoping and start grilling, apply these tips and tricks to hopefully go home happy.
1 Time your trip right Troll offshore of the DelMarVa coast whenever and you might see a wahoo or two. Troll in October and you might see a half-dozen in one day. For whatever quirky reason Mother Nature conjured up we don’t generally see a concentrated run of these fish in the spring, but once October hits (and into November) their numbers in this neck of the woods multiply. Yes, finding a weather window can be tough and no, a fall run isn’t a guaranteed thing, but if you really want to bag a Hoodini or two the next month to six weeks is usually prime time.
2 Stay inshore
While there are certainly wahoo at the canyons, inshore lumps 30 to 50 miles out are usually a better bet. Naturally this can vary from season to season, and in some cases sticking inshore will mean reducing the chances of encountering tunas and/or billfish. But if you really want those wahoo you need to focus in on them like a laser.
3 Focus on structure, including and beyond those lumps – Work edges and drops but also look for weedlines, temperature breaks, and flotsam. Wahoo do congregate around
# Brett and Kris hold up a beast of a wahoo that fell to the gaff on the Heat Wave. Photo courtesy of Dale Dirks.
this stuff more or less as mahi-mahi do, though generally not in schools so large. Though it can be a hassle to troll through patchy weeds and constantly shuck your offerings, you can bet the chances are better you’ll pull your offerings past larger numbers of fish. When planning your trip ID a trolling pattern that takes you across a series of lumps or range widely over a larger lump and keep your eyes peeled for this sort of secondary structure. When you find it, work the area thoroughly.
4 Get some lines down deep
Wahoo will hit baits pulled across the surface, but you’ll have much better chances of getting a strike if you get some lures down 15’, 20’, or even 30’ below the surface. In some areas anglers rig up huge inline weights, which certainly works, but does put a lot of stress on your gear and takes a lot of the
In all cases remember that you’ll need a trace of wire in front of your offering or the wahoo’s razor-sharp teeth will make short work of whatever you might put out there. And, remember how we mentioned wahoo eating swivels? It does happen — these fish will hit anything flashy. Inline swivels (a must when trolling spoons) should be matte black, not bright silver.
fight out of the equation. Another option is running diving plugs like Marauders. Even better is pulling a “poor man’s downrigger.” This consists of a high-speed planer like a Sea Striker #8 on 40’ or 50’ of 300-lb test run from a stern cleat, with your fishing line tethered to the planer line on a break-away rig. Simply let out 25’ or 30’ on a fishing line, then bend a rubber band around the line and through the eye of a swivel, and clip the swivel around the planer line. Put the reel into freespool and as you let additional fishing line out water pressure will push the swivel down the planer line. When a fish strikes the rubber band will snap and set the line free. Keep extra swivels on hand, because after a strike the loose swivel will slide down the planer line and you won’t get it back until retrieving the planer at the end of the day.
Dark red, black, and purple skirted ballyhoo or five-inch spoons with prismatic tape in red or purple are good picks for baits, and dark colors in general do seem to generate more wahoo strikes than standard pinks, greens, and blues.
5 Goose the speed
Wahoo are known for liking a fastmoving bait, and you’ve probably heard about anglers targeting them at outrageous speeds up to 14 or 15 mph. But you certainly don’t have to be moving at speeds anything like that to get them to strike (and doing so requires serious gear adjustments). In the regions where these tactics are commonly used the fish tend to be scattered over wide areas, as opposed to concentrated over or around structure, and it’s a way of covering a ton of ground while you seek out the fish. Here, when they’re concentrated on the lumps and structure, that much speed isn’t necessary. That said, bumping up to eight knots is a good move. Trolling any faster leads to problems like ripped ballyhoo, swimming plugs running sideways, and creeping drags, but an extra knot or two of speed does boost your chances.
Were you hoping 2024 would be your season of the wahoo? We can’t predict what this fall’s run will be like, but one thing is for sure: the next six to eight weeks are likely to give us the best wahoo fishing of the season, so now’s the time to try putting one of these escape artists into fish-jail. #
# Note the dark skirt — and lack of a wire leader. This was one unlucky wahoo! Photo courtesy of Eric Packard.
How to FisH topwater Lures for Beginners
Adam Greenberg
Plopping, popping, and heart-stopping strikes. Learn how to conjure up the most exciting bites in fishing.
The absolute adrenaline rush and unforgettable battle that follow an explosive topwater strike are moments that every novice angler should have the privilege of experiencing. Let’s dive into the chaos and excitement of fishing surface lures.
Topwater fishing is the art of throwing floating lures that get worked across the surface of the water to imitate injured or fleeing prey, triggering exhilarating bites that are amazing to watch, result in dragpulling fights, and will have you tying on a topwater every chance you get.
Surface lures come in all manner of sizes because most (not all) predatory species can be caught on them. Whether you’re targeting panfish like perch and bluegill, popular game fish such as black bass and rockfish, or even giant tuna and mahi, we as anglers are blessed with topwater options galore.
Types of Topwater Lures and How to Fish Them
There are loads of different topwater lures, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ll just focus on the three most popular.
The first and arguably most well known is the popper. This lure is typically shaped like a cylinder that tapers down at either the back,
middle, or front, depending on the style. Its shining feature is the concave mouth, which spits water during the retrieve, causing lots of commotion and drawing the attention of fish lurking nearby.
To use a popper, make a long cast and wait a second or two when it hits the water. Sometimes, the initial splash is enough to draw a strike. No bite right off the bat? Begin working the lure by twitching the rod tip and then reeling up the slack. Make sure that each time you
twitch, the popper throws water, or “pops.” If your lure isn’t popping, jerk the rod tip a bit harder next time. Make sure to pause every so often, as this may convince a fish following your offering to commit to an easy meal. As far as retrieval speed and cadence, the fish will decide that, not you. Today, they might want a pop, pop, pause. Tomorrow, it’s a pop, pause, pop-poppop, pause that gets them biting. Play around and experiment until the fish show you what they want.
# Poppers and ploppers come in a variety of sizes and styles to target different species.
Our second and easiest-to-fish topwater lure is the plopper. These lures are similar in shape (and name) to a popper but can often be more bulky and rounded. Instead of a cupped face, ploppers are equipped with a propeller, usually at the rear, that sputters and creates a wake when retrieved.
Simply cast out your plopper and reel it back in, making sure to crank just fast enough to get the propeller spinning. If you aren’t getting bites at that speed, then try it a bit quicker–sometimes fish want the thrill of a chase.
Finally, we have the spook. Shaped like a cigar and often equipped with an internal rattle, this lure is meant to be fished with a “walk-the-dog”
retrieve that imitates a fleeing baitfish. Working a spook properly takes a bit of practice, but if you’ve mastered the popper and plopper and are looking for a challenge, this is a fun one to try. After making a long cast with your spook, point your rod tip down and begin twitching your wrist in a rhythmic motion. Reel in the slack as you work the rod tip, and the lure should dart side to side in a zig-zag, or “walk-the-dog” motion. Maintaining a steady cadence is key in keeping your spook walking smoothly. Remember to pause on occasion to convince a chasing fish to commit. Same as with our other two topwater offerings, vary your retrieval speed from cast to cast until you find what turns on the bite.
When and Where to Throw Topwater Lures
If you’re like me and quickly become addicted to the wonderful chaos that is topwater fishing, it’s likely you’ll want to reach for a surface lure before tying on anything else. But, you must show restraint. If you throw these lures in the wrong conditions, you greatly minimize your chance of a strike and may end up so frustrated that you throw in the topwater towel before ever experiencing a blowup.
Low-light conditions are key for topwater fishing. Predatory fish have a greater advantage when they are less visible to their prey, allowing them to more easily ambush a meal. Furthermore, as is especially the case during the summer months, fish seek deeper, cooler water when the sun gets high in the sky. And, the further the fish are from the surface, the less likely they are to swim all the way up and go after a topwater lure. Look to throw poppers, ploppers, and spooks at dawn, at dusk, and on overcast days if you want the best chance of catching fish on top.
In the Chesapeake Bay region, most of our species will begin hitting topwater in the spring and continue through autumn. During the colder months of the year, however, using topwater lures is not ideal. On a cold, blustery December Saturday, many of us find ourselves sitting by the fire with no intention of going outside. Well, fish are the same way when it’s chilly out. They seek warmth and comfort, which is often down in the depths, far away from the surface. In addition, a fish’s metabolism slows way down in the winter, making him less eager to go after prey that requires a frantic chase.
As far as location is concerned, look for any type of structure with current flowing near it. This includes hard structure like
# The author smiles with a rockfish he caught early in the morning on a popper.
rocks or wood, vegetation such as grass or lily pads, and man-made features like piers, duck blinds, or jetties. Fish want a place to hide so that they have the element of surprise when ambushing prey, so throwing topwater around structure is a good bet.
Finally, stick to the shallows. Here, no matter where the fish is in the water column it’s still close enough to the surface to notice the commotion of your topwater
lure. Of course, if you’re out in deep water and see fish breaking on the surface, don’t hesitate to tie on a topwater lure. For the most part, however, shallower water will produce more bites on top. If you’re fishing during the aforementioned prime hours for topwater, then you’ll begin to notice that schools of baitfish are often up shallow during dawn and dusk – a telltale sign that you should probably cast close to shore.
Try Up Top!
Every beginner fisherman should feel like they have the opportunity to catch fish on topwater. No more watching surface blowups on the internet, wishing you were “good” enough to experience them for yourself. Well, take it from a longtime fisherman who was once in your shoes – you are good enough. Topwater fishing takes patience and the right conditions, but after the first time you see a fish blast out of the water to eat your lure, you’ll be hooked for life. #
Ditch the Trebles
Many conservation-minded anglers in the Chesapeake Bay region are making the switch from treble hooks to single hooks on their surface plugs. We all love targeting striped bass, especially on topwater, but fishing with trebles increases the chance of fish mortality. Single hooks are less likely to cause severe damage to the fish, as there are less points that can penetrate skin, eye, gill, or any other part of the body. They are also often easier and quicker to remove, resulting in less time out of the water for the fish. Most topwater lures come standard with trebles attached via split rings. Grab yourself a pair of split ring pliers, some replacement single hooks, and do your part in supporting the health of the striped bass and other fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay.
# Make sure you twitch hard enough to get the concave face on a popper splishing and splashing.
Annapolis Powerboat Show
Buyers’ Market It’s prime time to get a new fishing boat.
By Staff
The Covid-induced boat-buying boom is finally over. Ever since the scourge burst onto the scene people began snapping up boats left and right, as three things we dedicated anglers already knew became apparent to the rest of the world—nothing beats fishing, a fishing boat boosts your catch rate, and boats are a healthy place to be. We love that so
Details, Details
The Annapolis Powerboat Show runs October 3 – 6, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Sunday. You can pre-order tickets (and save five bucks off the gate price!) at annapolisboatshows.com and there are discounts for kids and for military personnel on Sunday. Parking is available at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, 550 Taylor Ave, with free shuttles running to and from the show from an hour prior to the show opening to an hour after close.
many people joined the fishing fold, but for years now the immense demand pushed pricing to the brink. Well, no more. And that means that this fall is our opportunity to make a deal.
Lucky for us, fall is also when we can attend the king of all boat deal-making venues in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Annapolis Powerboat Show. This year it takes place October third through the sixth at the City Dock in downtown Annapolis, MD. You’ll see all sorts of fishing boats here, ranging from skiffs to sportfishing yachts. But remember, different boats are right for different folks. So, the big question is: which will be the best pick for you?
You’ll see Bay Boats and Hybrid Bay Boats from builders like Caymas, Pathfinder, Scout, and Sportsman. These offer the very best of light-tackle angling attributes, like minimal draft, exceptional stability, elevated casting decks, and low-slung gunwales that make it easy to reach the water for landing and releasing fish. Today’s bay boats can ride shockingly well in a chop, and many offer hat-stripping performance. For most anglers their biggest downside is the same as one of their advantages, those low gunwales, which can be a bit unnerving if you often carry multiple small children and want them surrounded by a chest-high wall of fiberglass.
# The Annapolis Powerboat Show is coming! The Annapolis Powerboat Show is coming!
annapolis Powerboat show
You’ll see traditional deep-V Center Consoles like those from Grady-White, Key West, May Craft, and Pair Marine, which are unquestionably the most popular type of fishing boats on Chesapeake Bay. Savvy anglers will be looking for big livewells, lots of rodholders, good onboard tackle stowage, and maximized deck space. Family anglers will also be eyeballing features like comfy seating, console head compartments, and freshwater systems with transom showers. Larger models will have offshore capabilities and potentially cabins in the console, but it will be tougher to reach the water than on bay boats, they’ll require a bit more depth under the keel, and have a bit less stability.
You’ll see Dual Consoles from builders like Boston Whaler, Cobia, and Robalo, which are a top choice for anglers with kids. Not only do the full windshield and door provide far more protection from the elements than other open boats, but on top of that, most DCs can be rigged with a ski-tow pylon so you can pull the kids around on tow-toys when the bite is slow. The dual console design does mean the
loss of some fishing space and 360-degree fish-fighting abilities as compared to a design utilizing a center console, though often it also means gaining additional cruising perks like convertible loungers and wet bars.
You’ll see Cabin Boats thanks to manufacturers like Bayliner, Parker, and NorthCoast. When it comes to allweather fishing these can’t be beat since having an enclosed helm (and in some cases even climate control) means cruising in comfort even when it’s snowing or blowing. Added bonus: owning a fishing boat with a cabin opens up opportunities for long weekends away from port—and away from reality. The natural downside is trading out the bow cockpit and 360-degree fishability for cabin space.
You’ll see lots of other boats, too, ranging from jet-powered Yamaha center console fishing boats to big Pursuit offshore fishing machines to high performance center console yachts from Mag Bay and Solace. You’ll spot aluminum rigs that are uber-easy to trailer, launch, and load. You’ll spot skiffs that are easy on the bank account. Oh, and you’ll also
see those non-fishing boats like bowriders and cruisers, though we suggest you block them from your consciousness.
Affordability is always a consideration when purchasing a boat, and for several years now with demand running so strong it’s been tough to find good deals. Well, those days are over, people. It’ a buyer’s market out there—and this fall at the Annapolis Powerboat Show is your prime opportunity to take advantage of it.
# Whether you’re into fishing or cruising, you’ll find the right boat for your needs at the show. (But we certainly hope that you, like us, consider cruising a waste of perfectly good fishing time).
Hot New Fishboat Premiers
In addition to all those boats on display, there’s a nice selection of new models premiering at the show this year which we think area anglers will find particularly interesting. Be sure to keep a sharp eye peeled for:
the arrowcat 20
If you want an angling powercat under 24’ your choices have ranged between limited and nonexistent— but now Arrowcat has a new 20-footer to check out. The 20CC can be powered with a pair of 90-hp outboards to enjoy speeds in excess of 40 mph, drafts a mere 10”, and boasts Kevlar reinforcement in the bow areas of the keel.
Tune in Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 6 p.m. for a new episode!
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Bayliner t25PH
The T25 Pilothouse is a larger version of the T23 (you can see our video of that model at FishTalk’s YouTube channel), with highlights like an enclosed head compartment, overnighting capabilities, foldout cockpit seating, and Mercury Vesselview.
There’s a new Grady in town, people! The 386 is one big, bodacious triple-engine center console, but once you get a peek inside the big, bodacious console cabin you’ll want to spend all weekend aboard. Angling accoutrements include copious onboard tackle stowage, a mega-fishbox that you chill by setting a digital thermostat, and 70 gallons of livewell capacity. Red alert: the Seakeeper 4.5 gyroscopic stabilization system comes standard. annapolis Powerboat show
Grady-White Canyon 386
NorthCoast 415Ht
key West 291 Fs
Now the biggest center console from Key West, the 291 FS has some high-end perks like boarding doors and fuel fills on both sides, a freshwater sink in the console head compartment, and slide-out lounge seating. Performance is impressive, too, with a top end breaking the 60-mph barrier.
You want over 100 square feet of cockpit space? A climatecontrolled helm surrounded by full protection for all-weather fishing? A yacht-quality interior with mahogany veneered bulkheads and a full galley? The 415HT, NorthCoast’s newest and biggest model, has it all—and then some.
Slot To Trot
How to avoid stripers outside the slot and catch the 19” to 24” fish.
By Lenny Rudow
Argh — it stretches to 18.75! Argh — the tape shows 24.25! With a slot limit of 19” to 24”, sometimes you can catch unders and overs but you might still be going home without dinner. How can you search specifically for fish inside that tight slot? There’s no magic bullet and we can’t measure the fish before we catch them, but there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of finding filletable fish.
Avoiding the unders
With the poor reproduction we’ve seen in recent years, we haven’t been seeing the same widespread mass schools of 12” to 16” fish we’ve had in the past. Still, you will sometimes spot birds on the horizon, race over, and discover dinks busting water. After catching a couple of the little guys and identifying the school as consisting of undersized fish, stop fishing in the frenzy. Sure it can be fun enjoying the nonstop action, but pound on those little guys and sooner or later you’ll injure or kill one by accident. Plus, all the while you’re coming no closer to weighing down the cooler. So instead, try getting below the fray. Sometimes larger fish will be on or near bottom, shadowing the school. Upsize your lure weight, cast 20 or 30 yards down-current
of the fish (since any bigger ones in the neighborhood will be sitting there waiting for injured bait to drift down) and bounce along bottom. If you don’t get any takers or catch a couple more undersized fish, it’s time to move on.
You can also take in a bit of data by eyeballing the bait in the area. If there’s a preponderance of tiny bay anchovies, you know larger rockfish will be less interested in chasing them. But when palm-sized bunker are flipping around, the bigger baitfish are more likely to attract bigger fish. This doesn’t mean you won’t find big fish on anchovies or small fish on bunker — you will — but most of the time most of the fish will be looking for a meal, not a snack. So consider the bait as a likely indicator of the sort of fish you’re likely
to find hunting it. (Note: we’re talking strictly rockfish in this case; Spanish mackerel and bluefish love chewing on bay anchovies regardless of size).
When you’re casting the shallows, jigging a drop-off, trolling a spread, or sending down a bait, another thing you can do to limit the unders is upsize your offering. A 19” rockfish has no problem at all eating a six-inch lunch, be it a livelined spot or a plastic paddletail. So, why are you using a four-inch offering? That just means all the smaller fish will try to choke it down, too.
No matter what you do, of course, you’ll still catch some sub-legal fish. When that’s happening over and over again ultimately there’s only one thing to do: move on. If you’ve been fishing shallow structure try going deep. If you’ve been fishing deep try moving shallow. If you’re working a channel abandon it for # If you want to take home dinner those fish can’t be too
a completely different edge. Rather than playing a culling game change the playing field entirely.
Evading the Overs
A year ago who would have thought we’d be trying to catch smaller fish? No one, that’s who. But today it’s a reality. Unfortunately, there aren’t many tactics you can employ to avoid catching overslot fish — though we’ll point out that for many anglers, on some level this is a good problem to have.
The one thing you can do is bear in mind that birds of a feather flock together, and the same holds true for fish. If you’re working a school and you catch multiple 28” fish, chances are that most of the fish in that school are going to be of a similar size. Painful though it may be to leave, if you want to catch a rockfish that qualifies as dinner pull up stakes and try somewhere else.
# Rockfish are very ambitious feeders, so don’t be afraid to upsize that lure.
Will there be days when, no matter what you try, you catch plenty of fish and go home empty-handed? Youbetcha. But count your blessings as
#
you chew on that hamburger — there’s always next time, and sooner or later you’ll be sitting down to a dinner of fresh-caught rockfish.
Protective Measures
Whether you’re catching overs or unders it’s incumbent upon you, as a responsible Chesapeake Bay angler, to handle each and every fish with TLC. Yes, we know it’s hard to slow yourself down when there’s a feeding frenzy going on, but how you handle that fish is a matter of life and death. And we recreational anglers get raked over the coals by fisheries managers, commercial interests, and other haters on a regular basis for our alleged “dead discards.” Do what you already know is the right thing, and as a side benefit you won’t be giving those folks any additional ammunition.
• Keep fish in the water while removing the hook whenever possible.
• When using a landing net, make sure it has fish-friendly rubber-coated mesh, not slime-removing knotted nylon.
• Never touch a fish with dry hands or a dry rag; wet them first to avoid removing their slime.
• Control unders holding them by the lower jaw, not by grabbing them around the body. Larger fish should be held horizontally with a (wet) hand supporting the aft end.
• If you find it necessary to remove a fish from the water either to get a tough hook out or for a picture, hold your breath the moment you pull it out so you have a mental clock running. When you run out of air you can bet the fish has, too.
• When live-lining upsize those circle hooks. An 8/0 should be considered the bare minimum, as smaller sizes often lead to gut-hooked fish.
• Swap out all trebles for single hooks.
Keep the fish in the water while removing the hook whenever possible.
Hotspot in Focus
Tilghman Reef
By Staff
Every Middle Bay angler should consider paying a visit to Tilghman Reef.
If you watched our “Multispecies Fishing at Artificial Reefs on Chesapeake Bay” video on YouTube, know that most of the action you saw came at Tilghman Reef. This site, about 1.5 miles due west of Tilghman Island, is an area filled with CCA Maryland reef balls, concrete bridge rubble, and wreckage. It covers a relatively vast area (state records put it at 84 acres) with varying depths ranging from 15’ to 25’. There’s room here for multiple boats to get in on the action and depending on the season holds good numbers of spot, croaker, flounder, rockfish, and black sea bass. (Plus oyster toads… way too many oyster toads). It’s also common for bluefish and Spanish mackerel to be found patrolling the upper levels of the water column here. The reef is clearly marked with a box on all but the most basic digital charts, but as with most reefs, some areas are hotter than others. Here are some of the highlights we’ve found at Tilghman Reef through the years, ranked by how productive we’ve found them.
1. This area seems to have the heaviest concentration of structure, including lines of big reef balls mixed with bridge decking. It’s snaggy and you’ll pay a steep price for drifting here, but anchor up or Spot-Lock and you’ll hook into any or all of the species present. Try it and we’ll bet this zone quickly becomes a favorite.
2. There’s a relatively narrow band of rubble running mostly north-south in this area. Last fall it was the best spot on the reef for black sea bass, producing keepers until the weather got cold and the fish moved to deeper waters.
3. The central southern area has some reef balls but more bridge rubble, and it’s distributed a bit more sparsely than in the first two areas. It’s possible to drift fish and/or bounce jigs along bottom here (you’ll still lose rigs but not at quite the same pace as you would at the other spots). Last season roving pods of stripers could be caught throughout this area and it also produced lots of (small) flounder.
4. There’s a wreck in this area plus wreckage with some appearing to lie outside of the charted boundaries of the reef. We just discovered this one on the most recent trip here and didn’t catch much on it, but it looks great on the side-scan and we’d bet it will prove productive at one time or another.
4 5 3 1 2
# Reef gPS coordinates: 38'41"33.09 x 76'22"39.15 (center)
5. As best we can tell this spot is a false flag operation — it looks great on the electronics with lots of circular marks widely disbursed over a large area, but we’ve tried drifting it several times with zero results. Historical record shows that tire units were once placed at this reef and it seems reasonable to guess that the units broke apart (they commonly do after a decade or two), leaving scattered tires across the bottom.
Tilghman Tactics
• Spot and croaker – Bloodworm or Fishbites bits on a Chesapeake Sabiki rig.
• Rockfish – Bounce jigs just above bottom or liveline spot.
• Black sea bass –Tip one-ounce single-hook jigging spoons like G-Eye Rain Minnow with Fishbites shrimp or crab flavor bait strips, and dangle them just off bottom/structure.
• Flounder and toadfish – You’ll catch them by accident on all of the above.
Slots With a Schnoz
When you’re targeting those puppies and slot reds, remember that they have an excellent sense of smell. Using scented baits WILL give you an edge.
Rock the Docks
Redfish can feed in shockingly shallow water, so don’t just cast to the ends of docks, sneak in close and cast right up to where they meet the shore. This can be especially effective where there’s riprap present along the shoreline. Kayak anglers: you have an edge here and can get in tight, so play to your advantages and look for spots where the docks are too close together for bigger boats to get inside and cast shallow.
Magic Trick
When handling a redfish you’ll be releasing, cradle its belly in your palm. For some reason they chillax and stop thrashing. (We have no clue as to why, but this works. Also, resting your chin on a toy boat seems to help).
We’ll e-mail you our updated reports every Friday afternoon, just in time for your weekend fishing adventures.
Fi SH i NG Fo RECAST
Predicted after review of past reports gathered by
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
Although winds and weather can throw up hurdles, October is undoubtedly one of the best months of the year for fishing along the coast. In recent seasons we’ve seen excellent surf fishing for kingfish and spot with an uptick in weakfish action, plus some big reds showing up. The coastal bays were the real highlight last year, though, as rockfish, bluefish, and flounder were all chewing hard. Sheepshead came on strong around rocks and jetties, too, an event we’d love to see repeated. As for offshore, fingers are crossed we get a strong run of tunas moving down the coast and daytime swording should be picking up right about now, too.
Freshwater
Yes people, the fall bite should be peaking right about now! In fact, for freshwater anglers the list of October options is too long to list out here. Bass in the reservoirs? Check. Snakeheads in tributary upper reaches? Check. Crappie, bluegills and catfish? Check, check, check.
Way North
You all know the drill: blue cats should be just about everywhere willing to eat just about anything. Hopefully we’ll see some striper action on the Flats and around the shorelines, a bite which was fairly good last year particularly around the channel edges and the south side of the Flats. Don’t overlook those white perch, either, they should be snapping hard as cool weather approaches.
u pper Bay
If this season is anything like the last several we can hope for rockfish to be gathering near the mouth of the Patapsco, at Love Point, and the Sewer Pipe. Let’s remember that larger rockfish can historically be had in the fall eeling at Poole’s, but this season, the upper slot will make most of those fish off-limits. In fact, those in search of fish for the cooler may want to opt for livelining spot or jigging, as eels generally produce larger fish as a rule.
Middle Bay
Naturally everybody’s mind will be on rockfish as Rocktober hits. Many of us will also be thinking back to last October’s excellent sea bass action on wrecks and reefs, which produced far more keeper sized fish than usual for the Middle Bay. However, considering the rather epic Middle Bay redfish bite we had in late summer there’s a strong chance the reds will prove an irresistible target for those hitting areas like
the lower Choptank, the shorelines of Herring Bay, and the lower Patuxent. Hint: four-inch Gulp! Paddleshad in Chrome bounced along bottom. Oooooh, buddy!
Dillon Waters
# Considering last fall, we’re pretty dang sure Cherry is looking forward to this Rocktober.
Lower Bay
We may have to wave good-bye to the Spanish mackerel but the fall stripers that anglers in Maryland and Potomac waters have been chasing come in starting on the fourth of the month for Virginia—WOOHOO! Expect the fish to begin schooling and popping bait if the temps drop, but working the shallows at daybreak and sunset should be a better move if it’s unseasonably warm through the month. Plus blues will still be around, we can expect the speckled trout action to heat up as the water cools down, and if this season is like last year we may see an influx of keeper gray trout as well.
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore
The shallows should be absolutely rockin’ it this month—yes for rockfish, but also for specks and reds. It’s time for those fall runs and as water temps drop expect all of these species to push up into skinny water and feed around points with current rips, stump fields, and around riprap. We also want to note that the area wrecks should be filling up with black sea bass, hopefully with a keeper-to-throwback ratio that builds on the past few seasons’ increasing productivity.
# Will the great Middle Bay Redfish Bonanza of 2024 continue into October? Reports editor Dillon Waters is certainly hoping so.
Way South and VA
This month will probably mark the curtain call for bull drum, but wow what a season it’s been and there’s a good chance of getting in a last lick or two before November arrives. Same goes for many of our other summer visitors, however, the inlets and rivers should soon be enjoying peak fall speckled trout action. Expect plenty of puppy drum to be in them, too, so load up on jig heads and paddle tails, folks.
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:
Kayak Fishing in a Current
Whether the water is quickly dropping or swiftly moving, a fun day of paddling can turn from calm to calamity if you’re not paying attention to the tides and currents.
By David Rudow
Facing a current that leaves you at a standstill while paddling at Olympic levels makes for a tough day of fishing. Same goes for getting stuck in a marsh with water falling so fast you’ll soon be aground. As a general rule of thumb, the farther south you are in the Bay the stronger the flow and the larger the tidal swing will be. Wherever you’re headed, make sure to check the difference in water levels between high and low tide. Knowing how much the water level drops is imperative as many of the launches you’ll find throughout the Chesapeake may only be accessible during high tide. Knowing how swift the current will be can get a bit trickier as every area and every tidal cycle is different, but we still follow our general rule of thumb; the further south you go the stronger they’ll be. If I’m headed to an area I’ve never fished before, I do my best to get in contact with somebody local beforehand and get the lowdown on what the tides and currents are like. If you don’t know anyone near where you’d like to fish, call the closest tackle shop. If you’re going to brave the marshes or open water of the Chesapeake, having a capable kayak is essential. Generally speaking, wide hulls will be more stable, while thinner hulls will cut through the water better. I have a 34” wide kayak and find it to be the sweet spot between stability and speed. Once you’re confident in your boat, the next step is knowing how you’ll get home if your main source of propulsion fails. Put simply, always have a full-sized spare paddle. Motors run out of batteries and pedal drives break, and if you’re a few miles from home in a two to three mph current, a half-paddle won’t cut it. A handheld VHF radio and
a day’s worth of food and water should also be joining you on your trip, just in case you manage to lose that spare paddle or get stuck in the marsh and need to wait it out or call for help.
As a rule of thumb, I check the wind and weather every hour and make sure to keep an eye on the wind direction while I fish. Conditions in areas with lots of open water and heavy current, like the CBBT, are extremely dependent on the wind direction. A 10-knot wind against the tide can create a nasty chop pretty quickly, while one with it can be fishable. It’s imperative to always keep in mind how far you are from shore, and if you’ll be able to get back in a safe amount of time if the wind switches. Keep an eye on the direction you need to paddle and do your best to ride the tides to and from the launch.
# Between these two kayaks beach launching at the CBBT there are five forms of propulsion: a motor, two pedal drives, and two paddles.
Areas like the ocean-side of Fishermans Island and the Eastern Shore marshes can produce tides strong enough that with a bit of wind in the wrong direction, you could find yourself at a standstill or swept out to open water. If you do end up in a situation where you’re unable to make it against the current, cut towards the closest piece of shoreline and beach your kayak until conditions are safe enough to get home. If you can’t make it to shore, it’s time to call for help and conserve energy. The worst situation you can put yourself in is one where you’re too exhausted to maintain control of your kayak.
Check the tides, check the weather, gear up, and bring a buddy who’s just as prepared as you are. Highly tidal areas can get difficult to deal with, but they can also produce some of the best fishing on Chesapeake Bay.
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
BRokERAGE SERVICES
Yacht Brokers of Annapolis From cruising the Potomac River in his powerboat to racing sailboats on the Chesapeake Bay, Drake Bowers loves all aspects of boating. A native of Northern Virginia, he recently graduated from The College of Charleston, where he continued to enjoy life on the water. After returning home, Drake joined the YBOA team working to help clients realize their own boating dreams. Phone: 703.869.8162 Email: Drake@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com
2022 Bayliner VR4 Bowrider oB 115 4S Mercury Outboard, Hydraulic Steering, Hours - 20. Karavan galvanized Single Axle Trailer w/ Brakes and Winch, gray Hull w/ White Bottom, Bimini Top, Bow and Cockpit Cover, Stereo w/ Speakers, Bolster Seat, Helm Bucket Seat, Aft Jump Seats, 12V Adapter, Digital Depthfinder, Swim Step, Bottom Paint. $29,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20818
2022 Yamaha Marine 195S Bowrider Luxury features at only 19feet! Powered by 1.8L Super Vortex engine w/ jet drive. $39,900 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com
2023 Bayliner Trophy T20 CC 115 Pro XS Mercury Outboard, Karavan galvanized Trailer w/ Brakes, Blue Hull Sides w/ White Bottom, T-Top w/ Rail Mount Rod Holders (4), Stainless Steel Upgrade Package, Trophy Logo Decal Upgrade, Ski-Tow Pylon, Center Console and Helm Seat cover, Cockpit Flooring - gray Mat, graphite Interior, Center Console Package - Flipup Transom Seats, Simrad gPS w/ Engine Data, Anchor Roller, Automatic Bilge Pump, Raw Water Wash-Down, Bottom Paint. $49,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20999
2007 Yamaha SX210 great fishing boat! Dual Yamaha 110Hp 1052CC engines w/ jet drives, and much more! $21,900 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com
sections, contact beatrice@fishtalkmag.com
2023 Sportsman open 212 CC F200XB Yamaha Outboard, Custom Black Engine, Yamaha Extended Warranty until 7/13/25, Hours - 147, 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! $69,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20744
2002 Sea Hunt Victory 225 Yamaha V4 115Hp Four-Stroke outboard w/ 422 hours, dual battery w/ a Perko Master Battery switch, ICOM VHF Radio and remote mike, garmin 188C Depth Finder w/ Blue Chart Thumb Drives for Norfolk and Chesapeake Bay, gPS, and lots of extras! 5 Star Trailer w/ new surge break/ coupler and electric winch. $18,500 Contact riverjanjohn2@me.com or 703.298.7370. For more info, visit: www.boattrader.com/boat/2002sea-hunt-225-9405659
2022 Cobia 220 Center Console Yamaha F200 w/ 37 Hours, Yamaha Warranty Until 4/29/25. No trailer Included. $67,500 RT 113 Boat Sales, 302.436.1737, www.rt113boatsales.net
22’ Grady-White
www.curtisstokes.net
Jeanneau 22’ New Leader 6.5 WA 2023 Yamaha F150, digital display gauge, garmin gPS, Fusion stereo, Windlass, super loaded. WAS $89,999NOW $59,999 - Incredible Find! (Stock# BJ-145) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
Jeanneau 22’ New Leader 6.5 Walkaround 2023 Yamaha F150 4-stroke, Legend Blue hull, garmin gPS, Fusion stereo, Windlass, super loaded. $59,999 - Incredible Find! (Stock# BJ-116) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
2017 Ranger Tugs R-23 $107,937grasonville, MD - Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2021 Ranger Tugs R-23 $135,937grasonville, MD - Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2022 Ranger Tugs R-23 $135,937grasonville, MD - Call Josh Miller at 810.531.9191 or jmiller@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2023 Bayliner Trophy T23 Pilothouse 225 V6 DTS Mercury Outboard Upgrade, Hours - 10, Solid White Hull and Deck, Hardtop w/ Roof Hatch, Explorer Rails - Black w/ Fender Holders, Port and Starboard Extended Platforms, ShipsDek Custom Flooring Package, Bow Roller, Sink w/ Fresh Water System and Cockpit Shower, Fusion Stereo w/ (4) Speakers, Spotlight. END OF SEASON SALE $89,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20604
2023 Sportsman open 232 CC F250XB Yamaha Outboard Upgrade, Hours - 54, Engine Warranty until 7/12/26, Venture Trailer VATB-5925 w/ Spare Tire, Platinum Package, Under Leaning Post Tackle Storage, Slide-out Track Only, Bow Cushion Set / Sundeck, Removable Table w/ MountBow, Edson 13” Stainless Steel Comfort grip Wheel w/ Power Knob, Windlass Anchor System, (2) garmin 9” gPS, garmin VHF 115 Radio w/ Antenna, gull Wings, Spray Shield, and more. $86,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20988
1999 Pursuit 2470 Walkaround 471 hours on single Yamaha 250Hp 2stroke engine – new batteries, new spark plugs and new Thermostat this year. Contact Anthony Flake at 443.994.4328 or Anthony@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2015 Yamaha Marine 242 Limited S Pinnacle of performance and luxury, watersports edition! Twin 1.8L High Output engines w/ jet drives. Price just reduced! $45,000 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com
2020 Yamaha Marine 242X New listing! Extremely well-kept, lots of add-ons. Powered by Twin 1.8L High Output engines w/ jet drives. $60,900 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com
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
1993 Parker 25 Mecruiser 5.7/V8, dual steering stations, Furuno electronics. Clean and well-maintained and ready for the new owner. Contact Jack Mcguire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
1999 Parker 2510 WA Very well-kept w/ fresh bottom paint and deck paint. Repowered in 2020 with a 250Hp Suzuki 4-stroke w/ only 405 hours. $49,999 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com
2004 Grady White 258 Journey Beautiful single-owner boat - very well kept and maintained. Powered by Yamaha F225Hp outboard engine. $47,900 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com
2005 Hunt Yachts Surfhunter 25 Perfect blend of classic style and modern performance. Upgraded 320Hp Volvo Penta Engine and Ocean X Aluminum Outdrive. Contact Jack Mcguire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2006 Wellcraft 252 Coastal F250TUR Yamaha Outboard, 2008 Load Rite Roller Trailer, White Hull and Bottom, Windlass Anchor, VHF Radio, garmin gPSMap 540S, Hours - 385, Sink, Raw Water Washdown, Bow Railing, gunwale Molding, Trim Tabs, Volt gauge, Clock, Engine Sync, Stereo / Speakers, Compass, Hardtop w/ Rocket Launchers and Spotlight, Swim Platform, Bottom Paint. $34,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20826
boat reviews at
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, Hours570, Trim Tabs/Trim gauge, Bottom Paint, Lots of Extras! $94,000 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20803
2018 Parker 2520 XL Sport Cabin 25’ Yamaha F300, under 500 hours, clean boat, lift kept, garmin gPSMAP 1042xsv, freshwater washdown, second station, anchor windlass, livewell, and more! $85,000 Call Joe 410.798.0421
2023 Bayliner T25
Verrado Mercury Outboard - White, Hours – 12, Option Package includes: Pump Out and Oxygenated Water System on Starboard Fish Locker, Baitwell System, Raw Water Washdown, Rod Storage, Port and Starboard Cockpit Toe Rails, Simrad 9” NSS evo3s gPS w/ Vesselview Link, Fusion Stereo w/ 4 Speakers, Hardtop Roof Hatch, Hardtop Spotlight, Enclosed Head w/ Sink and Portlight, Port and Starboard Extended Swim Platforms, ShipsDek Custom Flooring Package, Bow Thruster, Diesel Heater, Bow Windlass, Shorepower. $119,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20605
2004 Pursuit 2670 Cuddy Console Offers fishermen the best of both worlds: fishing efficient of a center console combined w/ the comfort and storage capacity of a cuddy cabin. Contact Troy Waller at 804.885.4090 or Troy@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2010 Scout 262 Abaco Perfect for fishing or cruising, incorporated marine head, 130-gallon fuel tank and option full enclosure package. Contact Jack Mcguire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
Pilothouse 300 V6
Jeanneau 25’ New NC 695 S2
Brokerage & Classified
2016 Cutwater C-26 $128,987New Bern, NC - Call Chris Holtsclaw at 305.393.5960 or choltsclaw@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2018 Cobia 261 CC Twin Yamaha F150’s w/ only 107 Hours. Trailer Available. $114,999 RT 113 Boat Sales, 302.436.1737, www.rt113boatsales.net
2017 Century 2600 CC Twin F200XCA Yamaha’s, Hours - 320, Yamaha Extended Warranty until 4/19/25, Venture Trailer-8725, White Hull, New Upholstery, fresh Bottom Paint, Full Detail, Hard-Top w/ Electronics Box, Rocket Launchers, Spreader Light and Outriggers, Windlass, Fusion Stereo, RayMarine DF / FF / gPS, RayMarine VHF, RayMarine Radar, Trim Tabs, Compass, Dual Batteries w/ Switch, Leaning Post, Aerated Baitwell, Tackle Station, Coaming Pads, Enclosed Head w/ Holding Tank and Pump-Out, Single owner, customer traded up to a new 28 center console! $89,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20645
2013 Ranger Tugs R-27 Classic $139,987 - New Bern, NC - Call Chris Holtsclaw at 305.393.5960 or choltsclaw@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2014 Ranger Tugs R-27 Classic $89,987 - Jensen Beach, FL - Call Rob Tolbert at 202.236.9930 or robtolbert@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2020 Ranger Tugs R-27 LE $215,937grasonville, MD - Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2020 Ranger Tugs R-27 LE $199,937grasonville, MD - Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2023 Ranger Tugs R-27 $249,987Jensen Beach, FL - Call Rob Tolbert at 202.236.9930 or robtolbert@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
Jeanneau 27’ New NC 795 S2 Weekender 2025 Yamaha 250Hp 4-stroke, electric windlass, bow thruster, refrigerator, 110v shore power and charger, cooktop, lithium air conditioning, garmin upgrade, electrical trim tabs. Call for more info and pricing. (Stock# BJ-232) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
Jeanneau 27’ New NC 795 S2 Weekender 2025 Yamaha 250 Hp 4-stroke, electric windlass, bow thruster, 110v water heater, shore power and charger, cooktop, refrigerator, el. Trim tabs, Fusion audio system, diesel forces air heating, 110v Shore Power & charger. $149,149 (Stock# BJ-230) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
(Reel Blessed) 28’ North Coast ‘21 $225,000 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822 jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
1990 Bertram 28 Flybridge Cruiser Extremely well cared for, both engines rebuilt in 2022. Easily accessible flybridge and comfortable overnight accommodations. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
boat reviews at
1990 Cape Dory 28 $38,987 - Call Ian Morris at 252.202.6909 or ian@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
www.pocketyachtco.com
www.pocketyachtco.com
www.pocketyachtco.com
Jeanneau 29’ New NC 895 Sport 2025 Twin Yamaha 250Hp 4-stroke, el. Windlass, refrigerator, bow thruster, teak flooring, generator, air conditioning, garmin upgrade, Fusion stereo. $269,202 (Stock# BJ-229) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
2014 Cutwater 30 Sedan $219,987grasonville, MD - Call Tim Wilbricht at 410.507.4359 or TimWilbricht@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
Jeanneau 30’ New Leader 9.0 CC 2024 Twin Yamaha F250 4-stroke, Helm Master joystick w/ auto pilot, powder coated hard top, super loaded, galley option includes refrigerator and stove. $239,201 (Stock# BJ-154) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
2001 Pursuit 3070 CC Twin Yamaha F225 4-strokes, approximately 1300 hours, Current owner has owned the boat for 20 years, and maintained w/ an open check book, Exhaust corrosion kits recently redone, and starboard motor rebuilt this season, BOAT IS LOCATED OFFSITE - kept in Kent Narrows Boatel during the week, and in customer’s slip in the Narrows on the weekend, APPOINTMENT REQUIRED for showing, Electronics included, all recently updated, (2) garmin 12” gPS units, garmin xHD 24 mile radar, garmin XM antenna, Raymarine Autopilot, Fusion Stereo & Amos w/ 6 JL Speakers, Standard Horizon VHF w/ AIS receiver, Air Conditioning w/ Reverse Cycle Heat, Custom Canvas & helm enclosure, LED deck lighting, Upgraded through hull fitting to Stainless Steel, Lewmar Windlass w/ 22# Delta Anchor, w/ new rode and chain. $72,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20997
1990 Tiara Yachts 3300 open great cruising boat w/ large cockpit and spacious overnight accommodations. Very well-maintained w/ recent engine service and bottom work. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@ NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2002 Grady-White 330 Express Extremely well-equipped to fish outfitted w/ full tower, outriggers and re-power in 2019 w/ Yamaha F300’s. Engines still under warranty! All maintenance up to date – call today! Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2024 Caymas 34 CT North Point Owned, DEMO boat, now available at a remarkable price. Equipped w/ custom outriggers and stomp pads. Contact Jack Mcguire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
Jeanneau 34’ New NC 1095 Weekender 2025 Twin Yamaha F300 4-stroke, Helm. Master joystick, el. bow windlass, hot /cold shower, garmin upgrade, Fusion stereo, microwave, cooktop, air conditioning. $398,303 (Stock# BJ-201) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
2020 Sportsman 352 open Triple Yamaha F300XCA outboards, custom painted white, Engine Warranty until 6/6/25, Engine Hours - 154, 2020 Venture VATB-18025, (2) garmin gPSMAP 8622 displays, garmin gMR 424 xHD2 Open Array, garmin Reactor 40 autopilot, 12v Air Conditioning System, cabin & helm vents, Optimus 360 joystick, w/ SeaStain upgrade, Taco grandslam 380s. Sold and serviced by Riverside Marine. This is a consignment listing but trades will be considered. $328,000 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20996
2023 Pursuit S358 Excellent opportunity for a like-new Pursuit. Loaded w/ factory options and extremely low hours. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
(Rivendell) 36’ Nauset ‘90 $98,000 Evan Joseph 804.396.5446 evan@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
2001 Mathews Brokers Robbins 40 Lift kept and one owner, has been maintained to the highest degree and she shows it. Yanmar 500Hp diesel engine, Furuno Electronics, Bow thruster, and more! Contact Jack Mcguire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
Jeanneau 41’ New 1295 Fly Weekender 2024 Triple F300 white 4-stroke, Helm Master w/ joystick, auto pilot, three state rooms, two showers, two galleys-one on flybridge, generator, air conditioning, sea keeper stabilizer, super well-equipped, live aboard cruiser. $699,609 (Stock# BJ163) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
Jeanneau 41’ New Leader 12.5 Cruiser 2024 Yamaha triple F300 4-stroke white, Helm Master w/ joystick and auto pilot, generator, air conditioning, sea keeper stabilizer, super well-equipped, live aboard cruiser. Retail $692,801 - NOW $488,888 (Stock# BJ-148) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.jeanneauboatsforsale.com
(Double Eagle) 42’ Hatteras ‘78 $69,000 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822 jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
(Martini & Me) 42’
www.curtisstokes.net
2023 Pursuit S428 Sport Quad Yamaha XF425’s w/ 170 Hours. Yamaha Warranty Until 5/13/2030. RT 113 Boat Sales, 302.436.1737, www.rt113boatsales.net
www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
Seeking P/T Delivery Drivers for threeday-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, please email info@fishtalkmag.com. Find boat reviews at fishtalkmag.com
www.pocketyachtco.com
MAR k ETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS HELP WANTED
Seeking P/T Magazine Delivery Drivers for threeday-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, please email info@fishtalkmag.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
M ARINE SERVICES
Alltackle.com 2062 Somerville Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410.571.1111, and 12826 Ocean gateway #9548, Ocean City, MD 21842, 410.213.2840, www.alltackle.com
Anglers Sport Center 1456 Whitehall Road, Annapolis, MD 21409, 410.757.3442, www.anglerssportcenter.com
Brokerage/ Classified
Mid-Atlantic Dealer
North Point Yacht Sales (NPYS) announces its new role as the official Mid-Atlantic dealer for Sōlace Boats. Known for its groundbreaking designs and unparalleled performance, Sōlace Boats brings a new standard of innovation and luxury to the region. Delivering a unique combination of cutting-edge technology and superior craftsmanship, these boats are designed for boaters who seek both style and high-performance functionality. As a family-owned business, NPYS is dedicated to offering boats that align with its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. “This partnership with Sōlace Boats aligns perfectly with our values,” said Ken Comerford, CEO and president of North Point Yacht Sales. “Sōlace shares our passion for craftsmanship, dedication to building the best boats possible, and commitment to excellence. We are excited to introduce these remarkable vessels to our Chesapeake Bay customers.” northpointyachtsales.com
u pdates and i mprovements
Since 1929, Jett’s Marine has been more than just a boating company; it has been a family. As an authorized dealership for Bentley Pontoon by Encore, Bulls Bay, Carolina Skiff, Hurricane, Pioneer, Tidewater, Suzuki, and Yamaha, the company proudly serves Reedville, VA, and the surrounding areas with a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. Some exciting updates: Jack Jett has retired, and Bubba Wilkins, with over 41 years of experience at Jett's Marine, has been promoted to vice president of sales and service. All other employees have stayed on and are thrilled about the new changes within the organization. The facilities have also seen significant improvements, including new hardscaping and the paving of sections with plans for complete paving in the coming years, and the painting of all three storage buildings. The company has rebranded its logo and enhanced its social media presence; created a new website; updated to create a comfortable space for customers; and installed a beautiful five- by 12-foot entrance light to showcase its new brand and passion for customer service. Jett’s Marine invites you to stop by and see its team. jettsmarine.com
Service Manager
Hartge Yacht Yard in Galesville, MD, announces that Xan Schlegel is its new service manager. Xan’s father, Alex Schlegel, is the great grandson of Emile Alexander Hartge who founded the yard in 1865. Summers for Xan were spent working at Hartge’s or for local watermen. After receiving his degree in 2013 from the College of Charleston, Xan worked for a marine dealer and service center while studing for his Coast Guard license. Xan moved home to the West River in 2017 and returned to Hartge’s, having since achieved several ABYC certifications, attending ABBRA management conferences, and gaining an understanding of every division of the yard. hartgeyard.com
Expanding its Team
Denison Yachting has expanded its Annapolis sales team with the addition of Katie May Dixon. While new to brokering, Katie May is not new to the shores of the Chesapeake as she’s a native of Maryland with decades of experience on the water. Previous endeavors include managing private yachts, working as a SpinSheet sales rep, and being the number one seller of Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats in the Pacific Northwest. She is excited to reconnect with the boaters of the Chesapeake Bay and help navigate your next boat purchase or sale. Call or text (240) 2985950 or email katiemay@denisonyachting.com denisonyachtsales.com
Staff u pdates
Campbell’s Boatyards announces some changes to its staff at the Bachelor Point location. Alan Campbell has taken the position of service manager. Alan grew up in and around the boatyards, graduated from College of Charleston, and came back to the Eastern Shore in 2013. Chris Hylton will take over as service advisor and will work with Alan to handle customers’ needs. Chris is a graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland and brings experience after working at Chesapeake Yacht Club and Parish Creek Landing in Shady Side. “We are looking forward to being able to work closely with our many customers,” says Tom Campbell. campbellsboatyards.com
Sponsorship
USAngling and Fishbites announce a partnership for 2024. The agreement will support both our National USA Surf Fishing Team as it competes internationally, and the efforts to make fishing an Olympic sport. “The USA Surf Fishing Team is blessed to work with such a great American bait and lure manufacturer. Surf fishing is an extremely popular sport worldwide, and we believe that it has a chance for Olympic recognition because the format is so simple and non-invasive,” says USAngling president Tony Forte. “We love that Fishbites are American-made and they flat-out catch fish. We encourage anglers of all types to check them out.” At the 2024 Pan American Surf Fishing Championships in Costa Rica anglers will use exclusively artificial lures—including Fishbites—to catch specific species on a catch-and-release points system. “The entire Fishbites team is thrilled about this partnership, and we are proud to support the National USA Surf Fishing Team,” says Courtney Woznek, vice president of marketing and advertising. “We understand the importance of the mission of USAngling and believe our visions align to get more people of all ages hooked on fishing.” fishbites.com
Sales Manager
SiriusXM Marine has named Mark Henderson as its marine sales manager. He has more than 30 years of product sales and service experience in the automotive and recreational boating industries. Henderson will be responsible for supporting electronics dealers and boat manufacturers’ customers with the suite of SiriusXM Marine Weather, fish mapping, and entertainment services. “We are thrilled to have Mark join our team,” says Geoff Leech, senior director of marine services at SiriusXM. “His years of firsthand experience as captain of the Liquid Wire Fishing Team using our services will resonate with everyone across the industry.” Henderson said he was honored to join SiriusXM, adding, “I am thankful for my time at TACO Marine and being able to continue to work with the amazing people I have met over the years. As a long-time user of SiriusXM services, I am excited for the next chapter in my career.” siriusxm.com/marine
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