FishTalk Magazine September 2023

See Your Local Suzuki Marine Dealer For All the Details

All Star Marine Inc | 410-574-8281

2434 Holly Neck Rd, Essex, MD

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

31888 Roxana Rd, Ocean View, DE

Danny’s Marine LLC | 410-228-0234

3559 Chateau Dr, E. New Market, MD

Fawcett Boat Supplies | 410-267-8681

919 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD

Friday’s Marine | 804-758-4131

(Malise Marine Sales & Service)

14879 GW Memorial Hwy, Saluda, VA

Galahad Marine | 410-827-7409

121 Rental Ln, Grasonville, MD

Hidden Harbour Marina | 301-261-9200

600 Cabana Blvd, Deale, MD

Intercoastal Marine | 410-335-0458

2925 Eastern Blvd, Baltimore, MD

Jett’s Marine, Inc. | 804-453-3611

18477 Northumberland Hwy, Reedville, VA

JF Marine Service LLC | 443-432-3121

138 Bugeye Sq, Prince Frederick, MD

Legasea Marine | 757-898-3000

821 Railway Rd, Yorktown, VA

Maryland Boat Sales | 410-574-3988

2426 Holly Neck Rd, Essex, MD

North Bay Marina Inc | 302-436-4211

36543 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE

Pasadena Boat Works | 443-858-2400

4425 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD

Pontoon Express | 302-945-0654

22572 Harbeson Rd, Harbeson, DE

Powersports of Crofton | 410-697-5965

7045 State Route 3 North, Gambrils, MD

PYY Marine | 410-255-1771

1132 Pasadena Yacht Yard Rd, Pasadena, MD

Sandpiper Marine Inc | 757-787-7783 21530 Taylor Rd, Accomac, VA

Scott’s Cove Marina | 410-784-7624

10551 Eldon Willing Rd, Chance, MD

Thornes Marine | 410-957-4481

1237 Greenbackville Rd, Stockton, MD

Hardcore

Total of FIVE bait tanks all fed by a Hooker sea chest and Hooker electric pumps.

Total of FIVE bait tanks all fed by a Hooker sea chest and Hooker electric pumps.

Where

With the double stepped, semiasymmetric hulls and plenty of bow flair, you can fish in comfort through water you’d never brave with another center console in its class

With the double stepped, semiasymmetric hulls and plenty of bow flair, you can fish in comfort through water you’d never brave with another center console in its class

Storage

Storage

The 34 CT contains six insulated plumbed storage boxes, totaling 3,000 qt of storage connected to macerator pumps

The 34 CT contains six insulated plumbed storage boxes, totaling 3,000 qt of storage connected to macerator pumps 410-280-2038

CONTACT US TODAY TO

DON’T MISS THE BOAT

REGISTER OR SPONSOR TODAY

Year after year, we are humbled by the continued support of our local community. The Fish For A Cure (F4AC) Tournament, Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge, and Shore Party has raised more than $4.5 million over the past 16 years, and we know that this success would not be possible without our sponsors. All funds raised directly support the Cancer Survivorship Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, which provides support to patients and families as they navigate cancer care. Register your boat or join our growing list of sponsors for our 17th annual F4AC Tournament.

38

Doormat Delivery

Lay out the welcome mat for those big, fat flounder. By Chuck

Harrison

40

Return of the Weakfish…?

Weakfish seem to be staging a comeback — but does anyone remember how to catch ‘em?

By Lenny Rudow

42

Bay Entrance Fishing Structure Part II

Cape Henry, Nautilus Shoals, and more: structure at the Bay’s mouth abounds. By Wayne Young

44

Trolling Casting for Mack Speed

How do you find the ideal cranking speed, when casting and retrieving for Spanish mackerel?

By Walt Tomczykowski

46

Ultralights for Beginners

Fishing ultralight gear is gobs of fun, and in many cases, can prove far more effective than the heavier stuff. By Staff

48

Nuggets of Knowledge

We match fish up against fowl to put an urban angling legend to the test. By Lenny Rudow

50

Young Guns

Team FishTalk grows — so we can help you catch more, bigger fish. By Lenny Rudow

The winner of our Kids Fishing Cover Contest is Sawyer, who caught this 22-inch monster bass in Lake Burnt Mills this summer. Hats off to Sawyer; that is one heck of a fish! Photo courtesy of Sam McAdoo

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

ANGLER IN CHIEF

Lenny Rudow, lenny@fishtalkmag.com

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@fishtalkmag.com

A SSoCIATE PUBLISHER

Chris Charbonneau, chris@fishtalkmag.com

MANAGING EDIToR

Molly Winans, molly@fishtalkmag.com

SENIoR EDIToRS

Beth Crabtree, beth@fishtalkmag.com

Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@fishtalkmag.com

CoPY EDIToR

Lucy Iliff, lucy@fishtalkmag.com

FISHING REPoRTS EDIToR

Dillon Waters

ADVERTISING SALES

Eric Richardson, eric@fishtalkmag.com

CUSToMER SERVICE MANAGER

Brooke King, brooke@fishtalkmag.com

DISTRIBUTIoN /BRoKERAGE /CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER

Beatrice M. Roderick, beatrice@fishtalkmag.com

ART DIRECToR / PRoDUCTIoN MANAGER

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRoDUCTIoN A SSISTANT

Royal Snyder, royal@fishtalkmag.com

TACTICIAN

Craig Ligibel

CoASTAL CoRRESPoNDENT

John Unkart

CoNTRIBUTING WRITERS

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

DISTRIBUTIoN

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

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

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

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

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Rudow’s FishTalk Recycles

Notes from the Cockpit

Greetings fellow FishTalkers, I hope you’ve been having an awesome summer of fishing and are as excited as I am at the prospect of fall on the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the reservoirs and rivers winding through our gorgeous chunk of the US of A. There was a time in my life when the arrival of September meant we’d soon be breaking out jackets and gloves, but these days it seems more and more like T-shirt weather right up to October or thereabouts. Like it or not, things are changing.

We always hear about climate change “winners” and “losers,” and truth be told, in many ways I feel like we’re winners around here. On the whole, fishing for southern species like redfish, cobia, and specks just seems to be getting better and

By Lenny Rudow

better. And I certainly won’t complain about the mild winters we’re often treated to in modern times. But in the very same breath, we must recognize that in many ways the Chesapeake Bay habitat, particularly the habitat treasured critters like rockfish and blue crabs depend on, may not be better off.

Despite increased harvest numbers in recent years wild oyster populations remain at a level that can only be described as pitiful. Bay grasses last year made up a whopping 37 percent of the restoration target of 185,000 acres, which is down 38 percent from 2018. (And no one really knows just how many acres there were historically, because nobody was bothering to count way back when). Blue catfish populations have exploded to the point that fisheries managers are seriously concerned about their impact. What does all of this add up to? Plusses, minuses, and I don’t know. I don’t believe that anyone really does know. Even the smartest science-types among us, many of whom are quite committed to helping save the Bay, are usually quick to admit that the Chesapeake is a moving target, so vast and complex that understanding it entirely is nearly impossible. There are, however, a few cold hard facts that nobody can argue about. One of them is that our degraded water quality vastly contributes to the suffering of the Chesapeake’s habitat. And another is that the cause of this abhorrent water quality is us — you and me Joe Human — and what we do when we’re on terra firma. You know the old saying, the **** runs downhill? Well, downhill drains right into the Chesapeake Bay.

Most of us, especially those of us who spend time on the Bay, are cognizant of this and do our best to limit our contribution to the problem. It all adds up, but it doesn’t add up to enough. Meanwhile, the pressures of running a business can drive even a cognizant citizen to cut corners when efficiency is on the line. Yes, discharge regulations and construction permits cost businesses time and money. But those settling ponds, silt fences, and soil stabilization aren’t just worth the cost, they’re absolutely critical if we ever hope to improve water quality.

This is where government can and must step in. But it won’t, if we don’t force it to. If you read FishTalk regularly you’ve heard us say time and again that we need to constantly reach out to the powers that be and let them know how important the Bay is to us and our way of life. You’ve also heard mention that in doing so, we must put forth polite, educated, well thought-out input. To that end, I want to encourage each and every one of you to tune in for the Coastal Conservation Association’s final Chesapeake Perspectives of 2023, focusing on Chesapeake Bay habitat preservation and restoration, Thursday, September 21 at 7 p.m. This livestreamed roundtable including experts and scientists can be viewed via the FishTalk YouTube channel or Facebook page. Register at fishtalkmag. com/Chesapeake-perspective to get a link in your email inbox. Join us, and you absolutely, positively will have a better understanding of the Chesapeake’s habitat, the challenges it faces, and how a galvanized angling community can help bring pressure to bear where and when appropriate. It’s one way we can help steer our society to rebuild the Chesapeake.

# Yes, it does actually flow downhill. Image courtesy of NASA.

Dear FishTalk,

The Great Bait Debate

You mentioned published studies a while back indicating that high temperatures and particularly low salinity levels contributed to mortality in rockfish caught and released. The loss of undersized rockfish has been an annual problem. Is there any research on requiring a minimum size for the baitfish we live-line? It seems to me a larger baitfish would be ingested by smaller fish at a lower rate. The first two years of such a policy would result in fewer hook-ups and less action, but by the third year the action should rebound to normal levels. The fish caught should then be of legal size more often with lower mortality of undersized fish. We might even see a gradual rise in the young of year (YOY) index. It sure would beat another moratorium.

- Allan S.

Dear Allan, Interesting thought; if any such studies have been performed we’re not aware of it, and we can’t find any precedents for this approach. We do note that there are many fisheries where the use of live bait isn’t allowed at all (including in some local waterways for specific trout fisheries) due to high mortality. Food for thought — but in order for any regulations to be promulgated we’d need studies and proof they’d likely be effective. Once again, we’re back to a point we’ve been trying to drive home for years: when it comes to rockfish release mortality, we desperately need more science.

with Lenny

Tune in Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 6 p.m. for a new episode of LIVE with Lenny!

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

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

PETA, Perhaps?

Dear (obscenity deleted) FishTalk, Iam appalled by the notion that you “people” get your jollies by torturing innocent animals, piercing their bodies with pieces of metal then suffocating them under bags of ice. Would you treat your own children this way? I think not! Or at least, I hope not! But then again maybe you would since you “anglers” are clearly sadists bent on killing living, thinking creatures and destroying nature. The cruelest animal in nature is YOU! (Additional obscenities deleted).

-Anonymous

Dear Anonymous, Thank you for your comments. It’s hard to know where to begin a response, but if you think we’re the cruelest animals in nature, clearly you’ve never had a close encounter with a live blue crab.

The Other Anonymous

Dear FishTalk, How do you know you really love fishing? You can feel it in your sole.

-Anonymou

Fis H Ne W s

By Lenny Rudow

Multiple Records Fall in Maryland

We have record fish going down in quick succession in Maryland. Kayak angler and Lowland Outfitters snakehead fishing guide Damien Cook slayed a 21-pound mega-dragon this July while fishing in a Dorchester County river, beating the old record snakehead (set while bowfishing) by over a pound. The beastly fish struck a custom Addiction Baits Cooker chatterbait. Meanwhile at the opposite end of the state in Garrett County, angler Bryson Meyers broke the record for fallfish—the second record-breaking fallfish of the year. His fish weighed just over three pounds and stretched the tape to 30 inches. Meyers caught the fish while on a float trip fly fishing the North Branch of the Potomac for trout.

Good Grass

The annual Virginia Institute of Marine Science aerial survey of Bay grasses from 2022 is complete, and the news is relatively good. In total Bay-wide 76,462 acres of grasses were mapped, which is a 12-percent increase over 2021 and is nine percent higher than the long-term average. Below average rainfall and slightly cooler summer temperatures are credited with the increase. Since Bay grasses are utilized by the juveniles of many species and especially blue crabs, increasing average means more bait—and more fish—for the Bay.

Don’t Make a Gaffe

To reduce striped bass release mortality in compliance with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Committee (ASMFC) Amendment 7 requirements, Delaware has banned the use of gaffs while handling striped bass. Moving forward, the use of gaffs is now strictly prohibited to aid the recovery of striper stocks by reducing release mortality.

# Damien Cook with his record-smashing snakehead.

The annual Flounder Pounder at Bahia Marina in Ocean City, MD, is set to take place September 10. There are multiple Calcutta levels and entry fees are a mere $50 for the boat and captain ($25 per additional angler), so this is an easy-to-afford competition. Fishing takes place from the Fenwick Ditch to the Verazano Bridge and the tip of the south jetty, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit bahiamarina.com for the details.

Wonder on the Web

The Ocean City Reef Foundation has a new website up, and while we wouldn’t normally think of a new website as newsworthy, this one is very cool. There’s a selection of underwater videos of oceanic reefs (click on the “Videos” tab) which are utterly spectacular. Of course, they’re also proof that reef-building works wonders. Check it out at ocreefs.org.

N EW s

September 22 through 24 is the Tiki Lee’s Rockfish

Open, a big-money competition with an expected payout of $200K. This year sees a big change in the format, since rockfish over 31 inches can no longer be kept. For 2023, the winners will make their mark by catching the heaviest threefish stringer under 31 inches, with a tiebreaker of the combined length of all three fish. There will also be calcuttas for the longest fish caught and released, as well as the heaviest four-fish stringer. Visit tikileesrockfishopen.com to learn more.

# Check out the cool underwater videos of artificial reefs at ocreefs.org.

Tournaments That Matter

There’s a pair of tournaments this month that are being organized to benefit exceptionally worthy causes, which Chesapeake Bay anglers need to know about. The first comes up on Saturday September 16, the Weigh in for Wyatt, which is focused on benefiting families with children battling childhood cancer. Now in its fourth year, proceeds are dedicated to helping the children— not an angler who caught a big fish. That said, there are still some very cool prizes you can win by competing. First place gets a fishing charter in the ocean on the Marli, long known as a top-producing offshore charter boat. Second place wins a duck hunt at the Native Shore Hunting Preserve. Third place wins a cooler and accessories, and there are also fishing tackle bonus prizes. Lines-in is at sunrise and weigh-ins at Lowes Warf Marina wrap up at 3 p.m. Visit the Weigh in for Wyatt Facebook page or email bkfabircationllc@gmail.com for more information.

The Tangier Classic takes place this month as well, September 22 to 24, in Crisfield, MD. The Tangier Classic is now in its fifth year, and also benefits kids in need. This year’s beneficiary was prematurely born and has already undergone multiple brain surgeries with more to come, so the least any of us could do to help is pick up a fishing rod and spend a day on the water. The American Legion Post 16 in Crisfield is the headquarters and powerboats launch from Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester, or Accomack counties, but kayaks can compete while launching anywhere in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Fishing runs from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and wraps up at 3 p.m. Sunday. Multiple species are eligible and there’s a long list of calcuttas to join in on. Visit tangierclassic.com to learn more.

# Don’t miss the fifth annual Tangier Classic, September 22 to 24 in Crisfield, MD.

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.

Wait — What!?

We’ve all heard of and fished with St. Croix rods, but reels? Never. At least, not until now. St. Croix announced the formation of a new brand, Seviin, as they make their first foray into the world of fishing reels. The initial lineup includes four series of reels, the GF baitcaster, GS and GX spinning reels, and GSW saltwater spinning reels. As we go to press details on much of the line are short, but we know the GF series is a four ball-bearing reel with a carbon and stainless drag system, hardened brass pinion and drive gears, ported aluminum spools, carbon fiber handles, and magnetic cast control, with a price-point set at $120. Line capacity is said to be 100 yards of 30-pound braid, and models are available in 6.6:1, 7.3:1, and 8.1:1 gear ratios with both left- and right-handed versions. Stay tuned for further intel as we learn more, or visit seviinreels.com

Air Time

By Dillon Waters

Most anglers know that pop-up storms and rainy days are just a part of being out there, so it’s important to be prepared when rain is in the forecast. But there are a lot of options on the market for waterproof outerwear and it can be difficult to choose the right jacket for your needs. FORLOH is an American-based company that specializes in innovative, technical clothing, that aims to connect us with the outdoors beyond where the trail ends. The Airalite jacket did just that. Over the past few months, I have put it to the test and it has become one of my essential gear items when heading out on the water. It’s allowed me to fish in less-than-ideal conditions on multiple occasions, and now I don’t leave the dock without it. This lightweight rain jacket is breathable, waterproof, and wind resistant. One of the first big tests I gave this product was when I fished a three-day flounder tournament out of Chincoteague, VA, that had strong northeast winds and soaking rain each day. I had the jacket on from the time I left the dock until the time we returned. Not once did I get wet or have the cold wind cutting through my clothing. It will keep you dry without sacrificing comfort, and its relaxed true-to-size fitting allows plenty of room for layering. One of the best things about this jacket, and a feature that sets it apart from other options, is the first-of-itskind horizontal zippered back vent. The design allows excess heat to escape while keeping you dry in wet conditions. I wore this jacket during a few very hot days on the water and despite wearing the black color option, never felt overheated. What they call “Airadigm Pulse Plasma” technology instantly repels water and wind from the outside while releasing body heat and sweat from the inside and FORLOH’s AllClima line features RECCO reflectors designed to make you easier to spot. Multiple colors and patterns are available. Sizes range from small to 3XL. Price: $299. Visit forloh.com to learn more.

Quest for Perfection

If you’ve been shopping for an electric trolling motor lately, you’ve noticed a lot of change going on in this market. And perhaps the biggest change comes from Minn Kota in the form of the Quest lineup, including the saltwater-competent Riptide Terrova Quest. This model comes in 54-, 60-, 72-, 87-, and 100-inch shaft lengths, so it can handle everything from low-slung bay boats to tall deep-V bows. The range of thrust goes from 55 to 115 pounds with both 24- and 36-volt models in the mix, and critically, this new line is armed with brushless motors that produce up to 50 percent more torque and offer a 30-percent boost in run-time. New features include a real-time battery monitoring system, an Eco-Mode that kicks in when batteries hit 20 percent, Drift Mode to control a drift, a redesigned wireless remote and propellers, a carbon-infused shaft, and an upgraded mount that can handle the additional torque. All the epically popular features like Spot-Lock and integration with the One-Boat network are, of course, still in the mix. Price: $3799 to $5499. Visit minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com to learn more.

Hat Trick

In the category of “please get this so we can make fun of you” we have the Opolski Outdoor Fishing Travel Foldable Windproof Anti-UV Sun Umbrella Hat Cap. (Nah, they didn’t come up with that name to make an impression on Google). The windproof claim we’d love to put to the test (windproof to what, a five-mph breeze? 15 mph? Gale force gusts?), but we’re thoroughly impressed by the fact that this hat is adjustable to fit most head sizes. Plus, it’s alleged to be the PERFECT hat for fishing since it allows you to keep both hands free while protecting your head from sun and rain... unlike other hats? Price: $14.33. Attention Walmart shoppers, this one’s available at unisex (we think they typed that into the wrong box), and OMG is currently in stock at my local store!!

Bag it Up

Are all tackle bags created equal? Not by a longshot. We’ve been testing a new one from Plano, the Pro Series 3600, and discovered a few perks and tweaks that make this one a standout. First and foremost, the magnetic latch on the top is awesome. Flip it closed, and it catches all on its own, no buckle or zipper necessary. Second, the pockets that do have zippers (on front and side pouches) have grippy rubberized T-handles. Third, the zippers, which Plano says are water resistant, held out spray from the Bay and water from a driving downpour, so we’re going to call them practically waterproof. The 3600 holds up to four Plano Stowaways (though only two are included with the bag), is 15.5 inches long by 7.7 inches wide by 8.3 inches tall, and comes with a padded shoulder strap. Price: $75. Visit planooutdoors.com for more info.

R E gis TER

slinging in the surf

By Zach Ditmars

Soon after clutching this captivating high-modulus carbon on the new Tiralejo XX surf rod from Shimano, I couldn’t wait to make a few casts. I booked a campsite at Assateague Island and headed downy oshun to try my luck in the suds. The model I tested out was the 11-foot medium heavy power with moderate fast action. The two-piece design on the Tiralejo packed nicely in my rooftop rod carrier. I chose the Shimano Baitrunner 6000 OC spinning reel for this setup and its size and weight paired nicely with the Fuji DPS reel seat. Spooled up with Hi-Vis 30-pound PowerPro braided fishing line, this combo effortlessly launched baits and heavy lead several hundred feet into the surf. The blank features Shimano’s Spiral X and Hi-Power X tech along with Fuji SiC guides that provide loads of sensitivity to this rod enabling you to feel the slightest of bites all while having the power to handle the heftiest of sea monsters. Lastly, I would be remiss to not mention how utterly comfortable the 3D ergonomic rod grip feels in your hands.

Dealing With Deadfall

Trees lying in the water present something of a conundrum: we know they create some serious fish-attracting structure, but we also know they’re magnificent snag-machines. What tactics can you use to catch those tree-hugging fish, without sinking your hook into hardwood? Here are three ways to catch fish while avoiding frustration.

Cast parallel to the trunk and branches, not across them. The angler you see here has set himself up for disaster, because he’ll have to retrieve across the trunk and all of the branches on this tree. If his lure sinks deeper than any one of them, getting snagged is virtually a sure thing.

Cast a snag-resistant lure. Topwater lures may do the trick if the conditions are good for a surface bite. If not, consider casting spinnerbaits, Texasrigged worms, flukes rigged weedless, and other lures that are just as likely to bounce off the branches as they are to snag them.

Stop casting altogether, and get up close and friendly with those fish. Look closely at this picture, and you’ll see there’s a rope tying the boat off to the tree itself. reaching out and jigging vertically right in-between the branches the angler was able to catch fish after fish. Note that it’s easy to spook fish using this tactic, and after tying off you may need to sit quietly and wait 10 or 15 minutes before the fish are willing to bite.

You know why we put this one here, don’t you? Not only is this angler risking a fall, walking on the tree you’re about to fish is a surefire way of spooking anything hanging around it.

C HE s APEA k E C A l ENDAR

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

For C H e SAP e AK e B AY B o ATING N e WS , v ISIT PR o PTALK . C o M

September

Through Oct 31

the great chesapeake invasives count

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

2

cbmm charity boat auction

Starting at 11 a.m., dozens of boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance from cabin cruisers to sailing dinghies and everything in between, will be auctioned off to the highest bidders with no minimums or reserves. The gates open at 8 a.m. for this rain-or-shine event. All sales directly benefit CBMM’s education programs and the restoration and preservation of its historic structures and boats. There’s also a flea market, and food and beverages for sale. At the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD.

8-9 havre de grace

Waterfront festival

The festival will kick off with a lighted boat parade on Friday evening: $10 registration fee at boatparadehdg.eventbrite.com or call (410) 939-2100. The boats will cruise along the shoreline from the Amtrak bridge to the Concord Point Lighthouse Park. The festival runs from 5 to 11 p.m. and the boat parade starts at 8 p.m. On Saturday, enjoy the festival at Concord Point Park from 3 to 9 p.m. Live music, food trucks, beer garden, vendors, demonstrations, and a thrilling acrobatic show by The Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean. Fireworks will begin at 8 p.m.

9

18th annual boatyard beach bash

4:30 to 10 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Soak in the sounds of Key West with live music by members of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band (among others). $150 general admission includes an open bar and a delicious meal! Presented by the Boatyard Bar & Grill. Raises funds for the museum’s environmental programs.

9 blue Water bash

2 to 5 p.m. at Barcocina in Baltimore, MD. Three hours of celebration that also provides vital support for Blue Water Baltimore’s programs across the watershed. On this 15th anniversary, they hope to raise $120,000.

9 lil’ amps bent rods inaugural rockfish tournament

Rods in at 6 a.m. Arrive at weigh-in station at Red Eye’s Dock Bar by 3 p.m. Registration deadline: August 19. Registration is $500 per registered captain and four Anglers. Additional Anglers are $100 each. Donate to your favorite boat/captain (Not My Child is fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic).

9 third annual portsmouth paddle battle

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, VA. SUP and kayak categories. New race option this year for tandem kayaks and canoes. The racecourse will once again be from High Street Basin in Olde Towne to the Hammerhead Crane on the Shipyard and back. Live music, food and drinks, prizes, events for children, and more. Proceeds will help The Friends support the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the Lightship Portsmouth Museum. Register: friendsofportsmouthnsm.org

Do you have an upcoming event? Send the details to: kaylie@FishTalkMag.com

10 flounder pounder

Out of Bahia Marina in Ocean City, MD. Fishing takes place from the Fenwick Ditch to the Verazano Bridge and the tip of the south jetty, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entry fee: $50 for the boat and captain ($25 per additional angler).

10 free kids fishing tournament

Hosted by North Bay Fishing Club from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration at 8:30 a.m. at North East Community Park, 250 West Walnut St., North East, MD. For age groups 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16. Loaner fishing rods and bait available or bring your own. Free picnic lunch for all with hot dogs, water, and snacks. RSVP to Daniel R. at dano5191@aol.com or Stan C. at stanleycebula@gmail.com

14-24 eYc foundation Virtual auction

This once-a-year fundraising effort helps continue Eastport Yacht Club Foundation’s annual programs like 5th Grade Stem Through Boating, Junior Sailing Scholarships, High School Marine and Maritime Career Expo, and more than $30,000 in Marine and Maritime Scholarships. Choose from dozens of fabulous items: cruises, getaways, dining experiences, local art, jewelry, and more at charityauction.bid/eycfoundation

16 31st annual Native american festival

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 214 Middle St., Vienna, MD (under the water tower). $7 pp, four and under are free. Bring your lawn chairs and spend the day. This is a one-day only, rain or shine event. Presented by the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Inc.

16 onancock bay challenge fishing tournament

This family-friendly charity event, now in its 33rd year, fishes for eight species anywhere in Virginia waters. Seaside or bayside. Go to info at esanglersclub.org for details and registration.

16

Weigh in for Wyatt

Now in its fourth year, proceeds from this annual rockfish tournament are dedicated to benefiting families with children battling childhood cancer. Lines-in is at sunrise and weigh-ins at Lowes Warf Marina wrap up at 3 p.m. Questions: bkfabircationllc@gmail.com

21 a chesapeake perspective

This new series moderated by FishTalk Angler-in-Chief, Lenny Rudow, will feature industry leaders from the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic region with whom viewers will be able to engage with by asking questions during the live stream via Facebook or YouTube. 7 to 8:30 p.m. “Habitat Preservation and Restoration.” fishtalkmag.com/chesapeake-perspective

22-24 tangier classic

At the American Legion Post 16 in Crisfield, MD. Powerboats launch from Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester, or Accomack counties, but kayaks can compete while launching anywhere in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Fishing runs from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and wraps up at 3 p.m. Sunday. Multiple species are eligible. This tournament benefits kids in need. Learn more about this year’s beneficiary at tangierclassic.com

22-24

tiki lee’s rockfish open

For 2023, the winners will make their mark by catching the heaviest three-fish stringer under 31 inches, with a tiebreaker of the combined length of all three fish. Expected payout of $200K.

24 South county festival and crab feast

1 to 6 p.m. at Herrington Harbour North in Tracys Landing, MD. Hosted by Southern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce. The festival is open to all for no cost—browse local vendors including farmers. Crab feast costs $100 ($35 for kids 10 and under and free for kids three and under).

28 the World is Your oyster fest

5 p.m. at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, MD. A bivalvelovers’ bash celebrating Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration! This is a fundraising event for Oyster Recovery Partnership, the nonprofit expert in Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration. Tickets: $125 at oysterrecovery.ticketspice.org

Oct O ber

5 changemakers: celebrating environmental leaders

5 to 8:30 p.m. in Baltimore, MD. This year’s annual fundraising event will bring together over 350 of our state’s most influential elected officials, business leaders, and environmental advocates to celebrate clean water, healthy air, and environmental justice. Presented by Maryland League of Conservation Voters.

5-8 annapolis powerboat Show

Walk the docks in Historic Annapolis and explore new boats as well as boating supplies, navigation equipment, fishing gear, clothing, and marine accessories.

12-15 annapolis Sailboat Show

Sailors from around the globe gather on miles of docks in historic Annapolis to experience hundreds of new and premiering boats, boating gear and accessories, financing options, all while enjoying tasting tents and connecting with fellow boaters.

21 hart-miller island run

Registration includes a race shirt, transportation to and from the island, and a race experience like no other. The race is limited to 120 registrants. The course is a complete loop of the island (5.3 miles). The race benefits the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Friends of Maryland State Park Foundation.

24 america’s boater courseboater certification course

America’s Boating Course, an eight-hour presentation open to the public on boating safety, equipment, rules of the road, buoys, and safe operations. This course meets on four consecutive Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in Pasadena, MD. Price is $35. Contact Lou Kates, lmkates@comcast. net or (410) 937-0338 or (410) 272-0079 for registration. Presented by the Patapsco River Power Squadron/America›s Boating Club Patapsco River

27 Sultana Downrigging festival

One of the largest annual tall ship gatherings in North America. A long weekend of Tall Ship sails, tours, live bluegrass music, lectures, exhibits, family activities, regional food, and more. Chestertown, MD.

# Mark your calendar for orP’s bivalve bash Thursday, September 28 at the B& o railroad Museum in Baltimore. Celebrate Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration and eat seafood to your heart’s content while also learning what you can do to help the Bay’s keystone species thrive.

Fishing Kids Cover Contest

Wow - what an amazing outpouring of support there was for contestants in the cover contest! The best news of all, however, is how many utterly awesome pictures FishTalk readers entered. While some had to be eliminated due to low photographic quality, showing under-aged kids without lifejackets, or being the wrong format to fit the cover, we still ended up with some amazing entries. We saw oodles of smiling kids hoisting their catches, magnificent shots with huge redfish and cobia, beautiful blue skies, and orange-tinted sunsets. (Or, were those sunrises?) We wish we could include each and every one here, but space restrictions force us to limit the number of runners-up printed on these pages. Still, we’re sure everyone will agree, each and every one of these pictures would make great covers for FishTalk. Many thanks go out to everyone who participated.

# 5-year old Carter with his first keeper Striper, caught on the Chesapeake Bay on July 10, using live lined white perch! Photo courtesy of Casey Holland

# 3-year old son, Shepard, and his first fish ever caught, a bluegill from a pond in Calvert County. Photo courtesy of Jonathan riffe

# Bryan and Derek enjoying a day of fishing while helping Heroes on the Water. Photo courtesy of Bryan Dolph

# Michael caught this rockfish on top water lure while fishing near the Key Bridge. Photo courtesy of Michael Karanikolis

# The rain won’t stop Maverick from catching whopper bass! Photo courtesy of Maverick Miller

# Danielle caught her first flounder and it was a keeper! Photo courtesy of Tanya Bomberger

# Declan caught this 31-inch snakehead in v ienna, MD. Photo courtesy of Christopher Keene

# rockfish for dinner!

Photo courtesy of Candice Giordano

# Gabe caught his first shark in the Chincoteague Bay! Photo courtesy of Alyssa Acri

Charters, Guides, and Headboats

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

Fish With Weaver

# Manuel and his son eric Luis enjoyed a great day of sea bass fishing off ocean City.

# Chris found a yellowfin swimming around in the Masseys.

# Isaac enjoyed some jug fishing for blue cats.

# Bill caught this snakehead in a Calvert County pond.

# Brinley caught a nice jack on a visit to Islamorada to celebrate her 13th birthday.

# Tyler caught this 25-inch speck on his first day of summer vacation. Now, that’s how to kick off summer break!!

# Former FishTalk reports editor Mollie rudow picked up this beautiful rockfish casting in the shallows of James Island.

# Luke, ritchie, and v incent enjoyed an awesome Father’s Day bite at Windmill Point.

# Christina tied into this 57-inch cobia on opening day –WooP! WooP!

# Carie and Broughton tag-teamed it to hook and reel in this blue cat.

Photos presented by Reader Photos presented by

# Cameron and r yan had a great time on the Get Sum with Capt. Nick.

# Lucy is back –and this time with a very big friend!

# Joe found this beautiful 22-inch speck in the Little Choptank.

# Quinn pulled this F-A-T bass out of a local canal.

# Scout racked ‘em up during the fishing rodeo! WTG, Scout!

# Former FishTalk cover model Amy strikes again.

# rich pulled up this megacat after offering up cut perch in the Susquehanna.

# Hunter and Hudson tagged and released this beautiful cobia.

# Dale tangled with this red on a suspending plug.

# Jimmy got into some NICe specks in the Pocomoke.

# Jacob enjoyed some productive catfish fishing.

# Steve and Ken had an eventful morning fishing near Smith Point.

Photos presented by Reader Photos presented by

# Brad Mullen tied into this beastly 32-inch dragon while fishing in the Gunpowder.

# Sean and r yan caught some specks in the Choptank, including this 25-inch tank.

# Landon, olivia, and Liam tugged in this MoNSTer ray.

# rich with his first cobia –that’s one heck of a fish to start with!

# Brady caught his first solo rockfish in the mouth of the Little Choptank.

# Finn’s first rockfish! Finn’s first rockfish! WTG, Finn!!

# Abbey jigged up some rock by the Key Bridge.

Hot New Fishboats

By Lenny Rudow

Pursuit s 248: Hot Pursuit

Some boats are well engineered but poorly built, some are poorly engineered but well built, and some boats just plain take your breath away. You think you can find a single piece or part that wasn’t well thought-out and planned on the Pursuit S 248? You think you can find a place where they skimped on the construction or left a flaw in the fit and finish? Go ahead and try — we dare ya.

You’ll first pick up on just how rare an “all of the above” boat like this is when you start noticing the things they’ve designed which you’ve never seen before. The head console compartment is a perfect example. A front door isn’t uncommon, and delivers a much easier way to enter the head compartment without too much crouching and contorting. But there’s a drawback in that it generally eliminates the front console seat or vastly shrinks it (lest it smash into forward bow seats) to the point that it really isn’t very comfortable. Pursuit addressed the issue by designing a unique door with a large lip along the bottom. The lip goes about threequarters of the way and then jumps up to the seat bottom, so when you swing the door open, part of it is above the forward bow seat and the lip is alongside it. Viola — you get a wide, easy to access forward entry, and a big comfy forward console seat along with it.

There’s another example to be found in the transom bench seat. Sure, everybody’s got ‘em. But most look like Frankenstein-level creations, and have mechanisms that can be extraordinarily complex or difficult to manipulate. In this case, when you swing the seat closed you get the look of a finished transom, not the look of a bunch of pieces-parts that were bolted together and mounted on a hinge nobody understands how to work.

And opening and closing it just takes one good yank. While you’re back there admiring the looks, be sure to check out additional touches like the magnetic catch in the transom door, the heavy-duty twist-lock hatch latches, and the stainless-steel scupper grates. Our fave, of course, is the brace of four flush-mount rodholders in the transom.

Speaking of rodholders: the Pursuit is rigged to fish and fish hard, with four more flush-mounts in the gunwales, four rocket launchers on the T-top, fishboxes in the deck which are evacuated via those nearly-bulletproof diaphragm pumps, and a 24-gallon lighted livewell in the transom. The leaning post is designed for a combination of comfort and fishability, with a pair of adjusting helm chairs sitting on

Hot New Fishboats

a fiberglass base that has a large tackle stowage drawer above a fully contained slide-out Yeti cooler. And while you’re sitting in the helm seat be sure to check out how the entire helm tilts aft to access the back. This is a Pursuit trait that allows the builder to finish the console interior with a full fiberglass liner, without having to cut holes for access points or depending on a curtain to cover up the rigging. It’s just one more example of taking design and engineering to the next level to boost the boat’s overall fit and finish — most builders would have taken the easier route, and cut those holes or snapped in a piece of canvass.

The S 248 is available with an F300 on the transom, and while we haven’t run our own numbers on this

model the Yamaha performance reports (which we’ve found to be dead-on accurate in the past) show a 4500-rpm cruising speed in the mid-30s while getting around 2.4 mpg. Nail the throttle, and top-end edges up over the 45-mph mark. Digital electric steering, Helm Master EX digital controls and CL5 digital display all come standard. Shop it against other boats and you’ll find that the S 248 does not come cheap. No surprise there, since when it comes to boats like most other things, you get what you pay for. And if what you want to get is a modern 25-foot center console that’s designed and engineered to be a better boat, go ahead and jump aboard a Pursuit S 248. Try to find a detail or development that they missed. We dare ya.

L o A: 25’8”

Beam: 8’6”

Displacement: 6050 lbs

Draft: 1’10”

Transom Deadrise: 21 deg

Fuel Capacity: 120 gal

Max Power : 300 hp

AREA DEA l ER

In Maryland, Bosun’s Marine, Grasonville, (443) 347-6314 or bosuns.com

In Virginia, North Point Yacht Sales, Gloucester Point, (804) 885-4090 or northpointyachtsales.com

Caymas 26 HB/suzuki DF300AP: Long-Term Test

One year ago this month I swapped out my trusty, dusty, old, very slow Glacier Bay 22 for a new ride, and got a Caymas 26 HB powered by a Suzuki DF300AP: the FishTalker. I said then that after a year of use I’d report back to the FishTalk world with a long-term test, and now that time has come. I’ve run the Caymas from Edgewater to Bloodsworth Island to fish the shallows for specks and reds (58 miles), from the Ocean City Inlet to Poor Man’s Canyon to hunt for tunas (60 miles), and locally more times than I can count. Net result?

I. Am. PSYCHED!

Many people question the choice of a hybrid bay boat for Chesapeake Bay angling in the first place. Won’t the lower deadrise make for a rough ride in the chop? Aren’t the gunwales too low? Won’t it be a wet boat? A decade

ago, I would have been asking the same questions — and I would have said you’d be nuts to run a boat of this genre on the Chesapeake. Through time and many boat tests, however, I came to realize that the designers and manufacturers had gotten better and better and making hybrid bay boat models with complex variable deadrise hulls, better balance, and improved construction. A Pathfinder 2600 TRS blew my mind when we ran 20 miles out of Stuart in a slop to fish for cobia. Then a Sportsman Masters 267OE shocked me when we buzzed through Eastern Bay in a 20-knot wind. And then a Caymas 26 HB kept me surprisingly comfy and happy during a full day of fishing from Annapolis to the Chester.

The bottom line? Hybrid bay boats in 2023 are very different beasts than they were a decade ago. I’ve now had

the Caymas in just about every different condition the Bay can dish out plus a run offshore, and it handles the seas better than many of the deep-V models out there. One caveat: with the Suzuki DF300AP on the transom, you have the potential to go fast. Really fast. And that means a judicious use of the throttle in waves over two feet or you’ll send the boat flying; I’ve found that in such conditions throttling back to 30 or so is a good move, and in three-footers, running in the mid- to upper-20s is in order.

Speaking of going fast: 300 horses is actually the least Caymas rigs this boat with (it can take 400), but for my purposes it’s plenty of juice. With the Suzuki wound up to 6200 rpm and a light boat the fastest I’ve seen is 52 mph. Loaded with fuel and passengers, topend is usually in the upper 40s. An easy cruise (4500 rpm) is in the mid-30s, and

For more fishboat reviews, visit: FishTalkMag.com/fishboat-reviews

a fast cruise (4800 rpm) is a hair under 40. Going with the DF300AP you also get a number of perks, like autotrimming, uber-smooth fly-by-wire controls, and amazingly quiet idling.

The boat runs on the Michael Peters Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel (SVVT), which is the same design utilized on the Valhalla line, Invincibles’ monohulls, Barker Boatworks, and others. Twin steps feed a tunnel with vertical sidewalls running to the transom. They claim it gains a 15-percent boost in speed and efficiency, which from my experience

seems reasonable. My Caymas/Suzuki rig generally cruises somewhere between 2.3 and 3.0 mpg, depending on how hard I run it and what the sea conditions are like. And that SVVT hull not only runs fast and efficient but also smooths out the chop; the steps, tunnel, and air cushion they create has a very different feel than a straightforward V. Since sensing the ride qualities of a boat is rather subjective, all I can suggest is that you take one for a sea trial before allowing any preconceived notions about hybrid bay boats to influence your judgement.

What about beefs? After all, there’s no such thing as a perfect boat, right? As far as construction goes there’s very little to complain about — the term “rock-solid” does come to mind — and the few items that have required warranty work (a broken LED light in the T-top, a seat cushion that absorbed water, and a pair of snaps that pulled out) were taken care of by North Point Yacht Sales quickly and without question. I’ll also note that the cockpit drains are on the slow side when the boat isn’t moving, but this is a common trait of low-slung fishing machines. What about those low-slung bay boat style gunwales? I love ‘em. They make it uber-easy to land fish or dip your hands in the water, the boat has very low windage, and it has zero effect on spray; the boat’s quite dry. Family anglers with multiple young children they’re trying to keep contained may want taller sides but beyond that, once you fish from a boat of this style I’d bet you love it.

We should note that the FishTalker has been gussied up a bit since delivery, with a Humminbird electronics package, a Minn Kota Riptide Terrova on the bow, and a Furuno autopilot installed by BOE; ReFlex decking by Brown Dog Marine; and a tackle station from Teak Isle. We’ll address boat improvements like these and how they may come into play on your own fishing machine in more detail in a future article. For now, I’ll leave you with this: One year later, I. Am. PSYCHED!

Mini Tug: Get a Tug on the Line

While you may not want to make it your primary fishing boat, the 11’8” long, 5’0” wide Mini Tug would certainly provide you with a unique craft to toot your way along to the next hotspot. Weighing in at a mere 400 pounds, the Mini Tug has rear and forward bench seats, a fourfoot “cabin,” and can take a whopping 15 horses on the transom. Despite all appearances this is an actual fiberglass all-composite boat and turns in some startling specs, like a 21-mph top-end and a max capacity rating of up to three people. Plus, you can’t deny that it looks downright cute. Visit directboats.com and order one today, and bring a little nautical nonsense to your next fishing excursion.

# Casting space is a serious highpoint on the Caymus - it’s no problem slinging lures with five or even six anglers aboard.

Doormat Delivery

lA y OUT THE WE l COME MAT FOR THO s E B i G , FAT F l OUNDER .

By Chuck Harrison

Every serious flounder angler dreams of catching doormats — you know, those big trophy fish that make everyone say “wow.” And even though the occasional trophy flounder may be caught mixed in with smaller fish, big flounders tend to be attracted to specific conditions. In our area they tend to be deeper, more structure-oriented, and looking for a large meal.

Deep structure

I catch my share of flounder up to about 22 inches while jigging in water less than 20 feet deep. Make sure you read The Angler-in-Chief’s article “Light Tackle Doormats” at FishTalkMag.com for catching flounder in shallow water. But if I’m looking for flounder bigger than that, I tend to go deeper. Around the lower Bay, this may be in water from 30 to 90 feet. Or it may mean fishing nearshore wrecks and offshore wrecks.

While a lot of inshore flounder are caught using light spinning tackle, I switch to a conventional reel for big fish. My favorite outfit is an Avet SXJ5 reel spooled with 30-pound braided line on a six-foot, six-inch medium-heavy rod. This is a rig with a small lever-drag reel that works well across a lot of applications.

I have done well on the occasional large flounder in several spots along the CBBT. Though it hasn’t been productive for me in the past few years, the Yancey wreck is a good place to begin. This was a barge that hit the bridge and sank a long time

ago. There is still a lot of rubble right up near the bridge. The easiest way to find it is to look for a couple of sets of pilings that are closer together than other sets of pilings a few hundred yards south of the first island. Expect to get snagged a few times while working this area.

Fishing along the channel edges near either tunnel can also be productive. Of course, these days there is a lot of construction going on around

the first and second islands, so it is a bit more difficult to fish there. The remains of another wreck may be found just past the second island. There isn’t as much structure here, but it has been a popular spot for serious flounder anglers for years. Moving north along the bridge, the bend just before the third island used to be a great place for flounder.

Beyond the CBBT, there are many ocean wrecks and reefs that

# Doormats are the stuff all flounder anglers dream of.

Photo courtesy of Steve Schad.

hold nice flounder throughout much of the year. The reef near the Chesapeake Light Tower is sometimes productive. The water here is about 35 to 45 feet deep. As a bonus, you may hook into some nice sea bass while looking for flatties. For more on this location, Fishtalk also has a good article about the Tower Reef on the website.

Another good spot for flounder and sea bass is the Triangle Wreck/reef area. The Triangle has lots of structure spread out over a large area in about 100 feet of water. An added bonus here is that this reef area also holds tautog.

These are just a few of many productive flounder spots in the ocean. Different captains have their favorites. The key is to find a wreck or reef that hasn’t been fished out recently. Also, when looking for flounder at a wreck, allow your drift to start near the structure and go about 100 yards from the structure because sometimes the fish are in the sand away from the wreck.

Big Baits

When looking for a big flounder I will do one of three things. If I decide to stay with jigs, I will use larger ones that will be able to hold bottom in deeper water, sometimes going as high as four ounces. Often, I will use two jigs in tandem with a lighter one on a dropper loop about a foot above the heavier one. The jigs are baited with either a fiveinch plastic tail or a strip of cut bait no more than an inch wide and up to eight inches long. When jigs aren’t working, it’s time to switch to an old tried and true method. This rig consists of a three-way swivel at the end of the line. On one of the other eyes of the swivel attach a three-foot to four-foot leader with a hook or lightweight jig, sweetened with a strip bait. The hook is often adorned with bucktail material or a plastic skirt. On the other eye of the swivel attach a one-foot leader with an appropriately sized sinker for the depth. Attach the sinker with a loop knot so

you can change sinkers out without having to retie the knot.

The third choice for hunting trophies is to use live bait. The live bait rig is similar, but with a shorter leader and no adornments on the hook at all. I have been successful with mullet, spot, and croakers up to about eight inches long. Other small bait fish will work as well.

setting the Hook

I find that when using jigs with plastic tails, they tend to hit the bait hard and get the hook in their mouth right away. With long pieces of cut bait, however, let them chew on it for a few seconds before setting the hook. With live bait it just depends on the size of the flounder and size of the bait. If you are using smaller baits, a big flounder won’t have any trouble getting it in its mouth. With larger baits you may need to allow a few seconds.

I read an article a few years ago by a very good jig angler. In the article he made fun of the notion of “letting the flounder eat” before setting the hook. This guy obviously never fished with long bait strips, or watched a six-pound flounder shake free beside the boat. For me, those extra few seconds has sometimes meant the difference between a nice dinner and a fish story about the one that got away. #

# When going deep, you’ll need to upsize that jig or switch to a baited rig.

# Fishing over ocean wrecks is a good move when you’re on the hunt for big flounder. Photo courtesy of Steve Schad.

of the

RetuRn Weakfish...?

Weakfish seem to be staging a comeback — but does anyone remember how to catch ‘em?

By Lenny Rudow

Weakfish, also known as yellow fin sea trout and gray trout, have been more or less absent from our waters for years. In the past few seasons, however, growing numbers have popped up in our coastal bays and in the lower Chesapeake. Will they once again become a major-league target species for Bay anglers from the Bay Bridge clear down to the CBBT? It’s too early to say, but the signs are improving.

Where

oh Where Did the Trout Go?

Whether or not weakfish bounce back big-time this season, next season, or never, it’s important to note that this is an incredibly cyclical fish. In many areas of the Bay we haven’t seen a solid run for 15 or more years, but early in the century fish in the three to six pound range were thick as fleas as far north as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge rockpiles and catching an eight-fish limit was not uncommon. Prior to that through most of the 90s we didn’t see them in any real numbers. But in the 80s there were substantial runs from Gum Thickets south including bruisers over the 15-pound mark. Check the historical record and you can find a cover of Sports Afield magazine from 1954 bemoaning the “disappearance of the sea trout.” The bottom line? These fish come and they go, and historically here in the Bay we see their numbers explode for three to five years, followed by low or virtually no significant presence for a decade or more.

At this point, we’re overdue for a return of these fish. And in 2020 and 2021 there was a slight increase in sublegal fish in the Bay and a rather dramatic increase in small fish in several coastal bays. Then in 2022 there were decent numbers of gray trout from sublegal size to

# Last season better numbers of keeper-sized weakfish showed up in the lower Bay.

around 20 inches in the lower Bay plus some halfway-decent catches popping up in the middle Bay. And this season we’ve already been hearing about more. So… are you ready to go catch ‘em up?

Thinking Deep

Weakfish are shaped exactly like (and are a close relative of) speckled sea trout. In fact, they look just like a speck without the specks. Unlike speckled trout, however, these fish occupy a very different niche and rather than thriving in the shallows, will usually be found in waters of 10 or more feet deep. Often they’ll be significantly deeper and it’s not uncommon to jig for weakfish in 30, 40, or even 50-plus foot depths.

As a result, the favored weakfish lures are often jigging spoons in the one- to three-ounce range. When the fish are chasing small baits, using tandem rigs with a spoon on the bottom and a streamer, small bucktail, or unweighted plastic on the top is quite common.

What isn’t common is one tactic that’s often surprisingly effective: deadsticking. When trout are schooled up deep they may or may not hit lures that are jigged vertically, but deadsticking will often get them biting when nothing else does. And the method is shockingly simple: lower your lure to the bottom, raise it up a foot or two, and hold the rod steady or even drop it into a rod holder and just let it sit there. No, this does not make any sense. But yes, it does really work.

Thinking Tasty

Grey trout are also suckers for bait, especially peeler or soft crab. Along the coast, you’ll also get them on squid or shrimp with some regularity. Baits can be fished on rigs similar to Fluke Killers, with a bucktail skirt behind beads and a spinner, though with two lines branching off the leader like a top-and-bottom rig. Back in the days of plentiful weakfish these were called “Trout Scouts.” Baited up with peeler crab and drifted along the edges and humps they were a favorite for targeting fish in the 10- to 25-foot zone.

Many anglers also use (used) bucktails sweetened with a chunk of bait and slowly bounced along bottom. Again, this will prove most effective when the fish are in water that isn’t terrifically deep. And generally speaking, in both cases these rigs would be fished more or less vertically while on the drift or while at anchor in a heavy current, as opposed to casting and retrieving them.

So: will we get a shot at weakfish this fall? In the upper Bay it isn’t

likely, in the Middle Bay it’s possible, and in the lower Bay probably so. But to what degree will remain a mystery until water temperatures begin dropping, which in the past would cause weakfish to school up tight in the Bay from late September through November. Look on your fishfinder for extended marks that appear more or less like a red and green caterpillar just above the bottom. And if you see them, have those spoons, tandem rigs, and Trout Scouts at the ready. #

Weakfish Regulations

The last time weakfish disappeared the authorities instituted some rather draconian restrictions, with both Maryland and Virginia cutting the bag limit to one per person. In Maryland the minimum size is 13 inches and in Virginia, it’s 12 inches. If these fish return in earnest, hopefully the powers that be will recognize the long-term variability in weakfish numbers and work to change bag limits quickly.

# Juveniles like this (ummm, we’re talking about the fish…) have invaded several coastal bays in recent years.

Bay EntrancE Fishing structurE Part ii

Cape Henry, Nautilus shoals, and more: structure at the Bay’s mouth abounds.

By Wayne Young

Cape Hatteras is aptly known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, but Cape Henry at the Chesapeake Bay entrance has collected its share of wrecks as well. A cluster of them from losses during wartime, marine casualties, and adverse operating conditions offer some inter-

esting fishing structure. Those who fish these features must be careful. Thimble Shoal Channel is a main shipping lane through the entrance for commercial and naval vessels. Many of these ships are very large, and recreational boats can quickly disappear from view under the bow. There are

also bow and stern wakes to ride out. So, give the big guys plenty of room.

Working from west to east, Site 15 is a wreck described by divers as a small barge or pontoon float that is resting upside down with a least depth of 40 feet. The divers found it rising about five feet off the bottom. A color multibeam sonar image included in National Ocean Survey (NOS) shows the wreck intact and lying in an irregular scour hole. Distance scale suggests that the feature is about 30 feet long and 10 to 15 feet wide.

Site 16 includes a wreck described by divers as a mostly buried steelhulled vessel with a wooden mast and beams. The divers also found that the wreck was scattered and only rose about 0.9 meters off the bottom, so the best chance for a sportfish catch here will probably be flounder. Least depth is charted as 32 feet. Multibeam sonar images show evidence of sedimentation and there’s a lot of energy at Cape Henry, so changes in bottom conditions are common. Using BDV distance scale shows a length of about 60 feet and a width of 15 feet. It sits right in the center of the charted wreck circle. Between this wreck and the shoreline is a charted 27-foot wreck. It’s uncertain how much of this feature is showing. It is an amphibious craft that is 30 feet long and 10 feet wide. According to the records, when it was surveyed in 1995 the craft

rose about five feet off the bottom, was highly corroded, and heavily covered with marine growth, so this one should attract fish.

Site 17 is identified as an “examination vessel” that sank in 1944 (shown on Chart 2). Beyond that, the identification is unknown. The wreck appears highly deteriorated in both BDV images and a color multibeam sonar image. The wreckage is substantial, rectangular in form, and measures about 140 feet long and 30 feet wide using the BDV distance scale. There is an elongated scour hole on the south side extending towards the southwest.

On the north side of the shipping channel at Site 18 (Chart 3) is the iron-hulled pilot boat Wm D. Sanner (originally the Carmina). This 140- by 21-foot vessel was struck while transferring a pilot and sank. Also shown on Chart 3 at Site 19 is the Chilore. With dimensions of 550 feet by 72 feet by 44 feet, this relic of World War II is the largest shipwreck in the Bay. Her story involves a torpedo, minefields, and capsizing while seeking safe harbor. There’s no problem in locating this fishing destination, as it’s about three times as large as the charted wreck circle. There’s a deep scour hole along

the western side. Try for any kind of reef fish here and for flounder alongside.

Directly north of Cape Henry and closer to shore at Site 20, there’s an unidentified obstruction. Using the BDV scale, it measures about 100 feet long and 20 feet wide. There is a huge scour hole on the east side indicating the location is swept by very strong ebb currents.

Site 21 is a cluster of three wrecks, although only two wreck circles are

charted. All are mostly buried and deteriorated. The northernmost is a 16-foot wreck and is the most recognizable. The 12-foot wreck to the south is broken up and distributed across the site. The uncharted wreck lies to the east. NOAA opted not to chart this wreck and to label the features as wrecks due to the closeness. There is a faint outline and one high spot, possibly some type of deck gear. Very little scour is evident. So, drifting across the sites for flounder may yield a few bites.

North across the entrance is Nautilus Shoal and sites 22 and 23 off the southeastern edge, where there is broken up wreckage distributed across the site and an obstruction. At Site 22 BDV images shows four clusters of wreckage. Site 23 is simply listed as a 19-foot obstruction with no details.

These sites are on the way to the Virginia ocean artificial reefs, and passing over those more or less along your route and watching the fishfinder may put you on fish. Or, if conditions at more distant wrecks are forecast to become unfavorable due to wind, fishing this inshore structure may be an option that keeps you in the lee. #

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

# Chart 3: Pilot boat Wm. D. Sanner and freighter Chilore wrecks. Bottom left – Color multibeam sonar image. Bottom center. “BAG” Color Shaded relief image of pilot boat. right – “BAG” image of Chilore. Screenshots from NoAA Bathymetric Data v iewer.

# Chart 2: Site 17 “examination vessel.” Screenshot from NoS Dr H11603.

Trolling Casting for Mack Speed

By Walt Tomczykowski

How do you find the ideal cranking speed, when casting and retrieving for Spanish mackerel?

Editor’s note: We at FishTalk love getting a bit scientificalish now and again, especially when it uncovers some cool new factoids that help us catch more fish. And although it involves some (scary) math, engineering can be applied to fishing in the same way. One of the best examples of this we’ve ever seen came from the engineerbrain of this author, who found a formula for predicting the most effective Spanish mackerel trolling speed on any given day based on water temperatures. It works like a charm (and we generally now refer to him as Mack Speed Walt). Now, he’s taken it yet another step into the mathematical abyss…

When Summer water temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay reach the low to mid-80s, that typically equates to the perfect time to chase Spanish mackerel. The ideal trolling speed when the water is 85 degrees is estimated at eight mph, as “Mack Speed” equals water temperature minus five divided by 10. (See “Finding the Ideal Spanish Mackerel Trolling Speed” at FishTalkMag.com). In the case of 85-degree water, that’s (85 – 5) / 10 = 8 mph.

However, casting and retrieving for macks using light tackle is a blast! And we all hear time and time again, you just need to “crank as fast as you can.” Previous articles have concluded that cranking a spinning reel as fast as possible may still not approach Mack Speed. (See “Light Tackle Mackerel Fishing” on the website). But different reels crank at different speeds, which begs the question: how fast, exactly, do you have to crank a spinning reel to retrieve at Mack Speed?

Instead of measuring a portion of a mile, cranking away, and timing it, as a reliability/quality engineer I was thinking about speed and calculations again. Recently while fishing for stripers with a new Shimano Miravel MIR4000XG instead of my old reliable Pfueger President 6940X, I noticed that the

retrieve felt faster. I had to slow down a little to catch stripers.

Sure enough, a quick check of the manufacturer specifications showed there was a significant difference in the inches per crank rating, 39 inches versus 30.2 inches. Hmmm, if I converted Mack Speed from MPH to inches per second, I could quickly determine how

# Does Mack Speed apply when you’re fishing popping corks? We don’t know… Walt, more math, please!

# Light tackle mackerel will put a smile on any angler’s face.

Table 1. How Fast Should You Crank?

Step 1 Look up your reel retrieve rating.

Step 2 Determine the water temp.

Step 3 Read across to determine how many cranks per second are needed!

*Retrieve rate assumes a full spool of line; remember that as spool diameter shrinks, each revolution brings in slightly less line.

many cranks per second are needed to catch more mackerel. With a calculator in hand (and yes, I did make a spreadsheet), I found that to equal eight mph (or 141 inches per second) using my new Miravel, I need about three and a half cranks in a second. Using my older Pflueger President, however, attaining the same speed required closer to five cranks per second.

See the three simple steps in Table 1, to determine just how fast you need to crank your reel to tempt more mackerel into striking.

Remember, don’t crank so fast you hurt your wrist, and slow down a bit when the lure gets close to the boat because you don’t want it to come flying out of the water at eight mph, or maybe more with some whiplash. And of course, keep your fingers clear of the mackerel’s mouth when you land them after cranking away.

Finally, note that the 6.4 mph mentioned in “Light Tackle Mackerel Fishing” (as the fastest one was able to crank with one of those older spinning reels) is equal to a mere 113 inches per second — only fast enough for Mack Speed in 69-degree water, and I’m not sure there are many macks in water that cool in the first place. #

Table 2. Some common spinning reels and their retrieve length per crank.

# Crank back at Mack Speed and you’re likely to get that Spanish mackerel to bite. Go any slower, and a bluefish is the more likely result.

Ultralights for Beginners

By Staff

Fishing ultralight gear is gobs of fun, and in many cases, can prove far more effective than the heavier stuff.

When it comes to fighting fish, gear size is relative. Sure, you can feel 10-inch white perch tug against a 20-pound spinning rod as you crank it up, but crank it up is about all you’ll do. Engage in battle with the same exact fish when there’s a four-pound ultralight rig in your hands, and you’ll feel every kick of the fish’s tail, hear it take drag, and if you don’t play it right there’s a strong chance that perch will emerge victorious.

Why downsize and risk giving the fish an added advantage?

Many anglers enjoy doing so simply because it adds a bit more thrill to the fight. But there are also times and places where the fish aren’t interested in large offerings and in order to present them with a lure or bait small enough to mimic the tiny items they’re feeding on, downsizing your gear is a must.

What is Ultralight?

Ultralight gear can be spinning or casting, spooled up with either monofilament or braid. The rod’s action and length can run the gamut, just so long as it’s properly matched to the weight class. Remember, the term “ultralight” is a relative one. That very same 20-pound gear which seemed so large for perch certainly constitutes ultralight gear if your target is tuna. Plus everyone has their own opinion, and there isn’t any dictionary definition. That said, any time you have a realistic chance at fighting fish which significantly outweigh your gear class, it’s reasonable to call it ultralight fishing. Most people would probably class ultralight gear as follows:

• Freshwater Fishing – Six-pound class or under.

• Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic Coast Panfish – Six-pound class or under.

• Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic Coast Midsized Sportfish – 12-pound class and under.

• Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic Coast Large Sportfish –20-pound class and under.

• offshore Gamefish – 20-pound class and under.

When To Use Ultralight Gear

Any time you want! That said, there are times when it’s more appropriate than others. The number-one reason to cast ultralight gear for most anglers will be when the targeted species is feeding on very small offerings which can’t be mimicked with heavier gear. Consider crappie fishing around deadfall or a beaver dam in a lake, for example. Quite often they’ll want rather microscopic offerings, such as a two-inch tube jig on a 1/16th of an ounce jighead. Using 10- or even eight-pound gear, you can’t cast that tiny little jig more than a few feet. You can’t feel the crappie’s subtle take, and you’ll have an impossible time trying to differentiate between a strike and your jig snagging a tree branch. Downsize to four- to six-pound test, however, and you can place the jig exactly where you want it and sense it every time a fish takes a swipe.

Using ultralight gear means breaking off more easily and being able to apply less pressure, so there’s a definite drawback to using it, especially when you hook into an unexpectedly large critter — you never know when a five-pound largemouth bass will beat those crappie to that little jig. And whenever you go into a battle undergunned, it’ll take a serious application of skill to get the fish into your landing net.

For more article on how to learn to fish, visit fishtalkmag.com/tag/fishing-beginners

# Hook into a 100-pound bluefin tuna on a 20-pound rig, and you’ll learn that “ultralight” is indeed a relative term.

Still, this isn’t the biggest potential drawback to using ultralight gear. A bigger issue is the possibility of over-stressing fish that will be released. Remember, as far as those fish know they’re fighting for their life, and if the fight goes on too long they may literally fight themselves to death. Extended fights can cause a buildup of lactic acid in the fish’s muscles, which may eventually cause blood acidification that can be fatal hours after you watch the fish swim away. For this reason, whenever you’re specifically catch-and-release fishing for species like over-slot red drum or trophy rockfish, using relatively heavy gear is a much better move.

How To Fish Ultralight Gear

The biggest difference between fishing with ultralight gear and using the heavier stuff is that you’ll need to play the fish differently. With reduced power in the rod and lines of low breaking strengths, muscling in the fish simply isn’t going to happen. You need to add some finesse to your fight and use the bend in your rod to constantly apply a carefully metered pressure.

Similarly, setting your drag properly becomes critical. It’s always important

to set your drags properly but in the case of ultralight gear, particularly freshwater and panfish-sized gear, the importance is magnified because it’s so easy to snap lighter lines like four- or six-pound test. If your drag isn’t set right (and of a smooth, high-quality nature in the first place) even a one-pound fish could break you off. Similarly, a botched knot or failing to spot chaffing on the line will likely result in a breakoff in short order.

Another thing you need to pay additional attention to with the tiny ultralight rigs is how much line is on your spool. If you lose 20 yards of line on a big 4500 series reel it’s more or less irrelevant. But on a tiny 1000 series reel that could represent 20 percent of your line capacity. With that much line missing your spool diameter will shrink appreciably, and your casting distance will take a big hit.

Finally, you’ll do your best with ultralight gear when you use lures, rigs, and baits that match up with it. Let’s say you’re fishing for bluegills with micro-jigs on a four-pound outfit, and you see a big bass hiding in the shadow of a log. You might be tempted to tie on a big spinnerbait to get its attention, but even a half-ounce lure can overwhelm that tiny

ultralight rig. It will be easy to overcast, and if you stop it in mid-flight the weight of the lure alone may well snap the line. Or, if it hits the water and you begin reeling the rod will be doubled over. Then if the bass actually hits, with little or no more bend available in the rod to absorb some of the jolt, there’s a good chance of a breakoff.

You’ll have a better chance of landing the bass if you try to tease it into biting with that micro-jig in the first place, but before doing so this is a case where you should ask yourself if a long, drawn-out battle could harm the fish. And the answer is probably yes. A much better move is to carry a larger rod and reel with you even when you plan to fish ultralight, so you have some heavier firepower close at hand.

Of course, this means you probably need to rush right out and buy some more fishing rods to be sure you always have all these bases covered. No, we don’t want to hear about budgets, or how much fishing gear you already have — get your priorities straight and go buy those rods and reels. The next time a fish strikes you want to emerge victorious, don’t you? #

# When the fish are biting tiny two-inch jigs, you need to scale down your gear to match.

Nuggets of Knowledge

We match fish up against fowl to put an urban angling legend to the test.

By Lenny Rudow

Surely you’ve seen the videos on YouTube or Facebook where anglers go casting for catfish with chicken nuggets, hamburger chunks, or some other bizarre bait to prove that you can catch these fish on just about anything. It’s okay; you can admit to having watched them. It’s even alright if you giggled a bit. Just don’t tell anyone it was at two in the afternoon on a Wednesday while you were at the office.

# Contributor eric Packard holds up the first catfish of the day, caught on gizzard shad.

I have no idea who first had the brainstorm to go fishing with fast food, but I certainly credit them with creative thinking. Still, after watching one of those videos recently I was left with a nagging question: would they have caught more fish, had they been using a traditional bait? How do those pieces-parts fused together stack up against cut fish when fished side-byside?

To put nuggets to the test Team FishTalk decided to run an experiment and pit them head-to-head with normal bait. We went on a fast food frenzy and collected up a batch of nuggets from McDonald’s, Chick-Fila, and RoFo. Then for good measure (curiosity got the best of us) we added a bag of White Castle burgers into the mix. And for our traditional contender, we hit the tackle shop and grabbed a bag of the catfish classic: gizzard shad.

Fishin’ With a Mission

We rigged up with 6/0 circle hooks and 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders, jumped into the boat, and cruised up the Patuxent River to a hole scoured out in a bend just north of Jug Bay. I’ve fished this hole many times, and it’s often so riddled with catfish that it’s impossible to catch anything else. There, we each fished a different bait,

then rotated baits, keeping two nugget varieties plus gizzard shad in the water at all times.

Our first big discovery: McDonald’s chicken nuggets are buoyant, while the other brands sink. Go figure. Regardless, I decided it was wise to strip a bit of the breading away and leave some actual chicken(?) exposed. Eventually this was revealed to be folly, when I checked the nugget after a missed bite and found that some wary catfish had nibbled away the breading without bothering to eat the actual chicken.

Our next revelation came when trying to fish the White Castle burger. Turns out they basically dissolve. Contributor Eric Packard had the crafty notion to put it into a mesh bag, but by the time he had it set to deploy, the offering was oversized and fish under 10 or so pounds wouldn’t have been able to choke the monstrosity down. Regardless, after 15 minutes without any action the (unused) White Castles went back into the cooler for future consumption by humans.

Fish, or Fowl?

Before presenting our irrefutable scientific data, it must be noted that for some reason the catfish proved particularly finicky on this day. It may have been due to a strong front having just pushed through (it was a blue-

# Zach may have been a bit confused as to who was supposed to eat what, but the good news is that when you go fishing with chicken nuggets you know you won’t go home hungry.

bird day with winds in the 20-knot range), but they nibbled then spit the bait — regardless of its phylum — a lot more often than they struck with gusto. Time and again we watched a rod tip pump two or three times then hang limply, without the fish ever fully committing. All of that said, here were the results:

• Chick-Fil-A – Zero bites.

• McDonalds – Five bites.

• Royal Farms – Two bites.

• Gizzard Shad – Constant action — we lost count of the exact number of bites, but it was in the dozens. Gizzard shad was also responsible for catching the first fish, the most fish, and the biggest fish.

So, what have we learned here?

First off, if you want to actually catch fish, you’re best off using “real” bait as opposed to fast food chicken nuggets (or weird little mini frozen hamburgers from Ohio). Second, we need to address the question of why McDonald’s chicken nuggets float. We did learn that it’s not the breading, because after being stripped away by nibblers the chicken itself still floated. An extensive Google search on the topic proved unhelpful, but we did learn that in 2012 a McNugget resembling George Washington sold on eBay for $8100. (There’s a picture, and in all fairness it really did look kind of like him).

Yes, yes, we know, there are a lot of other nontraditional baits like chicken livers and chicken breast soaked in Kool-Aid which some anglers swear works just as well as cut fish. We have no doubt as to their effectiveness, and just for the record I personally consider chicken livers a topnotch catfish bait. But we couldn’t test everything in the grocery store at once and the whole idea here was simply to put this myth that fast food nuggets are “good” bait to rest. And also, to get out of the office at two o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon. Mission accomplished. #

Young Guns

Team FishTalk grows - so we can help you catch more, bigger fish.

When I exited school and had no kids, no real job, and no serious obligations, naturally, I fished just about every waking hour. A buddy and I would pore over ADC map books (remember those?) looking for the blue blobs indicating water, create a route of exploration, then spend days at a time driving around looking for public access points. We’d borrow our father’s boats whenever we could scrape together enough cash to put gas in the tank. We patched a very leaky canoe until it sunk, built a boat out of a pickup truck bed liner (that sunk too), and attempted to salvage an already-sunk boat that was destined to never float again.

Through all that effort and all those tribulations, we innovated. We learned a whole lot about what doesn’t work, but we also discovered techniques that were not taught. We came up with new ways to catch more, bigger fish. It seems like yesterday… but it was 30 years ago.

And in all honesty, I know that I’ve lost that youthful edge.

Don’t get me wrong — there’s no substitute for experience, and years of accumulated knowledge can’t be trumped. But the freedom, willingness, and energy to experiment do fade with the years. And here at FishTalk, we’ve been a bit lacking in the youth department. Experience, we have thoroughly covered thanks to our staff and our stable of contributors. But I’ve felt for some time that our ability to develop and communicate fishing intel with the wider world would benefit from an injection of vitality and motivation. We’ve needed to involve up-and-comers, some ambitious young anglers who look at the watery world through a more modern lens. We’ve needed some young guns in the crew.

Meet the newest additions to Team FishTalk, anglers who we’re sponsoring, who are hard-core fish-heads, and who have agreed to collaborate with us in our efforts to help you Mid-Atlantic anglers catch more bigger fish:

By Lenny Rudow

Dillon Waters

You already know Dillon as FishTalk’s reports editor. Dillon is 25 years old, graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a double major in Biology and Environmental Studies, and works for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a Resources Technician II. He’s based in the Middle Bay zone and specializes in stripers and perch but regularly travels far afield in his quest to catch fish like red drum, cobia, speckled trout, and flounder. He has a strong presence on YouTube with his channel The Waters Edge, @Watersedgetv.

David Rudow

Yes, there is a relationship –David is one of my sons. He’s a 23-year-old diehard kayak angler recently returned to Chesapeake Country after living in Louisiana and attending the University of New Orleans, where he majored in bull redfish and minored in sheepshead and specks. Currently David studies (in-between casts) at Salisbury State. He’s on Instagram @reelinwithrudow.

Dillon Waters on Rockfish

The fall is my favorite time of year to fish for rockfish because the shallows can be full of hungry fish that will hit your baits aggressively. In the evenings, especially the last hour of daylight, the topwater bite for rockfish in the shallows can be excellent. My go to lures are the Heddon Super Spook and the Creek Chub Striper Strike. Both lures typically come with treble hooks, but it is a good idea to switch them out for single hooks. This will be better for the fish when catch and release fishing and will also make it easier to unhook them once you land them. The Spook works best when fished with a “walk the dog” style retrieve, and the Striper Strike is more of a chugger bait that will sit lower in the water. The key with this bait is to get it to push a lot of water when chugging it to get the attention of nearby rockfish. Submerged rock piles and rock jetties with depths of four to six feet are great places to cast to but any areas with stump fields, submerged wood, or lumpy bottom can hold fish.

Mark Nicolaus

Known as Cha-Cha in the fishing social media world, you can find Mark on Instagram @ChaCha_fishing (formerly channa_markus_fishing) and he also has quite a TikTok following. Mark is 25 and is also a kayak guy, with a serious passion for chasing snakeheads along with numerous other species. Just about daily. He’s also sponsored by High Octane Custom Baits and OC Kayak, and works for HOCB as a social media manager.

Look for these newest members of Team FishTalk on all the social media platforms and out on the water. You’ll see their bylines popping up in FishTalk on a regular basis, and their videos on our YouTube and Instagram channels. We partnered with them not only because they’re youthful, dedicated anglers, but also because they’re generous people. They’re willing to share what they discover with other anglers. And in that vein, we thought we’d introduce them to the FishTalk audience by asking them each to tell you all a critical fishing tip that they’ve learned in their aquatic endeavors which are applicable to fishing at this time of year, and which will help us all catch more, bigger fish. #

Mark Nicolaus on Snakeheads

As the water temperature starts to cool in the fall, the northern snakehead feeding windows get shorter… BUT when there is a warming trend, it can be one of the most predictable bites of the year. I like to target snakehead this time of year after the third day in a row we have air temperatures hitting 70 to 80 degrees. Midday and through the afternoon are when the water will be warmest, and the fish will likely kick into feeding mode during that time. The sunnier and shallower it is, the better.

David Rudow on Redfish

Fall is one of my favorite times of year to sightfish for reds in the shallows. Baitfish are more prevalent as water temps drop, and water is generally clearer than previous months. A crucial tip for sight-casting for reds is to avoid moving vertically once you’ve entered your target area. If you plan on paddling into a salt marsh on your kayak, or ease along in a boat, enter the zone you plan on fishing already standing as high off the water as you can. If you think you see a fish while you’re sitting or standing low, stay where you are — standing up or moving vertically is a surefire way to spook the fish.

Fis H i NG F O re CA s T

Gathered over the past month by Dillon Waters

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

Coastal

Whether you’re bound for blue water in search of an early fall white bite or headed to the wrecks and reefs for sea bass and flounder, September is an awesome time to fish the coast. There should be a solid panfish bite in the surf for kingfish, snapper blues, and maybe croaker or spot as well. The big question on everyone’s mind? Will a named storm roar along

the coast and churn our waters… fingers are crossed that the weather remains calm, and the fish bite all month long.

Freshwater

Get ready for a big fall wakeup, freshwater fans. When a few fronts bring dropping temperatures we can expect the bass to shift out of summertime mode and extend their feeding times beyond

daybreak and sunset. The most extreme uptick in freshwater action is likely to come from popular vacation spots like Deep Creek and Lake Anna, however, as there will be a huge drop in traffic as schools go back into session and summer winds down. Snakehead hunters who love fishing topwater should get in their licks quickly, though, because the past few years of reports shows that this bite usually fades a bit once a chill creeps into the air. After that, subsurface offerings like minnow and swimbaits tend to prove more effective.

Way North

In this neck of the woods a whole lot will depend on rainfall levels and water quality at this time of year. Catfish will likely be the most reliable option, from the dam pool clear down to the flats. Remember, though, that as soon as the grass beds begin to die back bass will be feeding hard along the edges. Spinnerbaits and lipless cranks often stand out in this scenario, while wacky rigged worms tossed to structure in or near the weeds often produce, too.

Upper Bay

Considering how hot the upper Bay has been for rockfish the past few years we’re thinking it will likely be a good September around here. That said, don’t forget that this month is commonly a great time to find white perch schooled up in big numbers on all those upper Bay knolls and shoals, like Six Foot, Seven Foot, and Belvidere. Grab a Chesapeake Sabiki, tip the hooks with bits of Fishbites bloodworm flavor, and you should be able to enjoy nonstop action.

# Here’s a flashback to two seasons ago, when Nick and ollie enjoyed magnificent mackerel mania.

Middle Bay

September is often the highwater mark for species diversity in the Middle Bay: rockfish, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, red drum, speckled trout, cobia, and all the bottom fish one could hope for should be biting at one point or another this month. Which bite will be the best? We can’t predict, but we certainly can hope — and considering how many big bull reds inhabited the middle Bay zone last season at this time of year, we’re hoping for a repeat.

l ower Bay

Lower Bay anglers enjoyed a rush of late summer bulls as well, and no doubt everyone south of the Potomac and north of Poquoson will have their fingers crossed for more of the same in 2023. If you’re tossing jigs just make sure you’re using bite-proof tails, because if this September is like the past few there will be snapper blues around. Lots and lots of ‘em, as well as Spanish mackerel until we have a few chilly nights.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and l ower s hore

It’s about time for a fall speck run, people! The big question in our minds: will we have relatively low numbers but extremely high-quality fish, as we had early this season? Or, will bigger numbers of smaller fish show up? We don’t know. But we do know that open water angling was also particularly hot in the Sounds and along the ESVA last September, with roving bands of Spanish mackerel and blues plus some nice redfish swimming around out there. Let’s hope that happens again.

Way s outh

The best thing about this zone of the Bay is that you can never say never. Never say you’ll never catch X, Y, or Z, because you never know what will show up next. The list of potentials is too long to list out, but we’ll note that as a rule trollers pulling spoons and plugs can expect Spanish mackerel, blues, and ribbonfish; the inlets should produce plenty of slot reds for those casting jigs or shrimp; there will likely be some nice flatfish hanging on the channel edges; sheepshead ought to remain available around pilings and the cement ships; and bull reds and cobia should both be roving near the CBBT. Whew — that’s a lot of options!

# reports editor Dillon Waters and fiancé Layla hoist a mega-blue.

Kayak Care

By Eric Packard

As an angler my biggest asset for a successful outing is my kayak. Taking proper care will insure years of fun fishing on the water. Whether you’ve invested a few thousand dollars or a few hundred in your kayak, you’ll want to follow these simple steps to take care of it.

Before I load up my kayak for a day on the water I give it a good looking over. I look for dirt buildup, spider webs, wear, and insects that may have taken up residence while stored. There’s nothing like a spider crawling up your leg while taking that first cast of the day. I wipe down and brush any dirt off before I load up and also take note of any minor wear. After a day of fishing I repeat the process.

Once home I will spray my kayak off with water to remove any buildup, fish and bait debris, dirt, sand, or mud that I may have come in contact with. I also use a mild soap to clean the boat every other trip. Particularly important is spraying off the kayak and gear after each outing on brackish or salt water to avoid any possible corrosion.

Where you store your kayak is critical. It should be out of direct sunlight to avoid any warping, bleaching of

colors, and UV damage to the hull, hatch covers, and the seat. I store my kayaks in my garage. One kayak I stand on end, setting it on a foam pad and strapping it to the wall. This is my secondary vessel, and the square transom allows me to store it this way; standing it on end will avoid any warping and misshaping of the hull, as it isn’t used often. Avoiding any long-term storage of your kayak on top of your vehicle is

snow or rain. To avoid mold and mildew make sure the kayak is dry before covering it up. A tarp will also keep any living creatures out that may want to set up residence (except maybe those spiders).

Keep up on your maintenance by regularly giving your kayak a wash with a mild soap to avoid staining from muck, fish and bait blood etc. If applicable check your rudder and steering system, and/or skeg, as you’ll want to be sure that there isn’t any sand, dirt, or weeds hung up in them. Check your seat for wear and check its mountings, too.

a good idea, too, because plastic kayaks sitting out in the sun and strapped to your car top can become deformed. The other, my primary fishing boat, I hang on a wall with straps. It comes off the wall almost daily so warping from longterm storage isn’t a problem.

Not everyone has a shed or garage to store a kayak, so if you must store it outdoors you’ll want to keep it covered with a tarp. Keep it out of the direct sunlight and free of any yard debris,

If you have any hatches check for wear on hinges, and if you have rubberized hatch covers look for cracking and other wear that may require a hatch replacement. If you have a pedal system you’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions to keep up with any wear and tear.

Keeping your kayak clean and up to date on its maintenance will extend the life of your investment, plus provide many happy years of fishing. Remember, a cast not taken is a fish not caught — so jump aboard your kayak and take that cast. #

# A kayak that gets used often can be stored by hanging with straps, but long-term storage must take the possibility of warping into account.

Color Blinded

Whenever speckled trout are in the plans be sure to carry a full complement of chartreuse, white, and pink plastics. From one day to the next it’s impossible to predict which of these critical colors they’ll prefer, and many days they’ll hit one with gusto while remaining unenthusiastic about the others.

Bet on the Buck

If you’re headed for the inshore wrecks and reefs hoping to catch a mix of black sea bass and flounder, consider grabbing some three- and four-ounce bucktails. Dress them up with a Gulp! or a squid strip and bounce them along bottom, and both species will take the bait. Note: In a stiff breeze or strong current holding bottom can get tough, so also be prepared to tie up two bucktails in tandem.

Delayed Dinner

Fall is coming and that means it’s bird season, but when the bite is slow and the birds are sitting don’t head for the barn until the very last minute— often the fish will go into a frenzy and the birds will spring into action right before the sun hits the horizon.

For more fishing tips and tricks, visit fishtalkmag.com/how-to

# Photo courtesy of Bobby van Dyke

BR o KERAGE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIoNS

#20483

This is our 21 Montauk, our most popular seller! Safely holds 9 people and has plenty of power w/ the 200Hp four-stroke made by Mercury. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2022 Sportsman Masters 247oE 350 verado Mercury outboard - White, venture Trailer, Shark Gary Hull and Bottom, Polar White Upholstery, White Powder Coating, Dark Hull Color Upgrade, Second Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv 12” GPS, JL Audio UltraPremium M6 Upgrade, on-Board Battery Charging System (2-Bank), Under Leaning Post Tackle Storage, Slid-out Track only, AirMar B175M Chirp Thru-Hull Transducer Upgrade, Porta Potti. $139,995 riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20533

2020 Sportsman Heritage 251 CC

Twin Yamaha F150XCA, digital controls/optimus electric power steering, eng Warr until 1/29/2024, Hours - 93, bottom painted, Trailer not included, available separately for $7,408 fitted & loaded, Shark Gray hull, Platinum Gray Upholstery, White Powder Coat, Windshield Close-out, Dual Chair Leaning Post, Tackle Storage, Slide-out Track w/ Yeti cooler, on-Board Battery Charger, Garmin 12” chartplotter/GPS w/ Sonar/fishfinder, Garmin vHF, Stereo w/ (6) Speakers, Underwater Lights, Anchor Windlass, electric Head/Macerator. $109,995 riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20480

22’ Shamrock ‘96 $17,500 David robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2023 Boston Whaler 240 Vantage

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

2012

Whaler 230 Dauntless Lift/boathouse kept, this pearl will not last long. Less than 100 hrs, single owner, and in great shape! $62,000 Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2014 Chaparral 246 SSi Never been kept in the water overnight and comes w/ a load rite trailer. Powered by a 300Hp volvo Penta. Contact Jack McGuire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2019 Contender 24 S very well cared for w/ low hours on the Yamaha 300 and trailer included. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

Another Chesapeake Bay icon of the Boston Whaler family is our 24 vantage. Perfect ski boat for the family, fits 11 people and has a top speed of nearly 50mph. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

(off Duty) 28’ Bertram ‘83 $19,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Key Gull) 25’ Carolina Classic ‘06 $54,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2021 Sportsman Heritage 251 CC

Twin F150XCA Yamaha outboards, Yamaha extended Warranty until 8/7/2024, 51 hours, new trailer available, Steel Blue w/ White Bottom, Desert Tan Upholstery, White Powder Coating, Hard Top, and more! $124,995 riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20367

2005 Sea Ray 280 Sundancer A stylish express cruiser boasting a generator, A/C, spacious cabin, gourmet galley and entertainment options. Contact Mike Coe at 410.387.8859 or Mike@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2017 Regal 28 Express In great condition w/ many popular options such as bow thruster, generator, A/C, ice maker, outside shower, and underwater lights. Contact Anthony Flake at 443.994.4328 or Anthony@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

For all the latest listings, visit fishtalkmag.com

2022 G3 18 SC CAMo 90 vMax Yamaha, Yamaha Warranty until 3/2/2025, Bear Galvanized Single Axle Trailer, Bimini Top w/ Boot, electric Trolling Motor, Garmin MFD DF-FFGPS, Stereo, rod Storage, and more! $27,995 riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20525

1993 Boston Whaler 210 outrage A classic 21-foot outrage ready for the Bay in any conditions. repowered w/ a 300Hp four stroke, only 7 hrs. $46,000 Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2017 Mako 21 Pro Skiff 115 4S Mercury outboard, Hours - 39, Mako Trail Master Trailer w/ Brakes, Bimini Top, Cooler Seat, Aerated Baitwell, Garmin 9” DF/ FF/GPS, and more! $25,500 riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com

2023 Boston Whaler 210 Montauk

Boston

2020 Sportsman 282 TE Twin Yamaha F300XCA’s under 500 hours, eng. Warr. until 6/11/2025! optimus power steering, Boat kept in wet slip, trailer not included, New triple axle aluminum bunk trailer available for $9,988, Ice Blue hull color, White Powder Coat, Ash gray upholstery, (2) Garmin GPSMAP 1242XSv Touch 12”, Garmin Fantom 18 radar, Arimar B175M 1kW CHIrP transducer, JL Audio sound system w/ 8 speakers, on-Board battery charger, electric Flush head w/ holding tank, SeaDek flooring throughout. $166,900 riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20500

29’

www.curtisstokes.net

2022 Pursuit DC 326 extremely good condition w/ only 100 hours. Loaded w/ options, lightly used and dealer maintained since new. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2001 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer very well cared for w/ several recent upgrades. ready or cruising w/ comfortable overnight accommodations. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2019 Tiara Sport 38 LS Powered by Seven Marine 527’s, equipped w/ Seakeeper, generator, AC. 300-hour service completed on engines. Contact Jack McGuire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2023 Boston Whaler 320 Vantage This is our 320 vantage, and comfortably fits 14 people. An adjustable port lounge gives you lots of options for your boating enjoyment. Bluetooth ready. 3/5/10 year warranty available. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2021 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage

Lightly used and lift kept. 600Hp w/ joystick, autopilot, and way point tracking. Steal of a deal priced at $299,000 with less than 100 hrs. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

www.curtisstokes.net

www.curtisstokes.net

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

2007 Triton 351 Express repowered in 2021 w/ Triple Mercury verado v8 300s. This sought after engine package elevates the ultimate offshore fishing machine. Contact Mike Coe at 410.387.8859 or Mike@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2023 Boston Whaler 380 outrage The pride of our Boston Whaler line up, the 38-foot outrage will draw attention in the best way possible! Perfectly equipped w/ twin 600 v12s and a pair of 16” screens. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2022 Tiara Yachts 39 Coup Like new and still holds factory warranties and engine warranties. Perfect for cruising, the great loop, and family fun. Contact Grady Byus at 410.533.9879 or Grady@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2023 Boston Whaler 280 Dauntless

A center console favorite would be the outrage and Dauntless series. our 28 Dauntless here is a born fishing machine. equipped w/ the maximum horsepower (400Hp). Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2023 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage

our 28 vantage is a cruising delight, dual console, twin 300Hp, plenty of room to host for any occasion or head out and catch some local rockfish out on the bay! Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2023 Pursuit S358 Don’t miss this opportunity. Like New condition, loaded w/ options and only 2 engine hours. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2011 MJM 36z Downeast very well equipped, lift kept, upgraded electronics and power windshield, New drive seals and props tuned. Contact David Malkin at 443.790.2786 or David@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

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

2023 Boston Whaler 360 outrage Built for the ocean but easy enough to handle through ego alley downtown Annapolis! equipped w/ white 600 v12 engines maximize performance on our newly designed outrage. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

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

2023 MJM 4 excellent opportunity to purchase a like new MJM 4 at a savings on this impressive day yacht. Contact Ken Comerford at 410.280.2038 or Ken@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

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

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

(Sans Regret) 30’ Scout ‘20 $349,000 David robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net

(Elba) 31’ ocean Master ‘98 $89,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@ curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Severn Sunrise) 31’ Tiara 3100 open 1985 Dual Crusader 454, Furuno radar, Plotter, Sounder, Digital Yacht AIT 2500. $24,900 Call Charlie Iliff 410.227.1066

(Busted Flush) 32’ Stamas ‘78 $28,500 Lars Bergstrom 910.899.7941 lars@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

MARKETPLACE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIoNS

TACKLE SH o PS

Boat Show Help Wanted - FREE Show Tickets and More Annapolis Boat Shows is hiring for the Fall 2023 Boat Shows. Work is available August through the Shows in october. Jobs range from water crew to gate support. Hourly wage, some meals, and free entry into show included. Completion bonus available. Learn more and apply at: www.annapolisboatshows.com/job-opportunities

Capt. Wanted - ocean City, MD Bayside Guide Service in oC is looking for a Capt. to start immediately as ours quit. Job requires a Captain’s License and Maryland FGr or TFL. Have run 78 trips since June and expect another 75 by october. Back bay, good pay, have mate. Call 443.944.5484 or 443.669.6214

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

TACKLE SH o PS

ToRQEEDo Travel 1003S Electric outboard Long range battery, 3 Hp, Perfect for daysailers up to 3,000 pounds, tenders, dinghies, duck boats. Quiet and lightweight, perfect condition. Used twice. Includes carrying bag for motor/battery. $1,800 703.869.1663 2000Annapolis@gmail.com

TACKLE SH o PS

SCH oo LS

SLIPS AND ST o RAGE

TACKLE SH o PS

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

The

Biz Buzz

Authorized Dealer

Legasea Marine announces its new partnership with Contender Boats, as the brand’s exclusive authorized dealer for the state of Virginia and Dare County, NC. This exciting collaboration brings together two highly experienced boating families, ensuring a first-class experience for customers seeking top-quality, high-performance center consoles and exceptional customer service. Contender Boats takes pride in delivering a premium center console that boasts uncompromising durability, seaworthiness, and unmatched performance. Whether customers are avid anglers or casual boaters, Contender’s versatile lineup of boats from 24 to 44 feet caters to a wide range of on-water activities, ensuring every outing is both enjoyable and memorable. By partnering with Contender Boats, Legasea Marine further solidifies its position as a premier marine dealer in the Mid-Atlantic, catering to the diverse needs of boating enthusiasts and avid fishermen alike. “We could not be more proud to announce our affiliation with another family-owned company in Contender Boats. The well-respected Contender brand, now heading into its 40th year of business, has an outstanding reputation for service and quality craftsmanship. It is this premise that aligns with our core values and makes for an exciting partnership,” said Chris Hall, co-owner of Legasea Marine. “This partnership is a testament to our continuous pursuit of excellence in the marine industry.” legaseamarine.com

National Heritage Area

The Northern Neck officially launched the Northern Neck National Heritage Area with a celebration at Stratford Hall, on July 17, more than two decades after the Northern Neck Planning District Commission—working with numerous stakeholders, elected representatives, and the National Park Service—began the effort to earn National Heritage Area (NHA) designation for the region. A National Heritage Area, said the Northern Neck Planning District Commission’s executive director, Jerry W. Davis, defines “‘places where historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape.’ That perfectly describes the Northern Neck.” Erik S. Kreusch, National Heritage Area coordinator at the Northeast Regional Office of the National Park Service in Philadelphia, addressed the next step in the process. “We have three years to develop a Management Plan,” said Kreusch. Its goal is to make the organization sustainable to allow the Northern Neck National Heritage Area to honor the history of the Northern Neck, engage museums, the community, and the region’s tribes to tell their stories. All this “aligns very much with the mission of the National Park Service,” he added.

Elizabeth S. Vehmeyer, assistant coordinator for the National Heritage Area Program at the National Park Service in Washington DC, explained that although the first National Heritage Area was designated in 1984, and today there are 62 of them in 36 states, the Northern Neck became one, in January of 2023, along with the establishment of a system of National Heritage Areas across the country.

“NHAs are grassroots efforts,” Vehmeyer said, “community-driven public-private partnerships that support, preserve, promote, and celebrate our nation’s history, its cultures, its peoples, and places. They are partners with the National Park Service.”

A National Heritage Area does not create ownership by the Federal Government, she added, the way a National Park would. “NHAs are administered locally, making your participation and your voice in this process welcome and essential for the success of the National Heritage Area,” she said. northernneck.org

s mall Craft s tandards

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) has published its 63rd supplement to Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft. The annual publication provides the international marine industry with the latest updates to the boat building and repair standards used for over 90 percent of the boats constructed in the United States. On August 16, ABYC will host a complimentary webinar, offering an overview of the 14 updated standards and the available compliance resources. These resources are designed to assist the industry in proactively meeting the demands of the 2025 model year requirements. “In Supplement 63, we’ve implemented updates to enhance safety and adapt to the evolving landscape of boat construction and technologies,” said Brian Goodwin ABYC technical director. “Notably the standards for Fire Fighting Equipment (A-4), Steering Systems (P-17 and P-22), and Emergency Engine/Propulsion Cut-Off Devices (A-33) have undergone systematic reviews and improvements. We are looking forward to the August 16 webinar to provide a comprehensive overview and explanation of all the updates.” ABYC members can access the standards and technical tools on ABYC’s website via the standards library. ABYC standards are continually researched, developed, and revised by over 400 volunteer technical experts and marine professionals participating in Project Technical Committees (PTCs). Visit abycinc.org/publications to purchase Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft, Supplement 63 manual. To learn about how to get involved in standards development visit abycinc.org/getinvolved. To attend the 2023-24 Standards Update webinar, please register at abycinc.org/standardsupdate.

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

1984 36’ Hatteras - $125,000 Dennis Mancinelli - 404.395.6688

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

2021 60’ Custom Phil Jones - $650,000 David Robinson - 410.310.8855

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

2007 33’ Silverton - $139,900 Jack Kelly - 609.517.2822

1978 32’ Stamas - $28,500 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

2000 30’ Pursuit - $54,500 Curtis Stokes - 410.919.4900

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

1998 31’ Ocean Master - $89,500 Curtis Stokes - 410.919.4900

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

1972 31’ Bertram - $69,900 Lin Earley - 757.672.2778