FishTalk Magazine April 2025 by SpinSheet Publishing Company

Drum in the Surf Shoreline Fishing for Crappie

350-HP OUTBOARD

DELAWARE

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

Cedar Creek Marina | 302.422.2040 100 Marina Lane, Milford, DE cedarcreekmarina.com

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

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

MARYLAND

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

Tri-State Marine | 410.562.6247 7320 Edgewood Rd, Annapolis, MD tristatemarine.com

Tri-State Marine | 410.562.6247 222 Severn Ave, #12, Annapolis, MD tristatemarine.com

Annapolis Inflatables/Fawcett Boat Supplies 410.267.8681 919 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD annapolisinflatables.net

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

Annapolis Inflatables/Fawcett Boat Supplies 410.267.8681 919 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD annapolisinflatables.net

MARYLAND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VIRGINIA

havenharbour.com

Centerville Waterway Marina | 757.547.4498 100 N Centerville Turnpike, Chesapeake, VA centervillemarina.com

VIRGINIA

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

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

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

Norfolk Marine | 757.461.3391 5221 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA norfolkmarine.com Jett’s Marine, Inc. | 804.453.3611 18477 Northumberland Hwy, Reedville, VA jettsmarine.com

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

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

Anchor Boats, Inc. | 410.287.8280

Campbell’s Boatyards - Jack’s Point | 410.226.5105

448 N Mauldin Ave, North East, MD anchorboat.com

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

Campbell’s Boatyards - Jack’s Point | 410.226.5105 106 Richardson St, PO Box 410, Oxford, MD campbellsboatyards.com

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

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

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

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

Delaware

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

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

Maryland

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

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

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

Intercoastal Marine of MD | 410-335-0458

2925 Eastern Blvd, Middle River, MD intercoastalmarinemd.com

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

Middle River Landing Marina | 410-686-0771 1901 Old Eastern Ave, Essex, MD chesapeakemarine.net

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

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

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

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

Virginia

Sandpiper Marine | 757-787-7783 21530 Taylor Rd, Accomac, VA 23301 sandpipermarine.net

Centerville Waterway Marina | 757.547.4498 100 N Centerville Turnpike, Chesapeake, VA centervillemarina.com

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

Friday’s Marine | 804-758-4131

(Malise Marine Sales & Service) 14879 GW Memorial Hwy, Saluda, VA facebook.com/fridaysmarine

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

Beating the Drum

How to target redfish in the surf.

By Dave Moore

Cat Five Catfish

You want to battle a fish with hurricane-level strength? The monster cats are biting—right now.

By Staff presented by Okuma

Early Season Shoreline Crappie Fishing for Beginners

Secure some slabs when they’re fat, up shallow, and eager to bite.

By Adam Greenberg

Spring Boat Show Extravaganza

Finding that new fishing boat will be more fun than ever.

By Staff

Prepping Up for Offshore

Will you be ready for offshore action when the first reports come streaming in?

By Staff presented by siriusXm marine

Chugging Up the Chester

Head up the Chester River to find fish-holding structure.

By Wayne Young

Contributor Eric Packard got this lucky shot while enjoying some springtime wade-fishing.

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

ANGLER IN CHIEF

Lenny Rudow, lenny@fishtalkmag.com

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@fishtalkmag.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Chris Charbonneau, chris@fishtalkmag.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Molly Winans, molly@fishtalkmag.com

SENIOR EDITORS

Beth Crabtree, beth@fishtalkmag.com

Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@fishtalkmag.com

COPY EDITOR

Lucy Iliff, lucy@fishtalkmag.com

FISHING REPORTS EDITOR

Dillon Waters

ADVERTISING SALES

Katie Lange, katie@fishtalkmag.com

Eric Richardson, eric@fishtalkmag.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Brooke King, brooke@fishtalkmag.com

DISTRIBUTION / BROKERAGE / CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER

Beatrice M. Mackenzie, beatrice@fishtalkmag.com

ART DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER

Zach Ditmars, zach@fishtalkmag.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Royal Snyder, royal@fishtalkmag.com

COASTAL CORRESPONDENT

John Unkart

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Adam Grrenberg, Jim Gronaw, Chuck Harrison, Capt. Monty Hawkins, Eric Packard, David Rudow, Wayne Young

DISTRIBUTION

Martin and Betty Casey, Gregory and Dorothy Greenwell, Dave Harlock, Ron and Colleen Ogden

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.

Rudow’s FishTalk Recycles

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

2. Accidents can happen to anyone

With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected nancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to speci ed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.

Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and af liates. Product features are subject to policy terms and conditions and may not be available in all states or for all vehicles and coverage selections.

*No. 1 rating based on boat market share data from Rate lings.com.

**Sign & Glide® is an optional coverage you can add to any Progressive Boat policy and costs $30/annually ($50/annually in Florida). Prices are subject to change.

ve things you should know about boat insurance

Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are ve things to know about boat insurance.

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

If you nanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages

Ever worry about getting stuck on the water?

Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.

Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your voyage. Cruise with con dence thanks to Progressive Boat insurance. Because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.

Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes.

Go to progressive.com to learn more.

Notes from the Cockpit

By Lenny Rudow

Under Assault

No matter what your socioeconomic class, political party, or views of the government may be, if you love the Chesapeake and the fishing opportunities it affords us, you should be scared. Very scared.

Since the Chesapeake Bay Agreement was originally signed in 1983 and the Chesapeake Executive Council was formed, state and federal agencies have spent a huge amount of time, effort, and money attempting to clean up the Bay. But in those same 42 years the population living in the Bay watershed has grown by roughly 45 percent, to an elbowbanging 18.6 million people. Countless roads, shopping centers, and parking lots have been built. There have been many successes and failures for the Bay, many improvements, and many disasters. The bottom line? All of the cost and all the effort to save it have essentially held the line. Look at the Bay Health Report Cards going back to 1986 and you’ll find that they start right around a score of 50 out

of 100, bounce around, and come in right around a 50 today.

Just imagine where we’d be right now if the Agreement had never been signed and the past 42 years of growth had gone on unchecked and unbalanced. Would the water be clean enough that you’d be willing to reach in to unhook a fish? Would you even consider eating it? How many fish would there be to catch in the first place?

As we prepare this April edition to go to press, in the past week the Maryland Department of Legislative Services has recommended cutting environmental programming by 42 percent, and the Trump administration announced a 65-percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Marine Fisheries Service have been gutted of hundreds of scientists, with the exact level of the firings TBD. There have also been mass firings at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Forest Service, among others.

All of these agencies play significant roles in the work that was being done to

restore and protect the Bay. And while it’s a sure bet that all of them suffered from some level of waste and mismanagement, it’s just as sure a bet that they all contributed substantially to holding the line against degraded water quality, the loss of underwater grasses, over-nutrification, and expanding dead zones. We know without question that they contributed to the development of oyster sanctuaries, fisheries research, erosion prevention, runoff reduction, and shoreline restoration. And while we can all probably agree that flushing out wasteful spending is a good thing, flushing the Chesapeake away with it definitely is not.

Remember that there was a time in America when rivers literally caught on fire and burned. Remember that there was a time when Kepone flowed unchecked into the James River, causing Virginia seafood to be blacklisted. Remember that there are still today 26 toxic Superfund sites in Maryland, 26 in Delaware, 36 in Virginia, and 127 in Pennsylvania. These are all vestiges of a time when few people were speaking up for the Bay and the government did little or nothing to protect it, much less restore it. The Chesapeake Bay Agreement embodied our cultural no more.

We were able to hold the line for the past 42 years, but today we’re watching that line crumble before our very eyes. Anyone who loves the Bay—and especially our representatives in Congress and in the state houses—needs to speak up in support of the Chesapeake whenever and wherever possible. With lawsuits being filed by the moment we don’t know where all the firings and budget cuts that recently erupted will lead, but don’t fool yourself. It’s time to be scared for the Chesapeake. Very, very scared.

# Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River burns in 1952. It went up in flames 13 times before a 1969 blaze helped trigger the environmental movement; the EPA was established in 1970.

Photo by James Thomas

Thunnus Among Us

Dear FishTalk,

After a lot of planning and spending a lot of money, twice I managed to get my boat down to Indian River for bluefin last winter. Both times we trolled through tuna airing out and we saw other people hooked up, and both times we never got a bite. I really want to get one of those big fish next year, what am I doing wrong?!

“Sneaky” Pete, via email

Dear Pete, There could be a lot of issues and we really can’t diagnose the problem from afar. The best advice we can give is to go out with someone who’s experienced with that fishery and watch what they do closely. Beyond that, remember that when tuna are busting and trolled baits get ignored, sometimes throwing topwater will generate strikes. Of course, to try that it’s best to cast a 12000 or larger size spinning rig—get ready to spend more money!!

High School Chemistry

Dear FishTalk:

Q: What species of fish is made up of two sodium atoms?

A: 2Na

Anonymous

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

More Menhaden Mayhem

Dear FishTalk,

I’m confused: I read about how menhaden numbers were very high in 2024, for the second year in a row. In 2023, I do remember seeing tons of bait all over the place. But thinking back to last summer, I hardly saw any. At the docks where I usually see small schools of baby menhaden all summer long they seemed absent, and I rarely saw shoals of big bait out in open water. Talking to other guys they didn’t see much last year, either, so I don’t think it’s just me. Am I missing something, or do they just make those numbers up?

Robert T., via email

Dear Robert,

We noticed the same thing in Upper and Middle Bay waters, although we saw plenty of bait on the surface in the southern portions of the Bay. We also noticed that there were regularly big clouds of bait on the fishfinder, pretty much all over the place in the Middle Bay, including when we didn’t see schools of bunker up top. The pessimistic among us might surmise that having fewer rockfish around, perhaps the menhaden weren’t chased to the surface as often as usual. But there are so many possible explanations (water temperature, oxygen content, planktonic abundance, etc.) that it really remains a mystery. Also, it’s important to note that the abundance numbers in the YOY surveys only address juvenile fish, so even in a year when the numbers are spectacularly high it doesn’t mean there are lots of schools of larger menhaden around.

FISH NEWS

By Lenny Rudow

Clamping Down on Cobia

At its winter meeting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Committee (ASMFC) decided a 15.9-percent reduction in the northern region (Virginia or Rhode Island) harvest was necessary to bring the average yearly catch down to quota, and that means some changes. As we go to press, Virginia hasn’t announced final regs, but they’re likely to mirror Maryland, which recently stipulated a new minimum size of 43 inches with a one fish per person/two per boat maximum limit. The season grows slightly with this change, from June 15 through September 20 rather than closing down September 15.

ASMFC scientists and regulators believe cobia are expanding their habitat northward, making previous quota allocations to northern states unrealistic. Data from satellite archival and acoustic tagging programs indicate that in the coming decades, cobia may continue their northward treks farther and farther with areas as far north as New Jersey and New York holding large swaths of suitable habitat through the summer months. # If you

It’s Showtime!

The Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point will have hundreds of new boats on display this month. Food and drink will be onsite; there are numerous restaurants within walking distance, and there will be show features including the PropTalk Demo Dock, free boating education seminars, and a fishing section. Show dates are April 11 through 13 with hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit annapolisboatshows.com for more information.

Busting on the Blue Cats

In its continuing effort to tamp down the blue catfish’s nuclear population explosion in the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland DNR has introduced a pair of pilot programs: For-Hire/Commercial and Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline programs. The For-Hire/Commercial program allows charter boats and guides running trips to simultaneously fish commercially for blue catfish. Any applicant with an appropriate commercial fishing license targeting blue catfish on a forhire charter trip will be able to sell any excess catfish they may bring back to the dock. The Finfish Trotline program will relax regulations prohibiting the use of trotlines south of the Bay Bridge and will be more limited in nature with a small number of initial harvesters. The DNR says it plans to examine bycatch, user conflicts, and other potential issues before potentially expanding the program.

Record Winter

No, we’re not talking about the snow and cold—we’re talking about state records that fell like that white fluffy stuff. First, the longstanding record for yellow perch of 2.2 pounds (which has held since 1979) was topped by a hair when Thomas Dembeck Jr. reeled in a 2.3-pounder. He was jigging mini-paddletails tied in tandem in 50 feet of water in the lower Susquehanna when the fish hit, and he said that at first he thought he had a doubler on the line. The second record was broken by former longnose gar record-holder David Confair, who reclaimed the Maryland state record for this fish by topping the previous record of 18.3 pounds with a 20.5 pounder caught in the Marshyhope. Confair had a 17.9-pound fish that held the mark until 2019, and he reclaimed it while fishing a two-hook Sabiki rig with cut gizzard shad in 15 feet of water. The mega-gar stretched the tape to a whopping 49.5 inches.

We’re Digging It

The emergency beach replenishment at Indian River, DE, has been running on schedule this winter, and 480,000 cubic yards of sand have been restored to the beach and dunes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to almost double that amount in a second phase of the operation to ensure long term stability of the beach and dunes, which were severely eroded last year leading to a dune breach and loss of the popular surf fishing area.

2024 May-CRafT 1900 CC 2024 May-CRafT 20 Cape CLaSSIC

The Trout, the Whole Trout, and Nothing but the Trout

All of the states in our area of coverage have trout stocking programs, but dedicated trout aficionados may want to head for Pennsylvania this month. Trout season opens April 5, and the state has announced that it will stock an eye-popping 3.2 million trout into 691 streams and 130 lakes. That’s almost 4000 trout per waterway, with an average size of 11 inches and 72,000 trophy-sized brood stock also being planted. As a matter of reference, in 2025 Virginia will stock around 1.2 million trout and Maryland will stock around 240,000. Check out the trout stocking schedule at fishandboat.com.

It’s No Fluke

April means it’s time for the flounder to arrive and Captain Steve’s 2025 Spring Flounder Tournament is on. With a $1000 first place award and over $2500 in cash and prizes in all, anglers will soon be hitting the back bays in search of monster flatties. The competition kicks off April 25 and runs through May 4, but anglers must be registered before the opening to participate. Daily weigh-ins end at 8 p.m. at Captain Steve’s in Chincoteague, VA. Visit stevesbaitandtackle.com for more details and an entry form.

# Pennsylvania wins hands-down for most trout stocked. Photo by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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.

Living MEGA

Live imaging fans who are dying to scope bull redfish at the islands will be psyched to learn that Humminbird has upped the game with MEGA Live 2. Boosted clarity and a more stable view are the highlights, with better bait tracking, target separation, and improved detail via the 20- x 120-degree sonar beam. Color pallets have optimized to include 15 different options to match different water and lighting conditions. You can also mark (and view) waypoints on the live imaging sonar screen when paired with a GPS and heading sensor. MEGA Live 2 is compatible with Apex and Solix G3 models, and was released to also go with Humminbird’s new Xplore lineup of MFDs. Price: $1499. Visit humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com to get the details.

Fun in the Sun

You say fishing sounds like fun but you just can’t stand the overwhelming heat of the outdoor environment? Sounds like you need a Fishing Hats Wide Brim Sun Hat. This beautiful little bonnet boasts a pair of solar-powered fans integrated into the brim which are “three speed wind adjustable.” The fans can also be powered by USB in case the sun isn’t shining brightly (in which case you need this hat… why?). Material is 100-percent polyamide and the weaving method is specified by the manufacturer as “woven.” Best of all, according to the (never fake) reviews: “The everyday mailman throws it in my front yard with the dogs thank GOD I came out when I did.” Price: $14.55. And if you haven’t already figured out this one’s a TEMU buy… good luck!

Revving Up the Bite

TGo to the Max

he Max Pro spinning reel from Abu Garcia is new for 2025, and now has seven ball bearings plus the roller bearing and the Carbon Matrix drag system. Carry-over features in the line include a graphite asymmetrical body, V-rotor and V-spool designs to reduce weight and startup inertia, and the “Rocket” spool lip to reduce wind knots. Gear ratio is 6.2:1, sizes go from 750 to 4000, and weight ranges from eight to 9.9 ounces. The Max Pro is also available in combo form, matched with a graphite rod with an EVH handle. Price: $79.99; $99.99 for the combo. Visit abugarcia.com to check it out.

You say nothing gets your blood pumping like a topwater explosion? Us, too! So we were psyched to check out the new Revmag Walker from Savage Gear. Available in 3.75” and 4.75” sizes, the Revmag Walker has a reverse magnetic weight transfer system to maximize casting distance but still maintain balance in the water. The eye is slightly downturned and the belly has a slight arch, giving the lure a nice dog-walking action that’s easy to initiate with relatively gentle pumps of the rod tip. Hooks are SGY 3X trebles (so swap ‘em out for singles) and there are 10 different color patterns to choose from. Price: $14.99. Hit savagegear.com to rev up the action.

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

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

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

FACTS About ORION Marine Flares

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

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

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

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

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

UNDERSTANDING LOCATE VS ALERT SIGNALS

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

You want AI Routing! Let TZ MAPS with AI Routing make route planning a snap. Don’t take our word for it. Scan here to see for yourself how easy it is!

YX Marks the Spot

ou want an uber-light, uber-smooth low-profile baitcaster that’s built to last? Okuma’s new X-Series fits the bill. With a diecast aluminum frame, ported machined aluminum spool, carbon fiber handle, and C-40X carbon injected sideplates, these palm-sized powerhouses weigh a mere 5.6 ounces. Longevity is further assured with a carbonite drag system that cranks out up to 24 pounds of max drag plus machined aluminum main and brass pinion gears. The X-series also features 10 stainless-steel ball bearings plus a roller bearing and a precise micro-click drag star. Available in both rightie and leftie models, in 7.3:1 or 8.1:1 gear ratios, line capacity is 140 yards of 30-pound braid/110 yards of 12-pound mono. If this sounds like a top-shelf reel, well, it is—but it’s the warranty that’s a shocker. Most reels, even very expensive models made by top manufacturers, come with a one-year limited warranty at best. But Okuma is so confident in this reel’s tenacity that they’re backing it up with three years of coverage. Price: $269.99. Visit okumafishingusa.com to land on the X.

Feeling the Glow

Aheadlamp is what you need for tying knots and baiting up in the dark, but having an area light allows you to illuminate a broader area and see what you’re doing at all times. If night fishing is in your plans you’ll want to take a look at the Dometic GO Area Camplight. At 5” x 5” x 3.5” it’s compact, but makes a great hue of light with 400 lumens of all-around illumination. What’s better is that it has an internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery that will keep that glow going for up to eight hours, and a USC-A port you can use to charge up your devices. It’s also water-resistant and weighs barely over a pound. Plus, while not exactly an angling attribute, the light is Bluetooth-enabled and you can use your phone to adjust both brightness and color; it can illuminate with eight different colorful hues like blue or pink in addition to plain old white. Price: $99.99. Visit dometic.com before the sun goes down.

SCHOOL IS IN SESSION.

Today’s lesson? How to land more fish with the incredible clarity of new MEGA Imaging+™. Using this high-frequency sonar, spot a school of tarpon, down to the direction they’re facing, for easy cast and catch. Class dismissed. Visit Humminbird.com/MEGA to learn more.

School of Tarpon Boca Grande, FL

BananaRama

They say bananas are bad luck on boats, but does that count when it comes to plastic banana bobbers? The Banana Bobber Popper folks say no way—in fact, they claim that if you bring one of their boisterous Banana Bobbers aboard you’ll catch more fish than ever. These oddly shaped popping corks make a big splash and clack, and the maker claims they’re one of the loudest popping corks on the water today. Added bonus: these things are just plain fun to fish with. Price: $24.99 for a three pack. Visit bananabobber.com to go bananas.

Lookie Here

Looking for a kayak fishing dry suit that won’t trigger latex allergies and is made with PSFA-free fabrics? Look at the Loki, from Level Six. This front-entry suit has PU-coated lycra neck and wrist gaskets under neoprene closures, reinforced knees, and integrated threeply socks. Double-rolled seams are pre-glued and taped, and the suit is pressure- and leak-tested. The Loki is available in XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL sizes, in Citron and Steel Blue. Added bonus: the waterproof but breathable eXhaust 3.0 nylon is manufactured from 100-percent recycled material. Price: $825. Visit levelsix.com for more intel.

Feeling Invincible

There’s a new jig in town: the Invincibles. Invincible Jigs, started by home-grown Chesapeake Bay anglers, makes 7” soft plastics called Seam Swimmers with “Invinciflex,” which is said to be uber-strong and stretch rather than tear. It’s available in Pearl, Hot Pink Pearl, Chartreuse Pearl, Kevyu, and Violet Pearl (wow, those guys really like pearl!!). Invincible Jigs also makes a range of powder-painted, UV-coated heads for these tails, with twin keepers and massive eyes; quarter ounce to two-ounce heads are available with nickel-coated 2X 4/0 to 8/0 hooks. Invincible says more variety is coming this spring, so stay tuned. Price: $8.99 for a three pack of tails; heads start at $5.49 for a three pack. Visit invinciblejigs.com to check ‘em out for yourself.

CHESAPEAKE CALENDAR

APRIL

LIVE with Lenny

Join us on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. for new episodes. Watch on Facebook or YouTube. Tune in for an interactive live stream with Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow where he discusses various seasonal fishing tips and tricks for targeting a variety of fish species.

Marine Virtual Job Fair

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by Compass Maritime Group. Free for job seekers or register to be an exhibitor.

FSFF Monthly Fly Tying 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers clubhouse (behind Ford Hall) at the Davidsonville Family Rec Center. Join FSFF as one of our members instructs us on how to tie a couple of fly patterns and demonstrates proper tying techniques. All materials will be provided. Please bring your vise and tying tools if you have them. Questions: rybeer@gmail.com

5 Maryland Osprey and Nature Festival

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the boardwalk in North Beach, MD. If you love birds, wildlife, and nature, or just want to learn more, please come out and be a part of this wonderful Festival for a great cause. It is an event for the entire family and people of all ages.

8 CCA Reef Ball Build 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sunderland Elementary School in Sunderland, MD. RSVP to volunteer with CCA at ccamd.org

9 Frederick Saltwater Anglers Monthly Meeting

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Frederick Elks Lodge #682. Optional food starts at 6 and meeting begins at 7. Speaker: Bay Hunter Mason Hallock. Vendor: 6 Knots Fishing Apparel.

CCA Angler’s Night Out 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at West End Grill in Annapolis. Speaker: Captain Steve Griffin on ‹Current x Drift› mastery. Free.

11-13 Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point

New location, same great boat show! At Safe Harbor Narrows Point on Kent Island.

First Landing Wine and Arts Festival

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Clement’s Island Museum in Coltons Point, MD. Enjoy wine by the glass or purchase a bottle from St. Mary’s County wineries and craft beverage makers, all while browsing locally crafted items and more on museum grounds.

12 Sail & Sell: A Maritime Market Collective

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at: Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies, Chesapeake Light Craft, and Fawcett Boat Supplies. In Annapolis, MD. Visit each location for deals and promos. Flea market and swap meet.

16 Annapolis Anglers Club Monthly Meeting

Speaker, food and drink, table raffle, and 50/50. Food starts at 6 p.m., followed by a meeting at 7 p.m. At the American Legion Post 7, Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

17 MSFC Monthly Meeting

7 to 8 p.m. at Elks Lodge #1272 in Cambridge, MD. Mid-Shore Fishing Club of Maryland.

17-18

Seattle Yachts

Annapolis Spring Demo Days

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard in Annapolis. Featuring the Nimbus T8, C9, and W11. Call (410) 397-7323 to register or visit seattleyachts.com

24-27 Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show

At City Dock, Annapolis.

25-27 Spring DelMarVa Birding Weekend

The event celebrates the amazing warblers, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors that visit and live here on the peninsula. Since 1995, this event has combined boat trips, paddling treks, and expeditions on foot when migrating birds are arriving and passing through the peninsula for nesting season.

26-27 Pirates Invade Yorktown Weekend

Enjoy live blacksmith demonstrations, explore a pirate encampment, sing along to sea shanties, take part in a town-wide treasure hunt, and witness exciting cannon demonstrations. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yorktown waterfront, VA.

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

APRIL

(continued)

25 - May 4

Captain Steve’s Spring Flounder Tournament Anglers may enter their heaviest Striper, Drum, Bluefish, Kingfish, Trout, Flounder, only one fish per angler. Location: Assateague Island Virginia. Daily weigh-ins end at 8 p.m. at Captain Steveï¿½s Bait & Tackle in Chincoteague, VA. $1000 first place award.

For links to the websites for these events and more, visit fishtalkmag.com/calendar

MAY

FSFF Annual Swap Meet

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse (behind Ford Hall) at the Davidsonville Family Rec Center in Davidsonville, MD. Open to the public, free. A wide array of fly fishing and other fishing related rods, reels, fly lines, equipment, clothing, and books will be available for sale, all at incredible prices.

Solomons Maritime Festival

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. The event includes the Antique Boat and Marine Show. Also toy boat building for kids, free 30-minute cruises on the Wm. B. Tennison, local music, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, model boats, and more. Free.

3-4

43rd Annual Havre de Grace Decoy and Wildlife Art Festival

Presented by the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum at the e STAR Centre, 700 Congress Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD.

10 Anglers Combos for Kids Event

At Podickory to fish, weigh-ins at Anglers Sports Center in Annapolis. 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. catfish tournament in partnership with CCA. All of the meat collected will be donated to those in need. (Boats are needed for CFK kids to participate.)

10 Catfish for Kids

Free invasives fishing tournament presented by Anglers Sports Center.

CCA Central Region Chapter Annual “Celebration of Conservation” 6 to 9 p.m. at Linganore Wine Cellar in Mt. Airy, MD. Oyster bar, delicious dinner, beer, wine, raffles, silent and live auctions. This fundraising dinner directly supports CCA Maryland’s focus on ensuring the health of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them.

14 Frederick Saltwater Anglers Monthly Meeting

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Frederick Elks Lodge #682. Optional food starts at 6 and meeting begins at 7. We have a speaker and vendor along with raffle prizes and a 50/50.

15 MSFC Monthly Meeting

7 to 8 p.m. at Elks Lodge #1272 in Cambridge, MD. Mid-Shore Fishing Club of Maryland.

16-18 4th Annual Smith Island Fishing Tournament

This tournament celebrates the culture of this iconic Chesapeake Bay community. Prizes awarded for the top “Smith Island Slam,” which is a three-fish stringer of a redfish, rockfish, and speckled seatrout. Proceeds benefit the Smith Island Fire Departments and its First Responders. Register on iAngler.

20 CCA Reef Ball Build

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Harmony Elementary School in Owings, MD. RSVP to volunteer with CCA at ccamd.org

21 Annapolis Anglers Club Monthly Meeting

Speaker, food and drink, table raffle, and 50/50. Food starts at 6 p.m., followed by meeting at 7 p.m. American Legion Post 7, Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

CMM Waterside Music Series

7 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. Live music by Jordan Davis.

25 NorthCoast On-Water Experience

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine at Eastern Bay Yachting Center (1804 Crab Alley Drive, Chester, MD). Join Pocket Yacht Co. and reserve your VIP ride aboard the NorthCoast 315HT, 255HT, and 235HT! Experience the thrill firsthand with rides, refreshments, and raffles, plus special weekend pricing on all in-stock boats. Appointment is required to participate in test rides, so RSVP by May 22nd at: Sales@Pocket-Yacht.com or at pocketyachtco.com

CCA Reef Ball Build

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Windy Hill Elementary School in Owings, MD. RSVP to volunteer with CCA at ccamd.org

31 Herrington Harbour North Marina Resort Boater Yard Sale

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Herrington Harbour North (389 Deale Rd, Tracys Landing, MD). Come find great deals on all things boating-related including boats, boating gear, outboards, rigging, sails, and more! Do you have boating gear to sell? Reserve a spot by contacting David at david@herringtonharbour.com or (410) 867-4343. There is no fee to sell, however registration is required.

Virginia

Reader Photos

# Landon and Mason braved the winter cold and caught up the catfish.

# Nathan and his crew enjoyed some awesome yellow perch action on the Susky.

# Colin’s first rockfish! Colin’s first rockfish!

# Eddie hit the river between blasts of cold this winter and pursued the pickerel.

# Ron hit the inlets and enjoyed some awesome action on reds this winter.

# John got into the blue cats on the Potomac.

# Dave broke the 26” pickerel mark in Stony Creek this winter.

# Julian jigged up a healthy winter rockfish. WTG, Julian!

# Jeremiah tied into a monster 7.5-pound bass — on a chatterbait he made at home, no less.

# Former cover model Rashan cranked up a winter striper.

# Ryan spent a winter afternoon on the Patuxent and came up with this catfish.

# Kevin tied into a nice one on a sunny February afternoon.

# Gary found good ice— and good fishing—on the Gunpowder this winter.

# Alex found a few Potomac River catfish!

# Eric, c’mon man! We know you got hungry while you were out there catching rockfish but they call those things lice, not rice!

# It might have been freezing outside, but Eric and the boys were on fire this winter.

# Look! It’s the elusive striped

# Jackson and Zack tied into a 180 pound, 65-incher off OC last December. W-O-A.

Kambobass!

# Adam tied into a bass pushing five pounds this winter. Nice one, Adam!

# Melissa tied into a nice bass in the Pocomoke.

# John found the Middle Bay to his liking this winter.

# Dr. Mike found a biggie.

# Billy tied into some nice pickerel while fishing Stoney Creek.

# Eddie of High Octane Custom Baits caught this beaut of a

Can you guess what he was throwing…?

# Jeff sent us this pic to remind Chesapeake dwellers just how good ice fishing can be. If you go to Wisconsin…

# Ron and Jay paid a visit to Palm Beach, where there were some wahoo wandering around.

snakehead.

# Contributor Adam Greenberg didn’t let a little snow stop him from catching fish.

# Apex Predators was into the big blue cats this spring.

# Ron took a trip to Florida this winter where he enjoyed some mackarelroni salad.

Hot New Fishboats

By Lenny Rudow

Scout 260 LXF: Tip of the Spear

There are many, many 26’ center consoles out there, but there are not many that will rival Scout’s 260 LXF—in a number of ways. The 260 LXF replaced Scout’s 255, which was previously the smallest boat in the builder’s luxury center console lineup. It’s 6” longer, holds 14 gallons more fuel, can take 50 additional horses, and has a notably larger bow lounger forward of the console. But the biggest difference you’ll see looking at the old versus the new comes down to the tech.

The 260 LXF comes standard with the Seakeeper Ride vessel attitude control system, which is more or less like having genius trim tabs on steroids. As the sensors feed data to the computer brain those tabs (which are more like rotary blades) make up to 100 adjustments per second to keep your boat level. Net result? According to Seakeeper’s testing (and

we’ve validated theirs against our own in the past and found no differences) on the Scout 260 LXF that translates into a 64-percent reduction of roll and a 63-percent reduction of pitch in a oneto two-foot confused sea.

Another techy touch you’ll enjoy is the hard top. Look at any number of different builders and it won’t take long to realize that Scout takes their tops seriously, and works hard to provide maximum protection to the boat’s occupants while integrating as many pieces and parts rather than just bolting them on and hoping they stay put. In this case, the top is built with carbon fiber, integrates the spreader lights, stereo speakers, and switch panel, and even the three-sided enclosure itself. It’s as slick as they come.

More modern perks include USB and USB-C ports, a pair of wireless phone chargers, a Garmin 943xsv (which can be upgraded to a 1243 or a pair of 1243s), and even an anchor cam in the

bow so you can see that the stainlesssteel anchor’s clean and untangled when you raise it up via the windlass in the through-stem bow. Additional options include the usual stuff like radar and autopilot, but you can also add FLIR night vision cameras, joystick controls, and underwater lights.

QUICK FACTS

LOA: 26’0

Beam: 8’11

Displacement: 5300 lbs

Draft (hull): 1’8”

Transom Deadrise: 21.5 degrees

Fuel Capacity: 146 gal.

Max HP: 450

AREA DEALER

Anchor Boats, North East MD (410) 287-8280 anchorboat.com

That’s all uber-cool, but what about fishability? A center console is a center console, right? Well, hold on a sec. One area where many fall short is in the leaning post, where the available space may or may not be fully utilized. In this case you’ll find a bulk stowage drawer plus a pair of tackleboxes, plus-plus a rigging station with a sink. We note that it’s ringed by a hefty stainless-steel grabrail so you can get busy on your way to the canyons, as well as having four rocket launchers and a pair of drink holders. There’s even a slide-out trash bin. Oh, and a 45-quart Yeti underneath. There’s a livewell in the port corner of the transom, fishboxes in the deck, fresh and raw water washdowns, four rocket launchers on the hard top, and not the usual four but instead six flush-mount gunwale rodholders. You can opt for more rodholders in the bow and/or Taco outriggers on the hard top.

Dang and darn, we’re running out of space and we haven’t touched on performance yet: with a single 400-hp Mercury V-10 Verado you’re looking at a 4500 rpm cruise in the upper 30s and a wide-open speed bumping up just over 57 mph. Twin 200s get you a cruise right around 40 and a top end just over 50.

Like we said: there are plenty of 26-footers out there. But not many rivals.

Tidewater 232 CC Adventure: Adventure Time!

They say that life is an adventure, but life is better—and the adventures are better—on a boat. And if you’re looking for a boat that’s sized, equipped, and built just right for Chesapeake Bay angling adventures, the Tidewater 232 CC Adventure is one you’ll want to check out.

When you do see the Tidewater, be prepared for a pinch of pizazz and a touch of tenacity you might not have been expecting. This model boasts a throughstem anchor with windlass, something

you’d normally expect to see on larger, more expensive models. The hard top features a three-sided enclosure. A Seakeeper Ride system smooths out the seas. And when we jumped aboard a 232 CC at the Richmond Boat Show we were surprised to see touches like an inductive cell phone charger/holder, blue-glowing lighted drink holders, and multi-color lighted push-button switches at the helm.

A few other traits we couldn’t help but note: the boat has significant

Carolina flare in the bow, more than normally seen on boats in this size range. And the hard top design is a real standout, with stereo speakers, courtesy lights, spreader lights, and an overhead electronics box all fully integrated, rather than being bolt-on additions. Detail work is excellent, too; consider the blind-fastened pipework supports, flush enclosure windows, and colored gelcoat underside. Tidewater’s design team clearly has not been slacking off.

# The carbon hard top is as slick as they come.

That stuff’s all cool, but what we really need to know is how this boat fishes. And Tidewater rigs it right, with a 30-gallon insulated and lighted livewell in the transom, eight flushmount rodholders in the transom and gunwales, four rocket launchers on the leaning post, and four more on the T-top. Take note of the under-gunwale rodracks, which are padded with a foam liner to prevent reels from slapping the fiberglass inwales.

One nifty way Tidewater gives you more cockpit space than the average boat of this size is the leaning post design. Instead of a space-eating large fiberglass unit (or minimalist bare pipework) you’ll see a svelte and compact but fully finished seatback. Tidewater minimizes its footprint, but it looks slick and there’s still room to slide a cooler underneath. As a result, when you fold away the transom bench seat there’s more elbow room on deck than you might have expected.

The 232 CC Adventure can be had with up to 300 horses and if you load on that much power streaking across the Bay will be an adventure in and of itself. You can look for a cruise in the 40 mph range and a top-end around 50 mph. Or, go mellow and run in the 30 mph range and the boat tops three mpg. But of course, most of us won’t pull that throttle back to mosey along at most efficient cruise. Hatstripping speeds are just SO much more fun—let’s enjoy that adventure, shall we?

LOA: 23’8”

Beam: 8’10”

Displacement: 3800 lbs

Draft: 1’3”

Transom Deadrise: 20 deg

Fuel Capacity: 95 gal

Max Power : 300 hp

Quick Facts Area Dealer

Jetts Marine, Reedville, VA (804) 453-3611 jettsmarine.com

Sea-Doo FishPro Apex 300:

By Kaylie Jasinski

Do you want a small, easy-to-handle watercraft? How about the ability to get into tight spots not accessible by larger vessels? Do you want to zip to the fishing grounds at eye-watering speeds of 65 mph? If you say yes to any of those questions, then you’ll want to check out the 2025 Sea-Doo FishPro

Apex 300. While the FishPro lineup has been around since 2019, the Apex 300 is the most advanced and fishing-specific model yet, and it’s only available for a limited one-year production run.

This model comes equipped with all the standard tournament-worthy features of the FishPro Trophy, such as a modular swivel seat, a 51 L LinQ cooler with integrated livewell and washdown, and iDF (Intelligent Debris Free) pump system that affords riders the ability to clear a clogged intake with just the push of a button. Other features include a nine-inch Garmin fish finder GPS; seven rod holders; a rear deck extension which adds stability and four LinQ attachment points that allow riders to carry more tackle, equipment, or fuel for the day’s adventures; a tall touring windshield; an adjustable handlebar riser; pop-up

cleats to make docking easier but are out of the way to prevent snagging lines; and a heavy-duty grab handle that makes beaching, launching, and landing safer and easier.

Thanks to the 300-hp Rotax 1630 ACE engine, there’s no skimping on performance. Equipped with advanced combustion efficiency (ACE), this three-cylinder engine is supercharged with an external intercooler, delivering high efficiency and amazing acceleration. This allows anglers the flexibility to travel farther distances to the

fishing grounds and get there in a hurry. The ride is made more comfortable thanks to the adjustable steering damper that smooths the adventure by reducing the amount of feedback riders feel through the handlebars. If you want a mini fishing machine or enjoy fishing from a kayak but are hoping to expand your speed and range, the Sea-Doo FishPro Apex 300 would make for a very exciting steppingstone from kayak to boat. To learn more, visit sea-doo.brp.com

Beating the Drum

How to target redfish in the surf.

By Dave Moore

Fall is my favorite time of the year to target red drum in the surf, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time you can target them. In the spring season you can catch them in our area, including Maryland but with a better shot casting from Virginia’s beaches.

The When

When the fishing gets good will be temperature-dependent. The ideal water temperature range for bigger reds is 61 to 70 degrees; this is when most reds will school and produce a decent bite. From 70 to 75 degrees they do not school as much, but the bite is still good. With temperatures above 75 reds disperse out into deeper water then move back into the shallows at night to feed.

As for what time of day to fish, for me I have learned you can catch reds day or night, but it comes down to time of year as well. In the spring sunrise and sunset are the best times of day, especially near a high tide. In the summer, 90 percent of all my reds are caught at night. Reds are nocturnal by nature, and the water temps are cooler at night. In the early fall I

target them during the night then transition to mornings and evenings as the days get cooler.

The What

When it comes to bait selection I have a general rule of thumb I follow religiously from the surf: match the hatch. If you’re

seeing tons of spot and whiting in the surf while casting your smaller rods, target them as bait. If menhaden are abundant but spot and whiting are few and far between, your best bet would be menhaden. Peeler crab may be a great bait in the bays but for what it’s worth I have always had better luck using cut bait from the surf. Generally speaking, my go-to baits line up in this order:

• Spot

• Whiting (also called kingfish and roundhead) is a close second

• Mullet comes next

• Then menhaden

I chunk the baits into sections and use the heads. For the heads, I’ll hook through one eye and out the other with spot. Bigger whiting you will want to hook through the nose, and smaller whiting can be hooked through one eye and out the other. Same goes for mullet. Menhaden is the only bait where I will hook the head from the lower jaw out between the eyes, because if you’re fishing heavy current and you

# When it comes to choosing bait, matching the hatch is a solid rule to follow.

# The author with a surf-caught bull red.

hook menhaden through the eyes, the mouth usually opens and becomes a parachute of sorts, making it that much harder to hold bottom. For the meat section of any of these fish I will hook just above the spine exposing as much of the hook as I can.

For rigs, targeting reds is straightforward. I use a simple fish-finder rig with anywhere from an 8/0 to a 10/0 inline circle hook. The bite leader I prefer is 80- to 100-pound mono. This will give you a better chance of getting the rig back if a toothy critter latches on.

For rods and reels I use mostly conventional gear, but spinning gear works as well. I prefer a 12’ or 13’ rod with a weight rating of six to 12 ounces. For line I use 17-pound test mono with 30’ of 50-pound test shock leader tied to the mono. I like having long shock leader to help fight the fish when close to shore, so I can grab the

line and not have to worry about it breaking. Plus, once I get the shock leader onto the reel I can really tighten my drag down to finish the fight. For spinning setups you can get away with the same, or some like braided line. I would recommend 50-pound braid as a minimum, because braid isn’t very resistant to chafing and if the fish runs down over the outer bar and your line happens to hit a seashell when pulled tight, you’re going to lose it.

The Where

This is by far one of the most important parts of catching reds from the surf. It’s also one of the few times knowing how to cast for distance can really help. I do not spend a lot of time looking for rips or breaks in the bar. If I find one, great, but it’s not super important to me. I honestly like to just look for areas where I can cast

to and over the outer bar. I have had some of my best days at spots most guys overlook because they look like everything else. The biggest difference is that the outer bar is in close. If I find a spot where I can clear the bar at high tide it will be just as good at low tide.

This is where bait placement is especially important. I don’t want to put my bait a mile over the bar, but just on the back side. If I cast out and my bait does not want to hold bottom I’ll bring it back in and cast again. If it sticks when it hits it stays in that spot. I will then cast a bait on the front side of the bar, especially at high tide. I’ve found reds love to cruise along that outer bar looking for easy meals.

I am sure I’ve missed a few things, but I hope you all can put what I’ve learned over the years to good use and be successful. Feel free to reach out and let us know your results.

Bird’s Eye View

This was a spot I fished this past spring for stripers but it would be great for reds as well. The red lines were the most productive spots. The yellow lines were the reason. Obviously the yellow circle was a break in the bar, definitely a great spot, but the majority of the fish were caught at the yellow line. That sandbar was only 75 yards off the beach at high tide and I sent the drone up at dead low because I wanted to see what I was missing from ground level that made this spot so good.

By Staff

Catfish are the epitome of a mixed blessing: the blues are apex predators ravaging our native fisheries, but at the same time, they provide us with utterly epic fishing opportunities. Both blues and flatheads can grow to be massive, true river monsters that could potentially outweigh the angler when you take your kids fishing. These species plus channel cats are present in huge numbers in many waterways ranging from tributaries to the open Upper Bay. They’re usually quite willing to bite, there’s no size or bag limit in some areas and generous limits in all areas, and as an added bonus eating-sized fish (especially the blues) are excellent table fare.

All of these factors make catfish a tempting target, and if you saw last month’s article “Gearing up for Ginormous” you already know what you’ll need to take on the task. But one question remains: exactly where should you go? You have nearly endless options because these fish have proven so prolific in so many waterways. These five hot zones listed north to south, however, will rank at or near the top of any angler’s list.

The Susquehanna is an excellent bet for anglers looking for big numbers of fish up into the 40- to 50-pound class. Since the blue cats arrived here later than they did down south they haven’t yet grown quite as large as the behemoths you’ll find in some of the other waterways we’ll mention, but their numbers have taken off exponentially—there will be times when baits get eaten one after the next in rapid succession. Catching piles of 20- and 30-pounders with a bigger fish or two in the mix is a distinct possibility. On top of the blues plenty of channel cats and flathead catfish are found here as well, more flatheads farther upriver than down, and they can also go up into the 50-plus-pound range.

Anglers generally look for the catfish along channel edges, with rocky areas producing more of the flatheads. Anywhere within sight of the Route 95 bridge is a solid bet but plenty of these fish can be caught anywhere from the dam pool clear out to the mouth

Barbels in the Bullseye

of the river. At times, the Susquehanna Flats and the channel edges around it will also prove to be prime territory for blue cats and channel cats.

Catfish fishing ranges from excellent to absurdly good from Fletcher’s Boathouse clear down to the Route 301 bridge. Fish here can reach up to the 80-plus-pound range and the Maryland state record, an 84-pound blue catfish, was caught in the Potomac just south of Fort Washington. The Potomac is also popular among anglers hoping to take home dinner, as there are hordes of 20- to 30-inch blue cats which are perfect for the frying pan swimming alongside the megamonster fish.

Thanks to excellent access including some spots that produce true trophies, the Potomac is also a favorite among shoreline anglers. Fort Washington, the Tidal Basin, Georgetown Waterfront Park, and Chain Bridge are all areas where you can cast out from

shore and have an excellent shot at reeling back a river monster. Boat anglers will be well served by fishing near the bridges and along the channel edges, especially on the outer edges of the channel where the river takes a bend.

The mighty Rap sometimes gets overshadowed by its southern neighbor the James, but it produces far more than its fair share of catfish. They generally aren’t as monstrous as those in the James but the numbers of eating-sized channel and blue cats are off the charts, and recent Virginia DWR electro-shocking samplings have turned up fish over 50 pounds. The state’s bow fishing record for blue catfish was set here in 2022 with a fish pushing 69 pounds.

There’s a ton of territory to potentially cover, because the entire stretch from Fredericksburg clear down to Tappahannock (and beyond when salinity levels are relatively low)

# Who weighs more, the angler or the catfish? Sometimes it can be tough to tell. WTG Logan, you conquered the beast!

can be extremely productive. The farther upriver you go the larger the proportion of channel cats versus blues. Again, look for those holes and channel edges and sink your baits down deep.

While catfish might bite well at any given moment, the night bite is often the right bite if you’re hunting those big trophy-sized beasts—particularly during the summer months. If you plan to try night fishing for colossal cats remember to get a selection of rods designed specifically for the task, like Okuma’s Cat Slayer Custom Catfish Rods. Okuma is sponsoring this series (thanks folks!) because they build serious catfishing gear that anglers need to know about—and the Slayers have a UVactivated finish so you can keep an eye out for the slightest quiver of the UFR rod tips long after the sun has gone down.

# The high-vis finish on the Cat Slayers means you’ll see every bite both day and night.

The James is ground-zero for blue catfish in Chesapeake tributaries. The fish were first released here in 1974 in an effort to establish a trophy fishery, and though they did unexpectedly escape the rivers’ confines, the action here most certainly qualifies as world class. At least in this sense, the experiment was successful. Blues in the 30- to 60-pound range are relatively common, and the James has the distinction of providing the only documented catfish to break the 100-pound mark (a 102-pound, 10-ounce blue cat) caught in a Chesapeake Bay tributary. Fish the James up near Richmond and big flatheads are a possibility, too,

especially if you send a live bluegill swimming near structure and snags. For the blues look for channel edges and holes and sink your baits in the vicinity; the zone from Hopewell to Claremont is all prime territory.

This body of water has produced not only the Virginia state record, but also the world record for blue catfish caught on hook and line. Yes, the WORLD RECORD. Back in June of 2011 a 143-pound blue cat broke the existing state record of 109 pounds—which was also caught in Kerr. And on top of that another fish topping 100 pounds,

a 105-pounder, was caught here last March during a catfish tournament. Added bonus: flatheads are in attendance, too.

Since Bugg’s Island is an enclosed freshwater waterbody as opposed to being a Chesapeake trib, fishing here differs a bit from the other areas we’ve mentioned. Depending on the time of year and water temperature the fish may be spread out, concentrated more up-lake, or may be near the mouths of the feeder creeks. Fan-casting along a ledge or drop-off to cover different depths is the most common tactic. Night fishing for catfish is particularly popular here, too, especially during the summer months.

See our video on gearing up for MONSTER blue catfish at youtube.com/fishtalkmagazine

Cat Slayer Custom Rods are built to dominate trophy catfish, day or night. With durable e-glass blanks and Okuma’s UFR rod-tip technology for maximum power, they present ultimate strength and durability. UV-activated paint and guide wrapping ensure precise casting and strike detection in low light. Available in six models from 7’6” to 8’0” with medium light to heavy power, Cat Slayer Custom Rods let anglers pursue their passion anywhere, anytime.

REACTIVE

EARLY SEASON SHORELINE CRAPPIE FISHING for Beginners

By Adam Greenberg

Secure some slabs when they’re fat, up shallow, and eager to bite.

Ah, yes, the sweet smell of spring. The earthy essence of morning dew, the floral scent of blooming silver maples, and of course, the mouth-watering aroma of crappie filets sizzling in hot oil. After a long, cold couple of months, crappie will abandon their winter haunts and start to head towards shallow water warmed by the springtime sun. And savvy anglers will be right there to meet them.

Knowing that the spawn is fast approaching and that much energy will be required to perform their duties, the males begin to feed hard and often. They simultaneously prepare beds in anticipation of their fertile female companions. This is known as prespawn behavior, and once water temperatures climb above 50 or so degrees fahrenheit, it’s on.

“Early season” is a relative term. For kayak or boat based anglers, the prespawn period may not be early at all. They may have been targeting crappie in deep holes all winter, provided there was open water. Nevertheless, these tactics for fishing the crappie prespawn apply to boaters just as well as land-based fishermen. But for shorebound anglers, prespawn is really the first opportunity of the year to enjoy consistent action and full stringers. So let’s get into it.

Areas To Target

As mentioned, crappie begin moving shallow once water temperatures surpass 50 degrees. This can include depths of one foot to 10 feet, but for the sake of shoreline anglers, we’ll simplify it and say this: crappie in prespawn mode will be within casting distance from shore on most bodies of water. That’s all you really need to know about water depth when walking the bank, and it’s why this is such an exciting time of year for the boots-onthe-ground crappie buff.

What’s more relevant than specific water depth is finding the right structure. Crappie will tend to build their beds very close to cover, unlike bass and bluegill which you may have seen on beds in more open water. It is also vital to these crappie that there are feeding grounds nearby, too. So, I like to marry these two factors together when deciding where to cast. Is there a downed tree next to a muddy, crawfish laden flat? How about a dock adjacent to a weedline teeming with insects? Or a submerged rock pile off a point that collects minnows on the regular? You get the idea. Easy access to food sources plus safety of cover equals slab city.

Gear and Tactics

Any light or ultralight rod will be best for crappie fishing. Higher power rods will have a difficult time casting the light offerings often used to target these fish. Plus, the fight is just more fun on lighter gear. Reel size is less important here, but for a nicely balanced and sensitive setup, a 500 or 1000 size is ideal.

Spool those reels up with four- to six-pound clear monofilament or braid. If using braid, be sure to tie a clear monofilament or fluorocarbon leader of similar breaking strength to account for those line-shy fish. Using this light gear will flat-out get you more bites, especially if you continue using the same combos to fish for crappie as they progress to the spawn, during which time they will be much less eager to eat.

Live bait is king in crappie fishing. There is truly no better offering than a minnow suspended under a bobber. That said, many of us prefer the challenge of artificial lures. An excellent way to mimic the minnowand-bobber presentation is to use a technique known as the “float and fly.” Set this rig up in the exact same way as your minnow-and-bobber rig, but tie

# The author holds up a stringer of crappie he collected while creek hopping.

a small marabou, hair, or feather jig in place of the hook or jig head where you would have rigged the minnow. Size of jig should typically not exceed an eighth of an ounce in order to achieve the delicate presentation of this technique. In terms of colors, think very bright or very dark for dirty water, and muted or natural colors for clear water. White is hard to beat in any condition, though. Presentation will be much more important with this method than color. Which brings us to our next point: how to fish the “float and fly.” Cast out your rig and allow the jig to sink once it hits the water. The reason we use lightweight lures for this method is to achieve a slow, tantalizing fall that the crappie can’t resist. Now, slowly pull or lightly pop your bobber to move it a few inches, and reel up the slack. What you’ve just done is allowed that jig to rise and fall again, imitating a carefree or injured minnow. Rinse and repeat until that bobber dunks. (P.S. a little added scent to your jig can go a long way).

Other artificial offerings for crappie include micro spinnerbaits and micro soft plastics. Spinners can be effective search baits for covering water and finding where the crappie are cruising. Micro soft plastics rigged on lightweight jig heads are also great options for bouncing bottom or shaking in front of suspended fish. Same deal here with color selection as with the “float and fly” jigs.

Where To Catch Prespawn Crappie

The Chesapeake Bay region is rife with opportunity to target crappie, both tidal and non-tidal, from shore. We’d like to highlight a couple of our favorite spots to chase these fish.

• Tuckahoe State Park and other Eastern Shore millponds are absolutely loaded with crappie. With plenty of room to roam the banks and find slab city, they’re a landbased angler’s playground. Target the out-flowing creek mouths of these millponds during prespawn.

• The Upper Choptank River is another hotspot for catching early season crappie. In fact, it’s panfish paradise, as fishing the perch run

can be extremely productive here as well. Look for public shoreline access in the towns of Greensboro and Hillsboro.

• Alright, so this last “hotspot” isn’t really a spot at all, it’s more of a tip from a longtime land-based angler. Go creek-hopping. What I mean by this is get in your car, head to the Eastern Shore, open up your maps app, and find places where the road crosses a creek branch of one of the Bay’s many tributaries. Remember, these spots should be well upstream in fresher water since tidal crappie have much lower tolerance to salinity than many

other tidal species. Once you’ve found a spot (and ensured that you are not trespassing, illegally parked, or doing anything else against the law), hop out of the car and give it a couple casts. Usually, there isn’t much water to cover in each of these spots, so if your bobber doesn’t dunk in 10 to 20 minutes, head to a new location.

I’ve found some absolute gems doing this, filled many stringers, and even caught a few personal bests trying all these different spots. So, get out and explore. That’s truly the best way to find slab city and take the utmost advantage of early season crappie from the shore. #

# This crappie was seduced by a 1/16 oz white marabou jig fished using the float and fly technique.

Spring Boat ShowExtravaganza

By Staff

Finding that new fishing boat will be more fun than ever.

Extravaganza? Yes, EXTRAVAGANZA! Those of us who have been attending the Bay Bridge Boat Show for years are finding out that for 2025, there’s an entirely new show in town: the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point. This is going to be the big boat show kicking off spring and a new boating season for our entire region, and the new venue is looking rockin’ cool.

What we’re really interested in, of course, will be checking out all the hot new fishing boats. And hopefully, buying a new one for your 2025 angling endeavors. But when it comes to such a substantial purchase you’ll want to make a wise decision, and boat buying can be tough. With acre after acre of gleaming fiberglass in front of your eyes it gets difficult to differentiate between Boat X and Boat Y. So, what are the top five most important factors to look for?

1. Layout

Which will best serve you, your family, and your friends is a judgement call that only you can make. Center consoles win hands-down for sheer fishability, but they also lose big when it comes to protection from the weather and windblast. Dual consoles give up a bit of casting space but add an element of protection when cruising. Cabin boats like pilothouse or cuddy cabin models give up still more fishing room but in favor of excep-

tionally good protection plus weekending abilities. It’s best to try to decide what sort of layout is best for your needs prior to the show, so you can focus on a reasonable number of contenders.

2. Construction

First things first: remember that the major structural components of virtually all molded fiberglass boats built in America today are thoroughly robust. Some are more robust than others, but between USCG minimum standards and National Marine

# The new venue of Safe Harbor Narrows Point has plenty of room and hundreds of new boats will be on display.

Details, Details

The Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point runs April 11 through April 13, at Safe Harbor Narrows Point, 428 Kent Narrow Way North, Grasonville, MD.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $20; children under 15 get in for free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online via annapolisboatshows. com or at the gate.

There’s a wide selection of restaurants within walking distance plus food and drink on-site.

Be sure to come by and check out the PropTalk Demo Dock, free boating education seminars, and the fishing section!

Manufacturer’s Association certification, it’s tough to find a boat in this day and age which doesn’t have a sound hull, deck, and stringers.

Sloppy fit and finish or the extensive use of flimsy plastic parts are obviously signs of lower quality construction, while a higher grade of fit and finish indicates a builder who takes pride and care at each and every step. But don’t think of fit and finish as a tell-all construction factor. When it comes to items like the underside of a hatch or the appearance of a bilge, many boats that are quite robust will appear imperfect. That’s because finishing off these spots takes time and time is money. There are many boats out there which cost significantly less than the competition because the builder prioritized affordability over eye-appeal. That said, we do want to note a few specifics to consider: unfinished fiberglass surfaces are notoriously difficult to keep clean, through-bolts with nylock backing nuts will always last longer than screws, the more a pipework

structure flexes the more likely you’ll break a weld at some point, and antimicrobialtreated vinyls will resist mold and mildew far longer than regular vinyls.

3. Power

How much power is enough for your desired cruising and top-end speeds? Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to make that call in this day and age. Most major outboard manufacturers publish performance reports that are easily found online, and we include performance data whenever possible in our FishTalk boat reviews (just type the model boat you’re looking at into the search box at the upper right at FishTalkMag.com to see if we’ve covered it). On top of that, most dealers have a pretty good idea of how fast the boats they sell will run with different powerplants. They’re generally very upfront and honest when discussing performance because they know a customer or potential customer will be quite upset if led astray, so if you ask at the show you’ll usually get an accurate answer.

Thanks, Folks!

Remember anglers, we wouldn’t be able to bring you FishTalk in all its glory month after month—for free—without the support of our advertisers. Many of them are boat dealers and manufacturers, so if you’re looking at a boat you’ve seen on the pages of FishTalk be sure to thank the dealers and reps for supporting your favorite fishing publication.

4. Affordability

To one degree or another the size of your budget will very likely determine the size of your boat. But don’t think of boat buying as a one-time purchase. Most of us use a boat for five or six years before upgrading, and few of us hang onto a boat for a decade or more. And the resale or trade-in value of your boat will usually determine how much money you feel comfortable putting down on the next upgrade. So don’t mix up the sticker price of a boat with its actual cost—the price you paid minus what you sell it for down the line. You can look up resale values for boats built by the manufacturer of a model you’re looking at, and with very little effort figure out if their similar models lost X percent of their value in five years, or Y percent. Then take that intel into consideration when you make your final choice.

5. Seakeeping

This one can be a touchy subject, because different people have different expectations and different boats are designed with different balances between maximizing smoothness, maximizing stability, maximizing efficiency, maximizing interior volume, and many, many more factors that all influence overall seakeeping abilities. The bottom line? Always sea trial a boat before purchasing one, so you know it will live up to your own personal expectations.

# Will you find your dream boat at the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point? One can only hope!

Offshore Fishing

Will you

be ready for offshore action when the first reports come streaming in?

By Staff

Making fishing predictions is always risky, but we’re going to go out on a limb here and bet that this being the April edition, someone who’s reading these words right now will encounter tuna offshore of the Mid-Atlantic coast at sometime within the next month. And hopefully, not just one—let’s cross our fingers that the spread gets covered up.

Just when the first of these oceanic eating machines shows up is, of course, a function of nature. Will an eddy break off from the Gulf Stream and swirl our way? Will the ocean warm up fast this spring? Will hordes of bait decide to camp out in one area or another, and attract packs of predators? At this point in time we can’t answer those questions. There’s one question that can be answered, however: will you be ready for action the moment those first reports start coming in?

Shake it Up

Job number one: if you haven’t already splashed the boat and gone for a shakedown cruise, make it happen ASAP. Unlike rods, reels, and line, boats aren’t easily replaced and can take a long time to get fixed. If you wait until you hear there’s a bite going off at the Washington to get your fishing machine ready, then discover that a lower unit’s gone kaput or the alternator needs to be replaced, you might not get your boat back until the fish are all the way up near the Hudson. When you do your shakedown remember to activate every switch and system whether you need to at the moment, or not. Now’s the time to find out if this pump is acting up or that light has fried. Make a thorough visual inspection of the boat from stem to stern, opening every compartment and shining light into the darkest depths of the bilge. Also be sure to spend a few minutes with the electronics, using everything from the chartplotter to the fishfinder to the autopilot. Make sure your SiriusXM Marine service is ac-

tive and up to date, and overlay current weather or SST data on the chartplotter screen to be sure the system is operating as it should.

Finally, do a check on all of your safety gear. Make sure the fire extinguishers are fully charged, flares aren’t expired, and lifejackets and throw cushions are in good shape.

Check it Out

We’ve covered the gear basics regarding trolling for yellowfin tuna more than once (just type “yellowfin” into the search box at FishTalkMag.com) so we’re not going to go through it all again here, but naturally, a thorough inspection of your gear needs to take place before you point the bow east. And after winter layup,

# When you’re dozens of miles from shore and well beyond cell range, SiriusXM puts the latest weather data right on your chartplotter.

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

Now Fish Mapping subscribers can view the fishing features they love, plus ocean currents, historical data, convergence zones, custom routing and a measuring tool, on their smartphone or tablet while on shore using the new Fish Mapping App!

Offshore Fishing

there are a few common issues to make sure you address:

• Cut off every knot in every line, including Biminis and Spider Hitches, and re-tie them. Knots don’t age well and it’s not uncommon for them to fail the first time they’re stressed after sitting in a garage for six months.

• Check the first 25’ of every line carefully for chafing. This is the part of the line that most commonly gets rubbed across the bottom of the boat and it’s where you’re most likely to find weak spots.

• Check all old crimps, preferably with pressure as opposed to a visual inspection. It’s a good idea to find a solid point like a metal rail or a cleat, put the hook around it, and lean back against the line to test the crimp’s strength.

• Apply slight pressure to drags and strip some line off the reels to make sure they’re smooth and even.

• If you have rods with roller guides or tips, lube the rollers and saw a

# Are you ready for the first pelagic to arrive, or will you miss out on the early bite?

# Let’s hope for an early arrival, Mr. Tuna Fish.

Srubber band back and forth against them to make sure they’re spinning freely.

• Brush out tangles or twists in hair skirts. (If tangles are really bad rinse them down in freshwater, first).

And of course… make sure all those hooks are sharp!

And Don’t Forget…

In addition to the boat and the tackle, there are a few other items you’ll want to take care of sooner rather than later if you’re going to be ready to pull the trigger at a moment’s notice when the fish arrive. Get your HMS permit taken care of and stowed on the boat, so you don’t have to worry about some internet issue messing things up the night before you want to fish for the first time of the season. Call around and make sure you can locate baits, because ballyhoo shortages do happen from time to time and shops that are slack may not have even ordered their spring batch just yet. Sharpen up gaffs and knives, put a fresh set of batteries in those gyroscopic binoculars, and check your supply of rubber bands, copper wire, and crimps. Now, finally, you’re ready to rumble. Keep close tabs on FishTalk’s coastal fishing reports, and hopefully you’ll soon be struggling to find enough room in the freezer.

Serious Advantage

hould you, would you, could you get SiriusXM going on your boat this spring? SiriusXM began as Sirius Satellite Radio over two decades ago, merged with XM Satellite Radio in 2008, and has evolved into far more than mere radio when it comes to the services it provides to mariners. Sure, you can get over 150 channels of commercial-free music, talk radio, and sports when you’re dozens of miles from the dock. But now Fish Mapping is in the mix, too, showing you where all the temperature breaks and plankton fronts are and where specific species are likely to be. (Added bonus: sign up for Fish Mapping and download the Fish Mapping App, and you’ll be able check this stuff out right on your phone). But it’s the weather service that has become a must-have, especially for anglers who want to make the most out of every available minute of offshore fishing time.

With SiriusXM piping the latest data through the sky and right into your MFD, you can see far-off storms plus their direction and speed of travel right on your chartplotter. You can see wind speeds and direction. You can check all the latest forecasts on the spot—wind, waves, and more—and unless you plan to cruise eastward well beyond Bermuda, you’ll always be within the range of coverage.

Whatever electronics system you have, be it Furuno, Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad, or Lowrance, if it’s appropriate for offshore action it’s almost certainly compatible with SiriusXM Marine. Weather receiver hardware can be purchased from most electronics retailers if it’s not already on your boat. The bottom line? With this data at the helm you can fish longer with less risk of getting caught in bad weather, and make better judgements about when it’s time to head for the barn. For more details go to siriusxm.com/marine

# Take the boat for a shakedown cruise asap so there’s plenty of time to get things fixed before the fish arrive.

CHUGGING UP the Chester

Head up the Chester River to find fish-holding structure.

By Wayne Young

The DelMarVa’s Chester River runs about 43 miles from the entrance off Love Point past scenic small towns, villages, and farmlands. It’s navigable upstream to the fixed bridge at Crumpton, MD, through waters that once supported a thriving oyster fishery. Remnant oyster reefs and oyster restoration sites along the way provide spots to prospect for striped bass.

Finding structure is aided by recent Bathymetric Attributed Grid (BAG) Color Shaded Relief that was uploaded to NOAA’s Bathymetric Data Viewer. Dark-shaded areas on both sides of Love Point shown on Chart 1 are areas covered by the new BAG data. Although BAG coverage is mostly partial and focused on the channel, some interesting structure is revealed from just inside Love Point upriver to just below Possum Point.

Site 1 on Chart 1 north of the Chester River entrance is where we’ll find remnants of the Coast Guard training barque Chase. It’s located at the mouth of Swan Creek leading into Rock Hall Harbor at coordinates 39°08.42 x 76°15.76. The site is of particular interest to me having trained aboard a successor, the Coast Guard’s barque Eagle. The earlier 106’ sailing ship began service in 1878. Later, Chase was cut in half and lengthened to 124’. After serving 30 years, the cutter was decommissioned in 1907. The vessel thereafter became a quarantine ship operated by the U.S. Marine Hospital Service and was later reconfigured as a detention barge. No longer fit for service, the hull was grounded as a breakwater for the marina at the mouth of Swan Creek.

Today, this once proud cutter is still there just south of the marina’s updated protective structure. The underwater outline of the forward half of the vessel can be seen in satellite images taken on a clear day; try casting to the wreck when passing by.

An uncharted hard outcropping at Site 2, the “real” Swan Point from eons past, protrudes out into the bend of the ancient Susquehanna riverbed. The reef is oriented

north northwest to south southeast and is about 400 yards long and 125 yards wide. The northern half is most prominent with depths that slope north to south from about 25’ down to 45’. The southern half is less pronounced with depths from about 45’ to 55’. The orientation and configuration disrupt the current flow creating subsurface turbulence and favorable foraging conditions for striped bass.

# This beautiful rockfish smacked a jig fished right around Site 12.

Sites 3, 11, 13, and 14 mark locations where dam demolition rubble was deposited to create artificial reefs supporting oyster restoration. Simkins Dam and three others were removed from the Patapsco River between 2010 and 2019 to open up 65 miles of freeflowing river habitat for American and hickory shad, blueback herring, striped bass, and American eel. Site 3 at coordinates 39°05.99 x 76°16.95 was the first deposit using processed concrete and granite from Simkins Dam. The rubble chunks were deposited on firm flat bottom with one to three feet of vertical relief and then seeded with oyster spat on shell. Additional demolition materials were placed at the other sites. Site 12 is a much earlier oyster restoration project dating from at least 1999 consisting of four clusters of oyster shell piles. Look for the charted 500’ radius charted circle marking the restoration site.

Love Point Fish Haven at Site 5, a broad area of hard outcroppings on the west side of Love Point at Site 6, and a barge wreck at Site 7 are shown for gen-

eral reference. This brings us to Site 8, a 19’ least-depth wreck at coordinates 39°04.667 x 76°15.507. This unidentified wreck was found during a 1999 hydrographic survey. A very grainy side-scan sonar image in the survey Descriptive Report shows a small, rectangular, low-profile wreck. A 32’ leastdepth wreck marked as Site 9 that was also found by the 1999 survey is at coordinates 39°04.108 x 76°16.235. Another grainy side-scan sonar image shows a low-profile hull.

Site 10 is the icebreaker rockpile that was placed around the screwpiles that supported the former Love Point Lighthouse, the base of which is in ruins at the center of the feature. Today, it’s a popular fishing hotspot. Try casting or live-lining here as well as at the adjacent navigation light structure.

Moving south to Site 15, look for two clusters of charted subsurface rocks and a single charted rock off the northwest side of Long Point, and another cluster of rocks off the northeast side of the point. Charted water depths are about three feet. Site 16 is a general marker for the two Kent Narrows

bridges and their various structural components. Check these features for stripers when the current is running.

Be sure to visit the substantial historic oyster reef marked as Site 17 on Image 1. It surrounds and extends north of Chester River Channel Buoy 11. The reef is about 600 yards long and up to 200 yards wide. There’s as much as five feet of vertical relief. Least depth is around 22’. Prospect here taking full advantage of side-scan sonar to locate foraging stripers. Also try working the edge of the shelf around the lower end of Eastern Neck Island, which has great scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities plus shallow-water areas for kayak fishers to target.

East northeast of the buoy across the channel at Site 18, coordinates 39°00.808 x 76°11.023W, is an unidentified, uncharted obstruction. It measures about 20’ long and sits in a scour hole (Image 1 insert).

Southwest of Chester River Channel Buoy 12 about 200 yards southeast of Site 18 is a low relief remnant oyster reef with about 15’ of depth. Try drifting across it for spot and perch.

# IMAGE 1: Oyster reef off Eastern Neck Island and uncharted obstruction. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.

Proceeding upriver, Site 19 is a general marker for scattered oyster reef remnant mounds, several very hard shoals, a sharp edge on either side of Chester River Channel Buoy 14, and a large remnant oyster reef northeast of Piney Point. The latter parallels the river channel for about 1500 yards and is about 400 yards wide. The southwestern end is the most prominent section and is centered around coordinates 39°03.203 x 76°11.778. The charted shoal circle doesn’t convey the full expanse of this rugged oyster bottom. Least depth is 14’ with vertical relief of up to six feet on top of the shoal. The northwest edge drops off sharply about 10’. This is another spot where side-scan sonar can earn its keep when prospecting for stripers.

Site 20 marks a very steep edge that’s about 1000 yards long and on the north side of the river channel southeast of the mouth of Jarrett Creek. The river channel runs along the base. Depths drop from 11’ on top of the edge down to over 45’ in under 75 yards. Try trolling, casting, or jigging depending on the prevailing conditions.

Just upstream at Site 21 on the northeastern side of the river, look for

two prominent narrow reefs centered at coordinates 39°08.851 x 76°04.643, and 39°08.648 x 76°04.750. But looks are deceiving here. The deepwater channel curves around the north end of the upstream mound and is squeezed between it and the channel edge, creating a narrow gorge. This mound has a least depth of 20’ and drops off sharply over 15’ along its northeastern edge. Based on their mass and positioning, a best guess is that these are rock outcroppings that were colonized by oysters. When the ebb is running, the current flow splits around the southern mound which has deep water on both sides. If a sign were posted here, it would say “Fish Me!”

Chugging further upstream into the next bend, look for more outcroppings along the steep northern edge of the riverbed starting southeast of the mouth off Browns Creek. Site 22 at coordinates 39°09.037 x 76°04.829 marks a sharp turn in the ancient river gorge around a now drowned bluff. The remaining large mound obstructs and disrupts current flow creating turbulence and upwelling.

Upriver at the northern end of Devil’s Reach, coordinates 39°10.954 x 76°03.684, partial BAG coverage reveals an uncharted obstruction with a least depth of about

17’ that appears to rise several feet off the bottom. The feature is about 80’ long and 20’ wide, and perpendicular to the riverbed with scour trails on both sides. It could be an outcropping or maybe a wreck. Regardless, it’s worth checking for stripers.

Upon reaching Chestertown, try jigging the many concrete bridge piers for stripers. Just downriver about 60’ BAG Color Shaded Relief reveals debris from demolition of the old Chestertown Bridge are strewn on the bottom where this wooden bridge once stood. The final feature on this trip up the Chester is another uncharted feature marked as Site 24, at coordinates 39°14.059 x 76°00.842. Least depth is about four feet, sloping down to about 10’ in the channel. There is something hard here that produced a scour trail leading downriver. Best guess is that there’s a hard ledge right on the bottom.

Above this point in the upper freshwater reaches of the Chester River you’ll find species including blue catfish, perch, largemouth bass, crappie, and occasional stripers which, during the spawning run, come upstream as far as Millington. The Chester River has a lot of structure that offers fishing opportunities throughout as it meanders to the Bay. #

# Uncharted anomaly below Possum Point. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data viewer.

FISHING FORECAST

Predicted after review of past reports gathered by Dillon Waters

For timely, up-to-date reports, visit our website FishTalkMag.com. Current reports will be published every Friday by noon — just in time for your weekend fishing adventures.

Coastal

April is a fun month along the coast! By now there will be some flounder passing through the inlets and prowling the bays for sure, so look for clean water draining down from warm flats and start tossing your minnow and jigs. In the surf the black drum should show up at some point this month, followed by bluefish and reds, and remember that last season good numbers of serious chopper blues in the 12- to 15-pound range made for some very exciting battles in late April—hopefully they’ll be back, so stay tuned to those fishing reports.

Freshwater

Spawning time has arrived and the fish are hungry. Shad will be coming up the rivers this month, bass and crappie will be feeding hard, and stocked trout should be in prime form as well. One species that’s had lockjaw up to now but should be busting loose in April is the snakehead, so be on the lookout for warming trends lasting for a few sunny days, then head out for the afternoon bite and hang on tight.

Way North

Rockfish are closed this month on the Flats, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for Way North anglers to enjoy some action. White perch should still be around, shad will be running (though a few weeks behind the runs in southern rivers), and you all know about those river monsters, right? Last April saw catches of truly huge blue cats (particularly from the North East, near Turkey Point in the Bay, and the Port Deposit area), and you can bet they’re out there right now. Let’s all just hope the rain is slow and steady instead of falling in torrents this year so we don’t have to deal with a wash-out.

# Dale figured out exactly where those white perch were hanging out last April.

Fishing

Upper Bay

We’re sure to see some white perch in the tribs this month but with rockfish shut down, if you want to feel something B-I-G on the end of your line it’s time to put some cut bait on bottom and wait for the blue catfish to bite your baited circle hooks. Sandy Point to the mouth of the Patapsco was red hot last April, but don’t hesitate to try somewhere else because those whiskered warriors can be found just about anywhere north of the Bridge.

Middle Bay

Let’s hope the white perch are still running this month, but as with the Upper Bay, blue cats will remain the target for those interested in a serious tug of war. They may not be as numerous as they are to the north in the main-stem Bay, but all of the tribs will be holding them and cut fish sitting on bottom should draw plenty of strikes. If casting artificials is more your speed consider targeting pickerel. They should be hitting hard right about now, but remember that they must be released in tidal waters up until May 1.

Lower Bay

There are lots of options blooming for Lower Bay anglers this month: shad will be running in the rivers, white perch should still make their presence known, blue catfish will be chewing in the tribs, and in the fresher areas snakeheads will be waking up as well. But the bigger news is likely to come late in the month from areas like the lower Rap and the Piankatank. Before April ended last year both puppy drum and speckled trout were being caught, and although last winter was far milder than this year was, if we enjoy a fast warmup that action could happen again.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore

Most area anglers in this neck of the woods will be starting April in the tribs, where white perch will be running and fresher species like crappie, bass, and pickerel will be biting. Or, go for catfish if you want the fastest action possible. By the end of the month, however, attention will be turning to the Sounds and the Bay’s lower shore areas. Black drum should begin to appear, and the early run fish are often big monsters. Some bull reds may well pop up in April, too, and all the way down the peninsula it should be possible to find some slots as well.

Presented by

episodes air on the first Thursday of the month on our Facebook page (facebook.com/fishtalkmag YouTube channel (youtube.com/fishtalkmagazine View past episodes at fishtalkmag.com/live-with-lenny Tune in Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 6 p.m. for

Way South

Hopefully the chill of this winter won’t hamper the speckled trout, which should be biting by now if they didn’t succumb to the cold. Slot reds should be getting more and more active, too, and note that last April the Elizabeth and the inlets provided plenty of action for both species. By the end of the month some big black drum should be prowling around, too. Many anglers, however, will be focused on tog at the CBBT and similar structures. This month is often the peak of the action for those who drop crab baits on sweeper jigs, so watch for the weather windows and get those boats de-winterized ASAP.

# Reports editor Dillon Waters reports that spring is one of his favorite seasons to go fishing. Just like summer, fall, and winter.

Basics to Battleships

Lightweight kayaks versus the big guns.

By David Rudow

In the ever-evolving world of kayak fishing, specialized watercraft that allow anglers to fine-tune their approach to specific conditions and target species are becoming the norm. We sat down with Dave Inscore, a seasoned angler, kayak rigging addict, and member of the Ocean City Kayak Fishing Team, to discuss two different options for specialized fishing kayaks that fit Chesapeake anglers’ needs: flats-skimming lightweight models, versus long-distance motorized platforms designed for open water.

Rudow: Dave, thanks for taking the time to chat. You’ve had extensive experience with different styles of fishing kayaks, and have gone through several different models. For a while now, you’ve been taking sleigh rides on the Hobie Lynx and The Old Town EPDL. Can you give us some insight into how you ended up choosing those boats?

Inscore: Thanks, David. Yes, these two types of kayaks represent very different approaches to kayak angling. But before I got into using specialized kayaks, my very first kayak was a Jackson Cuda. It was a great all-around kayak, but admittedly not outstanding in any particular specialty. I found myself wanting more specific tools for different situations. That’s when I realized that owning multiple kayaks with different specialties made sense. Lightweight models with a shallow draft, like my Lynx, are my go-to for fishing in skinny water and making quick trips. On the opposite end of the spectrum, motorized long-range kayaks are workhorses for covering distance and targeting fish with a more high-tech approach. I think of them as two specialized tools and each serves a distinct purpose depending on the situation.

Rudow: Let’s break that down. What makes models like the Lynx a good option?

Inscore: These kayaks are incredibly light and streamlined. They’re designed for maneuverability and speed without all the extra bulk. I can launch almost anywhere, and since they have such a shallow draft, can push into skinny water where bigger kayaks just can’t go. That’s a huge advantage when targeting redfish in marshes or fishing flats for speckled trout.

Another thing I love is the simplicity. I don’t need a ton of electronics or heavy gear. They’re perfect for fly fishing because I can stand up easily, and the open deck layout means I don’t have to worry about fly line snagging. When I want to get on the water fast and cover a productive area without overcomplicating things, these kayaks are my first choice.

Rudow: When and why do you decide to leave the lighter kayak at home and break out the big guns?

Inscore: For the most part, I use them in very different situations. The motorized kayaks are a different beast altogether. They allow me to cover serious ground without wearing myself out, a game-changer when I need to reach offshore structures or make long drifts along channel edges. One of the biggest advantages is how much tech I can run on them. I’ve got a full electronics setup including LiveScope and side-scan. It allows me to fish with a level of precision that just isn’t possible in a smaller, more stripped-down kayak.

Storage is another big plus. I can bring extra rods, multiple tackle setups, and even a cooler without feeling cramped. Plus these kayaks are stable enough to handle rougher water, and their pedal-drive systems combined with a motor give me total control over positioning even in strong currents or wind.

Rudow: If someone were looking to buy their first dedicated fishing kayak, how would you guide them in choosing between these two kinds?

Inscore: It really depends on what kind of fishing they plan to do most often. In backwaters the lightweight shallow-water kayaks are an incredible option. But if they’re looking for something that can

handle bigger water, longer days, and more technology, motorized kayaks are hard to beat. That said, there are still some great all-around kayaks out there. Models like the Hobie Outback or Compass, for example, are fantastic middle-ground options. They’re much lighter yet still can be outfitted with a motor. They’re also relatively easy to manage on and off the water. The Outback gives you about 75 percent of the features of each, but it doesn’t allow for 100 percent of the specialty of either. For anglers who want a mix of versatility and performance, it’s an excellent choice.

Thanks for sharing your insights, Dave!

# Which kayak would be best for you? That’s your call.

Ocean City Maryland’s full service kayak, kayak fishing, and SUP shop.

BROKERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

BROKER SERVICES

Yacht Brokers of Annapolis From cruising the Potomac River in his powerboat to racing sailboats on the Chesapeake Bay, Drake Bowers loves all aspects of boating. A native of Northern Virginia, he recently graduated from The College of Charleston, where he continued to enjoy life on the water. After returning home, Drake joined the YBOA team working to help clients realize their own boating dreams. Phone: 703.869.8162 Email: Drake@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

POWER

2022 Hurricane SunDeck Sport 192 RL Loadrite Galvanzied Trailer, Suzuki DF150A Outboard, Bimini Top, Snap on Cover, Ski Tow Pylon, Cockpit Flooring, Transom Shower, 9” Garmin, Bow Table, Fusion Stereo, and more! $39,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21108

2019 Bayliner VR5 Bowrider OB Mercury 4-Stroke 115Hp (Mercury Platinum Warranty until 12/2/27), Karavan Galvanized Trailer, Grey Hull / White Bottom, Bimini Top, Snap-on Cover, Ski Tow Pylon, Cockpit Flooring, Portable Head, Garmin Echo Map 44CV. Single Owner, Customer purchased and had all service done by Riverside, traded to go bigger! $27,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21151

2023 Bayliner Trophy T20 CC 115 Pro XS Mercury Outboard, Karavan Galvanized Trailer w/ Brakes, Blue Hull Sides w/ White Bottom, T-Top w/ Rail Mount Rod Holders (4), Stainless Steel Upgrade Package, Trophy Logo Decal Upgrade, Ski-Tow Pylon, Center Console and Helm Seat cover, Cockpit Flooring - Gray Mat, Graphite Interior, Center Console Package - Flip-up Transom Seats, Simrad GPS w/ Engine Data, and more! $49,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #20999

2007 Yamaha SX210 Great fishing boat! Dual Yamaha 110Hp 1052CC engines w/ jet drives, and much more! $19,900 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com

2013 Everglades 230DC F300XCA

Yamaha Outboard, 2012 Venture Aluminum Trailer, Mystic Green w/ White Hull, Bimini Top, Tower w/ Rocket Launchers and JL Audio Tower Speakers, Radar, Garmin GPS 4212, Garmin VHF, Smartcraft Monitor, Spotlight, Aerated Baitwell, Underwater Lights, Trim Tabs, Compass, 12V Adapter, Raw Water Washdown, Porta-Potti, Windshield Wiper, Rod Holders, Rod Storage, Ski-Tow, Dual Batteries w/ Switch, and more! $59,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21008

2021 Sportsman Open 232 F200XB

Yamaha Outboard - 141 Hours, (New Aluminum Trailer Shown in Photos Available for $5,379), Shark Gray Hull w/ White Bottom, Desert Tan Upholstery, Offshore Package, Dark Hull Color, Fiberglass T-Top w/ LED Lighting Upgrade, Matching Hard-Top Underside Color, Premium Dual Chair Leaning Post w/ Flip-up Bolsters, and more! $69,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales @riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21035

2004 Sea Ray 240 Sundancer **Priced aggressively for quick saleengine has good compression, outdrive is good, risers/manifolds are newer - upholstery, canvas, & cabin have “fair” cosmetics - items not working: water heater, fresh water pump, VHF & trim gauge is erraticeverything else functions as it shouldboat is in a slip and ready for sea-trial & immediate delivery.** $19,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21061

To advertise in the Brokerage and Classified sections, contact beatrice@fishtalkmag.com

2015 Yamaha Marine 242 Limited S Pinnacle of performance and luxury, watersports edition! Twin 1.8L High Output engines w/ jet drives. Price just reduced! $45,000 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com

2022 Bayliner Trophy T24CC 250 4S Mercury Outboard, Mercury Warranty until 7/16/25, Hours – 30, Power Assist Steering, (new trailer shown in photos is available for $6,746), Graphite Interior, Stainless Steel Upgrade, Ski-Tow Pylon, Center Console and Helm Seat Cover, Bow Filler Cushion, CC Fishing Seats with Livewell, Digital Dash with Mercury Vesselview inkTwin 9” GPS, and more! $59,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales @riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #20671

2023 Scout Boats 240 XSF F300XSF Yamaha Outboard, Yamaha Extended Warranty until 9/14/28, Engine Hours - 65, (trailer available), SeaKeeper Ride, Custom Spray Shield Enclosure, Garmin GPS, Hardtop w/ Electronics Box and Rocket Launchers, Windlass, Spotlight, Extended Swim Platform w/ Flexiteek, Ski-Tow, Dual Batteries w/ Switch, Water System, and more! $119,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21066

2004 Grady White 258 Journey Beautiful single-owner boat - very well kept and maintained. Powered by Yamaha F225Hp outboard engine. Price reduced! $44,900 Beacon Light Marina, 410.335.6200, www.beaconlightmarina.com

2006 Wellcraft 252 Coastal F250TUR Yamaha Outboard, 2008 Load Rite Roller Trailer, White Hull and Bottom, Windlass Anchor, VHF Radio, Garmin GPSMap 540S, Hours - 385, Sink, Raw Water Washdown, Bow Railing, Gunwale Molding, Trim Tabs, Volt Gauge, Clock, Engine Sync, Stereo / Speakers, Compass, and more! $31,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #20826

2014 Sea Hunt Gamefish 25 Twin Yamaha F200XCA Digital Controls (1034 Hours), Loadrite Trailer, 2 Simrad VHF’s, 2 SImrad GPS Chartplotters, Windlass, Pump-out Head, Bottom Paint, Spray Shield, Gull Wings, Full Mooring Cover, and more! $69,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21088

1990 Nautique 42’ Sportfish Twin cat 3208s. 8kw Onan, teak cockpit, transom door, pulpit, queen centerline cabin, double guest cabin, head w/ walk in shower, galley up, custom all-teak interior, hard top on flybridge. $69,000 704.425.4108

MARKETPLACE &

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.

Boating

Partnership

Smith’s Marine on the Severn River has partnered with New World Boats to offer semi-custom options from Latitude Tournament Boats (LTB) and Wolfeboro Boats. LTB boats are built by passionate anglers, for passionate anglers, one at a time. LTB offers 25-foot and 32-foot center consoles built to fish 365 days a year. These semi-custom boats are constructed to withstand the daily grind of professional guides and commercial fishermen yet easily meet the needs of entertaining and cruising with family and friends. With an incredible 18-inch draft for the LTB25 and 20 inches for the LTB32, both models allow you to navigate shallow waters effortlessly. An impressive 24.5-degree deadrise ensures a smooth and stable ride no matter the conditions. The Wolfeboro Boats Classic 15 is the perfect fusion of timeless charm, modern innovation, and functionality in a fully composite, woodfree center console that offers unmatched durability and effortless maintenance. Perfect for family outings, fishing trips, or watersports, the Classic 15 features a spacious deck, intuitive controls, and a buoyant foam core providing over 2500 pounds of flotation. Premium highlights include Garmin electronics, an integrated 12-gallon fuel tank, stainless steel push-button controls, and JL Audio/Fusion sound systems. New World Boats will be displaying at the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point, April 11 to 13. For more information call (443) 203-8911 or email john@newworldboats.com, or go to ltbboatworks.com and wolfeboroboats.com

Anniversary

Maverick Boat Group (MBG) marks its 40th anniversary, celebrating four decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and a steadfast commitment to delivering an unmatched on-the-water experience. Since its founding in 1985, MBG has remained at the forefront of boatbuilding, earning the trust of anglers and families by delivering vessels that seamlessly blend hardcore fishing capability with everyday use. The milestone celebration kicked off during MBG’s Employee Appreciation Breakfast on March 6, when the company honored the hardworking team that has been instrumental in its success. “Our employees are the driving force behind MBG,” said Christopher Gratz, president of Maverick Boat Group. “For 40 years, their passion and commitment to excellence have shaped every boat that leaves our facility, solidifying our legacy as an industry leader.” From the backcountry shallows to offshore waters, MBG’s lineup—Maverick, Hewes, Pathfinder, and Cobia Boats—has evolved alongside its customers, pushing boundaries in design, performance, and technology. With an unwavering focus on innovation and a deep respect for the craft, MBG has set the standard in the marine industry for four decades. As MBG looks to the future, it remains committed to building the most trusted boats on the water, expanding innovation, and delivering the ride and reliability that have defined the brand for four decades. maverickboatgroup.com

Spring Events

Seattle Yachts announces a Spring Open House and upcoming Demo Days events. The open house will be held March 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Seattle Yachts Annapolis in Bert Jabin Yacht Yard. This boat show-style event will feature nearly 20 of the hottest power and sail models on the market today, and the entire Seattle Yachts team will be onhand to answer any questions. There has never been a better time to buy thanks to special incentives. For more information, call (410) 397-7323 or visit seattleyachts.com. Spring Demo Days will take place April 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard. Check out the Nimbus T8, C9, and W11, and bring your questions for the team. Call the number above or visit the website to register for the event.

Appointed

Haven Harbour Marina Resorts managing director Charlie Petosa was recently appointed to the Marine Trades Association of Maryland board of directors. Charlie will serve his term by helping guide the future of the advocacy organization—particularly in matters of workforce development. “Through-

Boating

out my professional career, some of my most rewarding and impactful work has been through the boards I’ve served on,” said Charlie. “Joining the MTAM board at this time will set the stage for more of this fulfilling work in the future.” MTAM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the recreational marine industry and the preservation of waterways on which its member businesses rely. Since its founding in 1975, the organization have come to comprise nearly 400 marinerelated entities, with a board of directors representative of all aspects of the industry and geographic areas of the state. Charlie has previously and proudly served on the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum board of governors, as well as the United States Superyacht Association board of directors, amongst other distinguished organizations. Haven Harbour Marina and Haven Harbour South are proud MTAM members. Learn more about the organization and what they do at mtam.org

Nominations Open

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) announced nominations are now open for the 2025 Outstanding Technician Awards. A highlight of International Marine Service Technician Week, set for April 21-25, the event celebrates marine technicians and their essential role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and enjoyment of boating. Now in its fourth year, the Outstanding Technician Awards recognize service professionals who stand out in customer service, technical training, and industry involvement. ABYC will honor 10 outstanding technicians with a $100 Visa gift card, a technician prize pack, and recognition on ABYC’s social media platforms. The “New Achiever” category will recognize newcomers to the industry who demonstrate exceptional skill and potential. “We encourage businesses and boaters to take a moment to recognize their favorite marine technicians,” said Shannon Aronson, ABYC’s senior director of marketing and communications. “Submitting a nomination is a great way to show appreciation for their dedication and expertise.” Nominations are open now and will be accepted through March 31 at abycinc.org/outstandingtech2025. The winners will be announced on Thursday, April 24, during the weeklong celebration of marine technicians.

New Places To Pick Up FishTalk

Let’s give a warm welcome to these new FishTalk distribution stops!

• Oozlefinch Beers and Blending in Fort Monroe, VA

• Chesapeake Boat Basin in Kilmarnock, VA

• Dodd RV and Marine in Yorktown, VA

• The Kentmorr Beach Bar & Grill in Stevensville, MD