Oyster Cove Boatworks | 757.716.1819 1305 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, 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
Legasea Marine | 757.898.3000 821 Railway Rd, Yorktown, VA legaseamarine.com
Places That We Never Know
We often focus on artificial reef structure, but natural formations throughout the Bay also create fish-attracting structure. By Wayne Young 38
Spooked!
10 Tips for Stealthy Fishing By Lenny Rudow
White Perch Wonderland
The timing is right to partake in some serious perch pounding. By Lenny Rudow 42
How To Fillet a Fish for Beginners
Learning how to fillet a fish takes some practice, but you’ll be frying up a fresh fish dinner in no time.
By Staff
45
Barbels in the Bullseye: Gearing Up for Ginormous
You want to try trophy hunting? When size matters, make sure you get properly geared up for battle. By Staff presented by Okuma
48
How To Catch Chesapeake Reds in the Chill
It can be tough to find and catch slot redfish in cold weather, but you can be successful every month of the year.
By David Rudow
50
Going AWOIS
The Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System is gone, but you can still go AWOIS.
By Wayne Young
Katie and John pounded on the perch while aboard the FishTalker.
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
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Notes from the Cockpit
Idon’t know about y’all, but I for one am sick and tired of icy winds and white stuff piled up on top of my boat covers and I’m SO glad spring is finally on the way. This January was particularly onerous with all that snow and cold, and much as I do appreciate having had something of an ice fishing season this winter—for the first time in a long time—I was growing fond of the 50-degree January days we enjoyed for a few years in a row. Heck, the past few winters have been so warm it’s made me feel like a real global warming winner. Sure, climate change has its downsides, too, like more crazy storms and that coastal flooding thing. But its upsides include more fishable days on average each winter, which is a massive plus.
Speaking of the upsides to global warming: Have you ever caught an Arctic wolffish? I’ve heard that they’re mighty tasty, and while these fish were more or less off-limits to recreational anglers up until recently, these days we can get in on the action thanks to what top government fishingtologists have termed the “Expanded Global Warming Fishing Area” (EGWFA).
By Lenny Rudow
According to NOAA, the amount of arctic ice remaining after the summer melt has shrunk by 13 percent per decade relative to the pre-1980s era. In other words, our EGWFA is growing by leaps and bounds! So, if you’re willing to make the 3809 nautical mile cruise from the Chesapeake Bay to the Arctic (or trailer to Tuktoyaktuk, Canada, and launch from there), the wolffish is now a species you can add to your bucket list.
Here at home, meanwhile, we can look forward not only to warmer winters but also a growing EGWFA of our own. Once sea levels rise enough, navigating from Solomons to Cambridge may be no more complex than driving your boat in a straight line. Running aground on the Poquoson Flats will be a thing of the past. And anyone who’s fished the bays behind Assateague and Chincoteague knows how careful you have to be to stay in the channels there today, but in a few years we might be able to beeline it from the boat ramps directly to the inlet without having to worry about all those twists and turns through the marsh. In fact, the boat ramp may more or less turn out to be the inlet.
See what amazing upsides we could soon be enjoying?
Now, I know some nay-sayers out there might be worried that the risks and downsides outweigh all the good that climate change could do for us anglers. And they have a point, sort of, but the fact of the matter is that if this “problem” could be solved, the government would have taken care of it long ago. Just like they did with drug addiction, health care, and crime. Besides, there are plenty of folks out there who don’t believe all this climate stuff is real in the first place, and none of the superPACs have funded their scientists and reporters well enough to settle the argument yet.
Some other negative nellies might ask, “Lenny, it seems like maybe you’re jesting a bit. How can you be so flippant about such a serious problem?” To them I say that humor is the best antidote to stress and anxiety. And with the way the climate has been acting around here we have plenty to be anxious about. Besides, I really would like to catch a wolffish.
# Graphic courtesy of NOAA; alteration courtesy of Photoshop.
Tuktoyaktuk, Canada (look out for icebergs)
This Is Why
Ilove your magazine especially during these winter months when it helps pass the time. I’m about four years old in this picture, and surprisingly, I remember it pretty well even now in my 50s. My dad and his friend took me fishing at his friends’ farm pond. They were casting with the latest gear and I distinctly remember wishing I had a big-boy pole that could cast to the middle of the pond, but alas, they only gave me a stick with about 10’ of line and a hook with a very dead crayfish on it.
I walked along the bank and “casted” it as far as I could. Suddenly something was thrashing on the end of my line, and I immediately executed a perfect turn around and run directly away from the water angling maneuver.
The next thing I know I’m watching Moby Dick flopping around on the bank while my dad and his friend were whooping it up and running towards me. They took me straight to the tackle shop to chronicle this historic day in the annals of farm pond fishing glory. When we got there they had just closed, so my dad furiously banged on the door until the shopkeeper was forced to behold this historic fish for himself. Once the photograph was indelibly etched into time, we headed
# Walt with Moby Dick, circa 1974.
home to enjoy the fruits of our labor and bask in my glory. My grandad put his culinary wizardry to use (fried and heavily salted), and we all enjoyed my hard-earned provision as a family. I’m pretty sure my dad was “so proud he might be sinning.” I KNOW I was!
That was the day that I was bitten with not a mere bug, not a mere hobby, but an all-consuming passion for this wonderful God-given gift called fishing.
Sadly that was one of my last memories of my dad for a long time. Shortly after this picture was taken he left my mom, my little brother, and myself to either run away from his demons or chase them, or maybe both. I remember feeling very resentful and sad, and I vowed to myself I would never put my sons through that.
I’ve been chasing the passion ever since that day and have been blessed with sons of my own to share it with. I’ve shared hundreds of days, thousands of memories, joys, and pics like these over the years with both my boys and now even my grandchildren.
I’ve forgiven my dad. We did eventually meet again, reconciled, and forged a bond as best we could. We even got to hunt and fish together a handful of times. He’s since gone from this world, but at the end of the day he was just another tormented soul who did the best he could at the time. I thank him for that summer day 50 years ago when he helped ignite a fire in me
Gotcha!
Dear FishTalk, What’s the starfish’s favorite game? Tide and seek. -Anonymous
Dear Anonymous, Hum… We always thought it was pool.
for the natural drug that is the tug. Keep up your own passion and work spreading this love of fishing to the world!
God Bless, Walt F., Manchester, MD
Dear Walt, We were about speechless after reading your letter, which embodies what fishing is really all about for so, so many of us. Thanks for sharing your story—and don’t you worry, we’re not about to stop!!
2024 May-CRafT 1900 CC
2024 May-CRafT 20 Cape CLaSSIC
2024 May-CRafT 208 CC
# Walt today, with his grandson William and Moby Dick, Jr.
FISH NEWS
By Lenny Rudow
Hiccup for Hickories
Despite all public comments regarding the establishment of some sort of limit for the unregulated hickory shad fishery in Virginia being positive, this winter the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) rejected an effort to have a creel limit established for hickory shad. Driven by a Coastal Conservation Association of Virginia petition requesting that a reasonable creel limit be established where there is none currently in effect, the board voted unanimously to reject the notion based on “concerns about the effect of a creel limit on a hickory shad subsistence fishery of unknown extent.” All of Virginia’s surrounding states and Washington, DC, have either a 10-fish limit or no harvest at all is allowed.
Master of the Sport
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) says Josh Dolin, a former Virginia state record holder for fallfish, has hit the epic milestone of attaining Master Angler V status. This is no small feat, requiring the angler to catch citation size fish of 25 species. Dolin has been chasing the title since 2008 and becomes just the third person to ever hit the mark in the program’s 60-year history.
A 10.25-inch redbreast sunfish put him over the finish line, an auspicious ending to a difficult day of fishing that included dropping his truck keys overboard. While waiting for his girlfriend to arrive with a spare set, naturally, he decided to take a few more casts. And right when she called to let him know she’d arrived, the sunfish bit. “With every citation you’re hungry to go get that next one,” he said in a DWR interview, “so I’m already scheming to get number 26.”
Ghost Pots Be Gone
Two organizations in our region, Delaware Sea Grant and the Oyster Recovery Partnership, have received grants under the National Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention Program. Almost $70,000 was awarded to remove derelict blue crab pots from Delaware’s inland bays, while just over $134,000 is being dedicated to removing derelict blue crab traps from the waters of Anne Arundel County, MD.
Holding Patterns
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission announced no changes for striped bass regulations in 2025, instead looking to the 2026 season (when new stock data will become available) before taking any measures. Meanwhile, the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) announced no changes for black sea bass or summer flounder for 2025. Additionally, the MAFMC is considering an amendment to the flounder/ scup/sea bass/bluefish management plans incorporating sector separation (managing the private recreational and for-hire charter boat recreational components individually). The amendment also considers approaches to improve or supplement recreational catch data.
# Dolin’s 10.25-inch redbreast sunfish helped him attain Master Angler V. Courtesy of Josh Dolin
# Hickory shad remain unregulated in Virginia, despite angler’s wishes.
Bassin’ Is Back
The month of March marks the kickoff for multiple bass tournament trails throughout the region. Angler’s Choice, American Bass Anglers, Fishers of Men, and Bass Nation is just a partial listing; visit the internet for information on joining in for the local bass angling clubs and trails in your area.
The End of Invasives?
March 31 marks the final day of the 2024/2025 Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Great Chesapeake Invasives Count. All year long hundreds of anglers have been helping to remove invasive blue catfish, flathead catfish, and snakeheads from our area waterways while also winning cool prizes. Data collected via each and every catch gets shared with fishery managers to help them better understand which species are being caught most and where, promoting science-based management. And the very next day on April 1, the 2025/2026 Great Chesapeake Invasives Count will begin. Look for monthly prize winners to be announced on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. on FishTalk’s Live with Lenny, which you can tune in to via YouTube or Facebook. Visit ccamd.org to get the full scoop on the Great Chesapeake Invasives Count and don’t forget, anglers, CCA is our voice at the fisheries management table—join today to help build a stronger fishing community in the region. Added bonus: CCA members have some special prizes and incentives in store!
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.
Eye Candy
When you’re on the hunt for bird play nothing beats a good pair of gyrobinocs. Unfortunately, those things are often heavy, burn through batteries, and can be very expensive. Now there’s a new pair hitting the market that addresses these issues, the Sirius 12 from Koden. Manufactured in Japan, these deliver 12X magnification, six-axis gyroscopic stabilization, IPX7 waterproofing, easily adjusted eyepieces, and a large focus wheel. The eyepieces and lenses are also treated with an oil- and water-repellent coating. A 15.4-ounce weight means you won’t grow tired while scanning the horizon for hours on end, and a single AA battery provides 12 hours of image-stabilizing power. There’s no doubt their performance blows away regular binoculars; in a two-foot sea the view remains locked in tight even with 5X more magnification than average un-stabilized binos. We also like the grippy, textured exterior and large on/off switch, which can be manipulated while wearing fishing gloves. Price: $699 (including strap and case). Visit si-tex.com/koden to get Sirius about spotting those birds.
Study Up
If you want to learn how to fish the tidal portions of the Rappahannock River you’ll discover that there aren’t many reliable sources for in-depth, detailed information. At least, there weren’t up until now—author and FishTalk Contributor Wayne Young has just released his latest book, Tidal Rappahannock River Fishing Structure. The latest in Wayne’s series of structure-oriented fishing guides, like his other books this one delves into the specific reefs, rocks, ruins, wrecks, and fish-attracting obstructions that are hidden beneath the water’s surface. The author divvies up the river into Upper, Middle, and Lower sections, and some of the larger reefs get their own chapter. Just how detailed and specific does he get? Consider this: the Appendix alone consists of nine pages listing out GPS coordinates for the hotspots that are detailed. And there are dozens upon dozens of bathymetric view screen shots giving you the underwater bird’s eye view of bottom structure. After reading this one we came to one simple conclusion: If you fish the Rap this is about to become your new favorite book. Price: $20.25. Visit amazon.com to grab your copy.
Eely Interesting
Some paddletail-style jigs swim straight, some wobble, and some wiggle. On some days, however, the action that kills is that swimming slow roll. If you know just what we mean, you need to know about the Fishlab Mad Eel. The Mad Eel has a slender body that ends with a large downturned paddle that aptly kicks like mad, while the entire body has a heavy side-to-side rolling action. Designed specifically to tempt stripers into striking, the tails are matched with heads with a 4X hook that’s flatter than usual up top to reduce thrown hooks on headshakes, plus has twin tail-keeper barbs. FishTalk Reports Editor Dillon Waters put these to work when the winter stripers were in town, and the eight-incher proved to be a top producer while fished alongside a standard selection of soft baits cast by the AIC. (But Dillon didn’t out-catch him! Uhuh, no way! Ummm… can I borrow one of those things?) Five-, six-, seven-, and 7.5-inch tails in eight different color patterns are also available, with one- to 5.25-ounce heads. Price: $6.99 to $14.99. If being outfished by other anglers makes you mad, check ‘em out at fishlabtackle.com
Salty Simrad
Simrad has entered the saltwater electric trolling motor market with the Recon. Available in 54”, 60”, and 72” shaft lengths, the Recon delivers 80 pounds of thrust on 24 volts or 110 pounds of thrust on 36 volts. The motor is brushless, and the carbon fiber shaft is deemed “indestructible” and comes with a lifetime warranty. Between NMEA2000 and Bluetooth it can enjoy complete connectivity with your electronics system so you can control it via the MFD. What really struck us as unique, however, is the handheld remote this motor comes with. This is the first one we’ve seen that offers joystick control, with a mini-joystick integrated right into the remote. Price: $3499 to $3799. Visit simrad-yachting.com to learn more.
IDoubled Up
f you’ve searched for a surf fishing beach cart you’ve probably noticed that any aluminum cart with sand-capable tires costs an arm and a leg. One that doesn’t bust the budget yet will survive the sandy, salty environment is the DoubleFill Beach Fishing Cart. It comes with a whopping eight vertical rodholders, has anti-tip legs fore and aft, and 12” balloon tires that navigated the sugary sands of Bethany Beach with no problem while loaded down with about 30 pounds of gear. At 32” long and 14” wide this isn’t a large model in the world of beach carts, so expect the cargo area to be limited. We found a 12-pack cooler, a couple of Planos, a beach chair, and four sand spikes pretty much maxed it out. After five or six surf fishing excursions it shows no signs of corrosion. Price: $235. This one’s an Amazon purchase.
The Chase Is On
The new Bill Lewis Lures Zig-Zag is one of the most interesting takes on topwater we’ve seen in years. This little gem is designed to be tied inline, in front of a topwater walker, to mimic a small baitfish being “chased” by a larger one. It has a hook of its own in case a pursuing predator opts to go for the smaller meal, comes in six color patterns, is 1.5” long, and weighs a mere 1/10th of an ounce. Price: $8.99. Visit rat-l-trap.com for more information.
String ‘em Up
Have you ever looked around and wondered what happened to your stringer? Fish long enough and you’ll lose one— along with your catch—whether it breaks on its own or has a little help from the local wildlife. But Rogue Endeavors (a veteran-owned company out of Oregon) says never again, with their Ultra Duty Fish Stringer. With a loop and clip made from 304 stainless-steel and a TPUcoated steel-core 36” lanyard, it’s rated to hold over 75 pounds. Now that’s what we call a stringer! Added bonus: Considering the construction the Ultra Duty Fish Stringer is quite reasonably priced. Price: $21.95. Visit rogueendeavor.com if you’re feeling all strung out on stringers.
Feel the Power
If you’re a fan of spotting redfish on your Live Imaging sonar then dropping your offering right into the strike zone, you’ll be interested in Berkley’s new Powerbait Power Switch Shrimp. This is the latest addition to the Power Switch line, which is designed to allow for multiple presentations (like random darting, hovering, or fall-and-pause) without pulling the lure far from the fish, so you can watch it on-screen and see which action generates interest. Since it’s a Powerbait it’s riddled with flavor, and it has a shrimplike shape and tail. Power Switch Shrimp are available in 3.5”, 5/8 ounce and 4.25”, 1 1/8 ounce sizes, in 10 different color patterns. Price: $8.99/$9.99. Visit berkley-fishing.com for more info.
Brimming Over the Top
If you want a fishing hat like no other, Cool Shirtz offers The Fishing Cap. With a brim stretching 10” from your forehead, it reads: “Let any fish who meets my gaze learn the true meaning of fear, for I am the harbinger of death. The bane of creatures subaqueous, my rod is true and unwavering, as I cast into the aquatic abyss. A man, scorned by this uncaring Earth, finds solace in the sea. My only friend the worm wiggling upon my hook, wriggling, writhing, struggling to surmount the mortal pointlessness that permeates this barren world. I am alone. I am empty. And yet, I fish.”
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Okaaaaay… Price: $29. Visit shirtz. cool and tuck in your chin at the first hint of a breeze or watch it go flying. On second thought, chin up!
CHESAPEAKE CALENDAR
MARCH
through Mar 31
CCA Great Chesapeake Invasives Count
Help fishery managers collect important data about which invasive species are being caught and where. Log your catches and get entered to win prizes each month. Free to register at ccamd.org
1
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
1
GBFA Annual Fishing Flea Market
8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Field House. New and used rods and reels, fresh and saltwater gear, boats and trailers, food and refreshments, and more. The largest fishing flea market in the area! Admission $5.
1 Middle River Bass Club Anglers
Fishing Flea Market
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Back River United Methodist Church in Essex, MD. Sponsored by The Middle River Bass Club Anglers. Vendors selling new and used fishing rods, lures, and much more. For more information or to reserve a table, contact Scott at (443) 909-9786. Admission $5, ages 12 and under are free. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, sandwiches, and pit beef. Proceeds from food sales benefit Boy Scout Troop 372.
1 US Coast Guard Auxiliary Safety Review
At Fawcett Boat Supplies (919 Bay Ridge Road, Annapolis, MD, 21403) from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. RSVP to info@fawcettboat.com. Seating is limited, so sign up early.
5
Interpreting Surface Weather Maps Webinar
Join marine weather expert Mark Thornton for an online lesson in decoding the confusing symbols on surface weather maps to gain a better understanding of the large-scale weather pattern and how it will evolve. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Attend this one webinar ($35) or the bundle of three ($90) to include learning about Thunderstorms and Weather Apps. spinsheet.com/ weather-webinar
6 LIVE with Lenny
Join us on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. for new episodes. Watch on Facebook or Youtube as Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow discusses various seasonal fishing tips and tricks.
8
Boating and Fishing Flea Market with Nautical Arts & Crafts Kiwanis Club of Poquoson Boating and Fishing Flea Market with Nautical Arts and Crafts. Local legend guest speakers. Raffle prizes include a seaplane ride. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Poquoson High School, 51 Odd Rd, Poquoson, VA.
8
CCA Virginia Banquet
6 to 9 p.m. at Arlington Fairfax Elks Lodge in Fairfax, VA. CCA Northern Virginia Chapter’s Save a Fish - Build a Reef Banquet. Enjoy dinner, appetizers, beer, wine, and farm-raised oysters while ensuring the health and conservation of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them.
8-9
Essex-Middle River Fishing Club Fishing Flea Market
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Company in Rosedale, MD. New and used fishing tackle and crabbing supplies, freshwater, saltwater, offshore, and boating supplies. Food and refreshments available. Admission: $5, kids ages 13 and under are free. For more information, call Frank at (410) 686-2348.
12 Thunderstorms and Weather Radar Webinar
Join marine weather expert Mark Thornton for an online lesson in forecasting thunderstorms and tracking their evolution. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Attend this one webinar ($35) or the bundle of three ($90) to include learning about Interpreting Surface Weather Maps and Weather Apps. spinsheet.com/ weather-webinar
15 CPR/AED and First Aid for Boaters
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Selby Bay Yacht Club in Edgewater, MD. $100 for CAPCA and Selby Bay Yacht Club member; $115 for all others. This course meets the CPR and First Aid requirements for USCG Captain’s License. The certification has a two-year expiration date. The program is taught by American Heart Association certified instructors who are all experienced boaters. To register for the class, contact Capt. Alan Karpas at Alan@SafetyInstituteOfMD.com
16
30th Annual Saltwater Fishing Expo
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Annapolis Elks Lodge #622 in Edgewater, MD. Non-profit fundraiser event presented by the Annapolis Anglers Club. Informative seminars, local tackle dealers, regional charter captains and guides, food, and more. $5 per person, kids 14 and under are free.
Chesapeake Calendar
MARCH
(continued)
18
CCA Reef Ball Build 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Patuxent Appeal Elementary in Lusby, MD. RSVP to volunteer with CCA at ccamd.org
19 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.
19
CCA Angler’s Night Out
6 to 8:30 p.m. at the West End Grill in Annapolis. A talk and Q&A about everything you wanted to know about Blue Catfish with local fishing experts followed by the Pickerel Championship awards presentation. Free and open to the public.
19 Understanding Weather Apps Webinar
Join marine weather expert Mark Thornton for an online lesson to give you a better understanding of how your weather apps work and how to interpret the data. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Attend this one webinar ($35) or the bundle of three ($90) to include learning about Interpreting Surface Weather Maps and Thunderstorms. spinsheet.com/weather-webinar
20 MSFC Monthly Meeting
7 to 8 p.m. at Elks Lodge #1272 in Cambridge, MD. Mid-Shore Fishing Club of Maryland.
22 CCA Kent Narrows Chapter Annual Fundraising Banquet
5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department in Chester, MD. This fundraising dinner directly supports CCA Maryland’s focus on ensuring the health of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them, and our objective to conserve, promote and enhance our marine resources for the benefit of the general public.
24
CCA Reef Ball Build 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Plum Point Elementary School in Huntingtown, MD. RSVP to volunteer with CCA at ccamd.org
25 Maryland Day at St. Clement’s Island Museum
Celebrate the founding of Maryland at the state’s birthplace at St. Clement’s Island Museum. Free water taxi rides to St. Clement’s Island, free museum admission, food truck, children’s activities, and more.
26
CCA Reef Ball Build 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Huntingtown Elementary School in Huntingtown, MD. RSVP to volunteer with CCA at ccamd.org
For links to the websites for these events and more, visit fishtalkmag.com/calendar
• Informative Seminars from expert anglers share their tips and techniques 9:30 AM David Rudow and Dillon Waters: Fishing for Snakeheads
10:45 AM Capt. Tom Weaver: Light Tackle Fishing
12:00 PM Capt. Steve Griffin: Master Your Side Imaging
1:15 PM Panel Discussion: Light Tackle Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay Panel Members: Lenny Rudow, Shawn Kimbro, Eric Packard, Capt. Richie Gaines, Capt.Tom Weaver
• Light Tackle Jigging, Bay Trolling and Offshore Tackle from local tackle dealers
• Book a trip with our region’s top charter captains and guides
• Easy Access from I-97, Route 50 and Route 2 with Free Parking
• Food & Beverages including Pit Beef Sandwiches, Oysters and Full Bar Service Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 9AM-3PM Annapolis Elks Lodge #622 NON-PROFIT FUNDRAISER 2517 SOLOMONS ISLAND RD., EDGEWATER, MD 21037 Admission is only $5 per person! Kids 14 and under are FREE!
CHECK US OUT ONLINE FOR:
Directions
27 Watermen’s Story Swap
Join local author and emcee Brent Lewis, as well as a panel of local watermen, for a lively evening of stories of the past and present drawn from lives spent on the water harvesting from the Bay. 5:30 p.m. at the Van Lennep Auditorium at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels (also available virtually). Suggested ticket price $8.
APRIL
3 LIVE with Lenny
Join us on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. for new episodes. Watch on Facebook or Youtube as Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow discusses various seasonal fishing tips and tricks.
5 FSFF Monthly Fly Tying
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers clubhouse (behind Ford Hall) at the Davidsonville Family Rec Center. Join FSFF as one of our members instructs us on how to tie a couple of fly patterns and demonstrates proper tying techniques. All materials will be provided. Please bring your vise and tying tools if you have them. Questions: rybeer@gmail.com
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
10
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.
17 MSFC Monthly Meeting
7 to 8 p.m. at Elks Lodge #1272 in Cambridge, MD. Mid-Shore Fishing Club of Maryland.
25-27 Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show At City Dock, Annapolis.
Reader Photos
# Tracy Dirks Ring holds up the largest catch in the Evan Foundation tournament, a 30-incher (which topped Dale’s fish by a solid four inches – WTG, Tracy!!).
# Will and John enjoyed some good catching while visiting Key Largo.
# Rachel trolled up this nice rockfish near Poplar Island, on the Good Stuff.
# Eddie found a toothy beast wandering the waters of the Severn.
# Miles caught this mammoth 26.5” pickerel, and while taking this picture, a 26” hit his other rod. WOOHOO!!
# Marty enjoys hauling in a slot fish on the Middle Bay as winter sets in.
# Bill pulled up this 21” largemouth in Havre de Grace.
# Mack Speed Walt scored a 17” sea bass on the Middle Bay this fall.
# Rich jigged up a nice slot rock in Eastern Bay, using a skirted BKD.
# Sully banged on the specs this winter. Beautiful job, Sully.
# Mark, Dennis, and Nick braved the December chill on the Middle Bay and were justly rewarded.
# Savannah had a great day on Eastern Bay.
# Eric was trolling Mojos for stripers off Virginia Beach when something slightly surprising happened…
# Coy was playing hooky with his dad last December and they tied into 46” and 67” bluefin.
# Captain Ryan found a nice one on the Prime Time to start off 2025 with a bang.
# Dylan jigged up this beauty on Christmas Eve.
# Hunter trolled up a monster near Poplar Island.
# Robert hit the 25” mark in Marley Creek.
# Luke caught his PB this winter, while fishing with his dad John. Way to brave the cold and catch ‘em up, Luke!
# Wendall broke in her new rod with a 15” Severn River pickerel. Beautiful fish, Wendall!
# Mike traveled down from Carroll County to catch a new PB.
# Eleven-year-old Luca cranked up a 215-pound bluefin at the 20 fathom fingers—WTG Luca! Oh, and dad caught a little bitty fishy, too.
# Brian and his buddy doubled up!
# Jude tied into a 38-incher while throwing topwater—now THAT is fun!
# Kevin tied into a 50-incher off the Dumping Grounds. Better yet, it was on his homemade bucktail/ Clark Spoon combo.
# This winter speck made Glenn a ho-ho-happy angler.
# John braved the chill to catch a little white lightning.
# Vadim tied into a winter monster off Herring Bay.
# Ian got into one of the B-I-G boys off Ocean City last winter.
# MARK caught this fish!!! Darn it Mark, we’re sorry we botched your name last month!!
By Lenny Rudow
Parker 18SE: Size Matters
You want to be able to cast a rod one day and run a trot-line with ease the next. You like to cruise down the highway to distant hotspots and enjoy easy towing, launching, and loading. You have a relatively limited budget but want to buy a brand-new boat rather than risk purchasing someone else’s old problem. The list goes on and on—there are countless reasons why smaller boats are sometimes a much better choice than larger ones. The 18’ size range will prove ideal for many anglers, but truth be told there isn’t a huge number of fully featured fiberglass 18’ boats on the market these days. So, we’re psyched that Parker came out with the all-new 18SE.
Parker completely redesigned their take on an 18’, their smallest offering, and the new 18SE is a very different boat from the old 1801. It has a slightly larger footprint, with an ad-
ditional six inches of LOA and beam. Critically, this is a full liner boat (the old one was not) so the fit and finish from bow to stern is lightyears ahead of the previous model. The new version also has a larger console with more room for electronics. The hull is surprisingly stable for a boat of this size, too, in part thanks to that additional beam and a 14-degree deadrise modified-V hullform.
Fishing features on the stock boat include four gunwale-mount flush rodholders, a leaning post with three rocket launchers and room for a cooler underneath, and a livewell integrated into the forward console seat. Some additional niceties include a USB charger at the helm, a swim platform with ladder, four cup holders, and LED courtesy lighting. The boat comes with an aluminum trailer with brakes and a swing-away tongue, so this is a garage-ready package.
A very cool feature on the 18SE is the bow arrangement, which can be modified to match different aquatic priorities. If you’ll be casting the shallows, there’s a bowdeck that fits onto a molded-in lip in the bow. But if running the trot-line is more your speed and you want to keep the bow open and roomy for bushel baskets and buckets, just go without the bowdeck insert.
The 18SE is packaged with a Yamaha F115 or F150 outboard. For most anglers the smaller powerplant provides plenty of oomph, with a 4500-rpm cruise coming darn close to 30 mph (Yamaha performance reports peg it at 28.6) and a top-end breaking 40 mph. Opting up to the F150 adds about four mph to both cruising speed and top-end. Note, however, that sticking with 115 horses gives you a substantial fuel economy advantage (5.8 mpg versus 4.1 at cruise, and 3.8 versus 2.9 wide open).
We don’t like to publish hard pricing numbers in these reviews because they change so fast and dealers have so many different incentives that whatever number we might print often turns out to be inaccurate, but Parker does publish NAP pricing on their website. And if you check it out, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise. Bottom line, the 18SE lists for less than the average cost of a new car, so this is an unusually affordable boat in today’s market. If an 18-footer strikes you as ideal for your needs, take one for a sea trial—soon you might just be casting, crabbing, and cruising to your heart’s delight.
Area Dealers
Legasea Marine, Yorktown, VA (757) 898-3000 or legaseamarine.com; Tri-State Marine, Deale and Annapolis, MD (410) 867-1447 or tristatemarine.com
# The new 18 SE has a slightly larger footprint than the 1801, as well as vastly improved fit and finish.
Quick Facts
LOA: 18’6”
Beam: 8’0”
Displacement: 2706 lbs.
Draft (min.): 9”
Transom Deadrise: 14 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 40 gal.
Max. Power: 150 hp
See our video review of the Parker 18SE on FishTalk’s YouTube channel.
Cobia 285 CC: Twice as Nice
Two of everything is double the pleasure, double the fun, right? That certainly seems to be the case when it comes to the all-new Cobia 285 CC. This boat runs on not one but two outboards, attaining a blistering 61.9-mph top-
end with a pair of Yamaha F350s. It can house not one but two huge 16” MFDs at the helm, treating your eyes to the latest in fish-finding tech and navigational nirvana. And it boasts a pair of fishboxes (53 and 43 gallons); a pair of washdown systems (freshwater
and raw water); and a pair of fuel fills (so you can fill up from either side of the boat).
While we love all these twin features, when we stepped aboard the 285 CC what made the biggest impression on us was its voluminous nature. This is an exceptionally wide boat for its length, with a 9”11” beam, and you can really feel all that extra width in the form of elbow room. The bow seats feel more couch-like than chair-like, and serve well as forwardfacing loungers thanks to the removable backrests. The cockpit feels bigger than most and with the fold-away bench seat, is wide-open for angling action. Even the console feels bigger than you would think, with steps and a sink molded in as well as the electric head inside.
So far Cobia has delivered more than one would expect with all of the aforementioned items, but this boat is a serious stand-out in another way: tackle stowage. The vast majority of
Cobia 285 CC
the fishing boats under 30’ have tackle stations best described as minimal and in many cases, insufficient. Most of Cobia’s models feature above average onboard tackle stowage, which is a strong suit for this builder in general. On the 285 CC, however, we’ll go as far as to say it’s double the norm. (You saw that coming, right?) Inspect the back of the leaning post and you’ll find a knife/pliers/rig holder, twin tackle boxes, and bulk stowage above two big slide-out stowage drawers, plus a rack with three big Plano boxes and a fourth monster Plano. There’s room in here for all of your Bay gear and all of your offshore gear, too, so you can scoff at the notion of ever having to haul an extra tackle bag onto the boat.
The 285 CC has plenty of family-friendly features as well, like an adjustable dinette table that can be lowered flush with deck-level in the bow, a side boarding door, USB charging ports, and drink holders. But you can turn this boat into an utter comfort-machine if you want, because the available options include a Seakeeper 1 gyroscopic stabilization system, a 10-speaker JL Audio sound system, a windlass with wireless remote, Helm Master joystick controls, and bow and stern sunshades. Most serious anglers will also want to opt for the factory-installed Garmin Force Kraken electric trolling motor on the bow.
Note that the 285 CC is constructed using the VARIS vacuum-assisted resin infusion system. That means the hull, stringers, and transom are all fused into one component with the optimal strength-to-weight ratio. Is that twice as smart as building fiberglass boats the old-fashioned way? We’ll leave that to you to decide. Meanwhile, we’ll take two.
Area Dealers
Bosun’s Marine, Grasonville, MD, (443) 347-6108 or bosuns.com
#
Quick Facts
LOA: 28’5” | Beam: 9’11”
Displacement: 7250 lbs.
Draft (min.): 1’7”
Transom Deadrise: 21 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 231 gal.
Max. Power: 700 hp
Navalt Diagla DT: Praying for Sunny Skies
If the idea of a solar-electric fishing boat piques your interest, check out the Navalt Dialga DT. Built in Kochi, India, one-kW solar panels make up the boat’s roof and a 10-kWh battery feeds juice to a six-kW electric motor. That allows the boat to attain an impressive top-end of seven knots—hold onto your hat!
The tackle station is a serious strong point on the Cobia 285 CC.
Places That We Never Know
We often focus on artificial reef structure, but natural formations throughout the Bay also create fish-attracting structure.
By Wayne Young
The Susquehanna’s riverbeds snaked their way around many ridges as they cut their way through the coastal plain and were channeled by the progressive formation of the lower DelMarVa peninsula. We’re using the plural here because geologically there were four outlets that formed as the peninsula migrated southward. The now-submerged former riverbed edges, ancient ridgelines, and headlands became shoals. Colonized by oysters, accented by outcroppings, and peppered with geological formations
containing sand, gravel, and rocks, these became today’s fishing hotspots.
Look along the eastern side of the Upper Bay shoreline for a series of submerged bluffs, points, and hard outcroppings which may be peaks of now submerged hills covered with sediment. Four are shown as inserts on Image 1 at Sites 1 and 2. The hard natural reef directly off Worton Point (Site 1A) is well known for upwelling that provides foraging conditions for striped bass. But don’t neglect the submerged point just to the north at Plum Point at Site 1B,
the “real” Plum Point of long ago. This is an example of where the original point was drowned from the combined effects of erosion and water level rise and where the charted shoreline doesn’t give away the substantial underwater structure. The attribute of interest is the obstruction to current flow along the bottom, which causes turbulence and creates predator foraging conditions.
Also check out the submerged point and bluff to the south at Sites 2A and 2B. Site 2A is a drowned point that projects out from the
# Image 1: General location of spots illustrating natural features to scout as fishing destinations. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.
shoreline at Stoops Point perpendicular to the Upper Bay’s main stem. It extends out to the edge of deeper water. The orientation obstructs both flood and ebb currents along the shoreline causing subsurface turbulence. A smaller submerged bluff, now a shelf, is just to the south at Site 2B.
An uncharted hard outcropping at Site 3 is the Swan Point from eons past. It protrudes out into the bend of the ancient Susquehanna riverbed where it ran along the eastern edge of the ancient geologic peninsula to the confluence with the Chester River entrance. The reef is oriented north northwest to south southeast. It’s 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 along the bottom, creating turbulence and favorable foraging conditions for striped bass.
Site 4 is an interesting uncharted natural feature in about 60’ of water with well-defined, sharp lines, indicating hard material. It correlates with an area shown by the now out-ofprint Fishing in Maryland Annual as “Brownie’s Hill.” The rugged wedge-
shaped feature juts into the ancient riverbed. It’s about 400 yards wide. The northern edge is about 500 yards long and the southern edge is about 200 yards long. The eastern point is at coordinates 38°43.020 x 76°28.680. It has the appearance of a submerged headland from a time when the river was a gorge in a valley. This prominent feature’s configuration should create subsurface turbulence when current is running. Having caught stripers while they were pushing baitfish onto this shelf, I certainly would be looking at my fishfinder when passing by.
Site 5A is the “Stone Rock” on the west side of Sharps Island Flats. Although there might be ballast stones there, the extensive fields of rocks are mostly naturally occurring gravel, stones and rocks that geologically are part of the Talbot Formation. These materials were distributed in pockets in portions of the formation and were most prominent along the west side of Sharps Island. As the island eroded away, the rocks settled into a surface layer on the bottom.
There are several unnatural rock piles on the flats as well. One is the now-submerged icebreaker rockpile from the second Sharps Island Light. It’s charted as a shoal at coordinates 38°37.971 x 76°22.402 and marked
by a navigational aid. The U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 14, reports rocks that are sometimes awash at about coordinates 38°37.000 x 76°21.800, which corresponds with the last island remnant before it was drowned. I’ve never seen them awash, but that might occur when a strong northwest wind blows water out of the Bay. There are also remnant stones and perhaps masonry from the old hotel foundation nearby.
Southwest of the southwest side of Sharps at Site 5B is another uncharted natural formation. This feature has well-defined, sharp lines, indicating hard material that straddles the 60’ contour line. It too has the appearance of a submerged point from a time when the river was a gorge in a valley. It’s bisected by a submerged ravine (Site 5C) that’s now a slough with depths of about 70’.
Perhaps you heard the fishing report that “fish are at buoy 72.” But if you just fish right around the buoy, you’re only getting a small piece of the action. A huge submerged point protrudes out over 400 yards from the east side of the old Susquehanna riverbed. The western edge is over 600 yards southwest of the buoy. It obstructs and diverts incoming tidal current which flows north strongest along the bottom, producing subsurface turbulence and upwelling. It also interacts with ebb currents. Bull redfish and stripers could be anywhere across this large structure over what otherwise appears as, and is charted as, deep water. Plus, if the channel side of the buoy isn’t producing, try the extensive shelf to the east with high points and sloughs which are also foraged by these species. This wide area of diverse structure is marked in general as Site 6.
Proceeding south to the Tangier Island target area brings us what I refer to as the “Bay Bug.” It’s an uncharted, obscure, weird structural feature consisting of twin creepy crawler feelers jutting out from the southwest point of a shelf at Site 7. Look at coordinates 38°46.816 x 76°05.431, east southeast of the Northern Neck Fish Haven and 3400 yards southwest of the Tangier Targets prohibited area
# Image 2: Natural formations around Point Lookout. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.
center point. The feature is outside the prohibited area, although inside the restricted zone. The Bug looks as if it’s a natural formation, something like two adjacent ridge lines. The feature may have a local name, but if so, it has eluded me so far. The narrow ridges are about 200 yards and 150 yards long respectively. They connect at near right angles to a broad underwater plateau at their northeastern end. The Bug could be the topographic highs of ridges on either side of an ancient creek valley. Surrounding bathymetric contours give no indication that a valley existed, although one could have filled in from sedimentation. Regardless, the ridgeline disrupts and channels subsurface current flow around the shelf and creates turbulence. Bait could potentially be concentrated by flood currents between or against the ridges and the shelf, so this is one of those out of the way spots that deserves a look when fishing the northern end of the Lower Bay.
About 600 yards bearing 162 degrees True from the Old Plantation Flats lighthouse ruins at coordinates 37°13.430 x 76°02.700, marked as Site 8, is another uncharted anomaly. The feature is about 60’ long and 15’ to 20’ wide. It’s oriented east-west and sitting in a scour hole with a least depth of about 11’. Vertical rise can’t be ascertained from the data, but the image suggests at least several feet. The BAG image suggests two pointy ends which could be indicative of a wreck. However, it could also be a natural outcropping or another rock pile. It’s worth checking it out, whatever is there.
Combinations of rocks and oyster reefs occur at multiple locations. Notable examples are the previously noted rocks from the Talbot Formation at Stone Rock, the shelf east to northeast of Point Lookout, and substantial outcroppings at the northwest corner of Nandua-Pungoteague Reef. Look for numerous rock outcroppings on the shelf around both
sides of Point Lookout, but especially on the east side as shown by Image 2.
Site 9 is referred to locally as “Hotel Rock” and a small section is charted as an obstruction. But the formation is huge, extending well outside the charted shoal circle. Site 10 is listed on old charts as “Butler Rock” but isn’t charted on all modern electronic charts. Everything from stripers to flounder to sea bass will sometimes be found at these outcroppings.
The smaller red outlined box is the Point Lookout Fish Haven in front of the Point Lookout fishing pier. The bottom was conditioned with shell. The larger red box marked as Site 14 is an oyster sanctuary. A small spot near the center of the sanctuary has clusters of reef balls placed there to test their surface as cultch for oysters. By far the most notable feature is a huge uncharted natural reef at Site 14. Rocks on the west side of the point are less extensive and mostly uncharted. One rock cluster known as “Jobs Rock” is at
coordinates 38°02.387 x 76°20.163. Drift here for flounder and prospect for stripers.
Another location with substantial natural outcroppings is adjacent to and inside the Nandua-Pungoteague Reef, a Virginia Marine Resources Commission artificial reef. Site 16 marks the largest of these features. It’s charted as an obstruction just outside the northwest corner of the fish haven. The overall formation extends well to the southwest to Site 17 and isn’t charted. Vertical relief is about three to five feet. There’s another large natural formation around Site 18 inside the fish haven. If the natural formations aren’t producing, try the artificial reef deposits in the northwest quadrant of the fish haven shown by Chart 1. The small objects are reef balls and the larger objects are concrete pipes (Sites 19 and 20).
The BAG data layer shows that there is one area where the reef balls and concrete pipe overlap.
As well as being a regular contributor to FishTalk, Wayne Young is the author of multiple books detailing wrecks and fishing reefs in the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and beyond. All are available at Amazon.com, and you can find his Facebook page at “Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reefs.”
# Chart 1: Natural and artificial features in and in proximity to Nandua-Pungoteague Fish Haven. Screenshots from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.
SPOOKED!
10 Tips for Stealthy Fishing
By Lenny Rudow
Sound kills—the bite, that is. We’ve talked many times about how loud noises and vibrations can scare the fish and turn off the action as quickly as flipping a light switch, but the negative impact we anglers have on our own success can be so extreme it merits revisiting time and again. Did you unknowingly spook those stripers, scare those specks, or petrify the perch? These 10 tips for stealthy fishing will help boost your catch rate.
ON TERRA FIRMA
1. Preemptive Measures
If you’re fishing with less experienced anglers, before approaching the dock or shoreline have a short conversation with your friends about watching the volume level. While you may be aware of how stomping on the planks could alarm your quarry, the people you invited along may be less familiar with the finer points of fishing. So before you even cast the lines make sure everyone knows to keep the noise and vibration levels to a minimum.
2. Get Lost
Although the available access may make it difficult, whenever possible
get away from the crowd. You can depend upon yourself to play it cool but where anglers are lined up elbow to elbow, there’s a good chance someone will do something to make the human presence known to every sea creature within casting distance. Even when the crowded spot is the prime spot, you have a good chance of enjoying better action by walking away.
3. Made in the Shade
When the sun is at an angle be careful about where you throw a shadow. Birds hunt fish, so most finned critters treat shadows from above as an indication of danger. If not, they become a heron’s meal at an early age.
WHEN AFLOAT
4. Shifting your Methods
While a modern four-stroke outboard makes virtually no noise at idle, shifting it (or any outboard) into gear creates a metal-on-metal “thunk” that can be heard both above and below the water. If you’ve ever fished from a boat you’ve probably heard it yourself. Instead of pulling up to a spot then shifting into reverse to stop the boat, shift out of gear early so you can stealthily drift into position.
5. Speed Kills (the Bite) Too
All forms of propeller-driven propulsion create prop noise underwater, including electric motors. The level of that noise is directly related to the
# Often getting away from the crowd is the best move—in more ways than one.
speed of the propeller, so in some cases an electric trolling motor running at full throttle may actually be creating more noise than some gas-powered outboards running at idle. Slow down and you’ll greatly reduce the chances of freaking out the fish.
6. All Charged Up
Some species of fish are sensitive to electrical charges, and some boats (usually older ones) may be “leaking” an electrical charge into the water thanks to bad grounds or cruddy connections. Make sure this isn’t an issue by attaching one lead of a voltmeter to the negative terminal of your battery and the other to a bare wire going over the side and into the water. Then set the meter on DC zero to one on the tenths of a volt scale, and turn your boat’s accessories on and off while watching the meter. If it jumps over a tenth of a volt at any time, some work on the wiring is in order.
7. Slap and Ripple – Boats with hard chines can create a lot of chine-slap and on the Florida flats, where anglers can watch spooked fish dart away,
chine slap is considered a significant factor. If your boat slaps get a pair of foam pool noodles, go up to the bow, and slide one under each chine to eliminate the noise. Note: their natural buoyancy will usually hold the noodles in place between the hull and chine. But to prevent them from drifting away just in case they slide out, put each on a rope or leash secured to a cleat or rail.
AT ALL TIMES
8. Alluring, or Alerting? – Some lures can actually spook fish, particularly in very still, calm water. Those with loud rattles and poppers can do more harm than good when the water’s surface is mirror-still, and casting a large or heavy lure which makes a big splash-down can have the same effect.
9. Talking the Talk – One of the best ways we anglers discourage fish from striking is by laughing, hooting, or hollering. Sure, we all want to have fun, but the human
voice carries through water amazingly well. Keep the hubbub to a minimum, bite your tongue when a fish takes a swing and a miss, and never yell between boats or across the lake.
10. Sniffing and Whiffing – You know that fish can sniff out the stuff they like, but they can also smell things that they don’t. It’s hard to say what a fish won’t like to smell, but we do know of one scientifically proven fish-repellent: DEET. This is the active ingredient in bug repellent and fish utterly hate it. Get some on your hands then bait your hook, and you might be doing a lot more relaxing than catching.
Undoubtedly there are about 10 kajillion other things we may or may not be doing that could scare the fish, but all of the above are proven bitekillers. Use a little more caution the next time you go fishing and you’ll do a lot less spooking—and a lot more filleting.
# In calm, quiet conditions, doing everything you can to avoid spooking the fish is critical. Photo by Tracey F. Johns, taken aboard the Karen Ray II.
White Perch Wonderland
The timing is right to partake in some serious perch pounding.
By Lenny Rudow
White perch are the Rodney Dangerfields of the fish world. Even though they fight hard and taste great, they don’t get no respect. Yes they’re small and no they’re not colorful, but when pursued with appropriate gear and fried in peanut oil white perch provide everything an angler could ever desire. And best of all, right now is prime time to get in on the perch action.
Last month we focused on yellow perch, and as any dedicated perch pounder can tell you, the hot action on yellows is quickly followed up by the whites. They shadow the exact same pattern, too: first they mass in deep holes and channels downriver of the spawning sites, then when the temperature is ideal (pushing up close to 60 degrees for this slightly later run) they head upriver. Historically we would have said the run won’t take off for another month and just when they kick
into gear depends on weather patterns that we can’t predict. But as with yellow perch, these days it seems easier to catch them earlier in the cycle than it is during what historically should be the peak. Net result? Go fishing RIGHT NOW.
The Hole Story
During the midst of winter white perch move super-deep, often to areas of 40’ or more of water. But as soon as the first signs of spring begin they’ll
start shifting into tributaries where they spawn. As long as water temps remain in the mid-50s and below, you’ll want to target areas that are within a few miles of the spawning grounds where the bottom drops down to well over 10’. You may find them in 10’ or 12’, but holes and bends in the channel that are scoured to 20’ or more are likely to be better.
Expect the fish to concentrate the most during falling and low tides, when fishing the deepest spots
# Brian enjoyed some mid-March mayhem on the Patuxent, casting shad darts tipped with grass shrimp.
possible is often the best move. During the flood tide the fish often scatter a bit. You’ll find some deep but many will be patrolling the upper edges of the drop-off, and sometimes (especially on warm, sunny afternoons) they’ll fan out over mud flats just a few feet deep.
Irresistible Temptations
Most of the year white perch bite willingly on whatever you may offer them, but finding the best bait during this timeframe can be a bit frustrating. Grass shrimp are always a good bet if you can get them. Sometimes small minnow do the trick. Sometimes bloodworm bits are better. And sometimes nightcrawlers will prove surprisingly effective. The frustrating part is that they seem to want something different from one day or one week to the next.
To make things even tougher to figure out, they also seem to favor one bait over the others from
one body of water to the next. Last year at about this time, for example, bloodworms were the top producer in the Choptank and the white perch didn’t seem nearly as excited about grass shrimp. But if you were fishing on the Patuxent, grass shrimp were a must-have and bloodworms were mostly ignored.
The best way to present these baits will differ depending on factors like depth and current. In deep holes when there’s any sort of current moving you may need half an ounce or more of weight, and using bottom rigs is generally the most effective tactic. When the fish move shallow on a high tide or shift to shallower waters as the run begins, using ultralight gear to cast shad darts tipped with bait is highly effective.
If artificials are your game, when they’re sitting deep whites can often be coaxed into striking
with small jigging spoons fished vertically right off the bottom. In shallower waters two-inch twisters and tubes fished on 1/8th or 1/16th of an ounce jigheads can do the trick. In intermediate depths or when there’s a lot of current to fight, rather than reaching for a larger head try rigging up a couple of jigs in tandem so you get a weight boost without upsizing the offering. Chartreuse, white, and red/white color combos are always good choices.
Are there likely to be a few choice days next month when the perch fishing is faster and more furious for those who hit the spawning grounds at the ideal time? Heck yes. Will it still be a bit nippy out there some days this month? Heck yes, again. But, do you really want to wait around when there are fish to be caught RIGHT NOW? Heck no!
# A livewell full of white perch means this angler will be eating well tonight.
# When the fish are hugging bottom in deep holes with lots of current, using bottom rigs can be the ticket to success.
HOW TO FILLET A FISH for Beginners
By Staff
Learning how to fillet a fish takes some practice, but you’ll be frying up a fresh fish dinner in no time.
When a beginner angler learns how to fillet a fish there’s one over-riding rule to remember: there’s more than one way to skin a cat. How you fillet a fish is up to you and you alone, and the end result is the only thing that dictates whether you did the job “right” or not. So, the method we’ll cover here is just one way to go about it. Also remember that a few specific fish may be done differently than the generalized method we’re about to describe. Flounder in particular are a bit unusual due to their unique body shape, pickerel require special attention thanks to their bones, and many very large fish like tunas and swordfish are often steaked or loined rather than filleted. For 90 percent of the species you’ll catch, however, this guide to filleting will get you from the cleaning station to the dinner table.
Step 1: Scaling the Fish. Maybe. To scale or not to scale? That is the question. If you’ll be skinning your fillets don’t bother, because when you
take off the skin the scales go away, too. But if you want to keep the skin intact (often a good move if you’ll be grilling or if you’re dealing with a fish
that has soft meat, like speckled sea trout or Spanish mackerel) you’ll have to add this step. And always do the scaling before any cutting takes place,
# Once the fillets are freed from that slot red some serious cooking can take place.
# The dorsal fin on the back of the fish should be facing you when you place it on its side.
or you might smash the meat or get it covered in scales and slime.
A regular soup spoon works great for scaling, and on fish that are easy to scale you can just use the back of your fillet knife. Hold the fish firmly by the head, start at the tail, and run the spoon from tail to head with just as much pressure as needed to pop the scales off. After removing all the scales, it’s best to wash the fish thoroughly before moving on to filleting.
Step 2: The Initial Cuts
Hold the fish with its back towards you. Always remember to cut away from your hands and fingers, not towards them, to prevent injury. Make an angled incision from the front of the pectoral fin to the back of the fish’s head, going all the way down to but not through the backbone. Then turn the knife parallel to the fish’s back, and slice down along the dorsal and all the way to the tail. Don’t worry about cutting deep into the fish for this initial slice, you’re really just trying to open up the skin.
Step 3: Slicing Not Dicing
Now go back to the initial slice just behind the fish’s head, and slide the blade along the open skin as close to
the vertebrae as possible, from head to tail. Repeat this slice as necessary until the meat has been separated from the vertebrae all the way to the backbone. On a small fish like a perch this may take two or three strokes but on a bigger fish like a slot red, it may take five to seven strokes.
Critical Tip: Use long, smooth slices rather than sawing. Sawing through the meat causes lots of ragged, choppy cuts and generally results in a less appealing fillet that loses bits and chunks when cooking.
Step 4: Finishing Cuts
After the tip of the knife is clicking along the backbone, use your other hand to lift the edge of the fillet. Slide the tip of the knife along the top of the backbone; at this point the blade will be hitting rib bones along the fish’s rib cage. You now have a choice: you can slice through those bones and keep the rib cage attached, or slice through the skin and meat just above the rib cage to separate that bony piece from the rest of the fillet. Which way to go is a personal choice. If you don’t mind picking out the bones keep that piece. But if you want to ensure
# Cut down toward the anal fin and around the ribs while holding up the shoulder meat.
a bone-free fillet you can just leave the rib cage behind. On large fish, you can slide the fillet knife above the rib bones and keep some or most of the meat attached without getting bones in your fillet.
After dealing with the rib cage as you choose, slide the tip of the knife along the far side of the backbone and down along the vertebrae to remove the lower portion of the fillet aft of the rib cage.
Step 5: Skinning the Fillet. Maybe.
Now you have two options: you can slice the fillet free of the tail, or if you want to skin it, leave it attached. That way you can roll the fillet over so it’s meat-up, and use the fish carcass as a “handle” while sliding the knife along the skin. Most people slice the fillet free and if they want to skin it, use a fork to grip the fillet at the tail-end. But if you try leaving it attached you might find it’s a very convenient method for skinning. With fish that have soft skin it’s all too easy to slide that knife right through it, and it will take some practice to get the skin off without either slicing through or keeping
the blade too high and losing some meat as a result. Don’t be discouraged if the first few tries aren’t perfect. If you do go through the skin, it may be easiest to rotate the fillet 180 degrees then try from the other
end. When that becomes necessary, of course, you’ll definitely need a fork to hold the fillet in place. After doing one side of the fish simply roll it over and get to work on the other side. Don’t be disap-
pointed if the second fillet doesn’t come out quite as nice as the first one did, because working on the first side while the fish is still intact is always easiest. Now, get yourself some corn meal and heat up that oil!
For more article on how to learn to fish, visit fishtalkmag.com/tag/fishing-beginners
We’ll e-mail you our updated reports every Friday afternoon, just in time for your weekend fishing adventures.
# Slice the remaining meat free by running the blade down the vertebrae until
You want to try trophy hunting? When size matters, make sure you get properly geared up for battle.
By Staff
Fifty pounds… sixty pounds… topping the magic 100-pound mark—is there an angler alive who doesn’t dream of doing battle with fish this big? Of course not! Even if you’ve caught fish so heavy they had to be hoisted as opposed to held, size matters.
To join in these gladiatorial games you might think it’s necessary to travel many miles or book a big boat, but that’s balderdash thanks to the presence of monster catfish in our region. In fact, the blue catfish world record was caught locally, a 143-pound beast from Kerr Lake
in Virginia. And with the population explosion of blue catfish throughout the Mid-Atlantic zone wherever you live there’s almost certainly a lake, river, or bay within day-tripping distance where megafish can be found. In many cases you can target them from shore, a kayak, or a small boat. But if you’re going to win that next battle with a behemoth you’d better be sure you’re properly armed.
Your rod and your reel amount to the foundation of your battle plan. Yes, you need brute strength, but that’s not all. You also need the sensitivity to pick up on subtle bites, and the taper to deliver gobs of power when that sensitive tip is doubled over. If you opt to use circle hooks (more on that later) you also want a limber enough tip to slow the application of pressure as a fish initially takes off with the bait. And you need enough length to accurately cast long distances, so catfish rods as a rule are at least 7’0” and are often longer.
# Lou and Jeff work together to hoist a 79.9-pound blue cat caught in the Potomac.
Photo courtesy of Mike McGuire.
Barbels in the Bullseye presented
For chasing big blues in particular getting a dedicated rod designed specifically for the task is a good move. Okuma, a FishTalk supporter (thanks, guys!!) provides such armaments in the form of its Cat Slayer and Cat Slayer Custom catfish rods, which give us a case-study of what to look for. These feature brutally tough e-glass construction paired with the “UFR” Ultimate Flex Reinforced tip; the top third of the rod has unidirectional fiber to increase lifting power so you don’t hear the dreaded CRACK of a tip snapping when a rod bends into a horseshoe-shape as you’re trying to lead a mammoth into the net or up to the boat.
The best trophy-hunting often takes place in the dark, so these rods also have UV activated paint to maximize visibility when night fishing. You’ll find EVA grips on Cat Slayers and grippy, uber-tough heat-shrink grips on the Custom series. The Custom series also boasts single-piece construction, beefed up stainless-steel guides with an added bridge for durability, and an aluminum reel seat with double lock nut. Rugged enough to vanquish a 100-plus-pounder? Youbetcha.
As far as reels go some people prefer spinners and others prefer conventional, but the majority of the serious sharpies out there go with conventionals. Either way, critical factors include a smooth drag that can put out plenty of pressure and freespool functions with an audible clicker so you know if you have a take when your back is turned. If you go the spinning route, be sure to get a model that has a baitfeeder with a secondary drag system like Okuma’s Coronado CDX, the largest of which can handle up to 80-pound braid and put out a shocking 37.5 pounds of drag pressure.
When it comes to line choice for general catfishing mono is great but serious trophy hunters often go for braid, since you can pack far more punch while maintaining maximum line capacity. Sensitivity is far better with braid, however, that sensitivity is so good because there’s no stretch, which also means a big beast can snap that line if it makes a strong run when it’s close to the boat and there’s already a hefty bend in the rod. On top of that, a big, beefy catfish is likely to be found living in rugged terrain, with rocks, pilings, deadfall, or all of the above nearby. If the fish drags braid line across snags like these you can kiss it goodbye.
For these reasons it’s critical to use a relatively long shock leader. Most anglers will opt for 10’ to 15’ of 50- to 80-pound test mono. While fluorocarbon isn’t necessary for visibility reasons, if you’re hunting true trophies you may want to consider eating the additional cost simply because it’s slightly more abrasion-resistant than regular mono.
Speaking of visibility: this is another factor to consider, but not from the fish’s point of view—from yours. Most catfish anglers will be fan-casting multiple lines at the same time, and crossed lines are very common. So, you want to have highvis lines you can quickly ID to un-cross them mid-fight. Even better is to have multiple line colors to make it easy to see which line is attached to which rod, which can be tough during daylight and close to impossible in the dark.
# The Cat Slayer and Cat Slayer Custom rods are designed specifically for conquering those catfish.
Different people have different favorites when it comes to rigging, but there are a few commonalities most trophy hunters will agree on. The use of circle hooks (which will be required when fishing many Chesapeake waterways) generally gets a thumbs-up, though for the big cats you want very big hooks. The 10/0 range is a common pick.
Standard fishfinder-style rigs or the use of an egg sinker above a swivel, either of which allows the fish to swim off with minimal resistance after eating the bait, is a good move. However, many sharpies add a float a foot or two up from the bait so it hovers just above bottom as opposed to sitting on it. Blue catfish are active predators and are found up off the bottom more often than most other catfish species, and there will be some days when the float rig out-catches regular rigs by a mile. Other days not so much, though, so it’s wise to mix the spread and see what works best at any given time.
Just how much weight you’ll need depends on depth and current. In highcurrent areas it’s usually good to go on the heavy side, or rigs cast out cross-current can get pushed along bottom. This often leads to snags, and many anglers who regularly fish in heavy currents opt for flat “no roll” sinkers or surf-style pyramid weights to minimize the movement.
# Big blue cats are not in short supply, and they kept Mr. Steve plenty busy on the Susquehanna.
When it comes to catfish baits, the range of favorites is rather wild. Some people like cut fish of one species or another; some stick with live bluegill; some hit the seafood store and get a bag of shrimp; some grab a pint of chicken livers right off the grocery store shelf; and some swear by zany recipes with chicken breast marinated in Jell-O, Kool Aid, or both.
In truth blue catfish are eating machines, and all of the above can prove productive. That said, the best bait for blue cats will be the primary prey in whatever waterway you’re fishing in. In the Bay and most tributaries bunker is always a solid bet. When herring are running that’s what the fish will likely be focused on. In lakes with populations of shad, using shad will be tough to beat.
But—and this is a big but—fresh cut bait almost always out-fishes the frozen stuff. Even when the bite is red-hot using
fresh bait gives you a leg up because it’s firmer and stays on the hook better. In fact, in many cases if there’s a mix of prey species in a given area you’ll often be better served by using a slightly less desirable fresh bait than a more desirable frozen one.
What about using livies? This is something of an open question. Most of the serious catfish aficionados who use it say it’s tops, though many would argue it’s more critical when fishing for flatheads than it is when targeting blues. Many excellent an-
Wglers who prefer using cut bait insist that it doesn’t make much of a difference, if any. The bottom line? There’s certainly nothing wrong with sending down live baits but since it takes a lot more effort to fill the livewell than it does to hit the tackle shop, fewer anglers use it.
Okay: Are you ready to do battle with a behemoth? Conquer a colossus? Trade blows with a titan? Gather up that catfish gear, because those whiskered heavyweights are waiting.
hen you’re dealing with catfish of these proportions, carrying some extra armaments is in order. Having a very large, very tough net is a must. Even with a strong one, however, remember to lift vertically to keep from bending the shaft and never, ever lever it against the side of a boat. Also bring a couple sets of thick leather gloves to protect your hands from their sharp spines during handling. Stout lip-grippers are good to have to help get a handle on the fish for lifting. And a pair of hefty pliers is a must-have for getting the hook out of their tough, rubbery mouths.
Cat Slayer Rods are built to dominate, day or night. With durable fiberglass blanks and Okuma’s UFR rod-tip technology for maximum power, they present ultimate strength and reliability. UV-activated paint and guide wrapping ensure precise casting and strike detection in low light. Available in six models from 7’0” to 8’0” with medium to medium-heavy power, Cat Slayer Rods let anglers pursue their passion anywhere, anytime.
REACTIVE
How To Catch Chesapeake Reds in the Chill
It can be tough to find and catch slot redfish in cold weather, but you can be successful every month of the year.
By
David Rudow
One of the biggest mistakes anglers chasing slot redfish in the southern Chesapeake make is hanging up their rods in the winter. While it can be a bit tougher to locate them in colder weather, once you find them it can lead to the best fishing of the year. Redfish often group up into large schools in the cold and if you approach them correctly you can stay on them for just about as long as you’d like. If you want to fill a stringer with spot tails while lesser anglers sit at home waiting for summer to arrive, this window of opportunity is open.
When To Target Redfish in the Cold
You can catch redfish on most days, but it’s generally pretty tough until you hit a warming trend. Try to time your trips with when there have been two or three days in a row of sunny weather, ideally above 50 degrees. Warming trends like this should happen multiple times in the coming months and will bring the fish into
shallower water that’s warming at a faster rate than deeper areas in the immediate vicinity.
Before planning a trip, look for areas that will receive the most sun throughout the day, ideally in spots with a muddy bottom or old grass flats from last summer. These areas are darker in color than sandy bottoms and will absorb more sunlight, heating up faster. Generally speaking, the
best bite will be in the afternoon after these shallows have had time to warm up. An outgoing tide will usually hold the best bite as well; incoming tides bring in cooler water from deeper areas while outgoing tides can create natural warm water discharges from shallow coves that have heated up in the sun.
On cooler days or when there’s less direct sunlight, focus your efforts on
# The author holds up a chilly weather redfish.
ledges and structure in the six- to 12foot range near your shallow water spots. Schools of reds will usually hang out in deeper water outside but close to the areas that warm up the fastest.
Locating Chilly Water Fish
Finding the fish is generally the hardest part of fishing for reds in the cold weather months. While the fish are grouped up in large schools, they often aren’t nearly as aggressive as they are during summer and fall and don’t display the visual indicators that many anglers use to find them, like exploding on baitfish or tailing. On top of that, it’s much less common to run into singles or smaller schools scattered about. There’s a lot of searching involved, and I’ve had many winter days where I’ve gone hours without seeing a fish. But once you find them, there’s usually so many it more than makes up for all that searching. While it’s not absolutely necessary, side-scan is a huge help in the winter since the schools are few and far between. It also makes it pretty dang easy to follow a school of fish around and catch them one after the next. Focus your efforts on open areas that aren’t shaded by tall marsh grasses or trees. Start looking at shallows with as little as two feet of water, ideally over mud flats at the mouths of coves. Scan along the area, getting progressively deeper until you locate a school. The sweet spot on the warmer days is usually in the two- to four-foot range. Don’t stop moving until you find the fish. If you feel that brainitching urge to get a bait in the water no matter what, trolling a paddle tail is a great way to have a chance of hooking up while you search—but don’t stop and
Where To
Just how far up the Bay redfish will range at any given time depends entirely on the severity of the winter, how quickly it warms up as spring hits, and weather conditions in general. That said, over the past five years they’ve shown up in our fishing reports throughout the Way South Zone on both the Western and Eastern Shore. That ranges up to around Mobjack on the west side, and Hungars Creek on the east side.
start casting unless you see fish on the electronics or visually. Blind casting flats can be an effective method in the summer and fall when the fish are more spread out, but until it warms up the fish are usually grouped so tightly it ends up being a waste of time.
If you get to the ramp and realize the weatherman lied like usual and it’s colder than you’d like or cloudy, it’s time to shift to those deeper ledges but focus on areas near prime shallow water spots. The fish are cold, and want to expend as little energy as possible, so they usually won’t go very far from where they were. Oyster beds, docks, and sharp ledges or holes are prime areas to search. If you’re inside a marsh system, creek mouths and sharp bends will often create holes which redfish love to group up in when it’s cold. If you don’t have electronics, focus on areas like this where you can “read the marsh” and know where there should be deeper water. Slow-trolling baits and bouncing them off the bottom through holes is my favorite way to locate redfish in the winter without electronics.
Capitalizing in the Cold
Like many other fish, redfish prefer it low and slow in the winter. I’ve had the most success throwing threeinch, scented soft plastics on 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jig heads.
Now let’s say you’re slow-trolling paddle tails while keeping an eye on the side-scan, searching for a school. When
those gobs of Chesapeake gold pop up 60’ to your left and your heart begins to pound out of your chest, don’t rush They’ll generally be moving around so slowly they won’t go anywhere unless you spook them. Cast at the edge of the school, and slowly pop the lure off the bottom back to you. If you can manage to land it near the edge and have a few fish follow it off the school before striking, you have a much better chance of not spooking the whole group when you hook up.
If you do spook them, try to pay attention to which direction they move off because they generally don’t go very far and you can get right back on them. If you’re shallow enough, you may be able to follow the mud clouds they make as they swim. If you’re too deep to tell which direction they went, spiral out from where you saw them in bigger and bigger circles. They’ll usually pop back up on the side-scan within a few hundred feet.
Once you find your first school, pay attention to what depth they were in and focus on that range. If the fish are shallow in the winter, there’s usually a certain depth that’s comfortable for them that most of the schools will be in. As the tide goes out, the fish will usually move with it, staying at that preferred depth.
Did you hang up those rods months ago? That was a mistake—dust them off ASAP and start watching for those warming trends.
This drone shot shows how the reds group up tight in the cold weather months— but on sunny afternoons, will still move shallow to feed.
Going AWOIS
The Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System is gone, but you can still go AWOIS.
By Wayne Young
Progress is sometimes a step forward and backward at the same time. The Office of Coast Survey terminated the Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System application and deleted the AWOIS Excel and AWOIS KMZ (Google Map) files without prior notice in 2024. The AWOIS map viewer conveniently displayed lots of helpful information without having to click through multiple menu items and pages, and AWOIS site-specific numbers and compiled historical data were a standard reference in past National Ocean Service (NOS) hydrographic survey reports. That made them important to wreck research and thus to we wreck fishing anglers. So, why did NOAA cancel the application?
According to personal communication with NOAA, “the database was retired because it had not been updated for approximately 15 years, and with the advent of multibeam technology, it negated the need to establish search radius parameters for survey fleet. The wrecks which were found in the AWOIS database may have been resurveyed or disproved since we stopped updating the AWOIS database. In such cases, more up-to-date information on wrecks and obstructions would now be reflected on the Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs).”
While sympathetic to modern cartographic needs, after trying to use the ENC applications (ENC Direct to GIS, exported into shapefile or autocad formats), this user is left wanting something more straightforward and simpler. The majority of recreational fishermen would most likely prefer an easy-to-use app that displays useful data without a lot of fuss and technical know-how or commercial equipment and software. But with AWOIS gone, we’re left to fend for ourselves. And that’s exactly what I did.
Having previously downloaded most of the AWOIS data for our region, I’ve been working to scale down area coverage for compatibility with a user-friendly mapping program. And now a simple interactive AWOIS map for Chesapeake Bay and DelMarVa waters is ready. FishTalk readers can access the map by going to the “Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reefs” Facebook page and following these steps:
• Click on the featured/lead post at the top.
• Scroll down and click on the AWOIS link.
• Save and open the download.
• When the map opens, click on the individual icons to see the AWOIS details on the wreck or obstruction.
For those not on Facebook, coordination is in progress to share the link through a website to be named. Now here’s a bonus: the mapping program allows changing the basemap. Go to the upper right corner to the menu box and select the basemap you want to use. For example, you can put a nautical chart or satellite image under the icons. Thanks for supporting FishTalk. Enjoy!
FISHING FORECAST
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
Coastal angling should wake up this month with numerous options. As the waters warm tog action can be expected to pick up, stripers should be biting in the back-bays, and chances are some early black drum will begin showing up along the beaches this month. The big harbinger of spring for many people, however, is the flounder. Catching them in March may be tough but there’s little doubt that a few flatties will begin showing up in the inlets and bays well before April arrives. Look for the cleanest, warmest water around and try to target an outgoing tide for the best results.
Freshwater
March is a magnificent month for sweetwater action, with everything from bass to crappie to bluegills putting on the feedbag. Trout stocking crews will be very, very busy, and in the tidal headwaters white perch can be counted on to provide plenty of action. Don’t forget about those shad, too, because at some point (usually mid-month) they’ll be showing up in the rivers and creeks. Expect a trickle, then a handful, and then hordes of fish to provide fast action on your darts and mini-spoons.
Way North
Many anglers in this zone will be enjoying peak perch action this month, but the shad should show up here at some point, too. Expect their appearance to run a week or two behind their first sightings in Lower Bay tribs. Meanwhile, there’s potential to catch and release the fish of a lifetime, with one
# Reports editor Dillon Waters is ready for the shad to start running.
Any day now, any day…
month of C&R angling for rockfish on the Flats. You only have until the 31st, so act fast if you want to get in on that action.
Upper Bay
You can enjoy some catch and release striper fishing in the Upper Bay this month, but most of the action will likely take place up on the Flats or down south. Perch, on the other hand, will be a solid target in the tribs. If you really want to catch something bigger—something
much bigger—consider heading for channel edges with 15’ to 25’ of water and sinking cut bait to the bottom. Last spring, blue cats ranging up into the 40-pound class were a highlight.
Middle Bay
The perch should be running strong in most of the tribs, and this will likely be the main focus for anglers looking to take home dinner. For those who are not, targeting catch-and-release rockfish can produce some epic angling events this
Fishing Forecast
month. And don’t forget about those pickerel; in many of the rivers they’ll be feeding hard as they get ready for the spring spawn. While most folks release pickerel, if you plan on weeding out the bones and frying one up, remember that March 14 through May 1 is a closed season on this species.
Lower Bay
Perch and cats! Perch and cats! Perch and cats! Oh, and shad are arriving this month, too. The Lower Bay tribs will see all this action accelerated by a week or two as compared to northern rivers, so get ready to go fishing ASAP.
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore
Going up the tribs will be the move here, too, as March begins and the Sounds remain fairly quiet. If this year is like last year, however, before March is through some big black drum will show up in the Sounds. Bait up with crab, people, that’s what those fish are coming for.
Way South and VA
Just how hard-hit will the speck population be, considering the cold blasts we suffered through this winter? At this point it’s hard to say, but it should be possible to pick up a few of these fish as the weather begins breaking. Redfish should be a surer bet, especially on warm, sunny afternoons. Depending on what the weather does, tog, black drum, and flounder will all be possible targets this month, too.
# Junior shows that surf fishing from Sandy Point can be a very interesting experience at this time of year.
Steering You Right
By Eric Packard
I’ve been kayak fishing for some time with friends who also fish from various brands of kayaks, who all have different skill sets and styles of fishing. But one thing I’ve found that we all have in common is that we feel the need to constantly upgrade our kayaks. Whether it’s the simple addition of a crate to hold our rods, tackle, and other items, or a major change like upgrading a rudder, I understand the feeling.
I own and use kayaks, and like a lot of fishing kayaks they track through the water like a two-by-12 piece of lumber. Most fishing kayaks are designed with a priority on providing you with as stable a platform to fish from as possible, so it’s understandable that they handle the way they do. Still, as for steering and handling, most anglers want more control to turn in tight spaces, improved tracking from point A to point B, and better control in windy conditions.
An upgrade can come in the form of a drop-down rudder, an extended rudder, or an addition to the kayak’s existing rudder. You can also upgrade to the same style of rudder the kayak came with but is one made of aluminum rather than plastic. These won’t bend under the stress of turning, providing you with a little more control. Then there are larger replacement rudders that will give you additional control. These are usually built similar to the stock rudder but have a few more inches in length to provide better tracking and steerage.
The first kayak that I bought had a stock rudder and steering mechanism. After a couple of years I replaced the stock rudder with an aftermarket rudder made by Boonedox. Although the replacement rudder was still a horizontal rudder it is made of aluminum, and it extends further beyond the transom of the
boat. This additional length provides a bit more control in steering and tracking, so the replacement did what I wanted and it benefited me.
My second kayak came with a drop-down rudder, a rudder you can run as a conventional type of horizontal rudder or drop down vertically. Dropping the rudder down provides better steering and tracking. Running the rudder in the horizontal position helps prevent fouling or running aground when encountering heavily weeded or shallow water.
Upgrading a rudder is an easy process, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. It may be as simple as removing a few screws and swapping the rudders out, but if you have to install and attach new control cables the job is a bit
more involved. You can find aftermarket rudders designed specifically for most of the major brand kayaks like Hobie, Native Watercraft, Old Town, etc., and there are also some designed to accept electric motors or to match with steering upgrades. Upgrades can cost as little as $29 to well over $300. A quick search on Google will take you to numerous options, or to gain some insight into which might work best for you and your needs, talk with your local dealer. He or she will usually be very familiar with the kayak models they sell and what upgrades work best with them. And if they don’t steer you wrong, there’s probably a rudder upgrade in your future.
See you on the water, and remember that a cast not taken is a fish not caught. So, take that cast!
# Rudder upgrades can mean a boost in steering control and handling.
BROKERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS
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20' 2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish 150Hp Yamaha w/ 580 hours. Owned by one family. Green hull, no trailer, on South River lift slip. $22,000 OBO. For photos and more info, please email Brent: hellotrainwreck@gmail.com
To advertise in the Brokerage and Classified sections, contact beatrice@fishtalkmag.com
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
2024 NorthCoast 235 HT $143,176 With a ‘no wood’ construction and a 12year structural hull warranty, the 235 HT is built for longevity. Contact 888.519.9120 or sales @pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
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
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 ink - Twin 9” GPS, and more! $59,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats. com, www.riversideboats.com #20671
2024 NorthCoast 255 HT $219,220 Ideal combination of family cruiser and sport fishing platform for Offshore Adventures. Twin YAMAHA 200Hp outboards. Contact 888.519.9120 or sales @pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
2023 Sportsman Heritage 261 Twin Yamaha F200XCA’s (Custom Painted White), 104 Hours, New Trailer Available for $7,599, Fusion Radio w/ JL Speakers, Twin Garmin 12” Screens, Garmin VHF, Pump-Out Head, Ski Tow Pylon, Windlass, Man Overboard (M.O.B.) Switch, Yamaha Helm Master w/ Joystick, Laporte Mooring Cover, Laporte Console Drape, and more! $169,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales @riversideboats.com , www.riverideboats.com #21091
2017 Sportsman Open 282 Twin F300XCA Yamaha OutboardsWhite, Trailer, Ice Blue Hull and Bottom, White Upholstery, White Powder Coating, Engine Hours - 560, On-Board Battery Charging System, Chirp B175M Transducer Upgrade, Auto Pilot w/ Wireless Remote, Second 12” Simrad GPS, Taco Outriggers, Upgraded Sound System, Gull Wings, Loaded! $139,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riverideboats.com #21085
Marine Mechanic and Composite TechnicianPrimarily we work with diesels in power boats and sailboats 25’ to 55’ long. Good pay and benefits. Experience preferred, but if you have a mechanical aptitude, we will train you.
Dock Hand/Dock Staff FT & PT April-October. $15 hourly pay plus tips $$ to tie-up boats located at a busy dock bar location in Annapolis. Boating knowledge is a plus. 410.263.1981 Download application at www.schoonerwoodwind.com/employment/
Alltackle.com 2062 Somerville Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410.571.1111, and 12826 Ocean Gateway #9548, Ocean City, MD 21842, 410.213.2840, www.alltackle.com
Boating
Official Media Partner
SPF-360 (producer of SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk) is now the official media partner of the Annapolis Boat Shows (ABS). Our team couldn’t be more excited to partner with the producers of such fantastic shows. As attendees and exhibitors at ABS events for 30 years, we know firsthand how terrific they are. SPF-360 will pull out all our tools to promote the shows. In addition to our print issues, we’ll shoot exciting videos of the boats and other show highlights and create striking imagery to be shared by SPF-360 and the Boat Shows across all our combined media channels. Official show guides will be special center sections in the issues of PropTalk and SpinSheet that are on the docks at the time of each of the four shows. The guides will include the show map, show highlights (such as demo docks and on-water training), seminar schedules, premiering boats, exhibitor list, and logistics such as dates, times, ticketing and parking information, plus much more. Leading up to and during the shows, the Boat Shows will share these guides online in digital flip-book form. Prior to the shows, PropTalk and SpinSheet will also build anticipation, to include preview articles in our issues the months prior to each of the shows. Got questions? Shoot us a note via email or give us a call at (410) 2169309. We’re psyched to talk about this new partnership! spf-360.com
Scholarship Opportunity
The application period is now open for the 2025 National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) Marine Trades Scholarship Program. The deadline for receipt of applications is April 15. Since 2008, NMRA has actively contributed to the future of the marine industry by offering scholarships to students pursuing education in the marine trades. In 2024, four NMRA Scholarships of $1000 each were awarded to students attending Northwood Technical College, Great Lakes Boat Building School, Lake Careers and Technical Center, and IYRS School of Technology and Trades. To request an application for a 2025 NMRA Marine Trades Scholarship, email info@nmraonline.org with 2025 Scholarship Application in the subject line. nmraonline.org
Welcome to the Team
Seattle Yachts Annapolis announces its new managing broker: Denise Hanna. Hanna is a Certified Professional Yacht Broker who has been in the yacht sales industry since 1995. She is currently a board member for the Yacht Broker Association of America. She has won a number of awards throughout her career and has also represented many brands over the years, including Taswell, Valiant, Tartan, Sabre, Beneteau, Lagoon, Jeanneau, Dufour, Fountaine Pajot, and was the national sales manager for Beneteau Sailboats from 2012 to 2014. She has mastered the ability to introduce families to boating and helping couples choose the perfect cruising boat to spend their retirement on. Her expertise, hard work, and dedication go beyond the sale of the boat, and her level of service to her clients builds long-lasting relationships. Seattle Yachts is delighted to welcome her to the team! seattleyachts.com
New Model
Aspen Power Catamarans introduces its new C128 with outboard power. The distinctive power proa-cat uses Aspen’s patented, award-winning hull design that maximizes efficiency while delivering a smooth stable ride. Powered by twin Suzuki 300-hp DF300BMB four-stroke/4.4 Liter V6 outboards with dual four blade stainless steel counter rotating props, the newest Aspen is designed to cruise at 18-20 knots with a top speed of 26-28 knots. Fuel economy is expected to be 17 gph at 16 knots, 50-60 percent less than competitive boats. This incredible fuel economy should provide a cruising range of more than 270 miles. With its innovative design and thoughtful features, this flagship model delivers unparalleled efficiency, comfort, and performance. True to Aspen’s award-winning design, the C128 maximizes fuel efficiency with its patented asymmetrical hull. “The new C128 is the flagship of our outboard line, and it is a real standout,” says Larry Graf, Aspen’s founder and chief engineer. “This 44-foot flybridge combines quiet, efficient outboards with great speed and handling, plus plenty of space and comfort for extended cruising.” The first Aspen C128 is currently in production and should be completed late in the spring of 2025. aspenpowercatamarans.com
New Distribution Stops
Let’s give a warm welcome to these new distribution stops!
• Banister C Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Hampton, VA
• Coastal Marine Sales and Service in Virginia Beach, VA
