MAY 2ND - THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE COASTAL FISHERMAN IS ON THE STREET.
"MORNING STAR" LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME MATE
Capt. Monty Hawkins is looking for a full-time mate to work on the head boat, "Morning Star". The position will start immediately and anyone interested should stop by the boat or email Capt. Monty at mhawkins@siteone.net.
RECORD 428 LB. YELLOWFIN TUNA CATCH DENIED WORLD RECORD
April 19, 2012 - An angler who reeled in a world-record yellowfin tuna off the coast of Mexico has had his catch disqualified -- because a deckhand touched his fishing pole as he fought the mighty fish.
Robert Pedigo hooked the 427.9-pound fish last Thursday and fought it for a half-hour before bringing it aboard the "Journeyman."
But everyone on board agreed that Danny Osuna, a local captain working that day as a deckhand, blew the record by touching Pedigo's pole during the battle between man and beast off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The rules say an angler cannot have any help to reel in a fish if he or she wants to make history.
"I do this for a living and we're really hardcore fishermen," Osuna told FOXNews.com. "We have caught a lot of fish in the high 300s, but this is the first time we've caught something like this."
Osuna admitted touching Pedigo's fishing rod, disqualifying the catch from consideration by the International Game Fish Association. But he said Pedigo, who could not be reached for comment, was not too broken up about the technicality.
"We're fine with that," Osuna said. "Actually, we never even thought the fish would be that big."
Osuna said everyone who was in on the fishing trip got a big meal out of the monstrous catch before the rest was given away. "We never sold the fish," he said.
An IGFA spokesman confirmed to FOXNews.com that the all-tackle record for yellowfin tuna remains 405 pounds, caught by Mike Livingston near Baja Sur, Mexico -- because Osuna touched the rod.
"No one (to my knowledge) has been contacted by the angler or any member of the crew in regards to this catch," IGFA world record coordinator Jack Vitek wrote in an email. "We have heard of the catch on various fishing forums and websites, and are pleased to hear that the angler and crew are being up front about such an impressive catch, and are respecting the IGFA rules."
NOAA SETS LAW INFORCEMENT PRIORITIES FOR 2012
April 17, 2012 - NOAA has released the national and division enforcement priorities for 2012. These priorities were created collaboratively with input from commercial and recreational fishermen, fishery management councils, state enforcement partners, and nongovernmental organizations. NOAA will seek input into the priorities each year and will be seeking comments on 2013 priorities later this year.
The law enforcement priorities for the Northeast Division are:
HIGH PRIORITY
• Catch Reporting and Trip Limits.
Noncompliance with trip and cumulative limits, and recordkeeping requirements for landings of federally managed marine species, and specifically catch share programs.
• Sector/Catch Share Enforcement.
Dockside monitoring.
Trip/reporting analysis.
• Limited Access, Overfished, Prohibited and Protected Species.
Scallops.
NMS.
Bluefin Tuna.
• Closed Area Fishing Violations, ongoing.
Commercial vessel incursions into closure areas or other Marine Protected Areas.
• Felony and major civil cases involving significant damage to the resource or the integrity of management schemes.
• Observer Assault/Harassment.
MEDIUM PRIORITY
• Gear Violations.
Deployment of unlawful gear utilized in commercial fisheries under NOAA’s jurisdiction.
• Striped Bass in EEZ.
LOW PRIORITY
• Other fisheries Permit Violations.
Non-compliance with state/federal fisheries permitting requirements pertaining to fisheries under NOAA’s jurisdiction (open access permits).
Operator Permits.
Non-limited access species permits.
ASMFC FINALIZES BLACK SEA BASS REGULATIONS FOR 2012
April 17, 2012 – Upon review of the latest black sea bass recreational data from last year (waves 1 – 6), the Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board has modified the percent that states may liberalize their 2012 recreational management measures to achieve the 1.32 million pound (942,857 fish) harvest limit for the 2012 fishery. The northern region states of Massachusetts through New Jersey will implement measures that achieve a 37 percent liberalization throughout the region and a 32 percent liberalization coastwide; the percent of liberalization will vary by state. Northern region states had the option to collectively liberalize regulations by 41 percent but opted to be more conservative. State-specific regulations follow below.
Delaware 12.5" minimum... 25 fish per person... May 22 to Oct 14 and Nov 1 to Dec 31
Maryland 12.5" minimum... 25 fish per person... May 22 to Oct 14 and Nov 1 to Dec 31
Virginia 12.5" minimum... 25 fish per person... May 22 to Oct 14 and Nov 1 to Dec 31
Since the Board’s approval of Addendum XXII and the resultant 2012 state recreational management measures in February 2012, new 2011 recreational harvest estimates were released by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The data indicates the projections used to form the basis of this year’s regulations under estimated the 2011 harvest. Coastwide recreational harvest for the 2011 black sea bass fishery is now estimated at 713,478 fish (versus the initial estimate of 654,142 fish). As a result of the new estimate, northern states will still be able to liberalize their 2012 recreational management measures but not to the extent that they would have under the previous estimate (initial liberalization was 57 percent). The northern states will be working over the next month to finalize their recreational black sea bass management measures.
Based on the stock projections completed in 2011, the black sea bass stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. The projections indicate the stock is at about 111 percent of its biomass target. For more information, please contact Toni Kerns, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator for Management, at tkerns@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
PUBLIC INPUT MEETING TO BE HELD TONIGHT REGARDING FREE FISHING AREAS IN OC
April 10, 2012 - The Maryland Fisheries Service will seek input on three proposed Free Fishing
Areas in Ocean City. A public input meeting regarding the free areas will be held on
April 10th from 6-8 at the Ocean Pines Library. It will be a mini "open house" format; meaning there will be some materials to review, opportunity to talk one-on-one with Fisheries Service staff regarding the proposed areas, and opportunity to provide written input. Attendees can arrive any time after 6. You can find more information about the meeting
at: http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/calendar/v2/event.asp?id=361&date=4%2F
10%2F2012
REMINDER TO DELAWARE STRIPER FISHERMEN
April 5, 2012 - Anglers are reminded that during spawning season for striped bass in Delaware, which began on April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31, it is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries. Catch and release only is permitted during this season; no harvest is allowed.
In addition, regulations require anglers fishing on any striped bass spawning ground with natural bait to use a non-offset circle hook. The Division of Fish and Wildlife recommends that circle hooks always be used when fishing natural baits because of their proven ability to reduce hook and release mortality for striped bass and other fish species. The circle hook’s design usually results in fish being hooked in the mouth, simplifying hook removal and reducing injury to the released fish.
For more information, pick up a copy of the 2012 Delaware Fishing Guide at your local tackle shop or license dealer, or check it out online at www.fw.delaware.gov/fisheries. For more information, call the Fisheries section at 302-739-9914.
MD, DE & VA SEA BASS REGULATIONS SET FOR 2012
April 5, 2012 - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board has modified the percent that states may liberalize their 2012 recreational management measures to achieve a 1.32 million pound (942,857 fish) harvest limit for the 2012 fishery. Southern states (DE, MD, VA & NC) are not effected by the change and have finalized their 2012 recreational measures:
Delaware: 12.5" minimum... 25 fish per person... 5/22 to 10/14 and 11/1 to 12/31
Maryland: 12.5" minimum... 25 fish per person... 5/22 to 10/14 & 11/1 to 12/31
Virginia: 12.5" minimum... 25 fish per person... 5/19 to 10/14 & 11/1 to 12/31
Coastwide recreational harvest for the 2011 black sea bass fishery is now estimated at 713.478 fish (versus the initial estimate of 654,142 fish). As a result of the new estimate, northern states will be able to liberalize their 2012 recreational management measures but not to the extent that they would have under the previous estimate (initial liberization of 57%). The northern states (Massachusetts through New Jersey) will be working over the next month to finalize their recreational black sea bass management measures.
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE ADJUSTS BLUEFIN REGULATIONS
April 5, 2012 - The National Marine Fisheries Service is taking two actions regarding the recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) Angling category fishery:
1 - Closure of the southern area trophy BFT fishery (73-inches or greater) for the remainder of 2012, and
2 - Adjustment of the daily retention limit that applies to the HMS Charter/Headboat category (when fishing recreationally) to:
1 school BFT (27" to <47")
1 large school/small medium BFT (47" tp <73") per vessel
The recreational daily retention limit that applies to the HMS Angling category vessels remains at 1 school, large school or small medium BFT (27" to <73") per vessel.
These actions will be effective on April 7, 2012
NEW MD TAUTOG REGULATIONS GO INTO EFFECT APRIL 1ST
April 1, 2012 - The new Maryland tautog regulations go into effect today.
Jan 1st - May 15th... 16" minimum... 4 fish per day
May 16th - October 31st... 16" minimum... 2 fish per day
Nov 1st - Nov 15th... 16" minimum... 4 fish per day
SOME CONFUSION ON MD FLOUNDER REGULATIONS
March 29, 2012 - There has been some confusion and concern over the 2012 MD DNR Flounder regulations based on information posted on their website. Currently, the MD DNR website shows 2012 flounder regulations being an 18-inch fish with a season that runs from April 16th to November 30th. Although these are technically the "current" regulations, the regulations will change.
The 2012 regulations, as reported earlier on this website, will be a 17-inch fish... 3 fish per person and a season from April 14th to December 16th. These regulations will not be "official" until 48 hours after a public notice is published in MD newspapers, which is expected to happen by the end of next week.
EARLY PREDICTION ON MD TAUTOG REGULATIONS FOR 2012
March 26, 2012 - The ASMFC Tautog Management Board will be meeting by conference call on Wednesday, March 28th at 10:00 am. There may be limited time for public comment. To join the conference call, dial 888.394.8197 and enter the Passcode 499811.
It looks like the 2012 tautog season will open on April 2nd with a 16-inch minimum size fish. Creel limits will be set as follows:
04/02/12 thru 05/15/12 - 4 fish per person
05/16/12 thru 10/31/12 - 2 fish per person
11/01/12 thru 11/16/12 - 4 fish per person
For more information, please contact Christopher Vonderweidt, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cvonderweidt@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
MARLIN CLUB LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER FISHING INSTRUCTORS FOR YOUTH CLINIC
March 26, 2012 - The Ocean City Marlin Club is looking for a few people to help with a fishing class for children. The class starts on Monday, April 23 at Northside Park from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Usually approximately 10 children participate. The class then moves to the Oceanic Pier each Monday for about 6 weeks. It is pretty low key helping kids with rigs, casting, and removing the occasional fish. You would not need to attend every date, just looking for a few volunteers to help so we can work out a schedule.
Please e-mail Bill Regan @ bregan@redsuncustom.com
GEORGETOWN MAN CATCHES STATE RECORD LARGEMOUTH BASS
March 23, 2012 – When James D. Hitchens of Georgetown set out for his favorite Sussex County fishing hole, he planned to catch largemouth bass, baiting his line with a live shiner minnow. However, he didn’t expect to set a new state record for the size of the largemouth bass that took his bait. “I’ve never had one over eight pounds,” Hitchens said. “So I was hoping for over eight pounds.”
Hitchens got his wish and then some when he reeled in a 10-pound, 10-ounce female largemouth measuring 26 inches long and 18 3/4 inches in girth, as measured at Taylored Tackle Shop in Seaford and verified by DNREC Fisheries biologists Nathan Rust and Jordan Zimmerman. During the certification process, the tackle shop kept the fish in an aerated tank, and after it was measured and verified, Hitchens released it, alive, back into the pond where he caught it. “I put her right back where she came from,” said Hitchens, a longtime Delaware angler. “I release all my big fish.”
Fisheries staff applauded Hitchens’ good sportsmanship in releasing his record catch. “We encourage catch and release fishing in Delaware, especially with larger fish like this one,” said Fisheries biologist Cathy Martin. “Not only will this fish be back out there for other anglers to enjoy, it should also see another spawning season to pass on its good genes to another generation of largemouth bass and thereby improve our bass stock.”
ASMFC TO HOLD MARCH 28TH PUBLIC HEARING IN DELAWARE ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO ATLANTIC MENHADEN MANAGEMENT PLAN
March 20, 2012 – A public hearing will be held in Delaware by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) regarding a proposed amendment to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. The purpose of the hearing to gather public comment on proposed menhaden management measures. The hearing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 28 at the DNREC Lewes Field Facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, located adjacent to the Lewes Boat Ramp. Similar public hearings are being held by the ASFMC in other Atlantic coastal states.
The ASMFC's Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved the public information document (PID) for Amendment 2 to the management plan for public comment and review. As the first step in the development of the draft amendment, the PID presents the current status of the fishery and resource, and solicits public input on which major issues and alternatives should be included for consideration and analysis to achieve menhaden population management goals.
The PID's primary focus is to initiate discussion on the timing and implementation of achieving the recently-adopted fishing mortality threshold. Based on the most recent stock assessment of fishing mortality in 2008, overfishing is occurring, but the stock is not overfished. The goal of the new fishing mortality threshold and target rates is to increase abundance, spawning stock biomass and menhaden availability as a forage species. The PID also seeks public input toward creating a more timely and comprehensive catch reporting system, and scopes potential options to be used in managing Atlantic menhaden commercial bait and reduction fisheries as well as recreational fishery.
Along with the development of Amendment 2, the peer-reviewed stock assessment will be updated with data through 2011 to provide a more recent estimate of fishing mortality. Results of the assessment update will be used to estimate the harvest reductions needed to achieve the new threshold and target fishing mortality rates. Therefore, preliminary harvest reductions are provided in the PID but will likely change based on the results of the stock assessment update.
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input by either attending the public hearing or providing written comments. The PID may be viewed at http://www.asmfc.org/speciesDocuments/menhaden/fmps/Amend2PID_DraftForPublicComment.pdf. The public comment deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012 and should be mailed to Mike Waine, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201;fax to 703-842-0741 or email to mwaine@asmfc.org with subject line: Menhaden PID.
Delaware-related questions may be addressed to Fisheries Administrator John Clark, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or email john.clark@state.de.us, or call Fisheries at 302-739-9914.
MSSA LOOKS FOR ANGLERS TO ATTEND STATE SENATE HEARING ON PROHIBITING GILL NET FISHING IN MARYLAND WATERS
The MSSA released the following:
A pivotal point regarding SB 1032 has arrived, a Hearing Date has been scheduled!
WHEN: Tuesday, March 20th
TIME: 1:00 P.M.
(take a half day)
You have read the headlines, you have contacted your legislator, now is the time to travel to Annapolis and demand that gill nets be prohibited in Maryland waters!
If you have the ability to travel to Annapolis on Tuesday, March 20th to show your support of SB 1032, please do so. We have seen great numbers of people sending in emails, writing letters, and making phone calls, we must not give up now! We need you in Annapolis!
How to make the journey to Annapolis painless:
Travel to Annapolis:
Drive to Navy Marine Corp Stadium Parking Lot
ARRIVE by 11:30 AM
Address: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
550 Taylor Ave.
Annapolis, Md. 21401-2220
Driving Directions Click Here
Parking:
You may park at the stadium for $5
Travel to Senate Building from Stadium Lot:
A trolley will be traveling between the stadium parking lot and the Senate Office building every 20 minutes. We will have a MSSA representative on the trolley to escort people to and from
Testify:
You do not have to testify if you do not want to. Your presence is enough. However, if you do wish to testify it would be greatly appreciated and you must sign the witness register by 12:00 PM (noon).
Thank you in advance for you time on this very important issue. For too long Maryland citizens have witnessed egregious poaching cases and large fish kills due to gill nets. Now is the time to tell our elected officials, enough is enough, gill nets need to go!
MID-ATLANTIC FISHERIES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL SEEKING NEW PANEL MEMBERS
The Council has been engaged in a Visioning and Strategic Planning project with the goal of implementing changes to the management process and improving its fishery management plans based on stakeholder input. As a direct result of this effort, the advisory panel process is being revised to enhance the role of advisors. The Council is soliciting applications from qualified individuals to serve on its seven advisory panels. Current advisory panel members must re-apply by submitting an application to be considered for an advisory panel position on the Council.
Advisory panels will be composed of individuals with diverse experiences and interests in Mid-Atlantic fisheries. Advisors will play an important role in the fishery management process and will be directly responsible for fishery performance reports that help the Council better understand trends in fisheries and impact of management decisions on stakeholders. In addition, these reports will be considered by the Scientific and Statistical Committee and by the Council in the quota setting process.
The Council is seeking advisors to serve on the following advisory panels:
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Tilefish
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish
Surfclam and Ocean Quahog
Bluefish
Dogfish (Jointly managed with New England Council)
Ecosystems, Habitat, and Ocean Planning
Advisory panel members will be appointed during the next meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council scheduled for April 10-12, 2012 in Duck, NC. Appointed advisors will serve a term of 3 years.
Anyone interested in serving as a member on one of these advisory panels can submit an application to the Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901, email the form to info1@mafmc.org or fax it to (302) 674-5399. Please note as the subject on your email or fax: ADVISORY PANEL. Applications can be obtained by visiting http://www.mafmc.org/, or by contacting the Council office at (877) 446-2362.
Applications must be received by March 30, 2012.
**This press release will be available at http://www.mafmc.org/press
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE CHESAPEAKE
March 13, 2012 - This year marks the 29th year the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association (MSSA) will host their annual spring rockfish tournament, Championship on the Chesapeake. The Championship is the largest rockfish tournament in the world, regularly drawing over 650 boats and nearly 4,000 anglers.
This three day tournament begins May 4th and ends May 6th. Anglers from all over the East Coast descend on Maryland to participate in this event and, more importantly, cast their lines in hopes of catching a Trophy Rockfish.
“This tournament showcases what the Chesapeake Bay has to offer recreational anglers”, Dave Smith, Executive Director of the MSSA said.
Eleven weigh stations scattered throughout the bay will accommodate the thousands of anglers as they bring in their catches. New to the tournament this year is the increase in guaranteed prize money for first place, now set at $15,000.
Smith noted that this year the MSSA will again be issuing text message alerts to the captains to inform them of the standings. “The use of text messaging and other technologies has dramatically reduced the number of fish brought to the scales. If we can let our captains and crews know what kind of fish they need to win, there will be more fish released”, Smith said.
Smith also noted that the MSSA is very proud of its ratio of fish per boat numbers. The past three years they have seen less than one fish per boat weighed in.
MSSA tournaments attract thousands of anglers every year who hope to come home with one of the many different prizes available including the potential $100,000 check. Along with the overall prizes, the Tournament includes daily prizes, weigh-station prizes, catch and release prizes, and of course youth prizes. Also new to this year’s tournament is the introduction of the Lady’s Division. “We are seeing an increase in the number of ladies participating in our tournaments, we hope this will encourage more to enter and get involved in recreational fishing”, Smith noted.
Participants may attend one of five Captains Meetings held throughout Maryland from Solomons Island to Middle River in the days just prior to the tournament. Here they will be able to ask questions, talk to fellow anglers and, as always, have a chance to win door prizes.
MSSA has been the leader in representing saltwater recreational anglers in Maryland for almost 30 years now and continues on that mission. With over 7,000 members they are the largest sport fishing group in the state and are the voice of Maryland saltwater anglers.
“Tournaments and recreational anglers provide this state with a huge socio-economic value that supports thousands of jobs and also provides a great quality of life here in Maryland. Our top priority is to preserve those traditions that bring so much value to our state.” Smith said.
Maryland has over 700,000 recreational anglers with an estimated economic impact of just over one billion dollars. “We have tremendous natural resources here in Maryland and we need to take control of them”, Smith added. With recent events surrounding commercial gill net this tournament will once again bring positive light to our striped bass fishery here in Maryland.
For more information you may visit www.mssa.net or call MSSA’s main office at 410-255-5535.
BILL INTRODUCED SUPPORTING FISH, COASTAL COMMUNITIES
March 13, 2012 — The Pew Environment Group commended Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), Scott Brown (R-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today for introducing the Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act (FIRRA). A companion bill is expected in the House by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Frank Guinta (R-NH). This bipartisan legislation would ensure that key programs critical to sustainably managing ocean fish populations, and the fishermen and communities that depend on them, would receive increased and sustained funding.
The bill would provide approximately $100 million annually for much-needed scientific research, monitoring, data collection, and assistance to fishermen and coastal communities by redirecting a portion of existing import duties on fish and fish products to support key programs.
“This legislation is long overdue—and we applaud Sens. Kerry, Snowe, Rockefeller, Brown, and Whitehouse for introducing it,” said Lee Crockett, Pew’s director of federal fisheries policy. “Our nation will finally have a secure base of funding exclusively for fisheries-related initiatives.”
Funds would be available through a competitive grant program and would promote local priorities for sustainable fisheries management and the preservation of fishing communities. Multi-stakeholder regional committees, authorized by the bill and appointed by the nation’s eight fishery management councils, would develop plans to identify priorities for investment in each region. The committees would use those priorities to evaluate and recommend grants for funding. The secretary of commerce, who oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, would have final approval of the plans and decisions regarding the grants.
“The working men and women of America’s West Coast commercial fishing industry strongly support the FIRRA,” said Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations. “For too long, we've managed our valuable fisheries on the cheap, with disastrous results. This bill finally provides a dedicated funding source for stock assessments, research, and support for fishing communities that are essential for healthy fisheries.”
“The strength of Senator Kerry’s bill is that it puts the decisions about what fisheries projects to fund in the hands of local fishermen and scientists who bring their regional perspectives and expertise to the issue,” said John Pappalardo, CEO of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association.
“For-hire captains provide millions of recreational fishermen with access to U.S. fisheries every year, and these anglers spend millions on travel, lodging and food in coastal communities,” said Michael Miglini, the Executive Director of the Gulf-based Charter Fisherman’s Association. “Yet, due to the tough economic climate and environmental threats like the 2010 Gulf oil spill, many of our businesses face an uncertain future. This bill will help by redirecting existing funding into the hands of local managers and fishermen so they can support the science necessary to make sound decisions that will increase fishing time, improve businesses, and ensure sustainable fisheries.”
TWO MARYLAND ANGLERS AMONG TBF'S WORLD TOP BILLFISH TAG AND RELEASE COMPETITORS.
March 9, 2012 - Every time they fish on three oceans, anglers and captains -- like two anglers from Maryland -- are helping scientific research. They are among 46 winners from around the world to receive The Billfish Foundation’s 2011 Tag & Release Awards.
Since 1990 they’ve become the heart-and-soul of TBF’s eminent conservation program committed to tag and release of billfish from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, while supplying valuable data critical to learning the pelagic species migratory habits.
Victoria Roberts, Stevensville, a multi-time winner, took honors as the top tagging angler in the Atlantic Ocean for white marlin while Paul Legnard of Arnold, won as the top release angler for sailfish also in the Atlantic category. It was his first time win with TBF.
The TBF Annual Tag and Release Awards, presented during the Miami International Boat Show each February, is the world’s premier big game fishing competition, with thousands of TBF member anglers and captains from 70 countries invited to compete. The 2011 competition ran from Nov. 1, 2010 to Oct. 31, 2011 with “tagging data reports” and “release notification cards” generated from the ocean’s temperate waters where a majority of the world’s billfish inhabit. To qualify active TBF members must have tagged and/or released five or more of a species. TBF’s Youth Program recognizing the conservation ethics and achievements of young anglers has a minimum of three billfish in three age groups.
“Today, instead of catch-and-kill, more anglers are tagging more fish than ever before,” said TBF Science and Policy Director Peter Chaibongsai. “We had a total of 5399 release records and 4410 tag records for the competition, an increase over last year.
“In the 22 years of TBF’s program over 168,000 billfish have been tagged and of those more than 2,800 have been recaptured and most re-released. TBF still has the highest recapture rates for a traditional tagging program thanks in big part to the efforts from the sportfishing community. And the release category which began nine years ago, has logged in over 66,000 billfish releases reported to TBF.”
On its website (http://Billfish.org), TBF displays numerous examples of tracks illustrating billfish traveling thousands of miles giving vital data on their biology and movement patterns to effectively advocate for sound science-based billfish management and policy.
“And with the recent introduction of TROD our new fast, free and easy Tag & Release Online Database, TBF can accurately and quickly get all the vital information for our work plus provide our scientists with the hard evidence to support that sportsfishing is a huge economic piece in the US economy and that conservation pays.”
Recently celebrating its 25th anniversary TBF works worldwide to advance the conservation of billfish and associated species and to improve the health of oceans and dependent economies. Chaibongsai can be reached at 800-438-8247 ex 107 at tag@billfish.org. or at Peter_Chaibongsai@billfish.org.
ANOTHER ERROR FOUND IN A STOCK ASSESSMENT. THIS TIME IT IS TAUTOG. LEADS TO DECREASE IN REQUIRED DEDUCTION
March 7, 2012 – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Tautog Stock Assessment Subcommittee has identified and corrected errors in the 2011 stock assessment update. Based on the revised update, a coastwide reduction of 37% in exploitation is needed to meet the Addendum VI fishing mortality target (F target) of 0.15. Originally, the assessment indicated a 53% reduction was needed to achieve the F target.
The revised assessment results show the stock continues to be overfished with overfishing occurring. The spawning stock biomass (SSB) has remained at low levels for the last decade, with 2009 SSB estimated at 10,930 metric tons — 41% of the target SSB (26,800 metric tons). Current coastwide fishing mortality ta
5.17.12 11:13 am
by Larry Jock
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WEDNESDAY, May 16, 2012
"Get Sum" had 2 winter flounder and some throwback summer flounder during their morning trip.
"Bay Bee" had 2 keeper flounder during their afternoon trip.
TUESDAY, May 15, 2012
Anglers fishing around the South Jetty and the Rt. 50 Bridge did well during the afternoon/early evening. Fish were as large as 35-inches. Caught on bucktails and spec rigs.
MONDAY, May 14, 2102
Heard from one angler who trolled along the beach from Little Gull and north. No pulls.
See below for an update to Sunday's report.
SUNDAY, May 13, 2012
The "Wrangler" returned from an overnight trip with 6 yellowfin tuna. The fish were caught on trolled ballyhoo in 100 fathoms on the west wall of the Baltimore Canyon. Total weight of the fish was 197 lbs.
"Muff Diver" fished the 200 line starting in 150 Fathoms and worked out to the 500 fathoms. They caught 1 yellowfin. Went 1 for 3 at the 231 line... 1 for 3 bites at the 235 line and 2 for 2 on the 254 line. All the tuna were 40 to 45 pounds. Weather was choppy and the fish were caught in 64.7 degree water. Water seemed to be pushing out as the day went along.
"Reel Chaos" returned with 7 yellowfin tuna from 300 fathoms in the Baltimore Canyon.
Kevin Bichy caught a 19.5-inch flounder in the Ocean City Inlet on a squid and minnow combination.
Up in Indian River, the "Cindy Sue" returned from an overnight trip in the Baltimore Canyon with a 150 lb. swordfish, 2 yellowfin tuna and a 60 lb. bluefin.
Snapper bluefish were thick around the Rt. 50 Bridge this morning.
SATURDAY, May 12, 2012
"57 Chins" fished the temp break along 80-100 fathoms from the southern end of the Baltimore Canyon to the Poorman's. They had 66-67 deg nice blue water. The two anglers went 5 for 6 on yellowfin up to 40+ lbs.
"Jezebel" went to the Bass Grounds and the Great Eastern Reef and returned with 8 tautog.
"Restless Lady" caught a 130 lb. mako shark and a 42 lb. yellowfin tuna in 500 fathoms in the Baltimore.
"No Shop Talk" caught a 168 lb. mako near the Sausages.
A lot of small stripers were caught around the Rt. 50 Bridge by anglers tossing swim shads.
The "Get Sum" had 3 keeper flounder up to 19 inches. The fish were caught on Gulp! Swimming Mullet in the Thorofare. Water temp was 65-degrees.
FRIDAY, May 11, 2012
Small bluefish were caught around the Rt.50 Bridge and in shallow water just north of the bridge.
First yellowfin tuna of the year were caught by anglers on the "Foolish Pleasures" with Capt. Dale Lisi at the helm. Capt. Dale said that they ran to 100 fathoms on the west wall of the Baltimore Canyon. The bite happened between 8 am and 10 am. They had 2 small fish but the rest were between 35 and 40 lbs.
Tautog were caught on sand fleas around the South Jetty. Fish measured up to 22-inches.
THURSDAY, May 10, 2012
Windy day today, but it sounds like there was a good striper bite off Assateague today. Those fishing with sand fleas seemed to do better than those with bunker.
Ricky Knight stopped by with a 33-inch striper he caught off Assateague while using sand fleas for bait. Caught around 1pm at high tide.
WEDNESDAY, May 9, 2012
Miserable day today. Rain... wind. When it finally cleared up in the afternoon, some anglers were able to hook into flounder north of the Thorofare. All were too short to keep, but decent numbers were caught.
TUESDAY, May 8, 2012
"Lucky Break" returned with 9 keeper tautog and a load of throwbacks at the South Jetty during the last of the incoming tide this morning. Green crabs were used for bait.
Fishing off Assateague has been excellent for the last week. Mainly stripers with a few black drum sprinkled in.
SUNDAY, May 6, 2012
Very windy in OC today. Not many boats on the water.
"Lucky Break" caught 12 keeper tautog around the South Jetty and then ventured down the bay and had a couple of throwback stripers and one 18-inch black drum.
Striper bite in the Indian River Inlet was practically non-existent.
Yesterday, a bluefin tuna was caught by Tony Burr out of Indian River Marina. Fish weighed 38 lbs. and was caught outside the Baltimore Canyon.
Tony Diesel caught a 20.5-inch speckled trout tonight off the South Jetty in the indian River Inlet. The fish was caught on a swim shad.
SATURDAY, May 5, 2012
Very dense fog this morning. Stuck around all day with heavy fog moving in again late afternoon. Visability was only around 25 yards.
Good striper bite in the OC Inlet this morning. Good size fish. There was also a tremendous bite in the Indian River Inlet last night starting at 6:30 pm and from sunrise to around 9am this morning.
Big Bird Cropper and Dave Leizear caught 4 keepers between 33-inches and 43-inches. All were caught while tossing Rog Rigs around the South Jetty.
Hugh Thomas Cropper caught a 42.5-inch striper at the South Jetty on a bucktail.
John Bieberich caught a 43-inch striper while surf fishing off Assateague last night. Fish was caught on fresh bunker.
Rich Bell caught a pair of stripers from off the beach around 138th Street in Ocean City. Largest fish measured 44" and weighed 27 lbs. He also landed a 37-incher.
"Out-Rea-Geous" returned with a 197 lb. mako shark from outside the Marine Electric.
"Lucky Break" braved the fog and ended up with a bunch of throwback flounder in the bay behind Assateague.
Striper bite in the Indian River Inlet was slower than it has been lately.
FRIDAY, May 4, 2012
There was a good striper bite in the Indian River Inlet last night beginning around 9pm. Most of the fish were in the 15-20 lb. class, but some larger fish were also caught.
The bite picked-up again at daybreak this morning for anglers casting off the IR Jetty.
Fog was thick this morning, but I know of at least one boat that trolled from the OC Inlet north. No luck... marked a lot of bait.
"Ocean City Girl" returned with 5 tautog from an ocean wreck. The largest fish weighed 14.2 lbs., 16.4 lbs. and 19.2 lbs. All were caught in 60-feet of water with temperatures at 58-degrees.
THURSDAY, May 3, 2012
"Magic Moment" trolled in 200 fathoms between the Rockpile and the 461 Lump and returned with their 1 bluefin tuna and released 7 others. The BFT that they kept weighed 50 lbs. All were caught in 64-degree water.
Fishing off Assateague Island is really picking up. The key is getting your cast over the bar during the incoming tide. Peeler crabs have been working exceptionally in addition to fresh bunker.
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2012
The first issue of the Coastal Fisherman hit the streets today.
Striper fishing in the OC Inlet was good again today. Not as good as yesterday and the average size fish was smaller, but still a good day.
Striper fishing since this past weekend has really started picking up for surfcasters off Assateague. Anglers down by the VA line are doing very well, but those spread out along the beach farther north are starting to see an increase in action. Fresh bunker is the bait of choice.
Jack Kutcher caught a 40-inch striper off Assateague on fresh bunker.
Bad weather today kept flounder fishermen off the water for a good part of today... especially in the AM.
TUESDAY, May 1, 2012
The King landed 2 stripers in the Inlet during the incoming tide. Fish measured 41" and 43".
Both were caught on trolled bucktails.
Fishing was also good off Assateague Island. Getting your cast across the bar during the incoming tide was the key.
Clint Smullen landed a 38-inch striper off Assateague on a peeler crab.
Michael Earls caught a 36-inch striper off Assateague on a peeler crab.
Diana Johnson caught a 37-inch striper off Assateague on a peeler crab.
David Moore caught a pair of stripers off Assateague. A 37-incher was caught on a peeler crab while a 41-incher bit a chunk of bunker.
MONDAY, April 30, 2012
The "Always Late Too" burnt some fuel today but came home with two gaffer dolphin and a 47-inch bluefin tuna. They started outside the Washington Canyon, 113 miles from the inlet, and trolled up the Gulf Stream 48 miles to outside the Baltimore Canyon where they found 75-77 degree water. They stopped in 100 fathoms on their way home and picked up the bluefin on a 3-degree temperature change.
Flounder fishing was slow. Water was very dirty.
SUNDAY, April 29, 2012
The first tuna of the year was caught out of Ocean City today. Mike Sears on the "Wrangler" boated a 70 lb. bluefin tuna in 500 fathoms in the Baltimore Canyon (200 line). The fish was caught on a trolled ballyhoo. Capt. Craig Mercier reported that it was all the bluefins you wanted, but they caught their one and started shark fishing. Ended up releasing 2 blue sharks.
First mako shark was caught today by a boat out of Indian River this morning. Mako weighed 95 lbs. and was caught between the Poor Man's and Baltimore Canyons.
The "Get Sum" had a good day today, returning with 6 keeper flounder from the Thorofare. Fish were caught on white Gulps and measured between 17.5 and 21-inches.
Water temp in the bay was 58.5 at the end of the outgoing.
David Mather caught a 36-inch striper off the Ocean Pier this afternoon on a mullet rig.
Rich Bell caught a 40" striper on fresh bunker from the beach in north Ocean City at 11:30 this morning.
SATURDAY, April 28, 2012
Water temp in the bay is around 55-degrees.
The "Angler" returned with a nice catch of tautog. The top two fish weighing 8 lbs. and 11 lbs.
There were some boats fishing in the bay behind OC today, but didn't hear of any fish being caught. Water is very dirty.
Don Bouchelle landed a 36-inch striper from the surf in Fenwick.
FRIDAY, April 27, 2012
Wind blew hard again today. Bay was void of anglers.
Some stripers were caught in the Indian River Inlet tonight, but nowhere near as good as the previous 2 nights. Last year, the epic striper bite in the IRI started around May 1st.
THURSDAY, April 26, 2012
Another windy day in OC. Water looks pretty dirty.
There was another good striper bite in the Indian River Inlet tonight.
WEDNESDAY, April 25, 2012
Not many anglers fishing for flounder.
The "Morning Star" returned with a great catch of tautog in addition to releasing a boat load. All in all, a great day!
Good striper bite in the Indian River Inlet tonight. The best bite has been from the Bridge out to the end of the ocean jetty and occurred between 9pm and 1am. Storm lures and Tsunami swim shads worked well in chartreuse, sea trout and bunker colors.
SUNDAY, April 22, 2012
Rained like crazy in Ocean City today.
SATURDAY, April 21, 2012
Windy day today, but at least the water started to clear up across the bay from the wicked slur we have been seeing. The Thorofare continues to be the best spot to land a keeper flounder especially between the yellow house and the turn to head north.
Rudy Schlesner caught a 24.5-inch flattie that tipped the scales at an even 5 lbs. while drifting minnows and squid in the Thorofare between the yellow house and the turn.
Pat Strine, Jr. caught a pair of flatties in the MD portion of the Ditch on Gulp Swimming Mullets. Fish measured 17 and 18.5-inches.
Off the beach, anglers have been hooking into an occasional striper and black drum was caught by Ken Singleton on a Fishbites bloodworm off 20th Street.
Stripers are also being caught in good numbers at night around the bridges and in the Thorofare.
Dave Furio caught a 17 lb. striper at the Navy Jetties in DE on a bunker head.
Tautog are being caught off of the Rt. 50 Bridge, the 4th Street Bulkhead, the Oceanic Pier, around the South Jetty and off the rocks at Martha's Landing.
Further south, anglers continue to bang flounder out of Wachapreague and Quinby. Shane Townsend caught a 6.6 pounder off Wachapreague.
TUESDAY, April 17, 2012
Flounder fishing was tough today. Anglers had to put up with the bad slur we have had since opening day. Makes it tough to fish when that gunk gets on your lure almost immediately upon entry.
MONDAY, April 16, 2012
Paul Vreeland from West OC stopped by the office this morning with 3 keeper flounder caught on live minnows in the bay behind Assateague, south of the OC Airport. Largest measured 22-inches.
The "Get Sum" had 4 keeper flounder measuring between 17.5 and 21-inches during their morning trip. Fish hit on chartreuse and pink Gulp artificial baits in the Thorofare during the outgoing tide.
Danny Cox and Greg Volpitta fished the outgoing tide in the Thorofare this morning and caught 4 keepers ranging from 17 inches to 22 inches. All were caught on minnows.
Steve Iwaszko caught a 36-inch, 18 lb. striper on a Yozuri Crystal Minnow at the Assateague Bridge last night.
SUNDAY, April 15, 2012
There was another good flounder bite in the Thorofare this morning during the outgoing tide.
Chuck Wenzel on the "Martini Time" caught a 19.5-incher flounder on a chartreuse Gulp Swimming Mullet in the Thorofare during the morning outgoing tide.
The "Get Sum" returned with 7 keeper flounder ranging from 18-21". All were caught on Gulp Swimming Mullets in the Thorofare.
Ryan Freese and Randy Kephart caught 3 keeper flounder, measuring 18, 18.5 and 21.5" on white and pink Gulps.
Down in Wachapreague, anglers on the "Sweet Melissa" reported catching 7 keeper flounder in the Capt. Zed's Flounder Tournament on squid and minnow combinations.
Surfcasters are catching a few stripers and some bluefish. They have to battle through a lot of skates to catch their fish.
Anglers fishing off the Oceanic Pier are catching a good number of tautog and some skates.
SATURDAY, April 14, 2012
It was opening day of flounder season today in Maryland and if it was and indication of how the season will be, it is going to be a good one! Even though it was very windy, the water was murky in a lot of locations and the slur was everywhere, anglers boated a lot of keeper flounder today. Probably 25 keepers hit the dock.
Tommy Fowler, defending champion of both first and last flounder of the year, took his title defense seriously and hit the water at 2:00 in the morning. Unfortunately, Tommy found dirty water and the Mexican food he ate for dinner required an early retreat back to the dock.
Overall, the best bite was on the flats north of the Thorofare although there were some fish caught around the airport and as far south as the Assateague Bridge. Water temperature ranged from 53 to 55-degrees. The actual tide is running around 2 hours later than the scheduled tide. Forecast for tomorrow calls for a consistent 15 mph wind all day.
Aric Gilley landed the first reported flounder of the year in Maryland, landing a 17-incher in the Thorofare at 9:30 AM. Aric was fishing with Dave Oliphant and Chuck Wenzel on the "Martini Time". The group ended their day with 3 keepers in the box and 2 throwbacks. All were caught between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM on white gulps during the outgoing tide.
On the "Patty Wagon", Kevin "The King" Weber and I fished near the Assateague Bridge and ended up with 3 keeper flounder, 2 throwbacks and pulled the hook on either a very large flounder or a striper. All were caught while trolling Gulp Swimming Mullets. Fish measured 17, 20 and 23 inches.
Jay Phillips and Steve Mears caught 6 keeper flounder while trolling on the flats, north of the Thorofare during the outgoing tide.
John Brockmeyer, Mike Brockmeyer, Bob Miller and Rick Reabis fished below the Ocean City Airport during the outgoing tide and caught 4 keeper flounder on Gulps, minnows and squid. John landed a 28-inch flattie that tipped the scales at 8 lbs.
Chris Tilghman and Mile Tuel on the "Wedgie" had a good day, returning with 4 keeper flounder and throwing back another 6. The fish meaured between 17.5 and 19-inches and were caught in the Thorofare and on the flats north of the Thorofare on shiners, minnows and bucktails during the outgoing tide.
Shawn Harmen, going off at a surprising 19-1 in the race to catch the first flounder of the year, came up empty mainly because he didn't take the best flounder fisherman in his family, wife Donna, along on the trip. Had Shawn gone with Donna to her top secret flounder hole, his odds would have dropped to as low as 5-2 and given him a much better chance at the coveted title. Donna, reportedly upset at being overlooked by local bookmakers for "First Flounder of the Year" honors, will make a serious run at winning the "Heaviest Flounder of the Year" title. Stay tuned!
Down in Wachapreague, Dave McKay caught a limit of flatties today and yesterday.
Outside of flounder, anglers experienced some really good tautog action today.
Anglers on the "Morning Star" had an excellent day in the ocean. They would have had a boat limit had they not thrown back a load of female tautog. The largest tog kept weighed 11 lbs.
The "Lucky Break" had a great day with 5 keeper togs and 31 throwbacks in the OC Inlet while using green crabs for bait. They then flipped to flounder fishing where they boated a 21-inch flounder in the Thorofare and threw back one just shy of the legal limit. The flatties were caught on live minnows.
Jack Sterling caught an 18-inch tautog on a green crab off the 3rd ST. Bulkhead.
The "Judy V" out of the Indian River Marina had a good day of tautog fishing with most anglers heading home with their limit.
FRIDAY, April 13, 2012
Steve Iwaszko on the "Night Fighter" stopped by with a couple of 34-inch stripers caught last night around the Verrazano Bridge. Steve and his buddies ended up with 5 keepers, all caught on Slug-O's.
Tomorrow is opening day of flounder season in MD. 17-inch minimum... 3 per person.
Who will catch the 1st keeper flounder of the year?
Tommy Fowler 2-1
Josh Fallon 3-1
Adam Hoerner 3-1
Arthur Clubb 7-2
Dave McKay 7-2
Greenie 4-1
Kevin Weber 5-1
Steve "One Way Charlie" Wagner 5-1
Danny Cox 6-1
Chris Tilghman 7-1
Scott Hoffman 8-1
Steve "The Roo" Hoffman 10-1
Tom "Chef" Vaughan 11-1
Brian Behe 12-1
Scott Lenox 15-1
Shawn Harman 19-1
Chuck Wenzel 20-1
David Wells 25-1
Bill Regan 25-1
Glenn Hastings 30-1
Mike Glyphis 50-1
Boz Jefferson 60-1
Ivy Clemente 80-1
Rolfe Gudelsky 100-1
THURSDAY, April 12, 2012
Capt. Monty called in to report a good bite today with a lot of 15" to 15.5" fish being tagged and thrown back. Everyone went home with dinner.
Looks like the striper bite off central Jersey is going ballistic. A lot of nice fish are being caught under huge flocks of diving birds. With the unseasonably warm water temps, it should be interesting to see what that does to the timing of our spring striper run which typically peaks in the first half of May. Will it be earlier? I'm betting it will be.
Anglers casting off the rocks at the Indian River Inlet during the evening have been finding good catches of stripers with some measuring over 40-inches. The hot set-up has been a clouser minnow in front of a rubber shad with most hits coming on the clouser.
2 days till the opening of flounder season.
WEDNESDAY, April 11, 2012
The King caught a couple of 31-inchers while trolling near the Sea Buoy on light trolling tackle.
Capt. Monty on the "Morning Star" called in to report a boat limit today for tautog with everyone going home with their limit!!!
Three days till the opening of flounder season!
MONDAY, April 9, 2012
Stripers were caught around the Rt. 50 Bridge last night around midnight. A couple of anglers stopped by the office today to have their picture taken with 4 stripers measuring between 33" and 36". All were caught on Slug-Go's. They also tossed back some short stripers during the trip.
SUNDAY, April 8, 2012
Anglers on the "Morning Star" had a good day tog fishing on ocean wrecks and reefs. The ended up tagging 60+ fish and hooking another 40 during the trip. Largest weighed 11 lbs.
SATURDAY, April 7, 2012
Tautog fishing was better than expected in the bay today. Anglers really burned them up around the South Jetty on green crabs. Remember, the minimum size is 16-inches.
The "Get Sum" had 2 keeper tog today after fishing along the rocks off Martha's Landing. They also released 10 other tog, each measuring between 14" and 15".
Water temp in the bay was around 57 degrees.
A few scattered stripers are being caught off the beaches of Assateague and Ocean City.
WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2012
Tautog fishing in the bay is good, especially around the rocks off of Martha's Landing. Tog are also being caught around the South Jetty, Rt. 50 Bridge and along the East Channel wall from 2nd Street up to 6th Street. Anglers fishing off the end of the Oceanic Pier are experiencing fantastic tautog fishing as well.
Small stripers are being caught around the Bridge. A few have been caught off the beach as far north as 3R's Road in Delaware.
Anglers are also hooking into good numbers of flounder, although they need to be released due to Maryland's season not opening up until April 14th.
In Wachapreague, it looks like the bite turned on again after a couple of days of slow bites.
SUNDAY, April 1, 2012
New tautog regulations go into effect tomorrow, April 1st. See Breaking News for specifics.
Small stripers are being caught in the bay behind OC.
Tautog are being caught off the 4th St. Bulkhead, off of 6th Street, at the South Jetty and around the rocks off Martha's Landing. Anglers fishing off the Oceanic Pier are also catching good numbers of nice size tog.
Flounder are being caught (and released) in the bay behind Assateague Island.
I heard that the flounder bite slowed out of Wachapreague over the weekend. Big water temperature drop apparently calmed things down.
The red drum bite is strong off the Eastern Shore barrier islands.
FRIDAY, March 30, 2012
Another windy day. One boat reported heading north to the MD/DE line, tight to the beach. No birds or bait. Area around sea buoy was also dead.
Anglers fishing off the Oceanic Pier at the OC Inlet are having a good day catching tautog. One anglers banged a 16-incher.
Some nice stripers were caught by surfcasters off Assateague Island right before daybreak.
THURSDAY, March 29, 2012
Windy day today.
Scattered red drum are being hooked while fishing off Easter Shore barrier islands. Big schools of reds were seen off of Rudee Inlet this week.
Flounder fishing is going strong out of Quimby, Wachapreague and Oyster.
Tautog fishing has been pretty good around the rocks off Martha's Landing and at the South Jetty. Not big fish, but some action anyhow.
WEDNESDAY, March 28, 2012
This morning, a good number of gannets were diving off the beach on 81st Street.
Tautog are being caught around the rocks off Martha's Landing.
MONDAY, March 26, 2012
Tautog are being caught off the bulkhead around 4th St., off the Rt. 50 Bridge and off 6th Street as well. Small tog are being caught around the South Jetty.
Rumors have it that speckled trout are being caught around the Assateague Bridge.
Up in Delaware, anglers are banging flounder pretty good in the back bays.
Stripers are being caught in the creeks of the Delaware Bay. Might be an early spawn and migration this year due to the unseasonably warm water temperatures.
FRIDAY, March 23, 2012
Beautiful seas today with heavy fog. Heard from one group of dedicated striper fishermen who searched as far north as Sea Colony and south to the Sea Buoy with no luck. Water temp was reported at 53.5 to 55.4 degrees.
Off the beach it looks like a mix of bluefish and sharks.
Tautog are being caught off the Rt. 50 Bridge.
THURSDAY, March 22, 2012
Not much happening for striper fishermen trolling along the coast. Large numbers of diving gannets were seen up and down the beach, but unfortunately they were diving on bait around schools of porpoises.
Reports came in today that stripers are being caught around the South Jetty, in the Inlet and in the back bays where loads of bunker can be found.
Tautog are being caught off the bulkhead on 4th St.
The striper bite in the Delaware Bay appears to be early and going strong. With the warm weather this spring we may see an early spawn and the fish dumping out of the bay earlier than ever.
The flounder bite out of Wachapreague is going strong. Dave McKay and some buddies went down there and slayed the flatfish in skinny water with several fish over 19-inches.
MONDAY, March 19, 2012
Slow day today with most striper anglers getting skunked.
Did hear there was a good bite in the Delaware Bay.
SUNDAY, March 18, 2012
With water temps in the low 50's, stripers continue to be caught from the beach.
The King brought home a couple of keepers after trolling around the Sea Buoy, 1 mile out from the OC Inlet.
Tautog are being caught along the east side of the bay, north of the Rt. 50 Bridge.
Brandon Steinhice caught a 14.5-inch tautog off of 6th St.
There have been reports of black drum caught off the beach on Assateague.
FRIDAY, March 16, 2012
You are hearing it first... Maryland Flounder Regulations will be released shortly. We will have a 17-inch fish... 3 fish per person/per day... season will run from April 14th to December 16th.
Bill Pino called in to report fishing on the "Country Girl" with Capt. Mark Robbins. They ventured down to north of the Norfolk and returned with an 18 lb. 8 oz. blueline tilefish, which would have been a new MD state record if it wasn't caught on an electric reel. They also caught their limit of wreckfish (largest 39 lbs.), a barrelfish weighing 14 lbs., a host of blackbelly rosefish.
THURSDAY, March 15, 2012
Stripers were caught a couple of miles south of the Sliver, inside the 3-mile line.
I would bet that you could catch a few linesiders around the South Jetty and in the Inlet with the amount of bunker flowing into the bay.
Tautog are being caught off of the 4th Street Bulkhead and some small fish around the South Jetty.
WEDNESDAY, March 14, 2012
Striper fishing slowed today... inside the 3-mile line. Fish were spotted around Fenwick Shoal.
You can tell that the weather is getting warm because the calls are starting to come into the office regarding flounder regulations. Right now, only Delaware and Virginia are open.
Delaware - 18" fish... 4 fish per person
Virginia - 16.5" fish... 4 fish per person
Haven't heard anything official from Maryland yet. Keep checking back or follow us on twitter (Coastalfishman). As soon as we know... you know.
TUESDAY, March 13, 2012
There is a ton of bait just off our shores with scattered striped bass roaming underneath. Hundreds of diving gannetts were seen just off the beach, inside the Sliver and up off of 8th Street in the afternoon. Thanks to Steve Doctor for calling in the report of birds off 8th Street and the King for spotting the birds around the Sliver.
The King, on the Patty Wagon, is back in action landing his limit while trolling off 25th Street. All the fish were caught on mojo's.
If the weekend forecast shows fishable weather, we should see a lot of anglers trolling from Sea Colony north down to the Sliver. AND IT'S MARCH!!!
On the flounder front, we still haven't heard anything about the final 2012 regulations. I think we may see a 17-inch fish... 3 per person... and a season from either April 1st or 15th to the end of November. We should be hearing soon.
MONDAY, March 12, 2012
Scattered schools of striped bass are being found inside the 3-mile line, but they are moving fast... very fast. Today, Jim Hughes, Terry Layton and Joe Schneider fished around the can at Little Gull and ended their day with their limit of 6 fish after hooking eight. All were caught in 48-49 degree water on trolled mojo.
The "Morning Star" returned with a 17.5 lb. tautog but the bite was considerably off compared to prior days. Yesterday, anglers had 23 fish over 10 lbs. with three over 18 lbs.
SUNDAY, March 11, 2012
Good news! Stripers were caught inside 3 miles from Little Gull all the way north, up to Sea Colony. Bite was good and the fish were a nice size, up to 40-inches.
Capt. Monty returned with first time tautog angler who nailed a 18.75 pounder. Capt. Monty is running trips this week, and I believe there are some openings on the rail, so give him a call if you are interested in tangling with a big tog.
THURSDAY, March 8, 2012
Even though the wind blew hard, a few brave anglers went striper fishing off Bethany, DE and were rewarded with some PIGS! Nice, fat fish caught inside the 3-mile line.
Stripers are also starting to bite in the Indian River Inlet. Will we have another epic bite in the spring like we saw last year???
FRIDAY, March 2, 2012
Unfortunately, it looks like it was a slow day on the water. Those fish are moving fast, at least 5 miles a day heading north, so they are nowhere close to where they were caught yesterday. Heading to their spawning grounds. Boats reported looking as far south as the Sliver and as far north as Indian River Inlet.
THURSDAY, March 1, 2012
Looks like the striper bite was strong today with most fish caught 14 miles north of the OC Inlet around the 3-mile line. Birds were also spotted off 20th Street, also flirting with the 3-mile line. Fish are chugging hard to the north, following schools of bunker.
I have a feeling you will be able to find isolated schools of hungry, aggressive stripers up and down the line... no need to travel that far north.
On a side note, it looks like we may have gotten a hint on what direction the MD DNR is going on flounder regulations this year. The 17.5" fish reg was supposed to go into effect on March 1st, and no word was heard today. Could mean they are leaning towards a 17" fish with a season that opens on April 1st or 15th. Stay tuned.
Reminder... don't forget to get your 2012 fishing license.
