Ocean City, Md. -- Brendan Hoffman, 31, of Seaford, Delaware, caught a 17-pound, 7-ounce blueline tilefish on October 9, setting the state record. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the catch, naming Hoffman the first blueline tilefish record holder since the species was added to the state’s angler award list this year.
“We had never seen a blueline tilefish that big on the boat or in photos, so we weighed it on the boat scale,” said Hoffman. “It was over 17 pounds, so we took it back to the certified scale at Sunset Provisions where it tipped the scale at 17 pounds, seven ounces.”
Hoffman and his party launched their 33-foot HydraSport from Ocean City to make the 60-mile run to the Baltimore Canyon in search of tuna, dolphin and a white marlin or two. After about five hours of trolling without a sign of billfish or tunas, they decided they should change their strategy and make good use of the flat of butterfish bait they had brought.
“We weren’t rigged or prepared for bottom fishing,” said Hoffman. “So, we scrounged around for any sinkers we could find to get the baits down 200 feet to the bottom. We found some inline sinkers and tied them together to drop the baits over a likely spot on the western edge of the Canyon.”
On the first drift, Hoffman’s friend felt a hit on his line and reeled in a nice blueline tilefish. On the second drift, the big one took Hoffman’s bait.
Weigh master Stan Hansen at Sunset Provisions, an official DNR Angler Award Center, confirmed the weight. DNR biologist Keith Lockwood examined the 33 ¼-inch fish and confirmed the species to complete the certification process for the record.
“Over the last decade, anglers have discovered the potential for great bottom fishing for species such as black bellied rose fish, golden tile and blueline tile, as a supplement to other blue water possibilities,” said Steve Doctor, DNR Atlantic Coast Program biologist and current golden tilefish state record holder. “It’s a great mid-date alternative to pelagic options that are often hard to find when the sun is high.”
The current all-tackle blueline tilefish world record is 20-pounds, four-ounces for a fish caught in 2009 over the Norfolk Canyon off of the Virginia Coast.
For information on Maryland fishing records, the Maryland Angler Award program and the Maryland Fishing Challenge, visit dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge/.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
2011 Young of the Year Striped Bass Survey Shows Fourth Highest Reproduction On Record
Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the 2011 Young of the Year (YOY) Striped Bass Survey is 34.6, well above the long-term average of 11.9, and exceedingly higher than 2010’s results of 5.9. This is the fourth highest measure of striped bass spawning success in the Chesapeake Bay in the survey’s 58-year history.
“This reinforces our understanding that when conditions are right, the striped bass population is capable of producing robust year classes of young rockfish,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell.
The survey also documented an increase in the abundance of juvenile blueback herring- a population that had previously decreased dramatically in the Chesapeake Bay and along the coast. White perch, another important food and sportfish species, saw near record reproduction.
During this year’s survey, DNR biologists counted more than 59,000 fish of 47 different species while collecting 4,565 YOY striped bass. Variation in annual spawning success is normal because striped bass reproduction is influenced by many factors including water temperature, winter snowfall, spring flow rates, and prevailing weather conditions. Typically, several years of average reproduction are intermixed with the occasional large and small year-classes. The strong 2011 year-class shows that the spawning stock is capable of producing a large year-class when conditions are favorable.
“We are extremely pleased to see this year’s results,” said DNR Biologist Eric Durell. “It is interesting to note that the four largest year classes on record have occurred since the moratorium was lifted in 1990.”
DNR biologists have monitored the reproductive success of striped bass and other species in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay annually since 1954. Twenty-two survey sites are located in the four major spawning systems: Choptank, Potomac, and Nanticoke rivers, and the Upper Bay. Biologists visit each site monthly from July through September, collecting fish samples with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine.
Juvenile indices are calculated as the average catch of YOY fish per sample. For more information about the YOY striped bass survey go to
dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/juvindex/.
“This reinforces our understanding that when conditions are right, the striped bass population is capable of producing robust year classes of young rockfish,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell.
The survey also documented an increase in the abundance of juvenile blueback herring- a population that had previously decreased dramatically in the Chesapeake Bay and along the coast. White perch, another important food and sportfish species, saw near record reproduction.
During this year’s survey, DNR biologists counted more than 59,000 fish of 47 different species while collecting 4,565 YOY striped bass. Variation in annual spawning success is normal because striped bass reproduction is influenced by many factors including water temperature, winter snowfall, spring flow rates, and prevailing weather conditions. Typically, several years of average reproduction are intermixed with the occasional large and small year-classes. The strong 2011 year-class shows that the spawning stock is capable of producing a large year-class when conditions are favorable.
“We are extremely pleased to see this year’s results,” said DNR Biologist Eric Durell. “It is interesting to note that the four largest year classes on record have occurred since the moratorium was lifted in 1990.”
DNR biologists have monitored the reproductive success of striped bass and other species in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay annually since 1954. Twenty-two survey sites are located in the four major spawning systems: Choptank, Potomac, and Nanticoke rivers, and the Upper Bay. Biologists visit each site monthly from July through September, collecting fish samples with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine.
Juvenile indices are calculated as the average catch of YOY fish per sample. For more information about the YOY striped bass survey go to
dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/juvindex/.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Keith Lockwood's Maryland Fishing Report
Oxford, Md. -- The striped bass news that everyone up and down the east coast from Maine to North Carolina has been anxiously waiting for was released today and it is good news. Below are excerpts from the official press release and a short video to enjoy. It will take about 3 to 4 years for this year’s young striped bass to grow to over 18” in size and in about 13 years they will be over 40” in length; certainly something to look forward to.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the 2011 Young of the Year (YOY) Striped Bass Survey is 34.6, well above the long-term average of 11.9, and exceedingly higher than 2010’s results of 5.9. This is the fourth highest measure of striped bass spawning success in the Chesapeake Bay in the survey’s 58-year history.
The survey also documented an increase in the abundance of juvenile blueback herring- a population that had previously decreased dramatically in the Chesapeake Bay and along the coast. White perch, another important food and sportfish species, saw near record reproduction.
During this year’s survey, DNR biologists counted more than 59,000 fish of 47 different species while collecting 4,565 YOY striped bass. Variation in annual spawning success is normal because striped bass reproduction is influenced by many factors including water temperature, winter snowfall, spring flow rates, and prevailing weather conditions. Typically, several years of average reproduction are intermixed with the occasional large and small year-classes. The strong 2011 year-class shows that the spawning stock is capable of producing a large year-class when conditions are favorable.
DNR biologists have monitored the reproductive success of striped bass and other species in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay annually since 1954. Twenty-two survey sites are located in the four major spawning systems: Choptank, Potomac, and Nanticoke rivers, and the Upper Bay. Biologists visit each site monthly from July through September, collecting fish samples with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine.
Juvenile indices are calculated as the average catch of YOY fish per sample. For more information about the YOY striped bass survey go to dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/juvindex/.
Upper Bay
Upper bay fishermen continue to find fishing for striped bass a tough situation in many areas due to cloudy water conditions and low salinities. The Conowingo Dam is releasing substantial amounts of water for the last week and water temperatures at the mouth of the Susquehanna River are down to 60-degrees. Fishermen have been catching more and more yellow perch lately from shoreline locations in the upper most areas of the bay and channel catfish continue to be eager to take cut baits or worms. Farther down the bay fishermen are finding white perch holding on many of the oyster reefs and knolls between Baltimore and Rock Hall. The white perch are now either in the deeper channels at the mouths of the tidal rivers or out in the bay. Jigging with a metal jig and dropper fly or a bottom rig baited with bloodworms should get you into the action. Striped bass have been tough to find at the Bay Bridge piers lately. Chunking with razor clams up current of the bridge piers has been the most successful option for many fishermen lately at the bridge and sharp channel edges.
Middle Bay
Below the Bay Bridge and through the entire middle bay region fishing for a mix of striped bass and bluefish has been good in most areas. Most fishermen have been jigging with metal of soft plastics over suspended or breaking fish. Structure such as prominent points, steep channel edges or rock piles have been good places to look for suspended fish. Breaking fish can be spotted most anywhere there is stiff current sweeping bait along. Fishermen are seeing a lot of small striped bass and bluefish on top and finding larger striped bass underneath by jigging.
There has been good numbers of larger male striped bass being caught; some in the 30”+ range around the Hill area off of Poplar Island, the Diamonds, Buoy 84 and Thomas Point. Traditionally most of the striped bass over 26” in the fall are male fish. The biggest exception will be if we get a run of large fall migrant striped bass that come up the bay from the Atlantic. Some fishermen have been chunking with razor clams with good success at locations such as the Hill and Buoy 84 and trolling with metal, bucktails and surge tube lures is always a good option also.
Fishing the shallow water areas along the bay shoreline and in the lower sections of the regions tidal rivers continues to be about as good as it gets. Fishermen are catching a mix of striped bass, bluefish and speckled trout; although he last two participants are beginning to thin out. Topwater lures and soft plastic swim shads have been at the top of the list for “go to” lures this week. An influx of larger striped bass has added some extra excitement to this fishery lately.
White perch are being found on hard bottom areas out in the bay such as Hackett’s Bar, Holland Point and bars near the mouth of the Choptank. Water temperatures in the middle bay region are holding around 65-degrees and a bit chillier in the tidal rivers. Most of the white perch are now fairly deep; so jigging and bottom rigs baited with bloodworms is the way to catch them.
Lower Bay Fishermen in the lower bay region are finding good fishing for a mix of striped bass and bluefish out in the main portions of the bay and the mouth of the Potomac River this week. Breaking fish are being spotted throughout the region but most often in places where swift currents are sweeping bait along steep channel edges and points. Birds often mark the way to a mix of bluefish and striped bass but finding slicks and suspended fish is also very common. Some of the larger bluefish being found in Maryland waters are showing up in the lower bay region this week. Trolling with metal and surge tube lures is a productive way to catch them as is jigging. Water temperatures are around 65-degrees this week so the striped bass are moving freely in all depths.
Casting topwater lures and swim shads in the shallow waters of the bay and tidal rivers continues to get a lot of attention from fishermen in the morning and evening hours. Speckled trout are also mixed in with striped bass and bluefish; especially on the eastern side of the bay. The white perch are holding deep in the lower sections of the regions tidal rivers and are providing good fishing. Bottom rigs baited with bloodworms have been one of the favorite ways to fish for them this week.
Recreational crabbers are seeing good catches of large and fat crabs from Kent Island south in the tidal creeks and rivers. Water temperatures are getting chilly so some of the better crabbing has been in water deeper than 10’.
Freshwater
Fishermen in the western region are enjoying wonderful trout fishing thanks to generous fall stockings of trout and beautiful fall weather. Deep Creek Lake fishermen are reporting that cooling water temperatures are causing largemouth bass to begin to head to deeper waters. Smallmouth bass and walleye are very active and providing good fishing opportunities. Fishermen on the upper Potomac River report excellent fishing for smallmouth bass this week as the bass are aggressively feeding on crawfish that are on the move from grass beds that are breaking up due to cooler water temperatures. Small crankbaits, tubes and jigs that resemble a crawfish are a sure bet. John Mullican sent us this report. The upper Potomac is currently in great shape and fishing very well. Be sure to check water levels before heading out as rain events and local thunderstorms can change conditions quickly. Bass fishing has been excellent with many quality-size fish caught throughout the river. Tubes, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and suspending jerk baits have all been productive.
Fishermen in all regions of the state are enjoying the fall stocking of trout in many put and take areas. Fishermen like Ryan Roberts are reporting good fishing and lots of elbow room. I fished on Monday October 10th about a mile downstream from the dam and Daniels Dam on the Patapsco. I caught five nice rainbows and browns, all were around 17" and I missed just as many all on flies. Not much traffic on the water, which made for a nice day. The stocking schedule is updated each week so be sure to check and see what areas near you have been stocked. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/stocking/index.asp
Freshwater fishermen throughout the state have been enjoying the beautiful October weather and the active feeding mode of most freshwater species of fish. Crappie are schooling up in cooler waters around deeper structure such as bridge piers and ledges, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are aggressively feeding in the western Baltimore reservoirs as are chain pickerel and large bluegills. Largemouth bass in freshwater impoundments and tidal waters are focusing on grass beds where bait such as small fish and crawfish are desperate to find a new home as the grass beds diminish to cooling water temperatures and shorter daylight hours. Targeting grass beds in 3’to4’ of water is a good strategy with chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits or tubes that resemble crawfish. Casting chatterbaits over grass beds can bring other surprises besides largemouth bass.
At the Ocean
Fishermen in the Ocean City area are seeing fishing conditions in the surf greatly improved this week after last weekend’s big blow. There are large schools of small bluefish moving down the beach eating their way south. Most fishermen are using small pieces of finger mullet on bait rigs; anything larger than that get nibbled away in a heart beat. Water temperatures in the surf are now about 65-degrees so these small bluefish will not be around for much longer.
A few striped bass are being caught in the surf and more will be on the way soon from our northern neighbors. Striped bass are being caught in and around the inlet at night by fishermen casting swim shads and soft plastic jigs. Enterprising fishermen have been drifting live finger mullet in the inlet and catching large flounder and even a striped bass now and then. The bulkheads and jetties are giving up better numbers of tautog this week and even a few large triggerfish and sheepshead. Flounder are moving out of the back bay areas and through the inlet so the approaches to the inlet have been getting a lot of attention by flounder fishermen. Small bluefish have moved into the same areas and have been chewing up baits.
Tautog fishing is the only show in town on the wreck and reef sites off of Ocean City now that sea bass are off limits. Cooler water temperatures are spurring on this fishery so catches have been good. A few large flounder and a mix of red hake or ling and bluefish are rounding things out.
Offshore fishing is slowing down due to weather, cooler water temperatures and lack of boats going out. Last weekend was a bust with strong winds but this coming weekend shows promise for those hoping for one more lick at a mix of white marlin, yellowfin tuna and dolphin. It will not be long before fishermen will start to take about bluefin tuna for they surely will be moving through the region soon.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the 2011 Young of the Year (YOY) Striped Bass Survey is 34.6, well above the long-term average of 11.9, and exceedingly higher than 2010’s results of 5.9. This is the fourth highest measure of striped bass spawning success in the Chesapeake Bay in the survey’s 58-year history.
The survey also documented an increase in the abundance of juvenile blueback herring- a population that had previously decreased dramatically in the Chesapeake Bay and along the coast. White perch, another important food and sportfish species, saw near record reproduction.
During this year’s survey, DNR biologists counted more than 59,000 fish of 47 different species while collecting 4,565 YOY striped bass. Variation in annual spawning success is normal because striped bass reproduction is influenced by many factors including water temperature, winter snowfall, spring flow rates, and prevailing weather conditions. Typically, several years of average reproduction are intermixed with the occasional large and small year-classes. The strong 2011 year-class shows that the spawning stock is capable of producing a large year-class when conditions are favorable.
DNR biologists have monitored the reproductive success of striped bass and other species in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay annually since 1954. Twenty-two survey sites are located in the four major spawning systems: Choptank, Potomac, and Nanticoke rivers, and the Upper Bay. Biologists visit each site monthly from July through September, collecting fish samples with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine.
Juvenile indices are calculated as the average catch of YOY fish per sample. For more information about the YOY striped bass survey go to dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/juvindex/.
Upper Bay
Upper bay fishermen continue to find fishing for striped bass a tough situation in many areas due to cloudy water conditions and low salinities. The Conowingo Dam is releasing substantial amounts of water for the last week and water temperatures at the mouth of the Susquehanna River are down to 60-degrees. Fishermen have been catching more and more yellow perch lately from shoreline locations in the upper most areas of the bay and channel catfish continue to be eager to take cut baits or worms. Farther down the bay fishermen are finding white perch holding on many of the oyster reefs and knolls between Baltimore and Rock Hall. The white perch are now either in the deeper channels at the mouths of the tidal rivers or out in the bay. Jigging with a metal jig and dropper fly or a bottom rig baited with bloodworms should get you into the action. Striped bass have been tough to find at the Bay Bridge piers lately. Chunking with razor clams up current of the bridge piers has been the most successful option for many fishermen lately at the bridge and sharp channel edges.
Middle Bay
Below the Bay Bridge and through the entire middle bay region fishing for a mix of striped bass and bluefish has been good in most areas. Most fishermen have been jigging with metal of soft plastics over suspended or breaking fish. Structure such as prominent points, steep channel edges or rock piles have been good places to look for suspended fish. Breaking fish can be spotted most anywhere there is stiff current sweeping bait along. Fishermen are seeing a lot of small striped bass and bluefish on top and finding larger striped bass underneath by jigging.
There has been good numbers of larger male striped bass being caught; some in the 30”+ range around the Hill area off of Poplar Island, the Diamonds, Buoy 84 and Thomas Point. Traditionally most of the striped bass over 26” in the fall are male fish. The biggest exception will be if we get a run of large fall migrant striped bass that come up the bay from the Atlantic. Some fishermen have been chunking with razor clams with good success at locations such as the Hill and Buoy 84 and trolling with metal, bucktails and surge tube lures is always a good option also.
Fishing the shallow water areas along the bay shoreline and in the lower sections of the regions tidal rivers continues to be about as good as it gets. Fishermen are catching a mix of striped bass, bluefish and speckled trout; although he last two participants are beginning to thin out. Topwater lures and soft plastic swim shads have been at the top of the list for “go to” lures this week. An influx of larger striped bass has added some extra excitement to this fishery lately.
White perch are being found on hard bottom areas out in the bay such as Hackett’s Bar, Holland Point and bars near the mouth of the Choptank. Water temperatures in the middle bay region are holding around 65-degrees and a bit chillier in the tidal rivers. Most of the white perch are now fairly deep; so jigging and bottom rigs baited with bloodworms is the way to catch them.
Lower Bay Fishermen in the lower bay region are finding good fishing for a mix of striped bass and bluefish out in the main portions of the bay and the mouth of the Potomac River this week. Breaking fish are being spotted throughout the region but most often in places where swift currents are sweeping bait along steep channel edges and points. Birds often mark the way to a mix of bluefish and striped bass but finding slicks and suspended fish is also very common. Some of the larger bluefish being found in Maryland waters are showing up in the lower bay region this week. Trolling with metal and surge tube lures is a productive way to catch them as is jigging. Water temperatures are around 65-degrees this week so the striped bass are moving freely in all depths.
Casting topwater lures and swim shads in the shallow waters of the bay and tidal rivers continues to get a lot of attention from fishermen in the morning and evening hours. Speckled trout are also mixed in with striped bass and bluefish; especially on the eastern side of the bay. The white perch are holding deep in the lower sections of the regions tidal rivers and are providing good fishing. Bottom rigs baited with bloodworms have been one of the favorite ways to fish for them this week.
Recreational crabbers are seeing good catches of large and fat crabs from Kent Island south in the tidal creeks and rivers. Water temperatures are getting chilly so some of the better crabbing has been in water deeper than 10’.
Freshwater
Fishermen in the western region are enjoying wonderful trout fishing thanks to generous fall stockings of trout and beautiful fall weather. Deep Creek Lake fishermen are reporting that cooling water temperatures are causing largemouth bass to begin to head to deeper waters. Smallmouth bass and walleye are very active and providing good fishing opportunities. Fishermen on the upper Potomac River report excellent fishing for smallmouth bass this week as the bass are aggressively feeding on crawfish that are on the move from grass beds that are breaking up due to cooler water temperatures. Small crankbaits, tubes and jigs that resemble a crawfish are a sure bet. John Mullican sent us this report. The upper Potomac is currently in great shape and fishing very well. Be sure to check water levels before heading out as rain events and local thunderstorms can change conditions quickly. Bass fishing has been excellent with many quality-size fish caught throughout the river. Tubes, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and suspending jerk baits have all been productive.
Fishermen in all regions of the state are enjoying the fall stocking of trout in many put and take areas. Fishermen like Ryan Roberts are reporting good fishing and lots of elbow room. I fished on Monday October 10th about a mile downstream from the dam and Daniels Dam on the Patapsco. I caught five nice rainbows and browns, all were around 17" and I missed just as many all on flies. Not much traffic on the water, which made for a nice day. The stocking schedule is updated each week so be sure to check and see what areas near you have been stocked. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/stocking/index.asp
Freshwater fishermen throughout the state have been enjoying the beautiful October weather and the active feeding mode of most freshwater species of fish. Crappie are schooling up in cooler waters around deeper structure such as bridge piers and ledges, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are aggressively feeding in the western Baltimore reservoirs as are chain pickerel and large bluegills. Largemouth bass in freshwater impoundments and tidal waters are focusing on grass beds where bait such as small fish and crawfish are desperate to find a new home as the grass beds diminish to cooling water temperatures and shorter daylight hours. Targeting grass beds in 3’to4’ of water is a good strategy with chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits or tubes that resemble crawfish. Casting chatterbaits over grass beds can bring other surprises besides largemouth bass.
At the Ocean
Fishermen in the Ocean City area are seeing fishing conditions in the surf greatly improved this week after last weekend’s big blow. There are large schools of small bluefish moving down the beach eating their way south. Most fishermen are using small pieces of finger mullet on bait rigs; anything larger than that get nibbled away in a heart beat. Water temperatures in the surf are now about 65-degrees so these small bluefish will not be around for much longer.
A few striped bass are being caught in the surf and more will be on the way soon from our northern neighbors. Striped bass are being caught in and around the inlet at night by fishermen casting swim shads and soft plastic jigs. Enterprising fishermen have been drifting live finger mullet in the inlet and catching large flounder and even a striped bass now and then. The bulkheads and jetties are giving up better numbers of tautog this week and even a few large triggerfish and sheepshead. Flounder are moving out of the back bay areas and through the inlet so the approaches to the inlet have been getting a lot of attention by flounder fishermen. Small bluefish have moved into the same areas and have been chewing up baits.
Tautog fishing is the only show in town on the wreck and reef sites off of Ocean City now that sea bass are off limits. Cooler water temperatures are spurring on this fishery so catches have been good. A few large flounder and a mix of red hake or ling and bluefish are rounding things out.
Offshore fishing is slowing down due to weather, cooler water temperatures and lack of boats going out. Last weekend was a bust with strong winds but this coming weekend shows promise for those hoping for one more lick at a mix of white marlin, yellowfin tuna and dolphin. It will not be long before fishermen will start to take about bluefin tuna for they surely will be moving through the region soon.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Keith Lockwood's Maryland Fishing Report
Oxford, Md. -- As fishermen see the second full week of October coming to a close many can see most fisheries are in a transition and often this is to the benefit of fishermen. Freshwater and saltwater species are feeling the urge to feed heavily and build up fat reserves as water temperatures drop. This could be for a long journey south to warmer waters for migratory fish or for resident fish the fat stores to hunker down for the winter. When it comes to migratory fish of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean as fish tend to be on the move it can mean varied action from day to day or the "you should have been here yesterday" syndrome. Speckled trout, bluefish and striped bass are good examples in the Chesapeake right now and offshore species such a white marlin, yellowfin tuna and dolphin are another that comes to mind this week.
Diehard fishermen have to be flexible to conditions and one thing that always defines them is that they never give up. This attitude can range from beating the water to death with cast after cast, switching up tactics and gear or simply switching to another type of fishing all together. Brendan Hoffman of Seaford Delaware and his group of fishing buddies bring us just that kind of story this week. They planned an offshore trip to the Baltimore Canyon on Sunday to fish for white marlin, yellowfin tuna and dolphin. Basically they found themselves at the Baltimore Canyon with no takers, a lot of spent fuel and a flat of butterfish. They decided to try something different; in this case some deep bottom fishing. They scrounged for any kind of weight they could find short of wrenches in the tool box and rigged up some butterfish and sent them 200' to the bottom. What occurred next is a perfect example of what to do when you are served lemons; "make lemonade"! Hoffman caught a 17lb. 7oz. blueline tilefish which is the new Maryland state record.
Presently water temperatures in the upper bay region near the mouth of the Susquehanna are holding around 61-degrees. Fishermen in general are having a difficult time finding good fishing in the upper bay for striped bass this week. Most fishermen are reporting sparse catches even at the Bay Bridge piers and the Sewer Pipe just above the bridge. Cloudy water and low salinity conditions are what most fishermen are talking about. A few bright spots are the good fishing for white perch and limited success with striped bass in the lower sections of the regions tidal rivers and of course channel catfish.
Middle bay region fishermen are experiencing better water conditions this week and good fishing for a mix of striped bass, small bluefish and speckled trout in most traditional areas. The striped bass and bluefish can be found breaking water out in the bay chasing schools of bay anchovies and menhaden and can often be located by diving birds or slicks on the surface of the water. This is a good time of the year to have a depth finder to help locate fish suspended off the bottom and light tackle reels loaded with braid for working metal jigs close to the bottom. The sensitivity of braid and its lack of resistance to current flow make it a winner for fishermen jigging. Trolling is a good option and most fishermen are trolling spoons, bucktails and surge tube lures due to the presence of bluefish. The striped bass action at the False Channel seems to have slowed down for those chumming with razor clams; fish are still being caught and the action may pick up from time to time but as water temperatures drop into the mid-sixties, fish are moving around more.
Fishing the shallow waters of the bay and tidal rivers continues to be a wonderful way to fish in the mornings and evenings this week near prominent points and structure such as rocks. Topwater lures continue to be a favorite but soft plastics such as Gulp mullets and swim shad type lures are catching their share. Speckled trout continue to be a real bonus fish for anglers with about a 3 to 1 throwback ratio in most areas. Some anglers are targeting the speckled trout by fishing soft crab baits in creek channels and cuts but most are being caught on soft plastics and topwater lures. A trick from waters far to the south that might be worth trying for speckled trout is to fish a soft plastic jig about 2' behind a popping float or popper. Speckled trout are known to be attracted to surface commotion and usually nail the trailing jig when they see it.
White perch are on the move and have left the shallow waters of the tidal rivers and are schooling up in deeper waters of the tidal rivers. Now is a good time to target them with bottom rigs baited with bloodworms or jigs with a dropper fly before they head out into the even deeper waters near the bay.
Lower bay region fishermen are seeing good water conditions and some exciting fishing opportunities for a mix of striped bass and bluefish out in the bay. The lower bay region has the largest bluefish; many going 5lbs or better in many areas. The larger bluefish are spread out from the lower Middle Grounds up to Cove Point and are putting the hurt to schools of menhaden in the region. Trolling spoons and surge tube lures has been a popular way to catch them along with striped bass. Light tackle enthusiasts are enjoying casting metal into schools of breaking fish or jigging underneath the surface action.
Perhaps some of the most exciting fishing occurring in the lower bay region is the shallow water action around prominent points through out the region and the marsh areas on the eastern shore. Light tackle fishermen are enjoying continued action with a mix of striped bass, speckled trout and bluefish. Most are casting surface lures such as poppers and also soft plastic swim baits and bucktails. There are a lot of smaller speckled trout in the region but there are enough larger ones to keep things very exciting. The areas from Hooper's Island south, the mouth of the Honga River and around Deal Island have been particularly good.
Recreational crabbers are reporting diminished returns on their crabbing outings in the upper bay region. Catches are reported to be very good in the Kent Island area and the major tidal rivers of the middle and lower bay regions. Crabbers report a lot of small crabs and sooks eating up baits but are being rewarded with large heavy crabs often over 7" in size.
Freshwater fishermen are enjoying the generous fall stocking of trout in most of the state's put and take trout waters. A combination of cool weather, good water conditions and generous stockings are making for some wonderful trout fishing experiences. Be sure to check the trout fishing site for the latest stocking information; the list is updated as the biologist complete their stockings.
Fishermen will be keeping an eye towards the weather for the next couple of days and time will tell how water conditions will be in the western region of the state. Water temperatures are in the low sixties at Deep Creek Lake and fishermen report the walleye action is picking up. Grass beds are diminishing in the lake as well as in other areas such as the upper Potomac so smallmouth bass will be on the watch for small baitfish and crawfish on the move for deeper cover such as rocks and sunken wood. Any kind of crankbait or tube that resembles a crawfish is a good bet this week.
Largemouth bass are in a very active feeding mode in all areas of the state including tidal waters and freshwater impoundments. Cooler water temperatures are causing the fish to move freely through all water depths and grass beds is the pattern to target as the fish hold to the last remaining beds of grass. This is where the food is and as the grass beds retreat bait will be making a mad dash for deeper cover. Frogs over the grass and chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits near the edges are a very good strategy this time of the year.
Fishermen at Ocean City are reporting large numbers of hungry snapper bluefish in the surf and snapping is what these little guys appear to be doing as they gobble up pieces of finger mullet on bottom rigs. Most fishermen are reporting that they are getting 3 or four baits out of one finger mullet. A few kingfish are still being caught in the surf and those casting out large baits are catching a mix of inshore sharks and a few striped bass.
In and around the inlet/ Route 50 Bridge area fishermen are reporting very good fishing for tautog from the bulkhead at 2nd to 4th Street out to the jetties. Pieces of green crab are becoming more popular than sand fleas now for bait but those fishing sand fleas at the south jetty have been catching some large sheepshead. Flounder are moving towards the inlet on their migration offshore and the channels leading to the inlet have been the place to be. There are still a large number of throwbacks but larger baits such as Gulp lures and fillet strips of snapper bluefish will entice the larger flounder.
Fishermen out at the wreck sites enjoyed the last few days of the sea bass season with good catches; often approaching limits. The season will be closed from October 12th to November 1st. Until the time it reopens fishermen will be fishing for tautog; which has greatly improved with cooler water temperatures. Farther offshore fishermen are reporting fair to good catches of dolphin, yellowfin tuna and white marlin in the Spencer Canyon south to the Baltimore Canyon.
Diehard fishermen have to be flexible to conditions and one thing that always defines them is that they never give up. This attitude can range from beating the water to death with cast after cast, switching up tactics and gear or simply switching to another type of fishing all together. Brendan Hoffman of Seaford Delaware and his group of fishing buddies bring us just that kind of story this week. They planned an offshore trip to the Baltimore Canyon on Sunday to fish for white marlin, yellowfin tuna and dolphin. Basically they found themselves at the Baltimore Canyon with no takers, a lot of spent fuel and a flat of butterfish. They decided to try something different; in this case some deep bottom fishing. They scrounged for any kind of weight they could find short of wrenches in the tool box and rigged up some butterfish and sent them 200' to the bottom. What occurred next is a perfect example of what to do when you are served lemons; "make lemonade"! Hoffman caught a 17lb. 7oz. blueline tilefish which is the new Maryland state record.
Presently water temperatures in the upper bay region near the mouth of the Susquehanna are holding around 61-degrees. Fishermen in general are having a difficult time finding good fishing in the upper bay for striped bass this week. Most fishermen are reporting sparse catches even at the Bay Bridge piers and the Sewer Pipe just above the bridge. Cloudy water and low salinity conditions are what most fishermen are talking about. A few bright spots are the good fishing for white perch and limited success with striped bass in the lower sections of the regions tidal rivers and of course channel catfish.
Middle bay region fishermen are experiencing better water conditions this week and good fishing for a mix of striped bass, small bluefish and speckled trout in most traditional areas. The striped bass and bluefish can be found breaking water out in the bay chasing schools of bay anchovies and menhaden and can often be located by diving birds or slicks on the surface of the water. This is a good time of the year to have a depth finder to help locate fish suspended off the bottom and light tackle reels loaded with braid for working metal jigs close to the bottom. The sensitivity of braid and its lack of resistance to current flow make it a winner for fishermen jigging. Trolling is a good option and most fishermen are trolling spoons, bucktails and surge tube lures due to the presence of bluefish. The striped bass action at the False Channel seems to have slowed down for those chumming with razor clams; fish are still being caught and the action may pick up from time to time but as water temperatures drop into the mid-sixties, fish are moving around more.
Fishing the shallow waters of the bay and tidal rivers continues to be a wonderful way to fish in the mornings and evenings this week near prominent points and structure such as rocks. Topwater lures continue to be a favorite but soft plastics such as Gulp mullets and swim shad type lures are catching their share. Speckled trout continue to be a real bonus fish for anglers with about a 3 to 1 throwback ratio in most areas. Some anglers are targeting the speckled trout by fishing soft crab baits in creek channels and cuts but most are being caught on soft plastics and topwater lures. A trick from waters far to the south that might be worth trying for speckled trout is to fish a soft plastic jig about 2' behind a popping float or popper. Speckled trout are known to be attracted to surface commotion and usually nail the trailing jig when they see it.
White perch are on the move and have left the shallow waters of the tidal rivers and are schooling up in deeper waters of the tidal rivers. Now is a good time to target them with bottom rigs baited with bloodworms or jigs with a dropper fly before they head out into the even deeper waters near the bay.
Lower bay region fishermen are seeing good water conditions and some exciting fishing opportunities for a mix of striped bass and bluefish out in the bay. The lower bay region has the largest bluefish; many going 5lbs or better in many areas. The larger bluefish are spread out from the lower Middle Grounds up to Cove Point and are putting the hurt to schools of menhaden in the region. Trolling spoons and surge tube lures has been a popular way to catch them along with striped bass. Light tackle enthusiasts are enjoying casting metal into schools of breaking fish or jigging underneath the surface action.
Perhaps some of the most exciting fishing occurring in the lower bay region is the shallow water action around prominent points through out the region and the marsh areas on the eastern shore. Light tackle fishermen are enjoying continued action with a mix of striped bass, speckled trout and bluefish. Most are casting surface lures such as poppers and also soft plastic swim baits and bucktails. There are a lot of smaller speckled trout in the region but there are enough larger ones to keep things very exciting. The areas from Hooper's Island south, the mouth of the Honga River and around Deal Island have been particularly good.
Recreational crabbers are reporting diminished returns on their crabbing outings in the upper bay region. Catches are reported to be very good in the Kent Island area and the major tidal rivers of the middle and lower bay regions. Crabbers report a lot of small crabs and sooks eating up baits but are being rewarded with large heavy crabs often over 7" in size.
Freshwater fishermen are enjoying the generous fall stocking of trout in most of the state's put and take trout waters. A combination of cool weather, good water conditions and generous stockings are making for some wonderful trout fishing experiences. Be sure to check the trout fishing site for the latest stocking information; the list is updated as the biologist complete their stockings.
Fishermen will be keeping an eye towards the weather for the next couple of days and time will tell how water conditions will be in the western region of the state. Water temperatures are in the low sixties at Deep Creek Lake and fishermen report the walleye action is picking up. Grass beds are diminishing in the lake as well as in other areas such as the upper Potomac so smallmouth bass will be on the watch for small baitfish and crawfish on the move for deeper cover such as rocks and sunken wood. Any kind of crankbait or tube that resembles a crawfish is a good bet this week.
Largemouth bass are in a very active feeding mode in all areas of the state including tidal waters and freshwater impoundments. Cooler water temperatures are causing the fish to move freely through all water depths and grass beds is the pattern to target as the fish hold to the last remaining beds of grass. This is where the food is and as the grass beds retreat bait will be making a mad dash for deeper cover. Frogs over the grass and chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits near the edges are a very good strategy this time of the year.
Fishermen at Ocean City are reporting large numbers of hungry snapper bluefish in the surf and snapping is what these little guys appear to be doing as they gobble up pieces of finger mullet on bottom rigs. Most fishermen are reporting that they are getting 3 or four baits out of one finger mullet. A few kingfish are still being caught in the surf and those casting out large baits are catching a mix of inshore sharks and a few striped bass.
In and around the inlet/ Route 50 Bridge area fishermen are reporting very good fishing for tautog from the bulkhead at 2nd to 4th Street out to the jetties. Pieces of green crab are becoming more popular than sand fleas now for bait but those fishing sand fleas at the south jetty have been catching some large sheepshead. Flounder are moving towards the inlet on their migration offshore and the channels leading to the inlet have been the place to be. There are still a large number of throwbacks but larger baits such as Gulp lures and fillet strips of snapper bluefish will entice the larger flounder.
Fishermen out at the wreck sites enjoyed the last few days of the sea bass season with good catches; often approaching limits. The season will be closed from October 12th to November 1st. Until the time it reopens fishermen will be fishing for tautog; which has greatly improved with cooler water temperatures. Farther offshore fishermen are reporting fair to good catches of dolphin, yellowfin tuna and white marlin in the Spencer Canyon south to the Baltimore Canyon.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
CCA Asks Anglers to Voice Opinions on Menhaden Management
Commentary provided by the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland
Annapolis, Md. -- As recreational fishermen and stewards of our resources, we must educate ourselves on not only the fish we pursue, but also the ecosystem in which they live. There is nothing more integral to the health of our fisheries than the menhaden. We don’t pursue them as a sport fish, but they deserve a great deal of our attention. Menhaden literally turn the sun’s energy into protein by grazing on small organisms that convert the sun’s energy to cellulose. Menhaden then convert that energy to protein by becoming a major food item for every predatory fish, bird, and mammal in the Atlantic. The most important attribute of menhaden is their sheer abundance. That abundance has faded and now menhaden are at the lowest population ever recorded.
In response to the upcoming menhaden management meetings being conducted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), CCA has produced an Angler’s Guide to Menhaden as a teaching tool for fisherman up and down the coast. We encourage everyone to read the full guide. Some key points to understand are listed below.
Management options have been put forth by ASMFC. Key to the options is the reference points. Reference points are the guideposts managers use to determine the health of any stock. The Board is proposing to use % Maximum Spawning Potential (%MSP) for this purpose. Currently the stock is thought to be at about 8% MSP, or about 8% of what an unfished stock would have.
There are two parts to any reference point, simply because there is a lot of uncertainty with both the calculation of the status of the stock and the management of the stock. The first reference point is the “threshold” -- the “line in the sand” that managers do not want to exceed, for if it is, overfishing will occur and the stock could become overfished. If they managed right to the threshold, there is a strong likelihood that this line in the sand would be exceeded due to the uncertainties in the data. Thus, the second reference point, the “target,” is a number more conservative than the threshold. Managers set harvest levels at the target to create a buffer and assure that fishing does not exceed the threshold.
There are essentially 3 options for management:
Change the management threshold, which is the maximum amount of fishing mortality allowed. This would become the overfishing limit.
Change the management target to one that is more conservative. This is the target that provides a buffer to not exceed the overfishing limit.
Adopt a suite of management tools that allow managers to constrain harvest to the management target.
To view all of the options, please go to Page 8 of the guide. CCA commented on each option. A quick summary of CCA’s position is detailed below.
With regard to Thresholds, CCA supports Option 2: 15% MSP as an F threshold as an interim threshold for menhaden management. This management measure, which we still view as the lowest acceptable threshold, could increase spawning stock by nearly 130% in a few years.
With regard to the Targets, we acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding menhaden management and recruitment. However, given the importance of this keystone prey species to the Atlantic ecosystem, CCA believes that the 40% MSP option represents the greatest degree of assurance toward achieving the ultimate goal of restoring menhaden to fulfill its ecological role as a primary forage base. We recognize that many factors and obstacles are at play in this fishery but we support this option and urge managers to focus on the scientific and biological grounds for its adoption.
The 30% MSP option is double the preferred threshold and is much more risk-averse than the current status quo of 20% MSP. 30% MSP is the appropriate proxy for the proper management of a stock without a well defined spawner-recruit relationship, as in the case of menhaden. With the uncertainty surrounding menhaden management and recruitment, we believe simple common sense dictates that this option should be the minimum acceptable target MSP. CCA supports this option as a minimum level of protection for Atlantic menhaden, but would prefer more scientifically conservative options.
How To Act:
In Maryland, our ASMFC commissioners are on board with CCA’s goals for menhaden management. We suggest sending an email thanking them for their support. We also need to let them know that they have our backing on this critical issue. It will be much easier for Maryland commissioners to stay the course if they know there are thousands on Maryland anglers standing shoulder to shoulder with them in this fight. Please email them today. Say thank you, and let them know we support them in their efforts.
Tom O'Connell: TOCONNELL@dnr.state.md.us
Bill Goldsborough: BGoldsborough@cbf.org
Richard Colburn richard_colburn@senate.state.md.us
Your voice can also be heard by attending the Public Hearing on October 11: ASMFC Public Hearing on Draft Addendum V to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management for Atlantic Menhaden, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conference Room, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland. (7pm)
Annapolis, Md. -- As recreational fishermen and stewards of our resources, we must educate ourselves on not only the fish we pursue, but also the ecosystem in which they live. There is nothing more integral to the health of our fisheries than the menhaden. We don’t pursue them as a sport fish, but they deserve a great deal of our attention. Menhaden literally turn the sun’s energy into protein by grazing on small organisms that convert the sun’s energy to cellulose. Menhaden then convert that energy to protein by becoming a major food item for every predatory fish, bird, and mammal in the Atlantic. The most important attribute of menhaden is their sheer abundance. That abundance has faded and now menhaden are at the lowest population ever recorded.
In response to the upcoming menhaden management meetings being conducted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), CCA has produced an Angler’s Guide to Menhaden as a teaching tool for fisherman up and down the coast. We encourage everyone to read the full guide. Some key points to understand are listed below.
Management options have been put forth by ASMFC. Key to the options is the reference points. Reference points are the guideposts managers use to determine the health of any stock. The Board is proposing to use % Maximum Spawning Potential (%MSP) for this purpose. Currently the stock is thought to be at about 8% MSP, or about 8% of what an unfished stock would have.
There are two parts to any reference point, simply because there is a lot of uncertainty with both the calculation of the status of the stock and the management of the stock. The first reference point is the “threshold” -- the “line in the sand” that managers do not want to exceed, for if it is, overfishing will occur and the stock could become overfished. If they managed right to the threshold, there is a strong likelihood that this line in the sand would be exceeded due to the uncertainties in the data. Thus, the second reference point, the “target,” is a number more conservative than the threshold. Managers set harvest levels at the target to create a buffer and assure that fishing does not exceed the threshold.
There are essentially 3 options for management:
Change the management threshold, which is the maximum amount of fishing mortality allowed. This would become the overfishing limit.
Change the management target to one that is more conservative. This is the target that provides a buffer to not exceed the overfishing limit.
Adopt a suite of management tools that allow managers to constrain harvest to the management target.
To view all of the options, please go to Page 8 of the guide. CCA commented on each option. A quick summary of CCA’s position is detailed below.
With regard to Thresholds, CCA supports Option 2: 15% MSP as an F threshold as an interim threshold for menhaden management. This management measure, which we still view as the lowest acceptable threshold, could increase spawning stock by nearly 130% in a few years.
With regard to the Targets, we acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding menhaden management and recruitment. However, given the importance of this keystone prey species to the Atlantic ecosystem, CCA believes that the 40% MSP option represents the greatest degree of assurance toward achieving the ultimate goal of restoring menhaden to fulfill its ecological role as a primary forage base. We recognize that many factors and obstacles are at play in this fishery but we support this option and urge managers to focus on the scientific and biological grounds for its adoption.
The 30% MSP option is double the preferred threshold and is much more risk-averse than the current status quo of 20% MSP. 30% MSP is the appropriate proxy for the proper management of a stock without a well defined spawner-recruit relationship, as in the case of menhaden. With the uncertainty surrounding menhaden management and recruitment, we believe simple common sense dictates that this option should be the minimum acceptable target MSP. CCA supports this option as a minimum level of protection for Atlantic menhaden, but would prefer more scientifically conservative options.
How To Act:
In Maryland, our ASMFC commissioners are on board with CCA’s goals for menhaden management. We suggest sending an email thanking them for their support. We also need to let them know that they have our backing on this critical issue. It will be much easier for Maryland commissioners to stay the course if they know there are thousands on Maryland anglers standing shoulder to shoulder with them in this fight. Please email them today. Say thank you, and let them know we support them in their efforts.
Tom O'Connell: TOCONNELL@dnr.state.md.us
Bill Goldsborough: BGoldsborough@cbf.org
Richard Colburn richard_colburn@senate.state.md.us
Your voice can also be heard by attending the Public Hearing on October 11: ASMFC Public Hearing on Draft Addendum V to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management for Atlantic Menhaden, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conference Room, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland. (7pm)
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