Wolfe Reels in 74-pound Rockfish for Probable New State Record

     Cape Henry, Va. -- Cary Wolfe, 56, of Prince William County, landed the potential state record striped bass Friday, Jan. 20, fishing near Cape Henry with Capt. Tim Cannon on the Bada Bing.

     Wolfe brought aboard the 74-pounder after a fight of about 15 minutes. The fish should top the current record of 73 pounds caught almost on the same day four years ago.

     To become the state record, it first must be certified by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Since it was weighed in at Long Bay Pointe Marina, certification is virtually a sure thing.

     “We knew it was a citation winner but we weren’t sure just how big until we got it on the scales at the dock,” said Wolfe. 

Registration Open for MSSA Convention Feb. 3-5

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association will host its annual convention Feb. 3-5 at the Princess Royale Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland.

     Accommodations for the convention start at $350, which includes a two night stay for 2, speakers, dinner, a show and a hospitality suite. The cost is $100 for the seminars and the dinner and show or $75 for those wishing to attend only the show and dinner.

     Find out more at http://www.mssa.net or call 410-255-5535 to make reservations.

     Guest speakers include Dr. Julie Ball, World Class Angler with 16 IGFA World Records & Virginia’s Only Level 7 Master Angler Title; Mark Melnyk, World Fishing Network’s Host of Reel Fishy Jobs and Reel Road Trips; Captain Chuck Fisher, Bass Pro Shops Seminar Speaker, Owner of BFG Tackle, Captain of The Sarah J and more.

CCA Maryland to Host Pickerel Tournament

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) today announced its first CCA MD Pickerel Tidal Fishing Championship, which begins Saturday and runs through March 15. The catch and release event is being held in conjunction with four local tackle shops—Alltackle, Anglers, Shore Tackle and Custom Rods, and Tochterman’s.

     “Pickerel reside in many of the tidal streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay during the winter,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “They also provide exciting light tackle and fly opportunities for recreational anglers.”

     Anglers can register for the event at any of the four shops. They will then compete for awards for themselves and the shop they represent in two categories, most total inches and biggest individual fish. Anglers must take photos of their fish on approved CCA MD rulers which will be available at the shops. Photos should be submitted to pickerel@ccamd.org, and complete rules can be found at http://www.ccamd.org/?p=1043. There is a $25 entry fee which includes a one-year CCA membership. Fishermen under 16 years of age and CCA life members are free.

     Questions can be answered at info@ccamd.org or 410-280-8770.

New Tagging Regulations for Commercial Yellow Perch Catch

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources pursuant to COMAR 08.02.21.04 has announced a modification to the tagging and reporting requirements for the 2012 commercial yellow perch fishery.

     Effective January 1, 2012, commercial yellow perch fishermen were required to attach a paper tag issued by the Department to all containers of yellow perch caught for commercial purposes prior to landing. Fishermen are required to complete the requested information on the paper tags prior to landing. Individual fish do not need to be tagged until January 21, 2012.

     The paper tags will satisfy the tagging requirement for yellow perch through January 20, 2012, at which time plastic locking tags will be issued for individual tagging of each commercially caught yellow perch. Yellow perch fishermen are still required to call in their daily harvest and must include the fish dealer they are selling the fish to with the harvest data. Fish dealers must hold the paper tags until March 10, 2012. All other regulations for the commercial yellow perch fishery will remain in effect.