Coastal Conservation Association Kent Narrows Tournament Saturday, June 2

     Chester, Md. -- This year’s Coastal Conservation Association Kent Narrows Fly and Light Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 2, with three divisions—kayak, fly and light tackle. Registration is $40, which includes a one-year CCA membership and can be done online link.

     There will be a captain’s meeting at Shore Tackle (in Kent Narrows next to Fisherman’s Inn) at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 31. Refreshments will be served; the rules will be outlined; rulers for measuring fish and tournament shirts will be passed out. Those who can’t get to the captain’s meeting and live on the western shore may pick up rulers at Angler’s Sport’s Center after 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 31.

     Lines may go in no earlier than 5:30 a.m. Winners will be determined by photos only, and fish should be measured on the special rulers for the photo. Final time for having photos in is 3:30 p.m. (You must be in line at the judge’s computer station in the Jetty no later than 3:30 p.m.) Fishing boundaries are the Sassafras River to the north and Cedar Point to the south.

     Food and beverages will be served starting at 3 p.m. at the Jetty (the beer tap will no doubt be turned on before 3 p.m.) Shirts will be passed out for those not at the captain’s meeting.

     Prizes will be awarded for three divisions – fly, light tackle, & kayak (1st, 2nd &3rd places).

     Tournament sponsors are Under Armour, Shore Tackle & Custom Rods, Kent Island Kayaks, Annapolis Boat Sales, and Dvorak Electrical Contractors.

First Comment Period Open for Black Drum Fisheries Management Plan

     Arlington, Va. -- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is currently seeking comment on the Public Information Document for an Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Black Drum. The document can be found on the commission website (asmfc.org) under Breaking News.

     The commission is developing an interstate fishery management plan for black drum. Management authority for this species within internal waters and from zero to three nautical miles offshore currently lies with the coastal states. This plan would act to coordinate state management throughout the management unit through the commission.

     This is your opportunity to inform the commission about changes observed in the fisheries, actions you feel should or should not be taken in terms of management, regulation, enforcement, research, and any other concerns you have about the resources or the fisheries, as well as the reasons for your concerns.

     The document provides background and current management information on black drum, as well as a series of questions to help facilitate the public comment process. Comments given at this time will be taken into consideration during the development of the draft management plan. The public will have another opportunity to comment on the draft management plan for black drum before it is considered for final approval.

Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. (EST) on July 20, 2012.

You may submit written public comment by mail, fax, or email to:
Danielle Chesky
1050 North Highland St., Suite 200 A-N
Arlington, VA 22201
Fax: (703) 842-0741
dchesky@asmfc.org

If you have any questions please call Danielle Chesky at (703) 842-0740.

Virginia Fishing Report

     Norfolk, Va. -- Virginia's trophy season for striped bass is open in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Angles are finding plenty of school-sized stripers around the three bridge-tunnel spans with largger fish often being caught from over the tunnel tubes.
     During this season, stripers have to be at least 32 inches long and anglers can keep only one. Beginning May 16, anglers can keep two fish between the 18- to 28-inch slot limit, with one of those two fish allowed to measure 32 inches or longer. That season runs through June 15.
     Remember, all striped bass longer than 32 inches this time of year must be reported to the VMRC.
     In other angling actions, flounder can be had throughout the lower Chesapeake with the best action so far at the bridge-tunnel and along the edges of some channels. Anglers are also finding keeper-sized flounder in the inlets with some impressive catches coming from Rudee Inlet.
     With Saturday's full moom, this could be a big week for red and black drum catches. Drum are often caught in the Inner Middle Grounds and the Nine-Foot Shoals. Red drum can be found roaming the surface throughout the mouth of the Chesapeake and along coastal waters.
     The best croaker action is reportedly coming from near the James River Fishing Pier and over old oyster beds around Ocean View.
     Offshore tilefish and grouper are being reeled in along the edge of Norfolk Canyon.