Mid -
Atlantic Fishing Report Update: December 27, 2008
As 2008 comes to a close the fishing in the Chesapeake is
pretty much limited to working the warm water discharges new
power plants in hopes of some light tackle action with small
and medium sized Stripers. This past week the fishing in the
mid \bay region was effected by lower water temps and the
catching has slowed considerably. A few fish of good size can
be caught if you can find them in the thermocline, but this
cold weather has really slowed down the bite. I think it’s
time to either go hunting or head to the keys. There are
reports from Morehead city of large blue fin tuna showing
themselves.
For anyone considering the quest for a monster Tuna this
winter season, NMFS recently published updated Blue Fin Tuna
retention limits. Effective January 1, 2009 through
January31, 2009 the General and Charterboat/Headboat permit
category retention limit is two large medium or giant BFT
(measuring 73 inches CFL or more) per vessel per day.
Don’t forget to renew your HMS permits this year. They
changed the permitting process such that all HMS permits are
now renewable annually and are required to be renewed before
the new year. Go to the NMFS permit shop online and renew for
2009. www.hmspermits.gov
Mid -
Atlantic Fishing Report Update: December 03, 2008
This past
week Chesapeake Bay fisherman had plenty for which to give
thanks. Time with family and friends; calm weather; and a
continuing migratory run of stripers -more commonly known in
Maryland as rockfish. That windy weather we’ve endured for the
past couple weeks finally decided to take a break and made for
some great fishing weather this past week. There was no
shortage of fisherman in the mid-bay and the reports of
successful trips were the norm. This is some of the best fall
fishing that we’ve had in these parts for quite some time. The
migrating fish remain plentiful throughout the bay and there
are also plenty of slot size fish to be caught creating the
opportunity for limits early in the day. Trolling with heavy
spring season gear is working well as is lighter tackle
trolling as well as jigging. Once locating a school, the light
tackle action can be fantastic.
The
catching will likely continue for another week or so, but the
grea fishing we’re having in the middle Chesapeake can end as
quickly as it started. After the migrating fish have left the
bay we won’t have big fish opportunities again until spring.
So weather permitting… find an excuse to go, contact a friend
or loved one and get out to enjoy some excellent fishing on
the Chesapeake Bay.
These past few weeks
the striper fishing in the mid bay has been great. The water
temp is now in the low 50’s (man I need a trip to the keys) and
the wind has been merciless for most of November, however if you
can get out on the water there are plenty of nice fish to be
found. There has been a good mix of resident and sea run
stripers in middle Chesapeake Bay. A 52.6 pound striper took the
honors in the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association’s
Fall Rockfish tournament held the weekend of November 15 and the
reports of large sea run fish keep coming in.
Just this weekend I had the opportunity to fish with some close
friends aboard Capt Richie Roberts boat the Marcy Lynn and we
caught one of approximately 40 pounds. (see inset photo) One can
only speculate as to why we’re having such a great run, but I
suspect it’s got a lot to do with the abundance of menhaden in
the Maryland waters of the bay this year. Most of the fish
recently caught or heard of by this captain are full of them and
our best catching has been where we can find large pods of this
bait.
For those of you that are just visiting the Keys, there is still
some good fishing right here in Maryland if you don’t mind the
cold. So, get out on your boat or call a charter captain and get
out there before the fun ends. Checkout Capt Richie at
www.marcylynncharterfishing.com He’s got a comfortable ride,
great tackle and electronics, and most importantly, a great
first mate (John).
