Fishing and Hunting Journal
Transcription
Fishing and Hunting Journal
FREE Volume 26, Number 2 July 2016 In Memory of Kirby Allen Councell August 14, 2006 - June 14, 2016 In This Issue... • Kirby Councell remembered FREE • Fishing and Rigging Hoses • White Perch Pursuits • Heat wave July 2016 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 1 DNREC’s Sportsmen Against Hunger program distributes more than 16,000 pounds of venison to Delawareans in need David Ochinero caught this black drum friday, 4 PM on 6/10/16 at the mouth of Eastern Bay off Bloody Point bouncing white bucktail with white soft plastic off the bottom. It was 41” and guess the weight at 45+ lbs. Released healthy and in great shape. Archery Tag Is Here! Where the Hunt Never Ends! We welcome all types of events-Team Building Groups, Corporate Parties, Birthday Parties, Scouting Groups, Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties etc. Specialty Party price of $199 (regular price $400) for groups of 8 during the introduction promotion - 8 or more call for details ! A+ DOVER – During the 2015/16 deer season, Delaware hunters donated 586 deer to DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Sportsmen Against Hunger program. The donations were processed into 16,599 pounds of venison, which will provide more than 72,000 meals for needy Delawareans. Division of Fish & Wildlife staff distributed the frozen ground venison to 34 charitable organizations and food pantries throughout the state. Venison for the Sportsmen Against Hunger program was processed by eight participating private butchers and the Sussex Community Corrections Center’s (SCCC) butcher shop in Georgetown, which is staffed by offenders who are serving sentences in the SCCC’s Violation of Probation Center and who have been specially trained for the job as part of a job training program. Since the SCCC program began in 2005 through 2014/15 season (figures from last season were unavailable), the facility has processed more than 81,000 pounds of venison donated to the Sportsmen Against Hunger program. With the number of donated deer down slightly this season from last season’s 604, 2,148 pounds less venison was produced than for the 2015/16 season. Since the Delaware Sportsmen Against Hunger program was founded in 1992 by a coalition of sporting groups, hunters have donated a total of about 455,079 pounds of venison, providing more than 1.7 million meals to Delawareans in need. Attention Rewards - Rewards Rewards !!! Purchase a Compound Bow from us this year and you can choose the following two Rewards. 1 - Six hand feather fletched & crested arrows. 2- Six hour range pass. 3 - Color upgrade on Bow. Check website for additional information. George E. Bennett, Owner- 3021 Churchville Road (Rt. 22) • Churchville, MD 410-734-9554 www.deercreekarchery.com ON TARGET Inc. FIREARMS for Home Protection, Target Shooting & Hunting Pistols • Rifles • Shotguns Andrew Fabula bagged this nice Gobbler during the Spring Turkey season. Photo courtesy of Schrader Hunting Preserve. Colt Taurus • Ruger Rossi • Glock Springfield Armory Smith & Wesson Bersa • Walther Bushmasters • 308 Ask us about HQL Classes! AR-10 Still Legal INDOOR PISTOL RANGE Memberships — Individual $200.00 1st year, Renewal $175.00 / Family $250.00 1st year, Renewal $225.00 Active Duty Military $175.00 1st year, Renewal $150.00 Law Enforcement $150.00 1st year, Renewal $125.00 2618 Annapolis Rd. • Route 175 and Ridge Road • Severn, MD 21144 Severn Square Shopping Center–Behind Pizza Hut 1 mi. East of I-295, 4 mi. East of I-95 BALT. 410-551-7777 www.ontarget.biz WASH. 301-621-7777 AMMUNITION • HOLSTERS & ACCESSORIES • SAFES • GUN CASES • GIFT CERTIFICATES 2 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016 “Hooked on Fishing” Heat Wave presence of dead zones—areas of severe oxygen depletion—in the bay becomes a significant factor in where fish do and do not go. The fish want to go deeper, where it’s cooler. But in By Lenny Rudow dead zone areas the deeper they go, the less oxygen they’ll find. Usually We anthis starts at depths of around 30’ or glers hate wind, but at this time of 35’. When you see numerous fish on year we might catch ourselves wishthe meter which stop abruptly at about ing for a puff or two. When there’s no these depths, you’re often looking at breeze and the mercury climbs past 90, fish that have gone as deep as they can fishing can be down-right miserable. in search of cooler waters. Now, locate Especially if the fish aren’t biting— an area where structure intersects with which, interestingly enough, can also this depth and is still in a dead zone be because of the stifling heat. area. Often the fish will stack up in Many fish, stripers in the Chesathis sort of spot, because the fish now peake included, can become tougher have two things they’re looking for: the to catch during the dog days. They find coolest water possible, and structure that heat just as oppressive as we do. to stage around. But there’s a bright side: you can use 2. Fish high-current areas. Movthe heat to your advantage. When it ing water is cooler water, and in the heat of summer you’ll often find fish congregating more than ever where the water constantly flows. That’s one of the reasons why the Bay Bridge and near-by hotspots are often productive right through the dog-days. Conversely, the hotspots that often hold fish in the middle of the bay which are in lower-current areas are probably not going to be the best bet at this time of year. 3. Fish early, and fish late. We all know that sunClouds and rain often make for prime fish- rise and sunset are usually prime-time for fishing. But ing, when the weather’s been hot. at this time of year, this is truer than ever. Especially seems like a blazing sun is putting a if you’re casting topwater or jigs in crimp on the bite, try these five tricks. the shallows, or to structure along 1. Go to the Chesapeake Bay shorelines, once direct sunlight beams Foundation’s web site, and look at down on the spot your catch rate is maps of previous year’s dead zones to going to plummet. One big exception: get an idea of where they commonly cloudy and rainy days. Rainfall may form. As nature turns up the heat, the New 2016 Matthews Bows Look for high-current areas, like the Bay Bridges, and you’ve got a good shot at finding the fish. make you wet, but it also can be quite beneficial as it chills down the water and keeps direct sunlight from baking the fish. 4. After a heavy rainfall, don’t necessarily avoid the resulting dirty water. Particularly along the western shore, you’ll sometimes come across bodies of water which are noticeable churned-up a bit more then the surrounding water, a day or two after a heavy rain. Note: I’m not talking about mud-like runoff that looks like chocolate-milk, just water that appears different to the eye and perhaps a bit more turbid. Often these areas aren’t just off-color, they’re also a bit cooler than the surroundings. Find the right mix of turbid-but-not-too-turbid water and cooler temps, and you have a good shot at finding active fish. 5. Find some shade. You want it, and the fish do, too. This is important for casting in the shallows, of course, and in high temperatures boathouses and large docks often house a few fish. But it also counts out on relatively open water. At Thomas Point light, for example, you’ll sometimes find fish on the eastern side of the rocks and you’ll sometimes find them on the western Chesapeake Outdoors All Crabbing supplies are in! side of the rocks. Keep track of where you find them and when, and you’ll notice that when the temperatures are blazing and the sun is bright, quite often the shaded side coincides with the side you catch your fish on. BONUS TIP: Try night fishing. The striper bite is often off the hook in the dark at this time of year, especially around artificial light-lines. Go to any area where a bridge’s lights cast a glow on the water below, and try casting dark purple or dark green lures across the area where the light fades out to blackness. (This is usually the area where the predators hunt, as opposed to in the direct light). Another hot tactic is to cast-net peanut bunker or catch some spot, and live-line them with no weight. Again, focus your efforts right at the light-line where lighted areas fade into darkness. Hang in there, anglers. Another month or two, and things will cool off a good bit. But until that time, don’t hide in the air conditioning. The fish won’t—that’s for sure—and if you apply these tips you can catch ‘em up right through the hottest days of the year. Kent Island’s Largest Full-Service Sporting Goods Store FISHING • ARCHERY • HUNTING We have trotlines in stock! 600’ and 1200’ with snoods. New Baskets with lids. All types of crab pots and fish traps. All your favorite crab seasoning! www.chesapeakeoutdoors.com MD FISHING & HUNTING LICENSES • RAMP PERMITS • FROZEN BAIT • ACCESSORIES • CRABBING SUPPLIES Chesapeake Outdoors Rte 50 E, Exit 39B Chester, Maryland 21619 Phone: 410-604-2500 e-mail: john@chesapeakeoutdoors.com In Season Hours:Mon – Sat 5am - 7pm, Sun 5am - 5pm July 2016 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 3 In This Issue... Faith of Our Fathers A message from Pastor Brindley Volume 26, Number 2 July 2016 FISHING Heat Waveby Lenny Rudow Page 3 White Perch Pursuits Fishing and Rigging Hoses by Tim Sherman Page 6 by Mark Galasso Page 8 Bass Fishing in The Summer Heat by Jim Gronaw Page 12 HUNTING Fly Fishing is Easy by Grant Soukup Page 18 REGULARS Coastal Report by Capt. Mark Sampson Page 19 Sportsman’s ClassifiedsPage 22 It was with gratitude that prompted an old man to walk on an old broken pier on the eastern seacoast of Florida. Every Friday night, until his death in 1973 he would return, walking slowly, slightly stooped with a large bucket of shrimp. The seagulls would flock to this man. Many years before in October, 1942 Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was on a mission in a B-17 to deliver an important message to General Douglas McArthur in New Guinea. An unexpected detour would place him into the most harrowing adventures of his life. Somewhere over the South Pacific the Flying Fortress was lost and ultimately ditched into the ocean. For nearly a month Captain Eddie and his crew fought the weather, sharks, and other dangers. The worst enemy was starvation. One afternoon all were asleep when something landed on Rickenbacker’s head. He reached up and grabbed the seagull. He and his crew ate its flesh and fished with its intestines. That one bird had saved their lives. Their hopes were renewed, and they ultimately made it to safety. It was something Captain Rickenbacker never forgot. Because every Friday evening, about sunset, on a lonely stretch of highway in Florida’s eastern coast you could see an old man walking. His bucket filled with shrimp to feed the gulls and to remember that one which, on a day long past gave itself as sacrifice. My mother used to say at times “Oh how quickly we forget”, and it’s so very true. The parents, coaches, relatives, pastors, and friends who were there for us when we were in need are so quickly forgotten. Jesus said that one of the signs of the end of the age is that the love of many would run cold. All of us can look back at those who sacrificed for us and are forgotten. Today some of us need to go to the sea and feed the gulls and thank that ‘one’ for their sacrifice. This was the faith of our fathers and I trust that it is yours. — MEL BRINDLEY Pastor Chestertown, Md., Baptist Church CREDITS Editor & Publisher: M. Mitchell G. Quillen 410-708-4005 Contributing Editors: Steve Huettner, Chuck Prahl, Capt Lenny Rudow, Capt.Mark Sampson, Tim Sherman, Jim Gronaw, Grant Soukup, Captain Mark Galasso Regional Sales Representatives: MD: Capt. Lee Buckel 410-708-1616 Marc Van Pelt - Creative Director Advertising Information: driftrock@verizon.net (410)-708-0376 Fishing & Hunting Journal P. O. Box 399 • Crumpton, MD 21628 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com Fishing & Hunting Journal Name and Logo are Registered Trademarks wholly owned and operated by Fishing & Hunting Journal c/o Mitch Quillen, P. O. Box 399 Crumpton, MD 21628. All rights reserved.© 2015, Fishing & Hunting Journal. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. 4 Macrotech Archery Pro Shop 5826 Ritchie Hwy. - Baltimore, MD 21225 • 410-789-7777 • 1/2 mile North of Beltway Exit 3-A Authorized dealer for... Special Tooling for Professional Installation of ALL Drop Away Rests! Newest Full Line dealer in Maryland for Lone Wolf Tree Stands INTERNATIONAL BOW TUNING INSTRUCTOR FREE Bow Check-Up Bow Tuning & Repairs on Premises Complete Laser Tuning System www.macrotecharchery.com One of Maryland’s Largest heated & Air Conditioned INDOOR BOW RANGES MACRO KNOW BOWS www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016 Kirby Allen Councell August 14, 2006 - June 14, 2016 Kirby Allen Councell of Chestertown, MD passed away from injuries sustained in an ATV accident on June 14, 2016; he was 9. He was born in Chestertown on August 14, 2006 the son of Brian Councell and his wife Beth, Angie Kellas Councell and her friend Kurt Dill all of Chestertown. Kirby had just completed the fourth grade at Radcliffe Creek School. He loved the school, he excelled in history and had a secret love for music. He also enjoyed their cooking class and horseback riding. Kirby’s true passion was hunting and fishing, he just shot his first trophy buck last season. He loved fishing especially with his best friend and hero, his dad. Kirby liked to play sports, he played both baseball and soccer. He enjoyed rooting for the Orioles. He was infatuated with Ford diesel trucks. He and his brother Jacob were also best friends who always “had each other’s back”.In addition to his parents he is survived by his brother Jacob Councell, paternal grandparents: Robert Allen and Geraldine Councell and maternal grandmother: Bonnie Kellas, all of Chestertown, he is also survived by Mrs. Beth’s Mom (as he referred to her). Our sincere condolences - Mitch, Lee and Marc. Kirby’s family is asking family and friends that want ot donate to The Kirby Allen Councell Scholarship Fund at Radcliffe Creek School, which will provide scholarship support to families who may be unable to afford the cost of a Radcliffe education. It is Kirby’s family’s hope that funds raised through this scholarship fund will enable a child to have the experience he had while at Radcliffe. Donations can be made online here: http://www.radcliffecreekschool. org/#!give-online/c1edy (please write “for Kirby” in the donation comments) or mailed to Radcliffe Creek School at 201 Talbot Boulevard Chestertown, MD 21620. July 2016 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 5 “Tackle Box Tim” an appreciation for the species. Because of the vast population, white perch can be found seemingly everywhere in the White Perch Chesapeake. Backwater marshes, under docks, around bridge pilings, on drop-offs, Pursuits and schooled up right out in the middle of nowhere in the bay. Spend enough time chasing them and you can develop patterns on where they will be. In late spring and early summer, I look for perch in depths from 2 to 10 feet. I am searching for them like a bass fisherman would run a bank or grass line. I’ve contended for a I am moving around with the trolling motor, castlong time that white perch are the most underaping, and keeping an attentive eye to the front depth preciated species in the Chesapeake. Year after finder. The perch can range from right up next to a year their numbers never diminish. Anglers fish for shoreline or right under the boat from where you are them seemingly year round. As much as we count casting to the bank. Casting to find them is the fun on them to be there for us, they are very much taken part; but when the fish finder lights up and shows a for granted. There are some anglers, yours truly big school, the game is on in earnest. included, who pursue white perch with the same When I fish marshy areas, my search lures are passion as others chase bass and rockfish. inline spinners and small rattle traps. I do carry Let’s give white perch their due. Many anglers both French blade and willow blade spinners, and consider them a bottom feeder. True, they will eat both types in gold and nickel blades. There are days worms. However, having lineage in the striped bass when a certain color blade and/or blade type is out family, they are predatory fish. I’ve caught them on fishing the other. When I fish river and bay front rattle traps, crankbaits, and poppers. Don’t discount banks, I’ll fling my tandem rig with tiny fluke-type them when thinking of their place in the food chain. baits. I hop or swim them back to the boat. If I find Most folks will bottom fish for white perch. They them by casting, I stay there until the bite stops. use medium class spinning gear, double bottom rigs If I find them with the electronics, it as simple as and bank sinkers. That truly is a great way to fish dropping the rig to the bottom and jigging. If there for them, but it does not fit my style. My run and are no takers jigging in place, reel or jig back to the gun approach does not leave time for me to cut bait surface. That “fleeing to the surface” action often and bait hooks. Casting and jigging for perch is as generates the strike. productive as using natural bait, and will often catch My tandem rig is simple. I start with an arm-length more than the real McCoy. of 12 pound-test fluorocarbon line. I tie a 1/8-ounce It’s obvious that white perch aren’t big fish. An football head jig to either end. I like the wider head 8-inch perch is about average and those longer than 12 because I am often fishing rocky bottoms. The jig inches are considered “big’uns”! I’ve always asked heads do not snag as easily as thinner heads do. I why use tackle beefier than the fish you are targeting. tie in a surgeon’s loop knot so I have a long leader My perch rods are ultralight and light power rods and a short leader. Leaders of the same length are strung with 6 to 8 pound-test monofilament. That doomed to get tangled. Each jig head gets a soft way I can feel the fight of the fish instead of merely plastic minnow. I use either Zoom Tiny Flukes or whipping it into the boat. The real fun comes when Lunker City Fin-S-Fish. If I am swimming the rig you hook two at a time or that colossal 13-incher that along the bottom, I’ll mix in a small sassy shad. requires you to ask for the net. It sounds funny but, When the heat of summer starts kicking in, there YES, I have had to net a few monster white perch. are several options. First, you can start looking That is a testament to how hard they can fight on a little deeper. I look in the 10 to 20-foot depths. equally matched tackle. It is here that you really get It does take that 1/8-ounce pair of jigs a while to reach bottom, but they can be fished effectively at 20 feet. You can also look for manmade structure. Day markers (when boat traffic is low), piers and docks, bulkheads with deep water nearby, and any type of pilings hold white perch. Fishing with a tandem rig around manmade structure can be risk versus reward. Accuracy comes into play with your cast. You have to estimate where pilings end underwater and try to get as close as you can without snagging the post. More than white perch hang around these structures. It’s not uncommon to hook a keeper rockfish. Pulling it away from the structure is an unenviable task with light line. Remember to fish shade lines around piers. Perch relate to the slightly darker water. Also, the water is likely a degree or two cooler in the shade. This summer, let’s give white perch the praise they deserve. They sustain our fishing from year to year and often rescue a fishing trip when other species are uncooperative. Lighten up your tackle and feel the power that perch possess. You’ll find it much more challenging and fun. White Perch facts Morone americana Key Distinguishing Markings: These fish are silvery and frequently have irregular dusky longitudinal lines along its body. They have a slightly projecting lower jaw and small teeth. Their dorsal fins are separate and their anal fin possesses three strong spines. Distribution: White perch range from Nova Scotia to South Carolina, but are most abundant from the Hudson River to Chesapeake Bay. White perch are also well established in Maryland’s larger Reservoirs: Liberty, Loch Raven, Prettyboy, Tridelphia, and Rocky Gorge. Size: White perch may reach a mature length of 19 inches but are more commonly found around 7 to 10 inches, weighing from 8 ounces to 1 pound. Habitat: White perch are semi-anadromous members of the family, Moronidae, that migrate to tidal fresh and slightly brackish waters each spring to spawn. Spawning: White perch spawn from April through June in fresh to low-salinity waters of large rivers over fine gravel or sand. Males are usually mature by age 2 and females, by age 3. Females produce from 50,000 - 150,000 eggs and do not release them all at once; ovulation may occur over a period of 10-21 days. Individual females are surrounded by several males and eggs and sperm are spread randomly. Eggs are generally demersal and attached in still water, but are pelagic in free-flowing streams and tidal waters. Eggs usually hatch from 1 to 6 days after fertilization. Juveniles use inshore areas of estuaries and creeks downstream of their spawning area during the first summer and fall. Adults tend to inhabit open waters close to shore, but may also frequent quiet streams well up into the tributaries from March - November. During the winter months, they can be found in downstream portions of the tributaries and deeper channel areas throughout the Bay. These fish typically live 9-10 years. GUN SHACK / CROSSWINDS FULL PRO SHOP SALES AND SERVICE Arrows by Beman, Easton, Gold Tip and Carbon Express • Crossbows & Accessories Bows & Accessories from: A Turn of The Century Store: 101 S. Main St. - Mt. Airy, MD 21771 301-829-0122 • www.gunshackinc.com “Tackle Box” Tim jigged up this white perch near the White Rocks on the Patapsco. www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 6 July 2016 Average ‘dead zone’ expected this summer, despite clearer water Favorable conditions early in year offset by heavy rains in May, scientists say Recent dry conditions have helped produce clearer water in many areas of the Bay, but it appears they won’t make it much easier for fish, crabs and other aquatic organisms to breathe in the Chesapeake this summer. Scientists predict that the lowoxygen “dead zone” will affect about 1.58 cubic miles, or more than 12 percent, of the Bay this summer. That’s a slightly greater volume of poor water than the long-term average over the last three decades. The portion of the Bay totally starved of life-sustaining oxygen is predicted to be slightly smaller, though. Anoxic conditions will cover just 0.28 cubic miles in early summer, though that is expected to grow to 0.31 cubic miles by late summer, according to the annual forecast. That would encompass a bit more than 2 percent of the Bay. The annual summer forecasts, released Monday, come from computer models that predict the size of the dead zone, which plagues deep areas of the mid-Bay each summer. The forecast is based on estimates of the amount of nitrogen washing into the Bay from the Susquehanna River, the strength of its flow in May, wind, and other factors. Excess nutrients from wastewater, stormwater and farm runoff spur blooms of algae which eventually die, sink to the bottom and are decomposed by bacteria in a process that depletes the water of oxygen. River flows are also important because they affect how well the Bay’s water mixes and absorbs oxygen from the air. Fresh water flowing in from the Susquehanna and other rivers tends to sit on top of heavier, salty water coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. A barrier, known as a pycnocline, forms between the fresh water on the surface, which has more dissolved oxygen in it, and the saltier water in the depths of the Bay. Thus, the oxygen consumed ALL FISHING! ALL THE TIME! Bay • Surf • Bass • Trout • Panfish in deep water by decaying algae is not easily replaced, exacerbating low oxygen problems in deep water. Low river flows during dry weather typically result in more mixing of the waters, as well as fewer nutrients from runoff, while high flows bring more nutrients, less mixing because of a stronger pycnocline, and often larger dead zones. This year presented a little of both. Susquehanna flows were low much of the spring, and well below average in March and April. U.S. Geological Survey monitoring showed the amount of nitrogen entering the Bay from the river during the first five months of the year was 17 percent less than average. But river flows in May — which greatly influence the dead zone— were higher than average. Those conditions, when fed though the models, showed the amount of hypoxic water — with less than 2 milligrams of oxygen per liter — would be on par with the average since 1985. But the volume of anoxic water with no oxygen at all should be about 10 percent less than the long-term average. Low oxygen stresses fish, and it can make them more vulnerable to predators and disease. No oxygen can be lethal, particularly for immobile shellfish on the bottom. The models used in the forecast were developed by researchers at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the University of Michigan. Funding for the effort comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Weather conditions through the summer, especially if any tropical storms hit or pass nearby, could affect the accuracy of the forecast. Researchers will track oxygen levels from water samples taken by Maryland and Virginia agencies to monitor the actual size of this year’s dead zone. UMCES President Donald Boesch said oxygen conditions in the Bay have tended to improve during late summer in recent years. He called that a hopeful sign, but added, “it’s no reason to be complacent — we have a long way to go to finish the job.” Beth McGee, senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, noted that the size of the dead zone is largely linked to pollution from the Susquehanna River, which mostly originates in Pennsylvania where nutrient reduction efforts are lagging. “CBF believes that an average-sized dead zone is still unacceptable, and that Pennsylvania and the other Bay states must implement the plans they developed to reduce pollution and restore water quality in local rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay,” she said. Courtesy of Karl Blankenship Karl Blankenship is editor of the Bay Journal and executive director of Chesapeake Media Service. He has served as editor of the Bay Journal since its inception in 1991 SPECIAL ORDERS OUR SPECIALTY E-Mail Questions and Tackle Inquiries Bay Trolling • Fly Fishing Welcomed: tochtermans@hotmail.com Freshwater Tackle ROD & REEL REPAIRS & SERVICE Lead Molds, All Sizes Waders & Hip Boots for Over 200 Different Do-It & Cast Iron Molds in Stock ALL Sizes Over 600 Different Reels In Stock Complete Selection of Visit Our FLY FISHING TACKLE Distinctive Fly Rods • Reels • Tying Supplies & Equipment Fishing Room • How-To Books & Videos STRIPER TACKLE! Since 1916... First Choice of Fishermen Around the World (410) 327-6942 1919-25 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, MD. 21231 Chapel Cove Marina Now Selling Bait and Tackle from the same fine folks at Taylor’s Island Family Campground All YOUR Tackle Needs! Same Low Prices and Same Quality! Located Next To Island Grill Taylors Island, MD Marina Phone: 410-901-1070 taylorsi@intercom.net July 2016 Over the past 40 years Captain Mark Galasso has been fishing and cruising the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal waters off the Delmarva Peninsula in search of striped bass (rock fish), bluefish, flounder and the many other species that frequent our waters. Whether your style is light tackle, fly, jigging or live lining or the more traditional trolling and chumming we have the experience to put you on the fish. Crabbing is also available for your enjoyment. Trot-lining the traditional Eastern Shore way is a great way to catch your dinner. Sightseeing, cruising and nature tours are also available with flexible hours to fit your needs. Visit us at one of our ports of call at Kent Island, the Susquehanna flats or the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) and everywhere in between. For additional information Contact: Captain Mark Galasso 404 Greenwood Creek Lane Grasonville, Maryland 21638 Home/Office: 410-827-5635, Cell: 410-310-1200 capmarco@atlanticbb.net - www.exploredelmarva.com www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 7 to five pound Blues and as the season progressed into late August ten to fifteen pound Blues were not uncommon. Rock were Fishing and Rigging far more rare than they are today. Perhaps they were Hoses hiding from the Blues and I just couldn’t find them! The large number of Bluefish dictated the baits we fished with. Metal spoons, Bucktails, Mops and Surgical Tube Hoses were the norm for trolling. The soft plastics of today wouldn’t stand a chance against the sharp teeth of large Bluefish. We became partial to the hoses. They were easy to fish and held By Captain Mark Galasso up well. They also had large single hooks with built in wire leaders for lifting a fish out of the water and When we moved to Queenstown in 1975 it opened keeping fingers away from snapping jaws. Back up a whole new world of fishing opportunities unthen the two major color variations were natural like those I was used to on the Jersey Shore. I went and green. Fast forward to today. from Flounder pounding in Barnegat Bay, Tuna The large Blues have all but disappeared. Large fishing in the canyons and chumming for big Blues Rock have filled the void. Smaller two to three pound just off the beach at Seaside Heights to Trolling Blues still arrive in good numbers during the summer and casting for Striped Bass and Bluefish in and and early fall. A few Sea Trout and Red Drum also around Eastern Bay. Back then during the summer have appeared. And they all seem to have a thing and early fall the Eastern Bay was chock full of four “Tuna The Tide” for eating Eels. Especially the larger Rock. Currently we use hoses of varying colors, lengths and thicknesses depending on the conditions. For colors I can narrow it down to two. Red and Black. With red dominating. I like 3/8th to 1/2 inch hose and I make my own lures so I use various lengths. Generally 12 to 20 inches. The rig itself is pretty simple. A medium straight shanked 6 or 8 hook on a #15 wire leader through the hose and tied to a large barrel swivel. I also tie a 3 ft leader to another barrel swivel and a ten foot leader to a coast lock swivel. The coast lock will attach to an inline weight or a dropper weight attached to a three way. The dropper weight I tie to a three foot mono leader up to the three way. I always have a coast lock swivel on my main line to hook the weights to. I’ll mix the weight configurations to fish the various water depths but as a rule the heaviest weights are droppers and the lighter weights are in line. Droppers are 16 to 22 ounces. In lines are 4 to 12 ounces. Dropper weights I want to touch the bottom in about 20 feet of water. The nice thing about droppers are they will ride the bottom while keeping the hose just off the bottom. If one gets snagged it will break off before losing the lure. Though with the price of lead the lure is cheaper than the weight. I tie my dropper leader at 40 pound while the rest of the leaders are on 60 pound. So here is the secret! How do we actually fish these imitation eels? And it really is no great secret. Bend or twist the lure so it resembles an eel swimming. I like the front half of my hose stabile while the back half does all the swimming. Hence the large number of swivels on a rig. My average rig has 4 swivels. Basically I hold the front half of the hose and bend the remainder around my index finger. I put it out and if it’s not right I’ll fine tune it. The only way to know for sure is to see it swimming behind the boat at about 2.5 knots. I like to see them swimming some fast and others just a slow pulsating spin. When I see a pattern as to the catch rates I’ll adjust accordingly. When fishing hoses I also mix in a few drone spoons as well. The only drawback to this is drones seem to like to be trolled a little faster than the hoses. Two to three knots for hoses, Three to Four knots for spoons. Sometimes you have to find a happy medium. I tend to fish the droppers close to the boat and the in lines out away from the boat. Distance management is crucial. Spoons and hoses are constantly spinning. If one catches another line the tangles are extensive. If I’m not sure how far something is out I’ll reel it up and start over. We are also more careful about clearing lines while fighting fish. Hoses. An oldie but goodie. If your not using them your missing out. A nice keeper Striper caught on a red hose. 8 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016 Perry Freeman and Matt Albert with their Toms taken on Youth Day 2016. Photo courtesy of Schrader Hunting Preserve. "From one sportsman to another...I'll get your boat sold!” Booking Now For September Dove Season! Harrison’s Outfitter Service offers fast paced shooting over sunfower fields for the fast flying birds. If you have never dove hunted before you are really missing some of the greatest wingshooting ever with the chance to see birds dive bomb your field throughout the shoot is truly a sight you will never forget. Call Danny B. to book today! Licensed OUTFITTER & Master Guide i s r o r a H Outfitter Servicen’s www.harrisonsoutfitterservice.com email: danny@harrisonsoutfitterservice.com July 2016 Danny B. Harrison 410-714-2200 Guns Ammunition Archery Tackle Bait Gun Repairs Sports Gear Sporting Licenses Shore Sportsman is conveniently located on Route 50/Ocean Gateway in Easton, Maryland. Shore Sportsman has been proudly serving hunters and anglers on the Mid-Shore for more than 25 years. Shore Sportsman offers hunting and fishing licenses, guns, scopes, hunting clothes and boots, repair services, bows, fishing equipment, live bait, and much, much more. The expert employees at Shore Sportsman bring a wealth of knowledge to their customers. All of the employees have at least five years of experience each. www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 9 Top 5 Fishing Tips for Beginners Bart Hollis and his crew had a great time on the “Kingfish II” with Captain Harry Nield at the helm - Captain harry is now booking for Croaker and Spot out of Deal island, MD. 1. Do your research. Before you cast that first line, make sure you have a general idea about what you are getting yourself into. There are plenty of fascinating fishing books that can all but put you right in the middle of the action before you even pick up a pole. 2. Understand the basic procedures. Once you have some reading under your belt, you can start by beginning some pre-fishing skills. Get familiar with such tasks as adding fishing bait to hooks, casting your line and tying knots before you’re drifting with the wind in your boat. 3. Choose the right equipment for you. Beginners will benefit the most from a specific rod and reels that are simplerfor someone who is just beginning to cast. Open-faced fishing reels are never recommended for somewhat just starting out. 4. The bait is the main course of fishing . Be aware of what fish you are trying to catch and what kind of bait attracts them. Catfish, for example, respond to either specially made bait for catfish or even raw chicken liver while bream fish like insects like crickets. The wrong bait could mean a long fishing trip. 5. Location, location, location. Have an idea of where your fish have chosen to spawn. Finding these locations lead to a great deal of fish. Bowley’s Bait & Tackle Thompson Safe Company Live Bait • Licenses Protect Your Investment Residential and Commercial Safes 2917 Eastern Blvd. • Baltimore, MD 21220 410-687-2107 7313-M Grove Road • Frederick, MD 21704 Mike Thompson 301-631-1500 Now a Booking Agent for Local Charter Boat Fleet. Call for More Information. www.thompsonsafes.com We Deliver to MD • VA • WV • PA Arundel Firearms & Pawn 7427 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Glen Burnie, MD - GUNS - BOUGHT • SOLD • TRADED • PAWNED Scope Mounting -USED GUNSSpecialty & Hard to Find Ammunition Rifles • Shotguns Black Powder Handguns • Barrels Lay-Away 410-761-6381 Complete Gunsmith Service Councell Charters 410-708-4241 Now Booking 2016 BookSeason! Now for Fall! We Follow the FISH! Captain Brian Councell www.councellcharters.com brian@councellcharters.com 10 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Fishbones bait and tackle inc. 4729 mountain road - Pasadena, MD 21122 • Fresh Live Bait ALEWIVES SOFT CRABS PEELERS RAZOR CLAMS • Crabbing Supplies • Rods, Reels, Lures - Lure Making Supplies • Complete Line of Marine & Boating Supplies • EXIDE Marine Battery Distributor...& Much Much More! 410-360-0573 LIVE BAIT! Shore Thing Charter Group Fish aboard “Reel Intents” 38’ Henriques Sport Fisherman Now booking for Offshore Tuna/Marlin trips out of Ocean City, MD June – October Call Capt. Jonathan @ 410-490-4257 or email Jonathan@estents.com www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016 Snake Charmer Chris Flurer is one of the top anglers majoring in trophy sized Snakeheads. Chris who was born deaf has had an excellent June with three citations within four days fishing the Upper Anacostia river area of Riverdale. All three Snakeheads weighed in between 16 and 17lbs. Chris says not are the only fun to catch they make great table fare. His top tip is using live Bluegills. OUTPOST 544 Rt. #544 & 290 Crossroads Crumton, MD 21628 410-778-4200 One Stop Store for all Your Daily Needs! Angelina Watts with some huge trotline jimmys from the miles river. Open Early Every Morning! Very Fresh Hot Morning Coffee! Hot & Cold Foods Beer, Wine & Liquor Groceries & Cigarettes Gasoline, Diesel & Kerosene Bill Payment, Check Cashing Dump Tickets, QA Co. Ramp Stickers Race Trax, Lottery, Keno, ATM, Fishing Bait, Air Pumps Prepaid Cell Phone Cards July 2016 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 11 “Fishin’ Back East” BASS FISHING IN THE SUMMER HEAT pond weed and primrose vegetation. No…not truly big bass, but lots of action and fine fish for the incresing heat of the day during a mid-morning effort. Throughout the hotter months, bass fishing can be productive by By Jim Gronaw following a few basic, but important guidelines for success. Here are my All right, I know the drill…it’s 95 favorite tactics for bass fishing in the in the shade and you don’t feel like summer heat… doing anything but swelling down ice Watch the Weather… More than tea and eating juicy hamburgers. The any other factor in hot summer fishing humidity is so thick you can see it and I believe that any weather change will nobody wants to do anything but take stir fish feeding activity and could lead a nap. So….how’s the fishin’? to some improved catches. Personally. To be truthful, midsummer fishing I like fishing the last few hours prior to can be real good and it can be difficult an oncoming storm front. Barometric as well. For those of us who like to fish pressure changes can shut the bite for largemouth bass there are several down or turn it on. There will be lots factors that we can have in our favor of opportunities for fronts that produce if we keep a sharp eye out. For sure, thunderstorms that will occur in the late it’s hot and it’s likely to get hotter. So afternoon or evening …about the time grab your sunscreen and water bottle you might be getting off of work. If and soak in a few tips that will make you can time it right and safely dodge your summer bassing more productive. the lightning bolts you might run into I got to enjoy some recent bass fishsome active and feeding bass at your ing fun with Taneytown-area angler favorite lake. Alvie Sickle at some local public and Fish Deeper…An obvious tactic, private ponds that the masses tend to bass will be gradually moving and overlook. Where as he and I were on feeding deeper as the summer continthe hunt for big, spawning bluegills, ues on. Deeper weed edges, off shore we actually abandoned the panfish humps or creek channels and other party and settled for abundant, and structures. Learn to fish effectively with drop-shot rigs and jig and pig presentations in the 12 to 20 foot range in our local lakes. Play the Tides…The tidal Potomac and Susquehanna and Northeast river systems are among the best tidal bass fisheries around. Moving tide pushes baitfish to specific areas where bass can ambush them as the tide again will reverse six hours later and create more chances for feeding bass. Learn these patterns and you won’t be forced to fish deep as tidal waters do not stratify and develop a thermocline as do lakes and reservoirs. Shoreline logs, lily pad fields, docks and bulkheads will continue to be quality spots for feeding bass throughout the summer. Fish at Night… Yup, that’s right, you might just Fishing ahead of a storm front can also have to lose a little shut-eye trigger a hot bite on summer largemouths. to cash in on an exciting Alvie and I "doubled up" as the clouds night time topwater bite. Cool and scary stuff hapwere heaping. pens at night. Things like bats, bugs, barking dogs co-operative largemouths with a pair and all sorts of moving critters sweeten of differing techniques. Alvie opted for the nocturnal experience and you never a rubber surface frog and I stuck with know what you’ll catch , or step into, my favorite stick worm…the 4.25 inch when you’re out at night. Buzz baits and Stank X Stix in “camo” color. Both of spinnerbaits catch a lot of after hours us had success, and we landed nearlt 2 bass and the spooky factor is at its peak. dozen bass before the action subsided. The subject of a whole ‘nuther story, Several of our fish ran from 17 to night bassing is in a league of its own. 19 inches and were eager to jump on Wet Wade for Largemouths…Sure, slowly moving plastic offerings as we this is traditionally a small creek/smallworked them in and around emerged 12 Alvie Sickle displays a fine frog bass from a smaller venue. Quiet wading and accurate casting to weed edges got him this quality fish. that have yielded 3 to 5 pound bass the past few seasons. Often, big fish from other waters are transported and stocked ‘johnny appleseed’ style by local bass anglers. Additionally, nearby counties Howard, Montgomery Anne Arundel and Prince Georges are loaded with smaller, public lakes that receive little pressure and hold hawgs. Hit the Google Maps and county parks sites on the net and your big bass search could go on for quite a while. Additionally, central Maryland lakes like Greenbriar, Cunningham Falls, and Piney Run hold quality fish over the 6 pound mark. In Pennsylvania’s York County Pinchot State Park and Hanovers’ Long Arm Dam are worth the efforts. These are just a few ideas to help your summer bass fishing efforts this year. There are many, many more. But pick one or two and se if your score doesn’t improve this season. And don’t be afraid to fish that “out of the way “ pond that you drive by every day on the way to work. You never know what it might hold! mouth gig. But the truth is that largemouth bass, and some big ones, can be approached closely and taken with careful, wet-wading tactics. Few anglers I know of have EVER wet-waded for the green bass, but I have had good results the last two summers in small lakes and ponds where shoreline vegetation and brush just had to be negated by wading. Use the same stick worms, buzzbaits and topwaters that have produced in the past and often low-light efforts will see more surface activity for the fish. Fish the Slop… That’s right, don’t let abundant surface weeds or algae discourage you from giving it a go. Plastic frogs like the Stanley Ribbit or Zoom Horny Toad can be rigged weedless and worked enticingly on top of the slop with amazing “blow up” I used cautious wading to catch this fine largestrikes from aggres- mouth in crystal clear waters using a small sive bass…even during mid-day! Stick worms live worm and accurate casting. Yes, the real as well can be rigged McCoy works as well. likewise, especially “backwards” with abilities to skim across the weedy surface edges without gathering the glop and still draw strikes. Fish the Little Lakes…It is well known that I am a big fan of small, private waters for big bass. But if you don’t have access to such venues then I would recommend smaller public waters that are off the beaten path. I know of several ‘under the radar’ park and community lakes along Smaller waters and smaller stick worms can the Mason Dixon Line www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com key a hot summer bite on quality bass. July 2016 RARE FIND! This rare 8.5 acre property offers ancient oaks and a rustic stone cottage. Enjoy fishing and hunting in your back yard, ski at nearby Whisp at Deep Creek, bike, hike, canoe, or simply relax on your private lake front. This retreat offers privacy yet is only 30 minutes from I-68 to Baltimore, Washington, and Pittsburgh. Respond to: zellerrpatrick@gmail.com or (301) 616-7266. Mona Robinson is shown with her Transcaspian urial taken in December. Transcaspianurials originally native to the mountainous regions of Turkmenistan also thrive in the cliffs of southeastern Nebraska. Mona hunted three times over the last four years for a Transcaspian with no success on the first two trips. She paid her dues ans was rewarded with a trophy ram on the third time afield. The urial, also known as the arkars or shapo, is a subspecies group of the wild sheep Ovis orientalis. Noticeable features are the reddishbrown long fur that fades during winter; males are characterized by a black ruff stretching from the neck to the chest and large horns. For Advertising information contact driftrock@verizon.net Wink’s Sporting Goods 410-621-0400 - Princess Anne, MD - gwink222@aol.com • All Licenses - All The Time! • Come Check Out Our New Deals! MUZZLELOADING GUNS & SUPPLIES LOW PRICES EVERYDAY! ARCHERY SUPPLIES Now Selling Handguns • Complete Line of All your Rockfish, Perch Bait and crabbing supplies Crossbows in Stock / Tackle Parker / Ten Point / are ready and Excaliber / in stock! • Rod & Reel Bow Tech Striker Combos Black Cloud - Heavy Metal • Fresh Bait Winchester and Kent Rt. 260, 1 Block off Rt. 4 - Dunkirk, Maryland Ed Walker, 78 years old, with his first Cecil County groundhog for the Summer of 2016. Shot at 85 yards with a Marlin rifle in .222 301-855-0351 / www.bayproshop.com caliber. Photo by Roger Everett July 2016 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 13 Brothers Lucas and Dylan and their Dad Paul from Hawaii Islands had a great first time catching rockfish. They caught there limit of 24" to 27" fish chumming off pedickery point. “In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen.” -Theodore Roosevelt Largest Ammunition supplier in Kent County, MD. 12503 Augustine Herman Hwy, Kennedyville, MD 21645 410-348-9160 14 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016 July 2016 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 15 Spanning the globe US: caught a world record size blue catfish in North Carolina Angler Landon Evans, 15 year old was fishing in North Carolina on Lake Gaston last month when something huge took the dead shad he was using as bait from a dock just after sunset. After 20 minutes of fighting, Evans got his first look at the fish and realized this was bigger than he could have imagined. The massive blue catfish broke the rod, but not before the boy’s mother was able to get a net over its tail 13 foot hammerhead shark caught in Texas Shore angler Eric Ozolins reeled in a massive great hammerhead shark last weekend off the coast of Texas. He needed that it took an hour and fifteen minutes to capture the monster fish close to Padre Island, which is located in southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The shark was measured 13 feet long and 80 inches in girth. The huge shark was released after some quick pics. So he landed a world record size blue catfish of 117 lb 8 oz (53.3 kg). The cat fish is 55 inches long and with a 40.5 inch girth. Evans monster catfish if approved, will become the new men’s 24 kg (50 lb) line class record and the male Junior world record. This catch also could be the new North Carolina state record McGinnity Marine Art Fish Mounts are our Specialty! Visit our website to see all - www.mcginnitymarineart.com 19717 Five Forks Road | New Freedom, PA 17349 Phone: 717-993-2373 | george@mcginnitymarineart.com Casey Michelle Charters Captain Brady Sweitzer Full and Half day trips for Rockfish - Bluefish Spanish Mackeral - Leaving from Kentmoor Marina Kent Island, MD. / Cell - 410-829-9816 caseymcharters@gmail.com - www.caseymichellecharters.com USCG Licensed & Insured for up to 6 passangers Eichler Charter Services Sailing out “Southpaw” of Kentmoor Marina Kent Island, MD 5 minutes from Bay Bridge Capt. Jeffrey Eichler USCG Licensed 50 ton Master Captain Booking now for Summer! Call for More Information Mention a 410-490-1485 or 410-827-6676 this ad for www.fishingsouthpaw.com FREE Breakfast info@fishingsouthpaw.com 16 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016 Welcome to Schrader's Outdoors * Thousands of acres of prime Eastern Shore hunting properties * Maryland white tail deer hunting * Maryland waterfowl hunting * Maryland upland hunting * Maryland turkey hunting * Maryland dove hunting * Maryland small game hunting * Pond bass fishing * Bay and tributary fishing * Maryland sporting clays * Five Stand and Wobble Trap * Maryland 3-D archery * Archery Service Center * Dart video archery system * Professional shooting instruction * B & B lodging and meals * Corporate events and weddings * Youth outdoor camps Jim Baranowski above left with his nice Gobbler and pictured above with his daughter Alicia Barbine with her first Gobbler. Photo’s courtesy of Don Travis taxidermy. 3D archery and Sporting Clays course that is open 7 days a week! Schrader's Outdoors 16090 Oakland Road Henderson, MD. 21640 (410) 758-1824 www.schradersoutdoors.com July 2016 Linda Confer caught this 40 inch Striped Bass weighing in at 24 lbs. 0n May 26 at Rocky Gorge. Photo courtesy of Clyde’s Sporting Shop. www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 17 Every sport has its unique triumph. Whether it’s the “Triple Crown”, “Super Bowl”, or “Masters”, sometimes the stars align and victory is ours! I am sure that in fishing, there is a “Super” event that anglers can win. For the average “Joe Angler”, simple successes are just as special as a “hole in one”! In trout fishing, it’s the “Grand Slam”! There are many species of trout that swim in our waters. Catching multiple species is not an easy thing to do. Each trout has its own behaviors, habitat, and characteristics. Finding the diversity of trout in the same stream or watershed is challenging. Some of this “Montana Grant” By Grant Soukup The Grand Slam!!! It took a while, but I caught my first Grand Slam of the year! The Grand event took place the other day in southern Pennsylvania. I was fishing a small public stream, stocked by the state and local Trout Unlimited clubs. The brook, brown, rainbow, and Golden/palomino were all in the same log jam. It was tough fishing, but I hit it out of the park! Baltimore County Police Officer Rob Walsh detained this native Brown trout and a "Heron Assaulted" rainbow in the headwaters of Deer Creek. Plenty of fish in the still cool streams but they are concentrated. Heron attack scars were evident on several of the trout we caught. We also may have seen a black bear! Not sure what else it could have been. Pretty close and a specific smell.There were a lot of deer and fawns in the high grass. Montana Grant 18 The Trout Grand Slam may not get the same recognition as other esteemed sporting events, but it is a fun personal accomplishment that happens only a few times in your fishing life. I have also challenged myself to catch a limit of just golden/ palomino trout. Only a very small percentage of stocked trout are “Golden”. They are a novelty trout that are easily seen, hard to catch, and fight hard. I had to carefully throw a ton of other trout back but eventually earned the “Golden Grand Slam”! Whatever the award is, it is always fun to celebrate our sports. Setting newer and higher goals challenges us to develop our skills and make things more interesting. Ultimately, sports such as fishing are simply supposed to be FUN! Share fishing with some friends! Montana Grant PS! So I went fishing at another stream a week later and did it again! The following week I did it a third time in another stream! I am not sure if it is great skill or great luck, but lately I am still hitting it out of the park! For more Montana Grant, visit his website at www.montanagrantfishing.com depends upon stocking fish. It is rare to find areas This is my where the trout are stream born and in abundance. In the east, stocking allows the angler the daughter Jeschance of a Grand Slam that includes a rainbow, sie Soukup/ brown, brook, and golden/palomino trout. There Smith, she was are some other hybrid fish, such as the tiger trout and blue trout, but these are rarely found. Catchvisiting from ing any four of these species is considered to be a Montana so we Grand Slam. went crabbing Now I know that “brookies” are really a char, with Capn. Jesse Lowers. There is a pict golden / palominos are albino hatchery rainbows, and tiger trout are half brook and half brown of her with a hypnotized crap on her hat. trout. Nature finds a way. For the purist easterner Turning them upside down and rubbing trout fishermen, only brook trout would actually the crabs belly calms them and they hang be considered natives. Every other trout species is a result of stocking. Rainbows are from the on until you remove them. Cool kid trick western coast, browns are from Europe, and the from my teaching days. rest are rooted from hatchery stock. Jesse running the trot line and of the crabs In the western Blue Ribbon trout waters, the only true natives would be cutthroats and graybefore and after. We were crabbing in ling. Everything else can be traced back to a Middle River. stocking bucket at some point. Once the different trout were mixed into the same watersheds, it became survival of the fittest. Big fish eat little fish, and competition for other food and habitat is always a challenge. I have caught “western grand slams” on several occasions. This included Blood Worms / Night Crawlers / Meal Worms / Wax Worms / Grass Shrimp / / Razor Clams / grayling, brookies, browns, Bait Shrimp / Clam Snouts / Chicken Necks etc...All Fishing Tackle / Crabbing Suppies / Pots / rainbows, Apaches. Bulls, Lines and Much More! 7403 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard Glen Burnie, MD and true golden trout all in the same day! Western golden trout are also an immunchkinland4@comcast.net port from California waters. All About Bait and Tackle Shop Live and Frozen Baits (410) 590-0000 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016 Coastal Report By Capt. Mark Sampson In the winter I work as a flats-fishing guide in the lower Florida Keys, and while many of my clients are fly-fishermen, most opt to use spinning tackle in their pursuit of the many species of fish that frequent the shallow flats. Down there we often spot our fish first and then attempt to make an accurate cast that will put the bait or lure in the strike zone, then follow up with the appropriate retrieve to tempt the fish to strike. Of course, after the bite the angler will have to properly fight the fish to the boat, which, depending upon the size and the species, could be as simple as just cranking it right in, or as involved as enduring a long give-and-take battle for more then an hour. Regardless of what we do or do not catch, my clients always step off the boat knowing they’ve had plenty of casting practice! And while they cast - I watch. Cast after cast, from atop my little poling platform I have a front row balcony seat and the opportunity to critique every presentation. Not that I really do that, but I do have to pay attention to the overall casting proficiency of each client so that I know their strengths and weaknesses and what I need to do help connect them to the fish. As a guide it’s my responsibility not only to spot fish and get the boat within casting range, but also to coach my clients through any shortcomings they might have, from making the cast to fighting the fish, “instruction” is a huge part of most trips. One reason even seasoned anglers have problems casting is that many have spent their entire fishing career just lobbing casts out into the water without 410-726-7946 July 2016 any real need for distance or accuracy, so they never really have a reason to perfect the use of their tackle and to be sure, many pick up bad habits that, even after may years of fishing, they just don’t shake. As long as anglers adhere certain fundamentals spinning tackle is some of the easiest equipment to use. Over the years I’ve noted that there are a number mistakes that spin fishermen commonly make that when recognized are usually easy to overcome and will immediately improve their performance on the water. Proper grip of the rod: A spinning rod should be gripped in the right hand with the reel seat between the middle and ring finger. Holding the line: When preparing to cast the reel it should be cranked until the line coming off the spool is at the top of the reel closest to the hand holding the rod. The line should then be gasped by the index finger ONLY, and about two-thirds of the way from the tip of the finger to the first joint. Don’t use more than one finger and don’t put the line in the crease of the first joint as doing either will impede a smooth release of the line on the cast, and ruin accuracy. Don’t let go of the rod: While this might sound like a sound like a no-brainer, it’s very common for anglers who use two hands to cast (right hand forward over the reel, and left hand aft toward the butt of the rod) to let go of the rod with their right hand when they release the line. This is a bad habit many anglers seem to acquire and one that everyone needs to stop. There is no time when letting go with the right hand is a proper technique as it ruins accuracy, limits distance, and increases the chance that the rod might just go overboard with the cast! Don’t use the anti-reverse lever: The little lever under the reel that allows the reel to be cranked backwards (thus letting line out) is known as the anti-reverse. Many reel manufactures don’t offer this feature on their reels anymore and I wish none of them did. I cannot think of a single fishing situation when it would be appropriate to let line out by cranking the reel backwards. Line should always be let out by opening the bail – not by turning the handle! Using the anti reverse lever just gets anglers in trouble because they’re always forgetting that they left it in the wrong position then they try to set the hook on a fish and end up actually backlashing their spinning reel. Cranking over the drag: There are a lot of folks who fish many years without hooking a fish of size and stamina capable of pulling many yards of line OFF a reel during a fight. Not having experienced a running fish before their inclination is often to crank the reel even when line is going out. Aside from wearing down the angler unnecessarily, with conventional tackle this mistake is pretty much harmless (even to the fish). But when an angler cranks a spinning reel as line is going out, not only are they wasting their effort, they are also twisting the heck out of their line. At the end of a fight the line can be so twisted up that the rod and reel cannot be used again until it is dragged behind a moving boat and all the twists work their way out. Spin fishermen fighting strong fish must continually watch the spool of their reel and ensure that it is not revolving as they turn the handle of the reel. Consider the wind: Trying to cast under breezy conditions can be problematic but it’s not the end of the world for those who know how to adjust for the wind. Just as www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com the wind can work against an angler trying to make long casts into it, it can also be an assist to those casting with it. Obviously the wind resistance of terminal tackle makes it hard to make long casts into the wind. But wind resistance can be minimized by the choice of what we put on our lines as well as how we cast. By switching to smaller-heavier lures or baits anglers can punch casts into the wind with less difficulty. Also, by firing fast horizontal casts rather that big arching casts there will be much less wind resistance on the line and better distance. If the boat can be positioned so that the anglers are casting downwind - the breeze can actually be an assist and anglers should use bulkier baits and lures and cast high so that their offerings have maximum airtime allowing the wind to push their cast all the farther. At some point in their fishing career almost every angler will find themselves using spinning tackle, some just a little, but most will probably use it a lot. Yet as popular as this tackle is, mistakes and bad habits are common even among experienced anglers. Realizing these errors and taking the time to correct them can lead to greater success on the water and appreciation for spinning tackle. Mark Sampson Fish Finder Adventures LLC Ocean City, MD 21842 410-726-7946 www.BigSharks.com 19 Recreational Crabber Charged with Violations, Failing to Protect Turtles A St. Mary’s County man has been charged with possessing undersized crabs and failing to equip his crab pots with devices to prevent the drowning of diamondback terrapins. Officers saw Joseph William Sullivan, 47, of St. Inigoes, crabbing off the dock of his home on June 15 and returned to check his catch. They discovered he was fishing 16 pots, 14 more than allowed a recreational crabber. Additionally, his floating live well contained undersized crabs. Further, none of his pots had a Bycatch Reduction Device, also known as Turtle Excluder Device, as required by Maryland law. The diamondback terrapin is the state reptile, the University of Maryland mascot, and the only turtle that lives its entire life in the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Terrapins are drawn to the same bait used to attract blue crabs. Recreational crab pots are typically set in shallow, near-shore waters along creeks and marshes, the same locations terrapins live. The 1 3/4-inch by 4 3/4-inch rectangular device is easy to install and allows crabs to enter a pot but excludes terrapins. Turtles and other animals that enter pots without such a device cannot escape and drown. Studies have shown that while effective at preventing other animals from entering, the excluding devices have little impact on the size and number of blue crabs caught. Crab pots used by waterfront property owners in Maryland must be marked with the owner’s name and address and fitted with a bycatch reduction device at every funnel entrance. Plastic bycatch reduction devices are found in many marine and tackle shops and often cost less than $2. Crabbers can also make their pots turtle-safe by following instructions found here. Sullivan is scheduled to appear in St. Mary’s District Court on Aug. 4. If found guilty of all three charges, he could be fined as much as $3,000. Open · 5:00AM - 5:00PM Karon Hickman - Got out to Ocean City last month and caught a few hickory shad from the 2nd and 4th Street bulkhead then headed over to the Route 50 bridge where we caught about 2 dozen stripers and lots of bluefish. Early morning hours seemed to be the best fishing. My friend landed a 30 inch rockfish and he caught a 32 inch bluefish. Photo courtesy of MD. Anglers log. Now Booking for Chesapeake Bay Fishing! 410-708-1616 410-708-1616 20 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016 Summer Pan Fish Fry Summer Pan Fish Fry is an all time family favorite. You will not disagree! Book of the Month The Outdoor Enthusiast's Resource for Preparing and Serving Fish & Game with Style http://recipes. sportsmanstable.com Ingredients 1 lb. fillets; sunnies, perch any pond fish. 10-12 fillets 1/4 cup cannola oil 1/2 cup Fish and Wild Game Breading Sportsman’s Table Item #TW001 1 egg beaten 2 T. flour Instructions Clean and rinse fish in cold water and pat dry. Dip fish in egg then dredge in breading. Heat oil in pan. Grill or saute fish fillets over medium heat for 1 1/2-2 minutes per side. Serve. A Master’s Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod: The Essential and Classic Principles and Methods by Everett E. Garrison (Author), Hoagy B. Carmichael (Author) Fly fishing has a long and storied history. While many flyfishermen will find and purchase their favorite fly rod, there are those who desire to go a step further. For those discerning flyfishermen and women, simply buying a rod is not enough—they must build one. And just as fly fishing is an art, so is the creation of the bamboo fly rod. Many people believe that the best-feeling rods, particularly for trout fishing, are made from bamboo, and today’s bamboo rodmaking tradition is particularly indebted to one man: Everett E. Garrison. Using principles he learned as an engineering student, Garrison created an exacting method of building rod—a method that for decades was a well-kept secret. These techniques are presented to the reader in A Master’s Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod, a classic volume written by Hoagy B. Carmichael to honor and maintain Garrison’s legacy. Completely illustrated with black-and-white drawings and over three hundred and sixty black-and-white photographs, along with copious notes on the mathematical and engineering principles that underlie Garrison’s unique rod-making technique, this book will guide you through each step of creating a classic bamboo fly rod. Delmarva Sporting Clays 500 YARD RANGE! Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for fishermen. Our books for anglers include titles that focus on fly fishing, bait fishing, fly-casting, spin casting, deep sea fishing, and surf fishing. Our books offer both practical advice on tackle, techniques, knots, and more, as well as lyrical prose on fishing for bass, trout, salmon, crappie, baitfish, catfish, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home. 3 Gun - Fastest Growing Shooting Sport in the U.S. Public Rifle Range Open7 Days Per Week Rain or Shine 24 Covered Benches $20 Shoot All Day Discounts for Seniors - Police - Military Sight In Pistols, Muzzleloaders & Rifles Gun Rentals Available Berms @ 25-50-100-200-300 Yards Shoot Your Own Ammo or Buy Ours 65 Miles East Of Bay Bridge www.maryland3gun.com 9 am to Sunset • 55 Stations • N.S.C.A. Certified Instructors - Instruction Available Don’t Wait - Sight in Your Deer Rifle Now 410-742-2023 • 1-800-310-2023 US Rt 50, 23501 Marsh Rd. Mardela Springs, MD 21837 July 2016 Whoever says girls can’t fish have not met this bunch. They hit their limit by 7:30 last month. Nicely done ladies & thanks for fishing with Casey Michelle Charters. www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 21 2016 Classifieds are FREE 2016 Classifieds are FREE 20 words or less 20 words Classifieds or less Mail your classified to driftrock@verizon.net - Sell your boat, gun dog, truck, equipment or anything in the garage! FOR SALE Virginia Commercial Hook & Line Fishing License and Commercial Registration Card. $8,000.00 total for both. I can also help you obtain your initial quota. Serious inquiries only Call - 757-695-1044 MARYLAND UNLIMITED TIDAL FISH LICENSE (TFL). 300 Crab Pots, Trotline, Oysters, Clams, Finfish, etc. Text or leave message 443-5215754 Will trade 28” Win SX 2 barrel for 26” barrel. Contact Joe at 443-244-7828 Savage Model 99 Near Mint .300 cal. $750 410-790-5336 FOR SALE Ithaca .12 Gauge, Feather Light, 2-3/4” Chamber, Modified Choke, Pump Action Shot Gun. Blued Barrel & Receiver. Recoil Pad. Barely Used! $400.00 Firm! Stoeger .12 Gauge, Double Barrel Coach Shot Gun. 20” barrels. Improved Cylinder & Modified Chokes. Blued Barrels & Receiver. Recoil Pad. Great for Home Security. This Shot Gun has Also been Barely Used! $400.00 Firm! Contact Chief James J. (Jeep) Bilenki Jr. USN. Ret. @ 410-437-2059 or e-mail me @ picnicpappy@ gmail.com“ Hornady 44cal xtp 180 gr 100 - New bought by mistake can’t return. $25 OBO or trade .40 850902-7226 4 – 88 Bronco II’s for sale $2000each 4wd works, Historic tags/MD titles 22 clean – good reliable sportsman vehicles, selling my collection 301471-0505 leave voice message for Mark, shown by appointment only G(2) merc bravo two Ss props $150 each or 250$ both Ed, 240-375-3202 Steel targets for rifle and pistol shooting, Also large mag rifle gong targets. Round and square cut to size. 410-259-4143 WATERFOWEL SHOTGUN Browning Auto 10 Gauge Gold Stalker, 28” Barrel , 3 Choke Tubes,Black Synthetic Stock, Matte Finish,,.... $800.00,..... Call 410 608 0617 For Sale: TC Omega 50 caliber muzzleloader with Nikon Pro Staff 2x7x32 scope. Call 410-236-6350. Asking $400.00. MISC. 350 acres of prime waterfowl and deer hunting property for lease in Queen Anne MD. Contact 443262-5076 For Sale 15.4 acre wooded lot Caroline co. md updated perk Great turkey and deer hunting asking 99,000.00 443-962-7416 Deer Hunting lease Needed for 2-3-4 (Family) hunters. MD Eastern Shore, or Central VA. Call Rich 443-223-2340 Trophy Whitetail Deer & Waterfowl Hunting Leases available on Maryland Eastern Shore 410-4826641 For lease hunting property in Dorchester county Maryland. Great hunting for waterfowl sika whitetail turkey and dove. Waterfront and inland farms with ponds. 443-521-0221 Hunting lease available-Eastern Shore Virginia, Northampton County, seaside, 300 acres, waterfowl, deer, turkey, dock access to Barrier Islands. 202-359-5818. Waterfowl Hunt Club Membership available in 10 member Kent County club. 5 blinds and 5 pits, Guest privileges, Lodging and more. Contact George@chescoat. com 410-703-3018 3- 50 something, good workers looking to join duck hunting clubcall richard 410 375-8023 Premier Waterfowl Club with access to prime established flyway properties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Limited membership available 410-482-6643 +- 270 Acre Marsh - Dorchester County MD Blackwater River Teal, Black duck & Sika $235,000 - 410-200-6625 30+/- wooded acres adjacent to agriculture fields and roadway in Caroline County. Great for deer, turkey, small game hunting or developing. 410-708-1276 Eastern Shore,Virginia; building lot along Occonannock creek,Exmore. 5 miutes to public boat ramp.35k; possible owner financing. (717)632-3864 Dorchester county on tedious creek 29 acres great sika and waterfowl. Two story house can be renovated. $149,900.00 410490-0084 FOR LEASE EXCLUSIVE DEER HUNTING RIGHTS 77ac. farm in Northern Caroline Co.MD 3 hunters max. call Jim 410-482-6716 Waterfront Farm for Sale by Owner Eastern Shore,Dorchester County MD, 330 acres, great deer, turkey, waterfowl hunting. Call 410-943-4620. www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com For Rent Dorchester County Maryland Waterfront and inland farms with ponds, 10 to 110 acres. Waterfowl, sika, whitetail, turkey, dove, and small game. 443-5210221 29 Acres with Boat Slip Washington, NC $229,000 Located on the Pamlico River in the gated boating community of Pamlico Plantation. www.pamlicoplantation.com. Boat nearly year round. Amenities include marina, clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts and more. Contact Wayne Estabrooks at (252) 833-4497 or westabro@ earthlink.net Selective Trophy Whitetail Hunting Club with multiple large properties in Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Caroline Counties. Serious inquiries 410-482-6641 Wanted hunting property to lease call ray 410-370-9885 Eastern Shore Maryland Hunting Land for Sale! Many Tractssmall to large acreage. Contact Tom Ruch: 443-235-1347 / Tom. Ruch@LNF.com 5 Secluded Acres with House 3 BR Many Upgrades Deer- Turkey- Stocked Pond Cal Valarie @ 410-463-3627 Wanted hunting property, Deer & Goose farm preferably Deer . Chestertown, Quaker Neck, Kennedyville, RockHall area. Very responsible small family group of 3or4. References available, lost previous farm after 27 yrs. due to new ownership. 410-245-7578 Rare opportunity to join a Eastern Shore Waterfowl Hunting Club Limited Memberships if interested please call 410-708-0890 July 2016 Certain signs you can look for indicate an approaching weather change: Although weather changes generally come from the west, you should be observant of weather from all directions, so scan the sky with your weather eye, especially to the west. A sudden drop in temperature and change in the wind often mean that a storm is near. If you have a barometer on your boat, check it every two to three hours. A rapid drop in pressure means a storm is approaching. Watch for cloud build up, especially rapid, vertically rising clouds. Be alert for the sound of thunder. Watch for lightning and rough water. Remember that boats, particularly sailboats, are vulnerable to lightning if not grounded. Fog can create problems in inlets and bays or open water. Fog typically forms during temperature changes in early morning or evening hours and can persist for long periods. If your weather service has indicated that a hurricane is imminent, you should not leave the dock - period. Approaching hurricanes can be identified by the “feeder bands” of rain that proceed them by 24-48 hours. BE A CHUMMER THIS SUMMER! CHUM by the Log, Bucket or Bushel ALEWIVES by the Flat or Bushel All Sizes of Circle Hooks! Black Saltys, Minnows, Bloodworms, Earthworms, Shrimp & Chicken Necks CHUM by the Log, Bucket or Bushel ALEWIVES by the Flat or Bushel All sizes of CIRCLE HOOKS CHUMMING OUTFIT BWS1100, 6’ 6” or 7’ UGLY STIK ROD Ball Bearing SS Spinning Reel, 4 ball Bearings 17# or 20# Line... $74.95 Rod & Reel Chumming Combos as low as $39.95 LET’S GO CRABBIN’! Foxy-Mate Topless Crab Traps Model 120T $11.99 each - $129.95 Doz. Foxy-Mate Crab Traps Model 66 $9.99 Each $84.95 Doz. Pasadena 4-Door Crab Traps $7.99 Each $84.95 Doz. Bear X Crossbows New in stock Torrix FFL Bruzer FFL CRAB BAIT IN STOCK! CHICKEN NECKS AND EELS Now Carrying Kodabow Crossbows COTTON Crab Rings... $2.99 Each • $29.95 Dozen CRAB NETS, All Types & Sizes Economy Model... Starting at $9.99 New Baskets $9.95 1000’ Snood Trotline $179.95 Snood 25 count - $19.95 1000 Foot Trotline... Nylon...$36.95 500 Foot Tarred Trotline... $21.95 Blue Claw Folding Crab Traps $8.95 Ea. $89.95 Dozen 20 Quart and up to 50 Quart Crab Steamers NOW IN STOCK! CLYDE’S SPORT SHOP Dave Ziegler with his personal best smallmouth a 5 pounder caught at Pretty boy reservoir on 5 inch wacky worm the fish was released. July 2016 2307 Hammonds Ferry Road • Baltimore, MD 21227 410-242-6108 • www.clydessports.com •GUNS • AMMO • CLOTHING • HUNTING LICENSES • BOOTS • KNIVES 1957-2016 “59 Years Serving Maryland’s Fishermen & Hunters” 24 HOUR FISHING HOTLINE 410-247-FISH www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 23 24 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2016