Jan 23rd, 2011

Water Temp: 48.2 degrees

Fishing Report by Sue Foster

(Note: Oyster Bay Tackle, Fenwick Tackle, and the online mall are all closed 
for the season. See ya in March!)

Tautog and stripers offshore. Few stripers reported at Indian River Inlet. 
Besides that, not much going on.

I saw some anglers fishing the Rt. 50 Bridge for tautog. With the water 
temps still relatively warm for winter, it's possible to catch them on the 
last of the incoming tides.

On a very sad note, I lost my Dad, Irv Mumford last week. It was a year and 
4 days since he lost his beloved wife Juanita (my mother) last January. He 
was 87 and was quite active till illness suddenly put him in the hospital 
the beginning of January. He lived a long full life and he will be sorely 
missed in my home and in our stores. My brother, Dan Mumford, personally 
wrote his obituary, and I would like to share it with my readers. The 
"little ol' man" behind the repair bench at Fenwick Tackle lived quite a 
life!

"IRVING S. MUMFORD, III
On Saturday evening, January 14, 2012, IRVING S. MUMFORD, III, 87, joined 
his precious wife Juanita in the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior 
Jesus Christ, at his home in West Ocean City.

 He was born Irving Sturgis Mumford in Los Angeles, California, on October 
11, 1924, the son of the late Irving Solomon Mumford and Elizabeth Susan 
(Betty) Dickinson Mumford.  Irv lived in Portland and Seaside, Oregon, 
before moving with his family to his father's hometown of Ocean City in the 
early 1930's, where he lived for much of the rest of his life.   As a young 
boy, he watched history in the making when the inlet was cut through Ocean 
City in 1933.

 Irv married Juanita Ruth Feldmann of Baltimore on September 4, 1949, at the 
"old" First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City.  They made their home in West 
Ocean City for more than 60 years in the house that Irv built himself, and 
in which he died.  Juanita went to the Lord on January 10, 2011, after 61 
years of marriage.
 Irv is survived by his children, David J. Mumford and his wife Julie, Judge 
Daniel R. Mumford and his wife Liz, and Susanne C. Foster and her husband 
Bob, all of Ocean City; his grandson, Phillip J. Mumford and his wife, 
Tamara, and great grandson, Fletcher David Mumford, all of Utah; and his 
grandson, C. Fletcher Mumford and his wife Angie, and great granddaughter, 
Mykaela Christian Mumford, all of Jupiter, Florida.  He is also survived by 
his sisters-in-law, Charlene and Joyce Mumford of Florida, and Peggy Mumford 
of Ocean City.  He is also survived by his aunt, Frances Elliott Mumford, of 
Ocean City, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many, many friends and members of 
his church family.  In addition to his parents, Irv was predeceased by his 
brothers, Paul, Bill, and John Mumford, and his sister, Virginia Mumford 
Terry.

 Irv was a proud veteran of the United States Navy during World War II.  He 
enlisted just after his 18th birthday in 1942, and he rose to Quartermaster 
First Class.  After basic training and quartermaster school, he spent almost 
the rest of his Navy career aboard the USS YMS 276, a 135-ft mine sweeper. 
He was with the ship when it was commissioned in Bellingham, Washington. 
Following a shakedown cruise off the coast of California, the ship was 
assigned to convoy escort duty throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean 
Sea.  Then the ship was assigned to mine sweeping and anti-submarine patrol 
along the East Coast from New York City Harbor.

 In 1944 the YMS 276 sailed back to the Pacific for duty in the Marshall, 
Carolina, Palau, and Mariana Islands.  The ship participated in the invasion 
and battle of Okinawa.  At the close of the war, the YMS 276 was the 8th 
Allied vessel to enter Tokyo Bay.  It was given the task, along with other 
YMS's, of clearing the anchorage of the Bay so that the larger units of the 
3rd Fleet could enter and anchor in safety in preparation for the acceptance 
of the surrender of the Japanese government and military forces to the 
Allies.  Irv reminisced that "we didn't sweep up any mines, but we swept up 
just about every buoy in Tokyo Bay."  Irv was a witness to history; from his 
ship, he had the privilege of observing the surrender ceremony on the deck 
of the nearby USS Missouri, which formally ended World War II.

 Following the surrender, the YMS 276 participated in sweeping the harbors 
and bays of southern Japan.  During this time they "rode out" two typhoons 
which sunk or damaged numerous other ships.  Finally, in early 1946, the YMS 
276 headed for home.  Irv left his ship and was honorably discharged in 
March of 1946, and the YMS 276 was decommissioned a few months later.  For 
his service, Irv received the Pacific Theater Ribbon with 1 battle star, 
Good Conduct Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, and Victory Medal.

 Irv was well-known in the sport fishing industry in Ocean City.  Before and 
after the War he was a mate on charter boats in Ocean City and Florida. 
After their marriage, Irv and Juanita owned and operated Irv's Boats in 
downtown Ocean City.  With his brother he owned and operated Mumford's 
Marine, and was later employed at Boulden's Marina, and for years he managed 
Paul's Tackle Shop, all in Ocean City.  Since 1980 he and his family owned 
and operated Oyster Bay Tackle in Ocean City and Fenwick Tackle, in Fenwick 
Island, Delaware.  Irv was highly  skilled and talented.  He made hundreds 
of custom-built fishing rods and thousands of custom-made teasers which were 
shipped all over the country and world.  A custom-built rod by Irv Mumford 
was (and is) a prized possession.  Irv was an excellent rod and reel 
repairman, and he was a recognized expert in all matters of fishing in the 
Ocean City area.  He will be greatly missed by his customers, and especially 
by his co-workers and employees, who he considered to be like family.

 Irv's life was a reflection of his Christian living and giving.  He was an 
active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City for over 60 
years.  He gave generously of his time and effort in the life and activities 
of the Church.  He served as a trustee, elder, and Sunday school teacher.

    Irv was devoted to his wife Juanita, his family, and to God.  He will be 
greatly missed by all.
 A memorial service with military honors will be held Sunday, January 29, at 
1:30 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, Philadelphia 
Avenue and 13th Street, Pastor Alex Ayers officiating.  Friends may call an 
hour before the service.  Interment will follow in the Mumford family plot 
in Evergreen Cemetery near Berlin.
 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First 
Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, 1301 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, 
Maryland  21842, or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland 
21802."

Want to know what's going on Assateague? Check out  Stripers 
Online Delmarva Forum.


Many anglers ask about reading the beach when surf fishing. "Poppy" a very
good angler has posted another very good description with pictures on
Stripers Online. Check it out: 
Reading the Beach  He draws it out completely! If you're not catching 
fish in the surf, you need to study this!


"Helbent Charters" is done for the season but is booking for next year. He 
offers half to full day bay and coastal fishing trips. Specializing in 
families. North Ocean City. Captain Jeffrey Grimes.  717-574-4010- 
helbentcharters@hotmail.com


Larry Jock of the  Coastal 
Fisherman likes to fish offshore for stripers himself this time of year. 
Read his daily fishing report online and also keep up with fisheries news." 
He posted this week:THURSDAY, January 19, 2012

Well, the "Morning Star" did it again, bringing back another tautog over 20 
lbs. Today, Mike Hernandez from Queens, NY landed a 20 lb. 11 oz. tautog 
while using a white crab at an ocean wreck. This fish would have tied the MD 
state record had Charlie Donohue not caught the 23 pounder while fishing on 
the "Morning Star" last week. This is the time we see the big tautog being 
caught, so if this is something you want to experience, give the "Morning 
Star" or the "Angler" a call.

On the striper scene, nothing inside 3 miles today. Fish were spotted a 
little east of Winter Quarter Shoal and up to 5 miles south of the red can. 
Find the whales and the birds and you have found the linesiders. Remember, 
they are illegal to keep outside 3 miles.

I trolled around Little Gull today with the King, and unfortunately, all 
that was caught was one throwback. My best marks of the day were found on my 
way back to the Ocean City Inlet. Good bait and marks between the Sea Buoy 
and the Inlet. Couldn't believe ALL my rods weren't dancing. Ugh!


MONDAY, January 16, 2012

Haven't been any reports lately because the seas have been pretty rough.

Fish are still being seen 20 miles down the beach, but 7-9 miles offshore, 
making them illegal to catch.

Capt. Monty on the "Morning Star" has been tearing up the tautog. This is 
the time of year when he catches the big mama-jama's, so if that interests 
you, give him a call to get one of the 12 spots on the rail.

If you haven't seen the video of the new state record tautog caught last 
week on the "Morning Star" you can check it out on our homepage. It's a 
pig!!


WEDNESDAY, January 11, 2012

A new, pending Maryland State record tautog was caught today by Charlie 
Donohue of Philadelphia, PA. Charlie was fishing on the "Morning Star" when 
he hooked the 33-inch, 23 lb. tautog while using green crab for bait. The 
fish broke the current tautog record of 20 lbs. 11 oz. caught in 2007 on the 
"Morning Star".

Stripers are still being caught 15-20 miles down the beach.

Dean Metcalfe landed his first striper during a trip with The King and Josh 
Twilley south of the OC Inlet on the 3-mile line. The group also boxed an 
additional striper on the troll. Both were 39-inches.




 E-mail Sue Foster at:  Oyster Bay 
Tackle with your pictures and/or reports.  Vacation Pictures are 
welcome! (Please send me a real picture and not a link to a "Kodak moment" 
or a Facebook page.") Phone pics are fine.
E-mail me your name and where you are from so we
can put you in our weekly fish reports and/or Gallery!


Anglers now need a DE Fishing License to fish, crab, and clam in DEL: 
Individual Delaware Fishing Licenses are now available  
online or



Capt. Monty on the " 
Morning Star e-mails in on Jan 22nd:

Fish Report 1/22/12
More Tog Trips
A Rule Remembered
Four
State Record Confirmed

Hi All,
Weekend storm past, looks like OK weather coming up. Expect we'll do some 
more toggin.
Among the most challenging of reef fish; Should you hear of good tog catches 
you can bet it wasn't great for everyone aboard.

This is real fishing -- bad luck comes with the good.
I limit my fares to about 1/4 the boat's legal capacity so I can move folks 
around, get them on the better parts of a wreck or reef -- and still not 
everyone catches everyday. The limit's only 4 fish per person, it can be 
very cold: You Have To Love This Fishing
..some of us do; terrible affliction.

A boat rule I had forgotten about because we've been exsanguinating tog for 
years..
Henceforth: All tog must be Bled or Dead before leaving the boat.

I'm opening;
Wednesday, 1/25/12 - 7 to 3 - $100.00 - 8 Sells Out.
Thursday, 1/26 - Long Tog - 5 AM to 4:30 PM - $150.00 - 12 Sells Out.
Friday, 1/27 - 7 to 3 - $100.00 - 10 Sells Out.
Saturday, 1/28 - Long Tog - 5 AM to 4:30 PM - $150.00 - 14 sells out.
No over-limit, No undersize, No live fish: Not on my boat.
Also: If you carry live green crabs in your pocket so your bait's handy as I 
do, be sure to get them out before your clothes go in the wash. I've 
recently learned if your wife finds live crabs in the washing machine it 
will result in very specific derogatory language regarding your 
intelligence, your immediate family lineage & fishing in general.
Earning a livelihood at sea makes things hard enough without live crabs 
crawling around in the washer..
... So I'd just put my personal-best of several years back; a 28 1/2 inch, 
15 pound male; A big bruiser with a Jay Leno chin. Great spawning stock; 
must have been part tilefish, what a fight!
Just baiting back up when I hear, "Yeah Baby, YEAH!"
Big Mike is one of those dedicated toggers who will drive I don't know how 
many hours to catch a fish he has in his backyard near Queens, NY.

He's got the right gear--a very sweet 8' St. Croix Legend with a small Diawa 
lever drag 20; He's got the right bait presentation, understands perfectly 
well tog don't bite everyday; He's patient.
Now Big Mike's in the 20 pound club.
We weighed his fish dockside with the Coastal Fisherman's scale, 20 pounds 
11 ounces.

Charlie Donahue's State Record official too; 23 pounds is the fish to beat 
in Maryland.
Two fish over 20 pounds in eight days.
I've had years I couldn't break 15.
Amazing.
That's four over 20 on the Morning Star.

Started putting tog back in 1984 -- These jumbos we've caught lately were 
likely there already or swimming in back-bay algae beds..
I'm positive the future will be better still for togging; that because of 
reef building and catch-restriction we'll leave this fishery much better 
than we found it.
Now to make it incredibly better; Get management focused on how to make more 
fish instead of just catch less fish..
MuRFSS catch-data prevents management from perceiving what's real. When 
MRFSS says MD private boats caught 18,572 tog in Mar/Apr, 2010 -- that's 
about 18,500 fish too high. Its pure fantasy -- could never-ever happen --  
EVER.
When we take 20 or 30 fish off a reef -- that's real.
This I guarantee: If catch is kept reasonable while habitat is expanding, 
we'll have a lot more tog -- Do.
Meanwhile, we must get NOAA & NMFS off their "overfishing" crusade.
I believe management has become rote; That no matter its lack of veracity, 
of truth; Data-in/Management-out means of regulation are their sole concern. 
Only when we are thought to be over-quota do fishery officials take notice. 
The sharpest declines in catch attract no attention from modern management 
because they do not qualify as over-fishing ..yet declines are where the 
real trouble lies.
We will always have & need catch restriction, but I believe we must also 
bring Ecology, Biology & Physiology to this fight.
Know this: Just one small step beyond a 'restored' fishery lies an 
'engineered' fishery: There is where management must take us.
In truth we're already there with tog.
Waiting for them to pick up on it.
Constant or Increasing Yield during Habitat Contraction equals Fishery 
Collapse.
Constant or Declining Yield during Habitat Expansion equals Fish Population 
Increase.
That's why Reef Restoration Makes Fishery Restoration Simple.

Regards,
Monty
Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservation Line 410 520 2076
http://www.morningstarfishing.com/

Watch the 
weather.


Check out the link on our web site to the local chapter of the  MSSA.   They are keeping us 
abreast on all the Fishing Issues.  From our  Oyster Bay Website, go to "More 
Fishing Info" on the left hand side, and click on "MSSA Atlantic Anglers".

Check the weather before driving hours to go offshore or fish the surf.  Go 
to  
Coastal Marine Forecast to get an idea of the weather and height of the 
waves.

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz of the "Thelma Dale V" Reports from Fisherman's Wharf 
on Dec 15th:

.... We will be trying to run special trips for Codfish, Ling and Tog 
throughout the winter; weather and some willing participants allowing. There 
is a complete list of all trips on our calendar link from the website at 
fishlewes.com I look to start up again with our regular schedule sometime in 
early March. If you would like any more information about trips sailing out 
of the Wharf or you are interested in booking a private charter or you would 
like to reserve a spot on an upcoming special trip please give us a call at 
(302) 645-TUNA.

His full report and boat info is  
here.

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz
Thelma Dale V
catchfish@verizon.net"

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle (302-227-7974)  posted on Jan 16th: "A few 
stripers reported on the last of the outgoing tide in the Inlet. Long lining 
with deep water flies. Warmer temperatures in the forecast later this week. 
Outgoing tide will probably be best with the sun warming up the water in the 
bays. Water temps are still a little above normal average for this time of 
the year. Nothing to report from the beach lately."



 Capt.Dan Stauffer (866-623-4746) of the  Fin Chaser does wreck, 
inlet and trolling trips.


 VA 
charters.
(Wilson Cropp Charters and Guide Service. Cape Charles, VA- 1-434-531-6376) 
Stripers....Flounder....Drum...  Speckled Trout....Tog...  Eco tours as 
well.



CHECK OUT the Fish Talk Forum - At 
The Beach - Fishing Ocean City MD Assateague Island - Delaware Fishing 
Beaches


 (Just a note to say to my readers that many of my fishing reports are from
other anglers and party boats that come over my e-mail. When I "copy/paste"
their reports I try to leave them intact. It keeps the fishing reports
lively and interesting. But any comments/politics within the quotes are
their comments and views, and not necessarily mine.)

Need info on where, how, when to fish, crab, and clam? Go 
to  
Drifting Easy Archives and READ UP! It's all in there and it's 
FREE!!!!!!

 James A. Donofrio, executive director of the  Recreational Fishing 
Alliance
has been actively working on the fisheries crisis. The RFA believes the 
future of our fisheries is dependent on fixing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act which has laid down strict time-frames that 
do not take into account livelihoods and that a fishery is rebounding 
steadily.


Need to tie a knot? Click 
Here. This is really cool! You can also click  Here!


Maryland Fishing License

Anglers fishing in Ocean City will need to purchase a  saltwater fishing
license. This license will cover both the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal
waters and surf of Ocean City and Assateague Island. Yes, this includes surf 
fishing. If you already have a Chesapeake Bay Saltwater license you are good 
to go!  Anglers will be able to purchase the license  online. The
license you want to choose is "Bay and Coastal Sport"  You can either choose
a year-round or 7-day.  The online site will add on a small convenience fee. 
The state has set the tackle stores up with paper licenses so we can do your 
licenses in our stores.
If you know you are coming to Ocean City,and you want to get it done ahead 
of time you can
also call a toll free number (1-800-918-2870)
or print and mail in an   application.  Boat 
Licenses: $50 and everyone on your boat can go
fishing without a license. You will get a personal license along with your 
boat license, so you can go shore fishing as well. They will send you your 
sticker for your boat in the mail.  If you come to our stores, in season, we 
will have the stickers.

Mail the application to their main office:

Maryland Dept. of Natural resources
Annapolis Service Center
P.O. Box 1869
1804 West Street, Suite 300
Annapolis, MD 21401


If you are going to be fishing on a private boat with someone who has a Boat
License, you don't have to buy a license, but you do have to   register online. This
is free but cannot be done over the phone.Print out your number and keep an 
id with
you when you go fishing. You can also download it to your smart phone and 
show it to the DNR officer.
It only takes a couple minutes. If you have no printer or smart phone, write 
down the authorization number.

Another interesting note about the license is that if you buy a VA license,
it is good in MD, and vice versa. If you are fishing in MD with a VA licence
you do need to register with MD online. Again, this is free. This is so each
state can "try" to figure out "how many" fish are being caught in their own
individual states.  (VA Free 
Registry)

If you want to go fishing in Ocean City without a license, your choices will
be the "Oceanic Pier" or to go fishing on a party or charter boat.  You can
also go crabbing and clamming in Ocean City without a license. Or you can
fish off your own private dock.

Senior citizens 65 and older. Cost is $5 if you have a MD driver's license 
and are a resident of MD,
but if you are a non-resident there is no break. No break for boat licenses 
either. $50 resident or non-resident,
plus around $3 for the internet fees.

Contact Info
If you have any questions regarding Maryland's sport fishing license
requirements, you may contact Fisheries Service via e mail:
customerservice@dnr.state.md.us or by calling (410-656-9526).


Following is the fee schedule for 2011:

Senior License (year round) - $5.00
Resident License (year round) - $15.00
Resident License (7-day) - $6.00
Non-resident (year round) - $22.50
Non- resident (7-day) - $12.00
Pleasure Boat Decal (covers everyone on boat - year round) - $50.00
Commercial Fishing Pier License (year round) - $290.00

No license is required for:
Boat decal passengers
Those fishing in "free fishing" areas
Those fishing from their waterfront properties
Anglers under 16 years old
Anglers fishing on a licensed charter, party or guide boat
Anglers fishing commercially under a valid license

For more information, log onto www.dnr.state.md.us

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