May 13th, 2013

Water Temp: 56.7

Fishing Report by Sue Foster

Keeper stripers in the surf! Lots of blowfish in the surf. Good flounder
fishing... Bluefish...Croaker.... Even an 8 pound sea trout in the Ocean
City Bay!  What more could you ask for!  (Besides weather....)  Stripers
were caught from the Route 50 Bridge and Indian River Inlet. Good sized
blues were reported from the surf and bays. The first Mako shark was
reported.


 Oyster Bay will be open 8-5 Mon-Wed Thursday 8-7 Friday-7-9  and Sat-
 6-8 & Sun-7-6. Fenwick Tackle will be open most days 7-6. (Till 8-5 on
 Wednesdays) Friday and Sat will stay open till 7 at least.  E-mail Sue
 Foster at:  Oyster Bay
 Tackle. The  online
 mall is open. Good time to get those fishing licenses out of the
 way!  We have MD licenses and 2013 boat stickers at our Oyster Bay
 location. De Licenses are sold at our DEL location. We can also do MD
 licenses at our DEL location if we're not too busy. I've been selling
 MD fishing licenses at Oyster Bay since we opened and it is really easy
 once you're in the system. If you have last year's license, bring it in
 with you, and all we have to do is punch in the DNR ID number to bring
 up your info! Otherwise, bring in your Driver's License. For DEL boat
 fishing stickers you MUST bring in a current boat registration and a
 driver's license. Locals, please try to avoid Memorial Weekend to get
 your licenses!!!

BTW, There's a mistake in the MD Fishing Guide about clamming. If you
are out of state it IS legal for you to catch clams in Worcester Co. The
state fixed the mistake online, but of course, thousands of Guides were
already printed! I have had several e-mails about this.


(Yea!!!!) The Bulkhead at 2nd thru 4th Street is finally finished and
anglers can now fish there again. It is a free fishing zone but you
still need to obtain a free registry. We can do that for you at Oyster
Bay Tackle or call 1-855-855-3906.

2013
Tide Charts are now available in our stores and online. Go to our website and click on More Fishing Info.

Flounder season is now open in MD- Minimum Size - 16" Creel - 4 fish
open all year.  (DE is 18-inches until they officially change it to
17-inches. I heard rumor that might be several weeks or longer...)

New Ocean City chart by Capt Seagull available:
Buy at Oyster Bay Tackle or online.  The bay portion of this chart is a
little small, but it shows the nearshore Reef Sites with numbers.

2013 White Marlin Open T's are here! Instore or Online.  href="http://cart.oysterbaytackle.com/clothing-t-shirts-short-sleeve-c-
>69_73">2013 Shark Tournament shirts and href="http://cart.oysterbaytackle.com/clothing-tank-tops-c-69_76/2012-
>ocean-city-shark-tournament-pocket-tank-in-ash-p-823">tanks.
>
>>>>>>
Stopping in to Oyster Bay Tackle or Fenwick Tackle? Clip out a coupon
for xtra savings!  Coupons

After a week of unrelenting Easterly wind, it finally calmed down on
Wednesday. Anglers hit the surf and called in to say they were catching
lots of blowfish, sand sharks, skates, some blues, and some stripers
(lots of shorts.)  On Thursday we finally heard of some keeper stripers
from the surf.


Richard Bell from Ocean City, fished North Ocean City Beach and caught a
44 inch Rock during the low outgoing tide using Bunker as bait.  The
Striper weighed in at 28.5 pds. (At low tide, you can walk out to the
outer bar and get to the bigger fish!)

His picture is in our  Surf
Fishing Photo Gallery.

"Jon G" posted on Stripers Online about his keeper from the Ocean City
surf on Sunday: "Got a few shorts and a 35" mid oc today. I spent a
great deal of time this weekend scouting the beach from IRI to oc inlet
and have to say Ocean City beaches look the best as for structure. I had
fresh bunker from Kent Island but everything came on clams, even twice
frozen clam."

Another angler came into Fenwick Tackle on Saturday to say he caught a
34" striper from the Fenwick Beach on Friday. We heard of some other
keeper stripers from 3 R's Beach. Old Inlet was having a one day Tournie
on Saturday and we heard of some blues over 30-inches were caught, some
keeper stripers, and at least one red drum.  Anglers came in to say
blowfish were all over the beach.  One man said he was doing good
catching them with Fishbite bloodworm in combination with orange clam or
crab fishbites. Others use real bloodworm in combination with squid or
any other kind of cut bait on a kingfish rig (small #6 hooks.) Blowfish
(Northern Puffers) are very good to eat.

"PinMD" posted that he caught and released two 38-inch black drum from
the Assateague surf. on the 8th.

"Trimic" posted on Sunday: "Over the weekend from Deleware beaches. 4
nice striped ones at 36, 37, 38, and 43. All within a few hours of one
another in 3 days of hard fishing. Good times during the downtime and
happy about the stripers."

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!

Our online mall is now open and we have: 
Trailhead Tire Deflators!  The Oasis brand is back in stock.

  Surf
Packages, complete with sinkers. (Also flounder, Aqua-Clear, Swim
Shad, and Got-cha Plug Packages.)


J.J. from the Oceanic Pier (410-289-2602) reported good action all
around with bluefish, shad, tautog, flounder, and lots of Northern
Puffer fish. (You do not need a fishing license to fish the Oceanic
Pier.)


 Larry Jock of the  Coastal
 Fisherman reports from inshore on Friday and Saturday:

"Stripers (and nice size bluefish) have finally shown up for surfcasters
off Assateague. Look for a lot of action and big fish over the next
couple of weeks. Now would be a great time for boat anglers to get their
trolling gear out and troll off the Assateague Beach. Just don't get too
close to shore where you would interfere with the surfcasters. I would
bet you could pick up some quality fish on the troll, or chunk with
bunker.

In the bay, it was another good day for flounder fishing in the bay
behind Ocean City. The Thorofare seems to be the hot spot right now,
with minnow and Gulp! combinations working the best. Flounder are
DEFINITELY getting fatter!

Dave McKay had himself another limit day with 4 flounder caught on pink
Gulp! near the Rt. 90 Bridge. Largest measured 20.5-inches.


Brian Smith caught an 8 lb. weakfish and 3 flounder by the Rt. 90
Bridge. Used pink Gulp! for bait.

Jim Hughes and Scott Peters had 8 flounder in the Thorofare. Up to
24-inches.

Keath & Stacee Puller, Lenny Simmons and Bill Mullinix trolled up 11
flounder in the Thorofare. Largest was 21-inches.

Charlie Donohue from Philadelphia stopped by Oyster Bay Tackle to show
off his 19" flounder he caught on the top hook on a chartreuse gulp on
Sunday after the rain storm. He only fished a little while and caught
lots of shorts.

His picture is in our  Inshore
Photo Gallery.


Jeff Grimes Of Helbent Charters reports lots of action on flounder in
the Thorofare! "I Booked Several Trips This Week So Give Me A Call At
717-574-4010 Or Email Me At Helbentcharters@Hotmail.Com.Do No Forget To
Check Out My Website At Helbentcharters.Com. I Will Be Back On The Water
Next Weekend. See You On The Water. "  Jeff has one of the few charters
going out of North Ocean City."

Dave Beall of Dave's Delmarva First Mate Service didn't fish this week.
Check out his new web
site.

Stripers in the bay and Inlet!  We had reports of keeper stripers from
the Route 50 Bridge again this week. We've been selling a lot of Tsunami
Swimming Shads in 6-inch Sea Trout color this week. Apparently it's been
hot, hot, hot! Another angler continues to have good luck with pink Zoom
Salty Flukes soft bodies. Still another angler says he always does well
with White Swimming Shads. Had reports that the stripers turned on at
the Indian River Inlet as well.

Blues are also in the bay. I saw a nice one flipped over the rail of the
Route 50 Bridge on Saturday morning as I rode to work. Keep your eye out
for birds diving while you are flounder fishing. Blues have been
reported all the way into the bay around Route 90, Route 54, Verrazano
Bridge and even in the canals in the Ocean Pines!



 Flounder and Surf, Rig and Lure Packages, Selection of
Swimming Shads or Gotcha Plugs!  

Capt. Monty on the "
Morning Star sends us his update and comments on May 13th:

"Fish Report 5/11/13 Reef Dinner The 15th Been Diving, Not Fishing DC
Conference – MONF3

Have Room On Sunday's Tog Trip – Call 410 520 2076 For Info.

Last Tog Trip Until Fall on Monday, May 13th -- A reef building/fishing
trip. Need 5 or 6 anglers (OK w/8 too) willing to tote reef blocks &
help deploy them at a nearshore reef. We'll begin loading at 7:00 and,
hopefully, be tog fishing by 10:00. (blocks weigh 27 pounds apiece)
Charging $50.00 each I won't cover expenses - but it'll take-up some of
the sting. Looks to be a nice day – build reef, catch tog – Perfect.
Reservations For Monday's Trip at 410 - 520 - 2076. LEAVE YOUR BEST
POSSIBLE CONTACT NUMBER - Weather Cancelations Are Common - I Make Every
Attempt To Let Clients Sleep In If The Weather's Not Going Our Way..

Please email me directly at my mhawkins@mediacombb.net  address (because
my siteone address is having major trouble) for questions about this
reef building/fishing trip.

All Regulations Observed - 4 Fish @ 16 Inches. Tog limit drops to 2 fish
on May 16th. Green Crabs Provided.

LOTS & LOTS OF GREAT AUCTION/RAFFLE ITEMS -- BEST EVER! The Hall family
is hosting and, as always, donating in its entirety our OC Reef
Foundation fund raiser on Wednesday, May 15th from 5 to 7 at Hall's
Restaurant, 59th street bayside in OC, MD. All you can eat Italian; This
year we'll also have ham & beef carving stations served up by Anthony's
Carryout. Look for great silent, Chinese & live auction items and a good
time with many reef supporters.

I have opened my reservation book to sea bass reservations. NMFS,
however, will probably NOT announce our sea bass season until a few days
before the season Starts May 19th—here it is May 11th. Perhaps I missed
the press release... Ticket Prices For Sundays & Weekdays In 2013 are
$110.00 - Saturdays $125.00. Opening Day, Sunday, May 19th & Monday the
20th, however, will be Long Sea Bass Trips 6AM to 3:30PM - $125.00..
Ditto Friday & Saturday, May 24th & 25th.

Pre-regulation announcement sales will be transferable--BUT NOT
REFUNDABLE.

I have every reason to believe May 19th will be correct. Unfortunately,
these are dark times in Federal Fisheries Management.

Be A Half Hour Early - We Like To Leave Early. Clients Arriving Late
Will See The West End Of An East Bound Boat..

4,440 "oyster castle" reef blocks by the rail - 1,372 at Jimmy's Reef.
Need To Fund A New Truck Load Of Reef Blocks!

Greetings All, Still no trips.. Well one, but we only spent 15 minutes
fishing; a dive trip anyway. My highly experienced crew & I lowered
crabs onto the fairly new wreck/reef, Radford, and caught sea bass
(tagged & released) while rod & reel rookie (but deadly w/a speargun)
dive-guy Capt. Jeremiah instantly puts an 8 pounder in the boat.
Murphy's law relentless, we anglers perpetually endure fishing's
reality. Still, as calm and pretty a day as you could ask, the enduring
was easy this day. Diving at the Radford were famed underwater
videographer Nick Caloyianis, and another world-class diver/local reef
supporter, Ted Green. Documented since cleaning/prep & towing to
position, perhaps the metamorphosis from Navy ship to reef will be a
piece for TV one day.. A trade of sorts, I hope to get Nick and his 10s
of thousands of dollars worth of u/w camera gear down on some of our
natural corals soon—the ones we don't have in the science. . . Yet. You
can spend half a day on Nick's website http://www.nickcaloyianis.com

Went to the biggest fisheries conference I've ever heard of last week in
DC. At the luxury Mayflower Hotel in DC; those folks sure like some
fancy digs. Had 3 days of intense discussion with, literally, our
nation's top fishery & marine ecosystem managers. Did not go for fun,
went because I see/sense managers throwing in the towel on some species,
regions, & aspects of habitat/fisheries restoration where we have failed
to incorporate fishing's history, and crying "Uncle" because of climate
change. Can't & Never are two words I really dislike from upper
management. To illustrate climate change's reality, Alaskan superstar
manager, Cora Campbell, described an enormous region of ocean now
available to fishing that had always been ice before. Melting where
Magellan & so many others failed to find a route around & above North
America, the NW passage is now routinely transited by ships in summer. A
reflection of our modern age; this new seabed, once protected year-round
by ice, is closed to bottom trawl unless a permit applicant can
demonstrate no harm will come to this unexplored benthos. Mighty big
hurdle that; one which we surely did not benefit from on the East Coast
over a century ago. I think it safe to assert any bottom habitats which
could be lost to stern towed gears – were; have been for decades. While
I have described small impacts (with very real result) to recently
regrown bottoms, the major damage was virtually all done by 1975.

NOAA has a "Blueprint" for river, estuarine & marine habitat
restoration. Mid-Atlantic seafloor habitat, however, hasn't made it into
the science yet and so certainly hasn't made it into anyone's
restoration Blueprint. While conservation & preservation of what remains
is admirable, those efforts cannot restore lost habitat and its
associated fisheries production where no discovery has revealed their
loss. I think I failed to convince anyone that fishing's oral histories
would be vital to achieving real & lasting fisheries restoration. After
all, the Mid-Atlantic is recognized globally as a leader in restoration
because we have so many rebuilt species. Yet with no part of New England
in sea bass production, commercial fishermen caught more sea bass in the
1950s than in the 60 years since combined. Now with that vast granite
coast extending even above Cape Cod newly warmed enough to allow sea
bass settlement & spawning, our sea bass are said to be rebuilt.. But
we're closed — No Sea Bass Fishing Allowed Until... I'd say we've barely
begun to restore that tremendous population of sea bass easily seen in
fishing's history. And, if renewed efforts can get sea bass to where
they were in the 1950s — then there's no reason to stop.. Regrettably,
what I have heard repeatedly from top managers, people I truly respect,
is NEVER. "We'll never see it as good as it was.." (see Kelly's Heroes
'Oddball') http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuStsFW4EmQ Because the best
sea bass fishing I've ever seen was not in my first or second decade of
fishing, but in the beginning of my third; and because that peak
population is now well past: I'm positive managers have yet to fully
grasp powerful nuances of their craft found in increased habitat
production & forcing sea bass to spawn at a younger age.

They are coming to it for sea bass & tautog though. Slow and steady is
far better than "never."
http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/pdf/RAE_fisheries.pdf

In the last month I've also heard, "coral will not grow on concrete" &
"sea bass are abandoning the Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight and moving
north." Well, coral does grow on concrete. There's abundant evidence for
that. Assertions of sea bass moving north failed to account the
Florida/Georgia fishery. Yes, sea bass are able to thrive in rocky areas
of New England where they haven't before. Regardless of this northern
expansion, in the southern Mid-Atlantic we're very far from any
contraction of the species' range that may occur. We'd have to have
ocean waters warmer than Miami before sea bass found our ocean
completely inhospitable.

At the Managing Our Nation's Fisheries 3 conference (MONF3) I heard
desperation in discussions of gulf oil rigs, the "Idle Iron" dilemma.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, BOEM, has sided with the Coast
Guard in that old & abandoned oil rigs have to be dismantled to allow 85
feet of clearance. It's also true that red snapper are a singularly
contentious recreational fishery issue with lots of closed season and
strict limits. When they blow an oil rig for reclamation, red snapper
die in numbers. (please watch this news report:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYFKLkC7tpE ) When a ship strikes a coral
reef they'd better have deep pockets & good insurance — The reef will be
restored or NOAA & NGO lawyers will grind the company into dust. Yet
these old oil rigs, loaded with corals and fish, have to go away. Wow..
You'd think it a fairly easy matter to find mutually agreeable locations
to reef these old rigs; to get them out of harms way yet allow their
continued contribution to the Gulf's reef fisheries.

There is a tension in management's sole use of catch and fish population
estimates to restore fisheries, in their turning a blind eye to marine
reef production when its so plain to see with u/w video gear. We really
need to have the debate, "Artificial Reef: Attraction or Production." I
don't know, maybe fish living on steel reefs don't spawn..

Though I about fell over when I got the hotel bill, I thought I found
traction with some of my arguments at MONF3. 600 people - I'm really
glad I went. I chose my discussion-panel events not because they were my
keenest interest, but because I felt those discussions would offer me a
chance to spotlight either a weakening in management's resolve, or a
sidelining of rational science by incomplete or ill-informed data.. For
instance, "forage fish" on the east coast tend to be thought of as
menhaden and, increasingly, shad & herring. These estuarine species are
being driven into management with singular resolve by a large NGO. Many
recreational fishing groups also plainly see a need for firmer
management; yet sand eel and squid—incredibly important marine
species—remain absent any "forage" consideration.

It was Dr. Jon Hare's presentation at a different venue that caused me
to consider our situation in the Mid-Atlantic as unique. Because the
Gulf Stream is guided offshore & away by Cape Hatteras, while the
cold-water Labrador Current plies its way south and inshore, we actually
have a measurably higher sea level in the MAB than on the other side of
the Gulf current: It must be that the Gulf Stream actually dams the
Chesapeake & Delaware Bay's outflows along with the Labrador current's
end. It stands to reason that because nutrient outflows of CBay & DBay
are bottled-up: the southern Mid-Atlantic Bight really is turning green
faster than anywhere else ..not that anyone's measuring. Science will
see it plain as day in fishing's history though.

The greening of our sea has had effects we don't comprehend. Where men
fishing 40 & more years ago remember many white marlin regurgitating
masses of sand eels; (they had to clean up the mess) fishers today have
never seen sand eels in marlin. I would suggest this must mean that
today's habitat capacity, often expressed as "K" in the literature, is
lower; That our carrying capacity must be diminished if where these
billfish once fed no longer has blue water—if the inshore sand eel
populations are no longer accessible due to diminished water quality.
Raising K, increasing habitat capacity for marlin, would mean restoring
water quality to traditional billfish areas like Jackspot Shoal. No
small task, but doable.

Oyster reefs that maximize biofiltration are absolutely the best hope
for restoring blue water. Spawning as they do over hard-bottom reef, I
believe yesteryear's nearshore squid fishery is also simply replaced
with artificial reef; believe the habitat and squid are repairable.
Although the habitat repair won't be trawlable, I'm sure they'll find a
way to catch those squid should they flourish again inshore.

I reckon there'd be some sea bass there too.

We don't know how far gone marine water quality is & we don't know how
diminished the seabed's habitat ..but we could find out by collecting
fishing's history. I'm sure the repairs are going to be far beyond the
scope of fisheries management.

See some of you at the reef dinner. Regards, Monty "


Go to " Morning
Star to read Capt Monty's entire newsletter...

 E-mail Capt Monty at:  Capt
 Monty about upcoming trips or to subscribe to his newsletter:
 mhawkins@mediacombb.net

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

Watch the  weather.

 Help and Donate to
the Ocean City Reef Foundation!  http://www.ocreeffoundation.com/
It's a 501c3 tax deductable .org



 Joe at  Lewes Harbour
 Marina (302-645-6227) reports on May 10th: "May 10, 2013 - Drum
 Time Surf fishermen have been hooking into black drum over the past
 couple weeks, and boaters are now getting in on the game. The biggest
 boomers to hit the dock so far were brought in yesterday. Mason Newsham
 nailed a 75.7 pounder, and Richard Bloom boated a 64 pounder. They also
 had drum of 24 and 36.8 pounds while using clams at the Coral Beds,
 with Mike Newsham and Geoff Klopp aboard Local Girl. First of evening
 flood tide was best. Captain Ted had a pair of 40 pounders on the
 Indian Thursday night. Surf casters along Broadkill Beach continued to
 catch drum, and a few were beached by anglers working the wash at Cape
 Henlopen as well. Bert Long landed a 28 inch drum at Herring Point
 Thursday. Bert also released 7 short stripers, and had the surprise
 catch of two 14 inch croakers. It's early for hardheads, but hopefully
 a good sign for the season ahead. Lance Cochran captured a 21.7 pound
 linesider from the Herring Point surf using bunker. There was a good
 run of rockfish in the Broadkill surf midweek, when the weather was at
 it's worst. Cool east winds and damp, dreary conditions held bass in
 close to the beach. Several fishermen had limits of legal rock. Jack
 Austin, Tosh Tryon, Chris Vann and Brent Wiest limited out with Bass to
 18.5 pounds Tuesday. Jack Austin went back Wednesday and baited with
 clams to tempt an 18.8 pound striper from the suds. Flounder fishing
 came on good in Lewes Canal. D.J. Churchill and Bruce Phillips had
 their limit of 8 nice flatties to 23 inches while drifting minnows and
 shiners in the Canal Thursday. Bear Berezansky and Art Kitzmiller
 checked in four fluke to 22 inches plus a plump trout from the Canal.
 Chuck Hazel had a 5.75 pound flatfish using shiners on a chartreuse
 colored rig. Donald Lewis was working a minnow on a jig when he
 connected with a 6.9 pound doormat. John Gudknecht was surprised when a
 21 inch trout grabbed the Gulp! he was drifting in the Canal for
 flounder.Don't forget the CANAL FLOUNDER TOURNAMENT Friday May 17th.
 Complete details in last week's report. Tautog fishing was good for
 those squeezing in the last few trips of the Spring Season that closes
 May 11th. Limit catches were common among toggers at the Outer Wall and
 Ice Breakers, and reefs 6 and 7. Skip Long scored a 9.42 pound
 blackfish at the Breakers. Jacob Webb wound in an 8.21 at the Inner
 Wall. James Kossek caught a 7.69 pound tog at the Wall, and John
 Shoemaker stuck a 7.06 pounder at the Ice Breakers."



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

Stop by to the Oyster Bay Tackle location and buy your 2013 Ocean City
Reef Foundation Charts. The donation fee for these charts are $50. $54
if you use a credit card. These charts pin-point all the GPS numbers for
all the Artificial Reef materials that have been scattered near offshore
wrecks, reefs, and obstructions. The charts give you hundreds of numbers
to find fish. All the money collected goes back into the Artificial Reef
Foundation. Come to Oyster Bay Tackle or buy  online. 
(They are up in price, but all the numbers have been redone and the
charts are in book-form.)

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" fishes out of Fisherman's
Wharf. Here's his report from May 7th:

Despite some less than favorable conditions dished out by Mother Nature
we were able to get away from the docks five of the last seven days and
fortunate enough to continue enjoying some of the finest kind of Tautog
fishing.

I have had a lot of folks asking what we will do after the Tog season
closes until Sea Bass opens up. The last couple years we were able to
get out a few days fishing for the Drum or it is possible with good
conditions we may even try drifting for some Flounder.  Our Sea Bass
season will open up on May 19th so there will only be about a week of
fishing for whatever we can catch.  After the 19th opening I plan on
anchoring over Wrecks and Reefs as long as we can catch the Sea Bass
after that we will start to see a variety with both the Sea Bass and the
Flounder likely drift fishing when the conditions warrant later in June.



If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the
Wharf or you would like to book a private charter or reserve space on a
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)  reports on May 8th: "Just had
a report of a ten pound blue and some stripers from the Inlet this
morning. Wind is from the SE after 9 days of NE. Its is warming up out
there. Water has cleaned up faster than anticipated."

On the 13th Old Inlet posted the results of their surf fishing
tournament that was held on Saturday:

"There were 278 registered participants. 39 anglers scored approximately
100 fish. There were bluefish, striped bass, red drum, croakers,
kingfish, and blowfish caught.

Open Division -

1) Paul Smith 88 points $750 and trophy (all bluefish) 2) Donovan
Weirzbicki 78 points $500 and trophy (41" striper) 3) Ray Halfen 48
points $250 and trophy 4) William Keating 44 points $150

Womens Division

1) Mary Varela 14 Points $250 and trophy 2) Cindy Wesley 13 Points $75
and trophy 2) Donna Guttridge 13 Points $75 and trophy


Largest Fish of Tournament Donovan Weirzbicki 41" striped bass $1,000
Largest Bluefish of Tournament Donald Keebaugh 33" Bluefish $2,210"


Bill's Sport Shop (302-645-7654) in Lewes, DE reports on May 10th that
CJ, of Striper King Gear, caught a 35" striper at Lewes Beach on bunker
. Chuck Nagle of Bill's Sport Shop caught a 20”, 3#  flounder at
Massey's Landing on bucktail and pink Gulp! Matt Bomberger of
Downingtown, Pa.nailed a 26.1#, 41.5” linesider at 3R's Rd. on bunker.
Paul, from Bill's Sport Shop, pulled a 20" flounder over the rails at
Massey's Landing on his first cast using Gulp!  On another trip, Paul
managed to catch 3 flounder to 20” and 4 blue fish also in the 20” range
using bucktail and Gulp.  Paul says: “When the nats are biting so are
the fish .  Don't forget the bug spray“!. Dennis Mussari, Lewes, DE.,
caught this 18.5”, 2.5# flounder at Lewes pier on Gulp. Barry Hall,
Blacksburg, VA., caught a 38”, 19.2# striper on bunker at Broadkill
Beach. >>Lance Cochran, Milton, nailed a 38”, 21.65# striper on bunker
at Herring Point. Steve Hall, Bristow, Va., caught a 13.1#, 35” striper
at 3R's Rd. on bunker.  He also caught a 12” croaker the day before on
bloodworms at The Naval Crossing! Wow!!!"



Capt.Dan Stauffer (866-623-4746) of the  Fin Chaser does wreck,
inlet and trolling trips. Here's two of his reports from this week:

 "05/08/13 Out for a few hours of toggin’ with a crew of four from
 Stryker Medical in somewhat lumpy conditions. Bite was good but the
 size class wasn’t. After a couple hours the rolling waves started
 taking their toll on two of the anglers so we decided to call it a
 day."

 05/12/13 A mother’s day tog fishing extravaganza for this family of
 four from MD. Morning bite was far less than extravagant. After a few
 moves that only produced throwback size fish, I decided to give the
 piece we started on a second go. Sitting on the exact same spot as
 earlier we found great action and much better size.  By days end, we
 were one fish shy of our limit."

 Larry Jock of the Coastal
 Fisherman reports the first mako shark of the season on Friday! "he
 first mako shark of the season was boated by the crew on the charter
 boat, "Restless Lady". The 138 pounder was caught in the middle of the
 Baltimore Canyon (200 fathoms) in 67.4-degree water. The crew reported
 5 blue shark releases and seeing whales and false albacore tuna."

 Zach Blessing of Oyster Bay Tackle went fishing out of Solomon's Island
 and caught himself a nice 37 inch Rock, Got him on a 9 inch sassy shad
 trolling. They had 4 others in the box ranging up to 39 inches.  His
 picture is in our 
 Offshore Photo Gallery.



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

Dave Beall has retired from his "real job" and has set up a little local
First Mate Service. I have a lot of anglers ask to pay someone to go out
with them on their new boat and show them the waters and how to fish. I
also have anglers that would like to pay someone to teach them how to
fish off the beach. Check out his new web site.

 (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 or come to Oyster Bay Tackle to purchase one. Please bring
cash to buy your fishing license in our store.  If you go online, Logon
if you have ever had a MD fishing or hunting license in the past or
Enroll if you never had. Fill in all the information and click on
"Purchase License"  The license you want to choose is "Bay and Coastal
Sport"  You can either choose a year-round or 7-day. 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 (1-855-855-3906) 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 Oyster Bay Tackle, we have the
2013 stickers for sale.

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 and is done on the same site that you would buy
a license. Logon if you have ever had a MD fishing or hunting license or
Enroll if you never had. Fill in all the information and click on
"Obtain Registration" to print your free registration. Print out your
number and keep an id with you when you go fishing. You can also call
1-855-855-3906 during daytime hours. Be sure to write down the number
they give you. That will be your temporary license. (You also need to
get a free registration if you fish one of the free fishing areas in
Ocean City.)


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," the "Ocean Pier" or to go fishing on a party
or charter boat. You can now go fishing in one of the "free zones." 2nd
through 4th Street Bulkhead or Northside Park. (You need the free MD
registry to fish in these two areas.)  Come to Oyster Bay Tackle and we
can do that for you. You can also go crabbing and clamming in Ocean City
without a license. Or you can fish off your own private dock.

Ocean City now has two free fishing zones. The bulkhead from 2nd to 4th
Street (Chicago Ave.) and the Northside Park at 125th Street. You do not
need a license in these two places but you do need a "free registry." Go
 here to
register online. This is free and can also be done over the phone during
daytime hours of 7-7 at 1-855-855-3906. We can also do your free
registry at Oyster Bay Tackle.

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.

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 2012 & 2013:

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


If you have any fish reports please  e-mail Sue Foster at:  Oyster Bay Tackle.  E-mail me your
name and where you are from so we can put you in our weekly fish
reports!  


E-mail Sue Foster at:  Oyster
Bay Tackle if you have any questions about our inventory or if you
want to place an order for an item we do not have on-line.




 Holiday Shopping  Coupons



Good fishing...

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