2.8.10 8:33 pm

FRIDAY, February 5, 2010: As Delmarva braces itself for another snowstorm, the ASMFC released Maryland's 5 options for the 2010 flounder season. They are:

Option 1 - 3 fish @ 18.5" 4/17 to 9/21 season

Option 2 - 3 fish @ 18.5" 4/24 to 9/24 season

Option 3 - 3 fish @ 18.5" 6/8 to 10/30 season

Option 4 - 3 fish @ 18.5" 5/22 to 10/16 season

Option 5 - 3 fish @ 19.0" 4/17 to 11/22 season

In the writers humble opinion, Option 5 seems to be the best for maximizing our fishing season and allowing anglers to take advantage of the superb flounder fishing in September, October and even into early November. It would also open the season for those anglers who like to drift the Thorofare in April and May before all the tourists arrive.
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IMPORTANT: The State DNR is holding a meeting on Thursday, February 11th at Wor-Wic Community College at 6 pm in Guerrieri Hall Room 101. This meeting is open to the public and is being held to get a feel on which of the 5 flounder options the public favors. These meetings really do make a difference. The publics input plays a big part in determining which option will go into effect.
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WINTER ISSUES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING BOOTHS AT THE ATLANTIC CITY BOAT SHOW:
WORLD CAT
OVER/UNDER ADVENTURES
GALEFORCE SODABLASTING
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The FISHERMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON to protest the recent increase in closures and increased regulations will be held on February 24th. The bus leaving from the Ocean City Fishing Center is filling up fast. There are only 15 slots left on the bus. To reserve your spot, call 410-213-1121 or stop by the tackle shop. This is a very important event, and one that everyone should attend if they can.
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TUESDAY, February 3, 2010: A couple of us ventured out into the ocean to see if we could locate some stripers. Unfortunately, we struck out. Never marked a fish. Went to the Jackspot, African Queen, Winter Quarter Shoal and some other inshore spots. Looks like the season could be over.


TUESDAY, January 26, 2010: On Saturday, some anglers ran across schools of stripers on the Jackspot. Water temp out there is getting iffy... right around the 40-degree mark.

Don't forget to sign-up with the Ocean City Fishing Center to get on the bus headed to the Fishermen's March on Washington on February 24th. If you aren't getting on the bus, then hopefully we will see you there. THIS IS A BIG DEAL! Fishermen need desperately to get the message to Washington that the excessive regulations and increasing closures need to stop, or at least be based upon good numbers.


THURSDAY, January 21, 2010: Effective immediately, the South Jetty is permanently closed to jetty fisherman from the "hump" to the tip. Between the angler who died after getting swept off the Indian River Jetty and around a half dozen getting knocked off the South Jetty, the Maryland DNR felt that it is unsafe for fishermen to fish off the South Jetty.

A reader emailed me a link to an incredibly cool video. You gotta check it out at http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=pQ50PYMXDCQ


WEDNESDAY, January 20, 2010: I attended the Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting last night. Here are the highlights:
*** Maryland is working on a Recreational Fishing License that will take effect in January 2011. Until then, anglers need to register with the Federal Angler Registry.
*** Weakfish stocks and catches are at an all-time low. Looks like the 2010 regulation will go to 1 fish per person/per trip. Size will probably stay at 13-inches.
*** Black sea bass is currently closed in state and federal waters. In 2010, the season will be open in June and September. There is a possibility that the Total Allowable Catch for 2010 will be doubled, meaning that the season could be open for at least 4 months. The meeting to discuss the change in TAC will be held on Feb 2nd.
*** 2010's flounder regulations will shoot for a reduction in catch of 14% to 25%. Several options were laid out, with most in the room favoring an early-April to mid-October season. Size will likely be 18.5-inches, although a 19-inch minimum is being considered if it will add fishing days in the fall. It looks like the creel limit will be 3 fish per person.
*** It looks like Delaware and Virginia will be at an 18.5-inch minimum size for flounder in 2010.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS TO ATTEND THE FISHERMEN MARCH ON WASHINGTON ON FEBRUARY 24TH TO PROTEST EXCESSIVE REGULATIONS AND CLOSURES!!!

The Ocean City Fishing Center is providing a bus to take local anglers to the march. You can sign-up at the OCFC to reserve your seat. A $20 refundable deposit is required and will be refunded to you when you show up on Feb. 24th. If a 2nd bus is needed, the cost of the additional bus will be split among everyone who goes, and will cost around $15 per person. The march begins at 12 noon at the Capital.
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FISHING REPORTS:

SUNDAY, January 17, 2010: Horrible day today. Wind and rain. I did check the buoy reports and water temperature is on the rise... at least temporarily. The Inlet was up to 39.9-degrees and the weather buoy 16 miles off the coast got up to 42.5-degrees.


SATURDAY, January 16, 2010: In the morning, the ocean was flat as a pool table. Stripers, along with a few flounder, were seen 3-miles south of the Jackspot. Water temp hovered around 41-degrees. (What on earth are flounder doing in 41-degree water?) The stripers were not as thick as the previous 2 days and were definitely smaller. The dreaded dogfish showed up also.

All of the action could be heard on "Kelly's Chins plus 14".


FRIDAY, January 15, 2010: Seas weren't as nice as yesterday, but the fishing sounds like it was every bit as good. A lot of stripers were seen in the same location as yesterday, just south of the Jackspot. Stripers ranged from 29 to 34 inches. Water temp was around 40-degrees.


THURSDAY, January 14, 2010: An incredibly beautiful day on the water. No wind. Seas 2 feet. Sunny. A good number of stripers were found a little south of the Jackspot today in 65-70 feet of water. Water temp was 41.6 degrees. Stripers ranged from 29 to 34 inches. Not huge, but plenty of them.


MONDAY, January 11, 2010: Water temperature in the ocean rose slightly, up to 41-degrees. Inlet remains in the high 30's. A few of us are going to try on Thursday.

I spoke with Capt. Mark Hoos on the "Marli", a boat that sails out of Sunset Marina. He is crushing stripers out of Virginia Beach. Capt. Mark told me that he was running way south to get his fish, and he said they were B-I-G! Yesterday, he actually ran north and got into smaller fish, but they caught their limit.

Michelle Clemente spoke with a representative from Mann, maker of the famous Stretch lures. Looks like the good success anglers found with the Stretch 30 "Cabo Sunset" lure propelled the lure into their Top 10. Mann couldn't figure out why, until Michelle alerted them to the success anglers were having using the lure to catch stripers in the Delaware Bay and off the MD & DE coast.

There is "whispering in the wind" that the 2010 sea bass quota, which lead to a 2-month season this year, may be doubled. No early word yet on flounder. What's the chances of our government friends doing the corrrect and courageous thing? Don't bet on it. Stay tuned!


SATURDAY, January 9, 2010: Haven't forgotten you guys! Nobody has really fished since New Year's Eve. Water temp has really dropped... down to under 40-degrees, the temp when stripers disappear.

If you still have striper fever, two good local boats are running striper trips out of Virginia Beach. The "Playmate" and the "Marli" have been having good luck on linesiders. I spoke to Capt. Mark Hoos on the "Marli" last night and he said they are having to run far south to get into the fish. Makes sense since the boys out of Oregon Inlet are really smokin' em.

Haven't pulled my boat yet. I'm hoping to get in one last trip. Stay tuned.


MONDAY, January 4, 2010: Haven't forgotten about the fishing report... just too darn windy for anyone to fish. It's supposed to blow all week.


FRIDAY, January 1, 2010: Jackspot was dead again today... anglers found some fish just east of the Isle of Wight Shoal in 70-feet of water. All of the fish were on the bottom.


THURSDAY, December 31, 2009: Three boats found large schools of stripers under birds around 9 miles off the OC Inlet while on their way to the Jackspot for some bluefishing. The Jackspot was dead... nothing happening.


WEDNESDAY, December 30, 2009: Fishing was horrible today. Only one boat hooked into some stripers and bluefish at the Jackspot. They also saw some around 10 miles off the Ocean City Inlet. All the other boats got skunked.


SUNDAY, December 26, 2009: As far as fish are concerned, inside of 3 miles continues to be dead. Nothing! Anglers bluefishing on the Jackspot also caught and released some stripers. Some were also seen around Fenwick Shoal. Looks like the fish are still a good ways off the beach eating sand eels.

The big story was the OC Inlet, which was as rough as I have ever seen it. For most boats, it was just impossible to get out, it was that bad. Those that did make it deserve EVERY fish they caught.

Inlet water temperature up to 45 degrees.


FRIDAY, December 25, 2009: Merry Christmas to everyone!

Took a trip down to the Inlet this morning. Seas were a little roughed up... not as bad as I expected though. Inlet was really nice. One lone boat. Saw the water temperature in the Inlet was up to 44-degrees. Ocean buoy off the coast showed 49-degrees. All is right for stripers.


THURSDAY, December 24, 2009: Ocean got a little rougher today... wind was 15 mph out of the north. I know a couple of anglers went out early and released some stripers around the Bass Grounds and then shot inside and caught 4 keepers on Little Gull Shoal. Nice to see them inside the 3-mile line.

A sidenote... Tommy Fowler told me that the stripers he caught had conch's in their stomachs. He also said that when he and his son Noah beached their boat the other day on Assateague Island to do some exploring, he said there were thousands of conch shells washed up on the beach. Maybe the stripers are cruising the beach sucking up the conchs?

Angler told me it was so cold this morning (24-degrees) that the spray was freezing on his windshield.

We have some bad weather coming our way. Next decent fishing day looks like Monday.


WEDNESDAY, December 23, 2009: A repeat of yesterday... inside 3 miles it was dead... no birds most of the day and no fish. Anglers in search of bluefish around Isle of Wight and Fenwick Shoals hooked into some stripers under birds in 60-70 feet of water. Fish were up to 50.5-inches. All on the troll... chartreuse.

That Stretch 30 Cabo Sunset lure is still hot. Caught and released 4 on it today. I know Sunset Provisions and Capt. Mac's Bait & Tackle have them. Check with your favorite local tackle shop. They can easily order you one.


TUESDAY, December 22, 2009: A few anglers ventured out in the ocean today. Seas were flat on the beach, but got progressively choppier as you headed offshore.

Anglers who stayed inside 3-miles had a horrible day. No birds... no fish. Anglers who were bluefishing off Isle of Wight Shoal found a few stripers. One even had a monkfish hit their Stretch 25.


SATURDAY, December 19, 2009: No fishing today... wind blew a steady 30-40 mph. No snow to speak of in OC... just rain and some sleet.


FRIDAY, December 18, 2009: Not a lot of stripers caught inside of 3 miles today. The "Get Sum" had two caught on the Stretch 30 Cabo Sunset lure at Little Gull. Other anglers found more fish further south along the 3-mile line and also up north just off Sea Colony.

Anglers heading to the inshore lumps still found bluefish roaming the waters, but also found a lot of birds diving on baitfish being balled by striped bass. The most birds were found from the 3-mile line out to Isle of Wight Shoal along with some around Fenwick Shoal.


TUESDAY, December 15, 2009: Frustrating day for anglers... no birds... not many fish. Some stripers were released in the morning between Isle of Wight and Fenwick Shoals. Other than that, it was slim pickings.


MONDAY, December 14, 2009: Tough day on the water. No real bird action... kind of scattered.

The "Get Sum" was able to bring back 2 stripers from up off 117th Street. Some stripers were seen around the 1st Lump at the Bass Grounds and also along the 3-mile line off the Assateague Bridge.


SUNDAY, December 13, 2009: Windy day kept most at the docks. No reports of fish.


SATURDAY, December 12, 2009: Fantastic striper fishing today! Anglers were able to pick away at them close to the beach off the Carousel Hotel (117th Street). Big schools were also found by anglers trolling and jigging a little south of Isle of Wight Shoal. Find the birds... find the fish.

Kevin Weber hooked a bunch of fish off 117th Street, keeping a 41-incher and a 43-incher. Kevin said his Mojo rig set-up with a black rubber shad was the hot ticket for him.

The "Get Sum" came back with 5 keepers, also caught in the 117th Street area. Capt. Nick usually trolls Mojo rigs and Stretch's.

I caught myself a bunch of stripers yesterday while trolling Mojo's and Stretch 30's. Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina turned me on to a Stretch 30 Cabo Sunset lure. Joe said it was the hot Stretch lure in the Delaware Bay this fall, and I gotta tell you, I burned them up yesterday on that lure so I picked myself up a couple. Of the 19 stripers I hooked, 6 were on that lure, plus another 2 fish shook loose, giving me 8 stripers on that one lure alone. Sweet!

Looks like the big schools have bluefish have passed us by (Thank God!). Some were caught on the inshore shoals yesterday, but nothing in the numbers we have seen during the last 4 weeks.

Hopefully, the larger schools of stripers will move closer to shore and start banging on the schools of bunker seen cruising off the beach. Right now, it seems that the stripers farther offshore are munching on sand eels.


WEDNESDAY, December 9, 2009: Nasty weather... nobody fishing. Water temperature in the Inlet is ranging between 52.7 and 54-degrees. Getting close to that 50-degree number where the bluefish are mostly gone and stripers dominate the local action.

On a side note, a couple of days ago I mentioned in this report that large bluefins were seen airing out around the 3rd Lump. I spoke to another angler today who saw them at the same day pushing water around Fenwick Shoal. Anglers who have tried to hook these southbound bluefins will tell you how difficult it is to get them to take your bait.

Today, I spoke to a Captain who is fishing for giant bluefins down in Morehead City, North Carolina. He told me that bluefin tuna need warm water to digest their food. Therefore, when bluefins are cruising by us on their way to their winter grounds off North Carolina, they aren't eating because it is too far for them to find warmer water to assist with digestion. When you see them rolling on top, they are gulping the inch of top water that is warm enough to help their digestion process. An interesting theory.


TUESDAY, December 8, 2009: Water temperature in the Inlet is 52-degrees.

Snotty seas today. Pat Hurley and crew caught some stripers and bluefish on Little Gull.

Others ran across schools of stripers and bluefish around Fenwick Shoal and Isle of Wight Shoal.

Yesterday, bluefins in the 100-150 lb. class, were seen airing out around the 3rd Lump.


MONDAY, December 7, 2009: Finally, a good bite to report. Stripers were caught in good numbers in the Inlet, although you really had to weed through shorts to get your keeper.

Anglers also reported releasing good numbers of stripers, while bluefishing, around Fenwick
Shoal, Isle of Wight Shoal and the 1st Lump. Fish were hooked on the troll, while drifting with live eels and while jigging. Water temp is zeroing in on 50-degrees.

Bluefish can still be caught closer to shore.

The Ocean City Reef Foundation dropped a couple loads at Little Gull today.


SUNDAY, December 6, 2009: The striper bite in the Inlet was definitely better than in the ocean. Anglers trolling along with beach pretty much came up empty, although there were plenty of bait showing up on sounders.

The "Get Sum" returned with a 37-inch, 18 lb. striper caught on the troll off the 140th Street.

Anglers in the Inlet were able to catch a few. Water temperature is getting close to 50 degrees, so the bite should be getting better.


FRIDAY, December 4, 2009: Not much caught inside today. Anglers ran south towards the Assateague Bridge and had none. Anglers ran all the way up to the Indian River Inlet and struck out. Some stripers were caught by those bluefishing on inshore lumps. A lot of birds were seen working this morning off 133rd Street and also around 2nd Street.


THURSDAY, December 3, 2009: Ocean was too rough to fish today. A few stripers were caught in the bay.

"The King" landed a 34-incher and a 36-incher on the troll in the bay behind Assateague Island.

David Rippy caught a 38-incher near the Rt. 50 Bridge. Weighed 20 lbs.


WEDNESDAY, December 2, 2009: Looks like the same ole story... big bluefish roaming the inshore waters. Both Bill Regan and Brian Behe both reported all the bluefish you wanted... and they are BIG!

Jack at Ake Marine did report some stripers biting around the South Jetty on Black Salties.


TUESDAY, December 1, 2009: The "Samurai I" ventured 5 miles north of the DE line and had 6 keeper stripers. Two were caught on the troll and the other four were caught on live eels. They also had a few chopper bluefish as well.


SUNDAY, November 29, 2009: Well, if you want to catch bluefish... big bluefish, now is the best time you will ever find. The inshore waters are LOADED with choppers ranging from 7 lbs. up to 15 lbs. Stripers are also mixed in, but you have to work through the bluefish to get to them. Don't put any soft plastic out, because it is going to get destroyed. Trust me, I know first hand!

The ocean is absolutely loaded with bait, with most marks coming in close to the beach after all the west wind we've been having. There was no rhyme or reason to the fish, with some stripers seen rolling on top and others caught below the balls of bait. Water temperature in the Ocean hovered around 54-degrees.

The best striper bite over the weekend was across the line into Delaware waters. Anglers fishing off Sea Colony really mugged them up. Anglers fishing just on the MD line also were able to catch some nice fish, especially early on Sunday morning.

The BLACK FRIDAY ROCKFISH TOURNAMENT at the Ocean City Fishing Center was an absolute blast! This has really turned into a fun tournament with the proceeds going to the Worcester County Autistic Children's Support Group. This year, the group received over $4,700!!!!

First place went to the "Playmate" for landing a 20 pounder, caught by Tim Hopkins while trolling near the MD/DE line. Capt. Willie had a great 2 days, landing 11 stripers and also winning Maggie Hopkins the "Top Junior Angler" title with a 15 pounder. The "Playmate" crew won $2,035 for their 1st place finish. Maggie took home a rod and reel combination.

Second place went to Doug Southworth on the "Stripe Tease" with a 19 pounder caught while trolling tight to the beach off 70th Street. The second place finish was worth $635 in award money. Although there was another 19 pounder caught, Doug's fish broke the tie by being the first to the scale.

Third place was won by Andy Petrusis on the "Bitter Salts" with a 19 pounder. The fish was caught on the troll, south of Little Gull Shoal and was worth $690 in award money.

Fourth place was a tie between Ben "EEL BOY" Pollmeir and Chuck "STOGIE MAN" Wenzel. Each caught an 18 pounder while fishing on the "Get Sum". The fish were caught on trolled bucktails off 94th Street and was 2 of 5 caught on the "Get Sum" on Sunday. The duo split $160 for their 4th place finish.

Elsewhere, Rich and Baron Daiker caught 3 stripers between 30 and 41-inches on the troll around Little Gull.

Kevin Weber caught a 39-inch striper on the troll just a couple of hundred yards off the beach around 140th Street.

The "Bay Bee", now running weekend striper fishing trips in the bay, had 12 stripers with 2 being large enough to keep. All were caught in the Inlet on live spot.


THURSDAY, November 26, 2009: Not the greatest day weather-wise. Some boats did give it a shot. The "Get Sum" came back with another catch of tog from the Inlet. A few boats ventured out into the ocean, but no luck. One angler caught a nice striper around the Rt. 50 Bridge during the night.


WEDNESDAY, November 25, 2009: The "Get Sum" had Gene Yhim and his buddy Ed on board today and came back with a nice catch of tautog from the Inlet. All bit on green crabs. The guys headed out into the ocean in search of stripers, but the rough seas made them turn back after a short drift.

TUESDAY, November 24, 2009: As the diving birds just outside the Inlet tease us, we are unable to head out due to nasty weather. I'm beginning to despise Mother Nature!


MONDAY, November 23, 2009: Horrible weather. No reports.


Sunday, November 22, 2009: Very windy, causing roughed up seas. Kept all but a few at the docks. Those that went returned early.

The "Playmate" had another good trip, venturing up to the Maryland/Delaware line. They once again trolled 16 rods on planer boards, returning with 7 stripers and all the big chopper bluefish they wanted. The fish were caught on umbrella rigs. A really nice class of fish. Good and fat!

Also fishing in the morning was the "Muff Diver" who also fished up on the Maryland/Delaware line. The anglers returned with 5 stripers and all the choppers they wanted.

In the afternoon, the "Playmate" returned to their honey hole with another charter group, returning with 6 stripers and a load of bluefish.

Other schools of stripers and bluefish were seen rolling on top 11 miles straight out from the Ocean City Inlet.

I also saw Hunter Dortenzo hauling 2 nice stripers up to the cleaning station at the Ocean City Fishing Center. Not sure where he got them, but I'm betting on around the Rt. 50 Bridge.

Kevin Weber went running when he heard birds were busting around Little Gull. Fired up the "Patty Wagon Part Deux" and braved the choppy seas, returning with 2 stripers caught on the troll.


Saturday, November 21, 2009: Very slow day, both in the bay and the ocean. The "Playmate" was high hook, coming back with 8 stripers caught right on the 3-mile line, 2 miles north of the Maryland/Delaware line. Capt. Willie was trolling 16 lines on planer boards and all the fish hit on trolled umbrella rigs.

Max Thumma caught himself a 32-incher in the bay behind Assateague Island

The AKE Marine Primetime Rockfish Tournament was held today. The winners were:

1st place - Dale Miller - 24.9 lb. striper (caught near Snug Harbor)
2nd place - Bob Carson - 16.9 lb. striper (caught off 115th St)
3rd place - John Lentz - 16.6 lb. striper (caught off 115th St)


Thursday, November 19, 2009: Striper action is really picking up, although you really need to put your time in to hit your limit.

The "Get Sum" had a good day, returning with 3 keeper stripers and some tog. All were caught in the Inlet... stripers on spot... tog on green crabs. Largest striper measured 37 inches.

"Skip's Guide Service" ended their day with 4 stripers in the box... all caught on live spot around the South Jetty.

There were also some small stripers caught in the bay behind Assateague, down by Snug Harbor.


Wednesday, November 18, 2009: Windy day... water in the bay is dirty. Some stripers being caught by anglers bluefishing on Fenwick and Isle of Wight Shoals. Schools have also been seen a little southeast of Great Gull.

Also heard of some nice stripers being caught near the airport.

Danny Cox landed a 41-inch striper on an eel around the Rt. 50 Bridge. He also caught a 31-incher near the Assateague Bridge.


Sunday, November 15, 2009: WARNING - according to the Coast Guard, the recent storm created a small sandbar in the Ocean City Inlet. The lump is between the north wall and Buoys 8 & 10 and is about 25 yards long, east to west. The Coast Guard told me that if you stay in the channel, you will be OK.

There were some birds working the lumps off 49th Street. Didn't hear of any fish caught though.

Anglers got into stripers off Sea Colony and those jigging found some on Fenwick Shoal.

Water at Isle of Wight Shoal was very dirty. Not much happening on Great Gull.


Wednesday, November 11, 2009: If you look up "crazy" in the dictionary, it will say "anybody who fished today". Constant rain and wind up to 40 mph kept everyone at the docks... well almost everybody. You gotta give props to Benny Thumma, Danielle Berardi and Kevin Weber for heading out today. No bites, but an "A" for effort and confirmation that these three are "CRAZY".

Last night, Dana Nelson caught a fat 45.5-inch striper, north of the Rt. 50 Bridge, while fishing with Mark Longanecker on the "Cup Cutter". The striper weighed 37 lbs. and was caught on a live eel.

I spoke with Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina today and he said that anglers drifting live bait in the Delaware Bay are coming back with really big stripers. Joe said that the hot spots were the mouth of the Delaware Bay, Buoy #6, south of Bouy #8 and Overfall Shoals. I know there are boats charter fishing out of Lewes Harbour Marina, so give Joe a call.


Tuesday, November 10, 2009: Fishing slowed a bit today. The bite on Isle of Wight was not very good. There was a good early bite of bluefish and stripers on and outside of Fenwick Shoal. Noah Fowler said the stripers he released were large. For the first time this fall, there were fish reported at the lumps off 28th Street.

Bill Regan reported a good mix of bluefish and stripers at the First Lump. Bill was trolling bucktails.

Skip Maisel reported catching a 46-inch bluefin tuna while fishing on the "Marilyn Sue" inside the Hambone.


Monday, November 9, 2009: Interesting day today with boats heading offshore in search of tuna and inshore boats looking for schools of bluefish and stripers.

First offshore... The "Reel Chaos" returned from an overnighter in the Baltimore Canyon with a 65-inch bluefin tuna, a couple of yellowfins and a swordfish release. Capt. Anthony reported catching the fish in 100 fathoms with water temps ranging from 62-64 degrees.

The "Wigg One" went deep in the Poor Man's Canyon and came back with a good catch of longfins and yellowfins.

There were also bluefin seen busting around the Jackspot and the Twin Wrecks.

Inshore, the bluefish/striper bite moved from Isle of Wight on Sunday to around Fenwick Shoal today. Fish were alternating between rolling on top and sitting right on the bottom. Anglers had luck casting poppers and dropping jigs. Those trolling Stretch's also did well.

The "Morning Star" returned with some nice catches of tautog and a 43-inch striper release.

In the bay, nice size stripers are being caught in the South Bay. The bay is loaded with shiners.

Ed Moore landed a beautiful 43-inch striper in the South Bay.

The "Get Sum" returned with 24 tautog, caught off Martha's Landing and 2 stripers caught around the Rt. 50 Bridge.

If you are looking for a bay striper trip, the "Get Sum" runs everyday. The "Bay Bee" is running striper trips on Saturday and Sunday. Groups can book the entire boat during the week. Skip's Guide Service is also running striper trips out of Ocean City.


Sunday, November 8, 2009: Fishing is absolutely excellent right now. The bite around Isle of Wight Shoal was really good today. A lot of big chopper bluefish and some stripers (mainly bluefish) rolling on the top. Excellent action on plugs. Underneath, some stripers fell to eels and jigs. Good fishing through the entire day!

Mainly bluefish, but a few stripers were caught near Great Gull today.

I didn't hear much about a bite on the lumps right off the beach today, but those really held some fish last year and produced a few tournament winners as well.

Some stripers were also caught around the South Jetty, in the Inlet and around the Rt. 50 Bridge. Tog are being caught off the Rt. 50 Bridge, around the South Jetty and just off the rocks at Martha's Landing.

Some really nice striped bass are being caught in the Ditch, which is the water just behind Harpoon Hanna's.

Saturday, November 7, 2009: Things are really starting to heat up.

The striper bite improved in the Inlet. One group of anglers caught 4 in the Inlet. Josh Farr called to report catching 2 in the Inlet, both measuring 37-inches.

The "Get Sum" had 2 beautiful stripers and 24 tog for their party of 6 anglers from Pennsylvania. One striper was caught at the Rt. 50 Bridge while the other was caught just off Martha's Landing. Both on live spot. The tog were caught on green crabs around the South Jetty. Capt. Nick Clemente is booking striper and tautog trips as we speak. If you are interested, you can reach him at 410-213-1121. The "Get Sum" is a really fun boat to fish on.

Chris Tilghman landed a 41-inch striper and Mike Tuel caught a 40-incher, both on live mullet in the bay behind Assateague.

Those venturing off the beach probably found diving birds and caught all the big bluefish they wanted (I know I did!). Between the Isle of Wight Shoal and the Bass Grounds was a prime location to land a chopper. Most of the 25 I caught ranged between 7 lbs. and 11 lbs. One chopper I landed spit up a whole 12-inch squid that was probably an inch-and-a-half in diameter. These bluefish were BIG and fought extremely hard. Some were caught while trolling while most anglers I spoke with caught them while jigging.


Thursday, November 5, 2009: Looks like the new weakfish regulations will take everyone to one per day. Definitely a good move. Stock is extremely low. Probably should have just put a moratorium on them for a few years.

Looks like the striper bite is starting to turn on. Anglers caught them in the Inlet where Ed Baker caught himself a 39.5 incher on an eel.

Sounds like there is a good striper bite in the Fenwick Ditch and also in the Indian River Inlet.

Inshore, Scott Hoffman and Steve Joyce ventured out to a little past Great Gull and brought back some really nice bluefish. Largest looked around 12 lbs. Caught while trolling Stretch 25's.


Wednesday, November 4, 2009: Good news. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission released their striped bass assessment. Here is a summary: "The 2009 Atlantic striped stock assessment update indicates that the resource remains in good condition with female spawning stock biomass (SSB) percent of the SSB target and 185 percent of the SSB threshold (see Figure 1). Estimated fishing mortality rates (F) in 2008 are equal to or less than 0.21 and below the target (0.30) and threshold (0.34) rates. The assessment provides stock status for the combination of the three primary stocks (Hudson River, Delaware River, and Chesapeake and tributaries). The striped bass stock complex is determined to be not overfish