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NOVEMBER 2012

HERE THEY COME – THERE THEY GO
October is normally the transition month for the summer species to depart and The black drum have long since packed up and headed South; weight citation bluefish (16 pounds), never arrived; the last of the cobia are easing down the coastline toward NC; the Spanish mackerel have departed; as of this writing, we are still awaiting the arrival of the yellow bellied spot; and school sized stripers are all over the Bay and it’s tributaries. The weight citation (40 pounds) stripers will be here around the changing of the year.

Instead of comparing the past 12 years, from the Saltwater Fishing Tournament weekly reports, I have decided to use the dates of the catches of the heaviest fish the fall and winter Chesapeake Bay species to set up housekeeping. I use the word “normally” so I can use several comparisons to make a point.

EXAMPLES recorded so far, and the date of the last weight citation for the respective species.

INDIVIDUAL SPECIES FACTS
Trying to stay in alphabetical order, by species, with a minimum weight of 80 pounds required, the 86 pound leader was caught on April 30, and the last weight citation was recorded on September 1.

There were no 16 pound minimum weight citations issued for bluefish, and only 4 release citations (36-inches) recorded. With a minimum weight of 55 pounds necessary for a weight citation, the heaviest fish, 97 pounds, was caught on May 29, and the last weight citation was written on September 22.

As of this writing (October 10), the heaviest croaker, weighing 3-4 (with a minimum weight of 3 pounds required) was recorded on July 2, and the last weight citation was recorded on September 13.

The heaviest flounder, 12-12, was recorded on June 25 and the last weight citation was recorded on September 28. The leader for gray triggerfish, (minimum of 4 pounds), was a 5-4 beauty, caught on June 7, the last weight citation was written on September 22.

With a 1-1/2 pound minimum weight for a citation, the Kingfish (roundhead) leader, weighing 1-9 was recorded June 9 and the last weight citation recorded was September 22. The leader for black sea bass (with a minimum weight of 5 pounds) was recorded on Sept 30 and although there have been 18 weight citations issued in 2012, there have been none since the leader was established.

Sheepshead, with a minimum weight of 10 pounds for a citation, has a 14-8 leader, caught September 16. This has been the last sheepshead in 2012 so far.

Speckled trout, with a minimum weight of 5 pounds required for a citation, has a 14-1 leader, caught February 24, and the last weight citation recorded was on September 16. Striped bass, with a minimum weight of 40 pounds for a citation, has a current leader weighing 74 pounds, caught January 20 this year; the last weight citation recorded for 2012 (as of this writing) was on May 19.

With a 9 pound minimum weight required for a citation, the tautog leader weighed 24-3 and was caught March 25. The last weight citation recorded for tautog was August 30.

OBVIOUS NAMES MISSING
As I scanned through the records for 2012 (so far) I found several species that had no entries beside them, or a species which normally would have either weight citation totals, release citation totals or both, with no entries for 2012.

As I stated at the onset, there were no 16 pound+ weight citations written as of the end of September. The most pleasant surprise of all the species we deal with inside the Bay, was the gray trout reports. You could probably count on one hand the number of gray trout CAUGHT in the past couple years. They started reporting catches of throw-back size gray trout (less than 12 inches) from Buckroe pier and the shoreline from Buckroe up to the mouth of Back River.

Going from the most pleasant reports to the most surprising, the spadefish name appears. I can’t remember when there were no weight citation (minimum of 9 pounds) fish caught, especially at the Chesapeake Light tower and around the Cell. There was just a total absence of the big brood fish. Hook and line anglers were catching plenty of small spadefish, but no citations. Several scuba divers made numerous dives around the spadefish hotspots and had the same reports. JUST NO BIG FISH.

With a pretty good blow just passing the Peninsula by, everyone is expecting the arrival of the yellow bellied spot. Even the Gill Netter's have spread their gear.
MY CLOSING CRYSTAL BALL REPORT

Pier anglers and “skinny water” anglers all along the Western portion of the Bay, have been raving about the presence of puppy drum everywhere. Initially the fish were from 7 – 10 inches; then they grew to 10-12 inches; then they hit the 17-inch + mark, Although there were not many keepers reported (minimum of 18-inches), the expectations for the 2013 season are sky high.

If King Neptune and Mother Nature both have a relaxing winter, we, the recreational anglers of the Chesapeake Bay should have a fabulous 2013 angling season.

There may be some changes to the regulations, so be sure to check out e very species you target, and stay within the law.
Tight lines, sharp hooks and strong knots.

JULY 2012

The Peninsula Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey
Foundation scheduled the weekend of June 2 & 3 to invite wounded service members, disabled veterans, and members of their families to a "little piece of Paradise." The location is in Isle of Wight and owned by Jimmy Chisman, his wife Anne and daughter Terry. 

Wounded Warrior Ron Matuszak with a catfish. 
Ron caught over 25 fish in 3 hours of fishing.

The 80+ acres of property has been developed into a home and training grounds.  The property also contains a moist magnet, two fresh water lakes (ponds) filled with largemouth bass, bream, crappie, chain pickerel, catfish and bowfin. 
 
The Chisman family was gracious enough to allow our chapter to use the larger or the two lakes to purchase 500 pounds of hatchery raised catfish from Dr. Lynn Blackwood, owner of Blackwood Farm hatchery in the Farmville area. 

The fish are placed in an aerated tank and delivered to the lake at a specified time.  They are delivered early enough before the actual fishing event, to allow them to become acclimated to their new home, and are fed hatchery feed pellets every three days until the fishing starts.
 
A Little About the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
Being very active throughout Virginia, the NWTF provides numerous, funded activities such as:
            Habitat
-In 2011, $450,222 was spent on habitat improvement projects.
- Developed 3,088 acres of wildlife openings.
-Spent $52,300 to purchase 37 acres of hunting accessible land.
Outreach Programs
-Spent over $230,000 to introduce over 240,000 youth to outdoor activities.
-Provided archery equipment to 194 state schools.
-Awarded $153,000 in High School Scholarships.

WITO
-Spent almost $60,000 on programs introducing women to the outdoors (WITO).
Wheelin? Sportsmen
- Provided  over 146 outdoor opportunities to over 2676 Virginia Wheelin' Sportsmen.
A few chapters, such as the Peninsula Longbeards, are concentrating on introducing our active, retired, reserve, and National Guard recovering wounded or disabled, to the joys of fishing both fresh water and salt water in our area.
 
In order for us to provide the recent opportunities to the participants, many of our volunteers and sponsors came together to form the respective committees required.  The chair-person was/is Sue Minnick and she did a very remarkable job.  She kept track of all the puzzle pieces, made sure they fit, and directed traffic. 
 
Participants/Volunteers 
We had volunteers from locals fishing clubs, from Bass Pro Shops, the Senior nursing class from Sentara College of Health Sciences had 15, nurses-to-be on Saturday and 22 present on Sun., Virginia Moose Association District 2 Lodges and Chapters, and a multitude of volunteers desiring to help the guy out. 

On Sunday we welcomed Assistant Baseball Coach David Mitchell, from the Carolina League Peninsula Pilot Team, and he brought 4 of their college players to assist.  These young men were tremendous.  They assisted the participants fishing, took fish off the hook, and most of them tried their luck and caught fish. 
 
On Saturday we had 25 participants and 28 volunteers and on Sunday we had 12 participants and 32 volunteers.  We had wounded warriors from both the Peninsula and Virginia Beach. 
 
 
 
Daily Schedule
The fishing started both days around 9 AM.  Participants were provided with a rigged fishing rod, and we had volunteer bait folks at every fishing area to keep the night crawlers available.  When a fish was caught (everyone from Virginia Beach to Williamsburg could hear the commotion), a camera person got a shot or two and all fish caught were released alive. 

I am proud to say that our timing of the stocking and the periodic feeding schedule we developed, all worked out wonderfully.  Plenty of fish were caught, to include catfish, bream and largemouth bass.  Around 12 Noon, our volunteer cooks (Dan Minnick and Matt Smith) had the fried fish, hush puppies, baked beans, salad, hot dogs and all the trimmings ready, and the participants and fishing volunteers gathered to eat.  Terry Chisman provided 4 gasoline golf carts for transportation.
 
After eating, Anne Chisman and a few volunteers gave a wonderful demonstration of the form of Tai Chi that Anne teaches.  And the day?s activities ended as Terry Chisman brought out about 10 baby sheep and a couple of adults, and had one of her beautiful sheep dogs demonstrate keeping the flock together and moving them in a  direction indicated by Terry using a small whistle.
 
On Sunday the same time schedule applied.  The volunteers that were not there on Saturday were given a fast golf cart tour of the fishing areas and then the rods and reels and bait were distributed and the fun began.  Once again, the catfish and bream were hungry and provided plenty of action for the anglers.
 
The one major change to the Sunday scenario was the fact that the Chefs from the Bridges Restaurant, located on Rt. 17, just across the James River Bridge, prepared the meal, and everything was super. 

Anne Chisman gave another demonstration and Terry had her ?wonder dog? do his thing and we ended each day by presenting a beautiful collectable wrist watch to a participant.  We gave three watches away and the fellas were thrilled.
 
After each days scheduled activities were over, the volunteers were allowed to fish for a couple of hours and again, the fish cooperated.  Several very nice largemouth bass were caught, photographed and released.
 
The Peninsula Chapter of NWTF has another event which will take place in September.  This is a three day event and we have around 175-250 participants over the weekend.  The specifics haven?t bee worked out yet, but if anyone knows of someone with a disability (military, veteran or civilian) have them contact Sue Minnick @ 757-244-4707 and we will make sure they join our merry band.  Administrative and fishing volunteers are also always welcome.  I hope to have all the information in the August issue.

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JUNE 2012

My schedule for early May found me speaking at a monthly breakfast meeting of retired Newport News Shipbuilding employees.† I was asked to speak about the fishing areas, both fresh and saltwater in our area.

I put together a few documents I use to spread the word to anglers, new to the area, concerning information available to the general public.

FRESHWATER

The first document I discussed was the 2012 Virginia Freshwater Fishing & Watercraft Owner's Guide. This publication is available (free) at every licensing issuing location. It gives the fishing license information and fees; Freshwater Fishing Regulations; there is a fish identification section with pictures of all the various species found in Virginia (39 individual listings) accompanied by identification particulars, locations with the best fishing for the species, and they even recommend the best equipment, to include the top lures/baits.

For additional assistance to boaters and anglers, there is a Public Lakes Guide broken down into the following areas:

Eastern Virginia
Southeastern Virginia
Southside Virginia
Staunton River District
Southwest Virginia
New River Valley
West Central Virginia
Northwest Virginia
Northern Virginia
Central Virginia

Additionally, all Major fishing Rivers are identified and copies of the documentation necessary to register a trophy fish is provided.

The last section in this publication is the Watercraft Ownerís Guide. Everything a new boater in Virginia needs to know is explained here, to include the costs involved in registering your vessel and the Watercraft Sales and Use taxes.

To contact the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), log on to www.HuntFishVA.com, or call customer service at 866-721-691. For additional information on watercraft registration and titling, call the Boat Section of the VDGIF at 804-367-6135 or toll free 1-877-898-6268.

SALTWATER

To get acclimated to saltwater fishing in Virginia and to stay up to date, there are as number of different documents you need to become familiar with. The first one is the 55th Annual Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament 2012 brochure.† As you open the brochure there is a listing of the Eligible Species and Minimum Weights for Citations (25 species) and Eligible Species and Requirements for Release Citations (26 species). There are 2 pages of Tournament Rules; one page with State Record Rules; one double page with the Virginia Marine Game Fish Records; 1-1/2 pages of 2012 Weigh Stations located on the Eastern Shore, Tidewater, Northern Neck, The Peninsula (York-James), and the Middle Peninsula (Rappahannock-York); one page with Outstanding Angler Awards Program requirements and Annual Species Awards requirements, and one page listing the previous yearís Annual Species Awards.

There are two other cards that are printed each year and made available to all anglers. The first is The Virginia Marine Resources Commission 2012 Recreational Fishing Regulations For Virginiaís Marine Waters Size and Possession Limits.† This card lists 23 individual species with the minimum size limit (If there is one) and a possession limit (which may change).

If there is a closed season, i.e. Black Sea Bass : Open Season May 19 - October 14; November 1 - December 31, this is also indicated. There is a caution issued for all species whose specific seasons have not been determined when these cards are first printed (in March).

When the new seasons are determined, the cards will be re-printed with the most current data and the print date is on the front side, at the bottom of the page.

The second of the cards is titled Virginia Marine Resources Commission Important Information Concerning Saltwater Fishing Regulations For Striped Bass.† As the title says, this card contains all the regulations concerning angling for striped bass in Virginiaís Coastal and Federal Waters.

The 2012 Striped Bass card lists the following:

Coastal Season - January 1 - March 31 and May 16 - December 31 with a possession limit of 2 fish per person, with a minimum size of 28-inches, and contains the Coastal Regulations.

Chesapeake Area Season (Spring) May 16 - June 15 with a possession limit of 2 fish per person, from 18 to 28-inches. (One of the two fish limit may be larger than 32 inches).

Virginia Trophy Season, Chesapeake Bay and Tributaries May 1 - June 15,

Coastal Waters (Territorial Sea) ñ May 1 - May 15 with a possession limit of 1 fish per person with a minimum size of 32 inches.

THE VIRGINIA SALTWATER ANGLERíS GUIDE

The Virginia Saltwater Anglers Guide is a free publication of the VMRC developed to assist recreational saltwater anglers in becoming better stewards of our natural resources.† The online version has been divided into individual sections to increase download speeds.

(www.mrd.virginia.gov/vswft/Angler_Guide/index.shtm) If you have any questions or comments on the guide, please contact Lewis Gillingham, Director Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament (757) 491-5160; vswsft@mrc.virginia.gov

Table Of Contents

Virginia's Marine Waters and Fisheries

A guide to Virginiaís Saltwater Fish-How, When and Where to Catch

Virginia's Public Boat Launching Facilities

The Modern Angler - Angling Ethics

Virginia's Artificial Reef Program

Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament

Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program

Fisheries Management

Enforcement and the Virginia Marine Police

Virginia's Saltwater Recreational Fishing License

Saltwater Fishing - Where to begin

Fish Identification Guide

When the current Anglerís Guide was printed in 2009, I went on the internet and (with a ream of paper handy) copied each chapter and placed them in a vinyl notebook, tabbed each one and placed an index tabbed divider between each subject.

The chapters that get the most of my attention are first, the locations of Virginiaís Public Boat Launching Facilities. I am constantly getting emails or calls about accessible launch locations. Next is Virginiaís Artificial Reef Program. There is a lead sheet which is a section of Chesapeake Bay and has all the reefs identified. Next I turn to the chapter concerning Virginiaís Saltwater Recreational Fishing License. Last, but not least, is the fish identification guide to help answer species questions.

55th VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT CITATION SPECIFICS

The last document, provided to the recreational angler, is the billfold size folded card, listing the minimum lengths for release citations and the minimum weights for a kill citation.

There are 34 species listed and this card is a speedy reference to have handy to either settle arguments or provide accurate answers. I have one at my computer, one in my billfold, one in my glove compartment and one in each of my saltwater tackle boxes.

Next month I hope to have enough catch information to do an article on the top species biting around the Bay and Rivers.

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December 2011

Just about a year ago I received an invitation, along with Dr. Julie Ball and Lee Toliver, to fish the Dominion Power Company Hot Ditch discharge canal for speckled trout and puppy drum. We had a fantastic time and caught many fish.

Shortly thereafter I got an invitation to accompany a few soldiers from the Warrior Transition Unit at Ft. Eustis, to join the Project Healing Waters club and fish the Hot Ditch again. These two trips seemed to peak my curiosity concerning catching these fish outside the hot ditch, in the Elizabeth River area, and a couple spots I had been reporting about on the Peninsula.
 
I also wrote about my first trip on the Elizabeth River with Louis Glaser, President of the Norfolk Anglers Club, and Ned Smith, a club member. Again we caught dozens of fish and I began my learning experience.
 
When fishing the waters of the Elizabeth River and its tributaries, I used the same un-painted jigs (1/8 and ¼ ounce) tipped with several different Gulp and Fishbites paddletail plastics. I caught a few fish, but not nearly as many as Louis and Ned.

They were using the small. Model 17 MirrOlure suspending twitchbaits in a variety of colors. It didn’t take me long to question Louis about the model and color numbers, and then head to Bass Pro Shops and pick up a few of each.

On my next trip I was really ready. We began casting and as fate would have it, I was being out fished three or four to one. Shortly before I was going to take up a different hobby, Louis, with a grin on his face, asked me to compare our baits. I knew we were using the same size and color, but what I didn't know was that Louis and Ned modified their lures by tying buck tail hair on the rear hook.

If I had not experienced getting trounced, I would never have believed that would have made that much difference. Well, another trip to Bass Pro to pick up several two-packs of small, treble hooks with hair, then back home to make emergency repairs to my lures.

My next trip was with George Wojcik, a member of the Mako/Mercury Marine professional staff at Bass Pro Shops, who invited me to fish the skinny waters around the mouth of the York River. My first trip with George produced mostly small flounder and croakers, but since I wasn't getting trounced in catching speckled trout, I was satisfied.

On my next trip with George I couldn't believe our totals. George, being a devout game fish tagging participant, doesn't keep any fish, he just puts them into the live well and periodically stops to tag and release them. We caught fish on several color combinations of MirrOlures; on small jigs, tipped with a variety of sizes and colored Gulp or Fishbite plastic trailers; on top water lures; and on my second favorite speck lure, a popping cork, with a 15-inch leader tipped with a 1/8 ounce jig and various colors of plastic trailers.

At the end of this particular trip, when we took a break to tally up the tagging sheets, we had caught, tagged and released 64 short fish (less than 14-inches) and 36 legal sized fish. On this trip we fished for about four hours and I know we pulled off at least another dozen keeper sized fish.

I fished several more trips with George and although we didn’t match the totals of our previous trip, we managed 27 short fish and 14 keepers on one trip and 36 short fish and 15 keepers on another.

As I mentioned, George is a devout tagger and I was almost in tears from laughing when he told me he was going to have to hold off for a couple days so he could visit Lewis Gillingham, co-director of the Tagging Program, to replenish his stock of tags.

I received my next offer to chase specks from Louis about a week later. We fished Little Creek and again, we had tremendous luck. The majority of our fish were taken on twitch baits, but I did manage to catch a couple on the popping cork, and a couple on a 4-inch Gulp mullet on a 1/8 ounce unpainted jig.

We were fortunate enough to bring in 16 keeper fish on this trip (10 fish per person possession limit). We would have easily had our limit of 20 fish, except we pulled off several right at the boat, and I using my expert netting skills, knocked three of Louis’s nice keeper fish off the hook, right at the boat.

By this time I am about ready to convert to chasing specks all the time. This is as close as anything I have tried yet, to fresh water bass fishing. I am slowly building up my selection of lures, jigs, trailers, popping corks, and a supply of pre-tied trailer hooks for each new MirrOlures.

The Project Healing Waters folks are going to fish the hot water discharge canal on the 15th of Nov. and I have been invited to participate. I hope to get some good pictures and add another chapter to my speckled trout adventures.

Saltwater anglers are reminded that the Chesapeake Bay fall striper season ends on December 31. After that, all stripers caught inside the Bay must be released.

Get out on the water. The Bay temperature is slowly dropping and the stripers are becoming more and more active. I have contact with several charter boats that are eager to get you on the fish. Call me at 757-874-4970 or email me at suthrncstm@aol.com.
Tight lines, sharp hooks and strong knots.

October 2011

Fresh Water

One storm after another is causing a lot of confusion in the recreational fishing community. Two days after the recent hurricane, my son and I visited a couple of private ponds in Isle of Wight and found that the water was just slightly high, the clarity was surprisingly good and the water temperature was in the low 80’s.

We have a favorite area for largemouth bass and when we worked our way there, we found the bass still cooperating. It was around noon, with a bright sun, and no clouds, and we found the larger fish in very shallow water. I fished a worm for a while and had only one pick-up, while my son was fishing a #3 Mepps, with a red and white spinner blade and white bucktail on the hook.

He hooked two, really large bass but we didn’t land either. I had given him a small snap swivel, which opened and released the first fish as we got it beside the boat and the second one parted the 6 lb. test line we fish with. Using the same model and colored Mepps, I boated one fish, weighing about 2-1/2 pounds and we then called it a day.

Fresh water reports from many of the ponds and lakes in the area have been pretty scarce. Some areas had lost power and were closed. Others had tree-falls and debris throughout and were closed to clean up. Most all the area lakes were reporting their waters were at full pool, slightly stained (from the run-off), and with temperatures running from the low to high 80’s.

Just as we get back to normal from the first storm, another ‘tropical depression”, dropping a ton of rain, and forecasting much of the same for about a week, has dampened the spirits of many of the fresh water enthusiasts.

Salt Water

Salt water anglers are back at it as if nothing had ever happened. Several of our Chesapeake Bay species were really hitting before the storm and had folks wondering what the break in the weather would bring. Before the storm, Buckroe Fishing Pier was giving some of the best catch reports of the year.

Crabbers were filling buckets and coolers with their tasty prey; day and night customers were catching big spot, two at a time, until they had their coolers full; croakers, small bluefish, Spanish mackerel and grey and speckled trout were all being caught. At night they had runs of small Spanish and sand sharks.

The pier lost their handicapped ramp and the front stairs were damages, but they got the ramp repaired and were open in time for the holiday weekend. Even though the numbers have dropped off, anglers continue to catch yellow bellied spot, medium sized croakers, small Spanish mackerel, an occasional keeper flounder, mixed in with numerous throw backs.

As the weather subsided, reports of big, yellow bellied spot, began to come in from the York River, Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets, the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel (M&M), the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT), around the lower Bay inlets, and from most of the piers. The area around the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge, looked like the Spanish armada had arrived on Saturday, Sept. 10. The wind was fairly calm and as long as the current was moving, the fish were biting.

Big croaker, weighing up to 1-3/4 pounds, were caught around the pilings of the HRBT by anglers offering Fishbites, bloodworm scent and squid. As with most of the species, a moving current seemed to produce the better fish.

Flounder pounders, who had their fingers crossed during the hurricane, were fairly happy with the bite taking place after the water cleaned up a bit. The areas around the 3rd and 4th Islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel have been producing for both live bait and flounder rigs drifted along the rocks and deep water channel edges.

The most exciting action after the big blow has come from the Speckled trout crowd. Although the fish are on the small side (which could result in a great bite next year, if they survive the winter), measuring between 7-1/2 and 15-inches, the numbers are fantastic. Jon Lucy, the former Co-Director pf the Virginia Game Fish Tagging program, reported one angler tagged over 100 fish in two days of fishing while Jon and a partner tagged 55 in a 3.5 hour period another day. Some larger fish, weighing up to 6 pounds, were reported, but the locations of the catch were strangely missing from the report.

It appears that the cobia and red drum are preparing for their departure from the Bay. Big schools of big drum have been sighted schooling around the pilings of the CBBT and around the oceanside buoys, while the cobia, although their numbers are fewer, are holding around the Baltimore Channel buoys and some are moving along the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

One encouraging bit of cobia news, was that quite a few “yearling” cobia have been caught and with each little one brought to the boat, oftentimes there have been several other little ones beside them. Like the speckled trout reports, the sighting of many, many small cobia could provide for an exciting season next hear.

The trollers, from the Cell/Buoy 42 area down along the Western side of the Bay, to the coastline along Virginia Beach to the inlets throughout, are reporting loads of Spanish mackerel that are attacking small spoons trolled around 6 -7 knots. The reports are saying that while trolling the spoons, if you are catching Taylor bluefish, you need to increase your speed. The Spanish are after the “fast” baits.

The kayakers are reporting catch and release stripers at the M&M and HRBT tunnels at night. By the next magazine report, we should have some super action.

Keep a weather eye out for thunderstorms and high winds. The fish are around their normal haunts, be polite and make sure you have a designated driver if you have alcohol aboard.

I have a new web page (thanks to Capt. Alan Alexander) and would like to invite everyone to check out www.fishingtidewater.com.

Until next month, tight lines, sharp hooks and strong knots.

MAY 2011

With the Tidewater weather raising havoc with the fishing, both fresh and salt water, the actual "catching" news has been very scarce. Nevertheless, there has been fishing related activities taking place which might be newsworthy.

Saltwater Fishing
For the previous month, the water temperature in Chesapeake Bay has ranged from a low of 44.1 to a high of 51.1 degrees. Just as the waters began to warm, the ever popular cold front moved in and the temperatures were lowered to the extent that the fish that were starting to bite, namely flounder, got lockjaw. Yet, those anglers who were able to get out for short periods of time, between blows, seeking the spring run of tautog, were having excellent luck. Clams and pieces of cut crab were the most productive baits, along with fiddler crabs when available.

One recent report that has stirred a little salt water activity is the reporting of local hook and line catches of flounder. Anglers working a pier on the southside reported catching croaker measuring as long as 16-inches, while Buckroe Fishing Pier customers, fishing at night, report catching buckets full of ¾ pound croakers under the lights beneath the pier.

Last month I wrote about my experience in fishing the Dominion Power's section of the "Hot Ditch" open to Dominion employees, retired Dominion personnel and a select few anglers having a pass, and the success found there. Then came the Spring Fishing Classic at Bass Pro Shops where Louis Glaser gave a talk on using big baits to catch big flounder.

After his seminar, I had the pleasure of speaking with him at length about his speckled trout prowess around the hot ditch. During our discussion I commented about not having much experience with keeper sized specks (14-inches or longer), even when fishing in the "hallowed" Dominion waters, and he immediately said he would contact me to go on his next trip to the Elizabeth River area.

Two days later I received the invitation from Louis and that started one of the best learning experiences I've had related to inshore saltwater fishing. Not knowing exactly what type of gear to use and what variety of lures to take I called George Wojick for suggestions. George brought me a few soft plastic lures and 1/8 ounce jig heads he uses there and I immediately went to Bass Pro shops and got a package of each.

My selections were Berkley Gulp, Nuclear Chicken , 4" Mud Minnows; Fishbites, 3" Electric Candy (Pink), and Fishbites 3" Chartreuse sassy shad bodies. My equipment consisted of two 5'-6" Medium Light weight spinning rods, one with a Penn 2000 light spinning reel spooled with 6 lb. test mono, and the other with a Diawa Sweepfire-A 2000 light spinning reel, spooled with 8 lb. test mono.

I met Louis and his fishing partner Ned Smith at Top Rack Marina, located on the Elizabeth River, and we proceeded on our way. We stopped at several spots along the Elizabeth River, dropped the anchor and proceeded to cast. Louis and Ned were casting small Mirrolures and I cast the Nuclear Chicken Mud minnow.

Ned caught the first fish and the "catch" was on. We caught several specks at almost every stop, admiring the beautiful animals and releasing them all. I got a lesson in nautical geography, in that I had no idea that Deep Creek was a branch of the Elizabeth River, and I got to fish the other end of the real "Hot Ditch", when we anchored in the mouth and continued casting.

The mouth of the hot ditch was our last stop on my first trip and there is where Louis made a believer of me when he began to close the gap for the most fish of the day. As a matter of fact, when the totals were counted, Louis had climbed from second to first place with a total of 25 specks, Ned was second with 16 and I brought up the rear with a total of 14. Our totals that day were tremendous and although I have made several more trips, and we all caught fish, there hasn't been another day like my first.

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the flounder and of both red and black drum. Louis indicated that he spent considerable time seeking these fish and I am hoping to get my first citation flounder.

New Game Virginia Fish Tagger Orientation
On Tuesday, April 5, at 6:00 p.m., at the Bass Pro Shops Training Room, 27 new taggers met with the VIMS-VMRC folks for the 2011 orientation-tagging practice. Registration took place from 6 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and from 6:30 until 7 p.m. the new taggers were welcomed by Lewis Gillingham from VMRC, and Susanna Musick from VIMS, co-directors of the 2011 Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program.

Those in attendance were given the background and history of how the data received is used; exactly what data is needed; and the proper method of entering the data on the forms everyone received in their Taggers Package.

The second stage of the training took place from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. This is when the folks were divided into 3 groups and were rotated through 3 stations to practice: the first station showed the T-bar tagging gun and tags, used on smaller fish and the SS tags and applicator, used on medium to large sized fish.

Fish collected from local commercial fishermen were provided for the new group to practice on. Finally the most critical part of the tagging program, the forms used to record the tagging data and the importance of the accuracy of the data forwarded was discussed and all questions were answered.

The taggers were advised to forward the recorded data as soon as possible after each fishing trip. Not to wait until the form is filled (13 entries on each side of the record sheet). Also, in order to make the data entries run smoother, each tagger was requested record the tag number on the sheet prior to leaving home.

At the end of each fishing trip where tagging occurred, copy the data from your form and FAX it to VMRC or mail it to the tagging headquarters (the address and FAX number is at the bottom if each form.

CITATION TOTALS COMPARED
In an effort to justify my assumption that so far in 2011, the catch totals concerning the number of species, are lagging far behind. This year, as of the April 6 report, we have citations reported for 4 species: Blueline Tilefish, Speckled Trout, Striped Bass and Tautog. Last year as of this date, there were 9 species citations recorded: Blueline Tilefish, Flounder, Gray Triggerfish, Sea Bass, Speckled Trout, Spot, Striped Bass, Tautog and Bluefin Tuna.

With the current warming trend predicted to continue, the fishing around the Bay should get better and better. Be safe, get out, catch all you want, but keep only what you intend to use.

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