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VOLUME 22, NUMBER 2 FREE JULY 2012 TM in This issue FREE THIS ISSUE COMPLIMENTS OF • The carp whisperer • diamond jim on The loose • mahi - mahi • Gunpowder Bass challenGe 2012 • pittman - roBerTson acT 75 Years of savinG america’s wildlife July 2012 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 1 $10,000 Diamond Jim on the Loose More than $25,000 in prizes up for grabs during this year’s DNR fishing challenge The hunt is on. The Diamond 600 imposters worth at least $500 passes to the Maryland Fishing Jim component of the 2012 Mary- each and one genuine Diamond Challenge Finale, which will land Fishing Challenge kicked off Jim will be pursued by anglers. be held in conjunction with the today when Maryland Department Each month Diamond Jim goes Maryland Seafood Festival at of Natural Resources (DNR) biolo- uncaught the bounty increases ─ Sandy Point State Park on Sep- gists and some eager young an- from $10,000 in June, to $20,000 tember 8, 2012. This year’s Cel- glers caught, tagged and released in July, and $25,000 in August. ebration will include chances dozens of striped bass into the The contest features a guaran- to win a boat, trailer and motor Chesapeake Bay. One of today’s teed $25,000 payout: If Diamond package from Tracker Marine, a tagged fish is the official Diamond Jim is not caught by Labor Day, tropical vacation package from Jim worth $10,000 to the angler the cash prize will be split equally the World Fishing Network, who catches it before midnight on among the anglers who catch im- tackle packages from Bill’s June 30. The other tagged rock- posters this summer. Additionally, Outdoor Center and Bass Pro fish will be known as imposters if an angler catches the August Shops and collectable Maryland worth at least $500 each if caught Diamond Jim they will receive Fishing Challenge shirts from and registered before September a set of one-carat total weight, Under Armour. 3, 2012. round, brilliant diamond stud The Maryland Fishing Chal- “Every year the Maryland Fish- earrings from Zachary’s Jewelers lenge runs annually from Labor ing Challenge offers an added in Annapolis. Zachary’s is also Day through the day before incentive for citizens to get out providing five- to six-carat blue the following Labor Day. To on the water and enjoy our State’s topaz charms for anglers who be eligible for the contest, all natural resources,” said Governor catch imposter fish. fish must be caught recreation- Martin O’Malley. “Whether it’s Now in its eighth year, the ally by rod and reel. To see the your first time fishing or you’re Maryland Fishing Challenge show- Angler Award species list and a seasoned angler, this is a great cases Maryland as a premier sport the official Maryland Fishing opportunity to get outdoors and fishing destination with acces- Challenge and Diamond Jim con- enjoy our natural world.” sible, affordable, diverse and high test rules, visit dnr.maryland.gov/ This year’s challenge honors quality sport fishing opportunities fisheries/challenge. the life and times of world re- for anglers of all ages. The fish- Catch a fish is included in the nowned fly-fishing legend Lefty ing challenge would not happen Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill Kreh. Over his remarkable 75-year without the help of several cor- of Rights, issued by Governor career the Maryland native has porate sponsors, including Bass Martin O’Malley in April 2009. shared his enthusiasm and skill Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Bill’s The Bill is part of the Maryland for fishing through his columns, Outdoor Center, the World Fishing Partnership for Children in Na- books and presentations. He is Network, and Under Armour. ture, an initiative to ensure all also known for his commitment “We are very grateful to our Maryland young people have to Maryland’s natural resources, sponsors and our recreational the opportunity to connect with promoting conservation and clean fishery stakeholders,” said DNR their natural world and grow to water, and giving back to the Secretary John Griffin. “Without become informed and responsible outdoors. Kreh was honored by their continued support, this con- stewards. Governor Martin O’Malley at the test would not be possible.” Follow Diamond Jim on Face- dedication of the Lefty Kreh Fish- Anglers who catch and register book at facebook.com/diamond- ing Trail in the Hereford Area of any of the more than 80 Maryland jim.md. DNR Fisheries is also Gunpowder Falls State Park on Angler Award eligible sport fish on Facebook at facebook.com/ Rich Bohles Sr. with a nice Golden June 11. species categories will receive cer- MDDNRFisheriesService and and Rainbow Trout. Photo courtesy Over the summer, as many as tificates of achievement and free Twitter, @mddnrfish. of Clydes Sport Shop. DECKELMAN'S PILE DRIVING “BUILT TO LAST” New Construction and Repairs -Piers - -Offshore Blinds Bulkheads -Foundations -Rip Rap -Land Bridges -Dredging -Marina -Floating Docks Construction -Boat Lifts -Boathouse -Living -Moorings Shorelines -Osprey Structures -Demolition -And more Our structures are built with quality materials and attention to detail. All of our structures are warrantied and backed by a family in the business for over 40 years. 22589 Hudson Road www.deckelmanseasternshore.com Office: 410-778-6777 Cliff Garner and Jason Slaughter with 13.10 and 15.3 pound snakeheads Rock Hall, MD. 21661 [email protected] Fax: 410-778-9400 taken bowfishing May 26th near NSWC Indian Head. Photo courtesy of Maryland Angler’s Log 2 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2012 of the lobster pot floats and toss a those chunks, include a couple of “hooked on fishinG” handful of butterfish, bunker, or live minnow. They’ll dart around squid chunks into the water. Watch in confusion when they hit the clear ‘em as they sink, and you’ll see blue ocean water, which usually Old faithful the fish come roaring in, blazing causes the mahi-mahi to throw all with their neon colors. Toss in your caution into the wind. nautical miles or so. The lobster pot baited hooks amongst them, and it’s You like the idea of bailing, but floats these fish congregate around game-on. you don’t want to give up the oppor- are generally set right along the All in all this is a pretty darn By Lenny Rudow edge of the Continental shelf, where simply technique, but it works. depths drop down to 600-plus feet. More importantly, it works the vast That means a long cruise, and a lot majority of the time. But there are There are no guarantees in fish- some finer points to bailing which ing, but we do enjoy one fishery of fuel—but it’s a run most anglers will feel was well worth the while. will help you stack the odds even off our coastline that’s as reliable more in your favor. First off, take as they come: bailing mahi-mahi The mahi-mahi found around those lobster pot floats tend to run note of the wind and current and from the lobster pot floats, during stage your approach to the lobster the summer and early fall months. between three and 10 pounds on average, so arm yourself with light- pot ball so you can shift into neutral Yes, you will have to stop trolling and drift alongside of it without in order to bail. And no, you aren’t and medium-weight spinning gear to make it a challenge. Rig a three having to shift into reverse, to stop likely to hook into a glory fish like a the boat. Sometimes the “clunk” marlin or a tuna or even a monster- to four foot leader of 30-pound test, with a 6/0 to 8/0 hook. For bait noth- of an engine shifting into reverse sized mahi—although it does, on startles the fish, and they get a occasion, happen. But if you want ing beats small live spot or peanut bunker, but truth be told, once you sudden case of lockjaw. Second, fast action, a full fishbox, and if you see mahi swimming around better-than-even chances you’ll ex- get those mahi into a frenzy they’ll eat just about anything. And get ‘em but they ignore hooks baited with perience the chaos of triple-headers fish chunks, try using a whole and a feeding-frenzy within casting into a frenzy, you will. Mahi hanging around the lobster With your spinning rods at squid as bait; they’ll find that hard pot balls average three to 10 pounds distance of your boat, no other op- to resist. If they still don’t bite, portunity can hold a candle to this the ready—plus one heavier rig, and are usually more than willing you’ll have to reduce your leader to bite - which makes them perfect experience. prepped up with a 60 or 80 pound test leader just in case you spot size. And finally, fill your livewell for getting kids hooked on offshore There is, of course, a down-side: action. one of those larger fish swimming with bull minnow before you leave in order to get in on this action, the dock, and when you throw in you’ll have to cruise a good 50 amongst the school—pull up to one See Rudow Page 5 Don Travis’s TRAVIS TAXIDERMY Exceeding Your Expectations for 38 Years Sportfishing Visit Our Showroom AWARD WINNING MOUNTS 41’ Custom Trolling & Bottom Fishing for Rockfish • Mackeral • Blues Flounder • Croaker Booking Now For 410-778-4107 Summer www.TravisTaxidermy.com 2012 24153 Chestertown Road Captain Mitch Quillen Chestertown, MD 410-708-4005 - www.catch22sportfishing.com QUALITY YOU Docked at Kentmoor Marina, Kent Island, Maryland CAN TRUST! [email protected] July 2012 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 3 In This Issue..