Volume 25, Number 2 FREE July 2015 www.jayflemingphotography.com • 10 Things Well learned! FREETHIS ISSUE COMPLIMENTS OF • OffshOre Tips fOr The liTTle guy • a differenT Kind Of sunfish • Middle river Bass • Md dnr disMisses TOp leaders • 13 foot 7 inch Crocodile July 2015 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com 1 women in Delaware, New Jersey, New “The Department of Natural Re- Mentored Youth Hunts, National Maryland is a York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West sources employs countless hunting Hunting and Fishing Day, Hunting Virginia to gauge their impressions and fishing programs that support rec- 101, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, favorite hunting of hunting and fishing in Maryland. reation in our state, and works closely Youth Fishing Rodeos, Free Fishing Among those polled, 53 percent of with the tourism industry to market Days, the Maryland Fishing Chal- and fishing location hunters and 45 percent of anglers the services of travel-dependent local lenge, the Trout Stocking Program and preferred Maryland. Those same non- businesses,” added Belton. “To see more! Stay up to date with upcoming Landing that prize rockfish or tag- residents indicated a 97 percent and these commitments validated is very events and activities at facebook.com/ ging a world-class deer in Maryland 84 percent satisfaction rate with the encouraging for all of us.” AccessDNR. may be more enjoyable than the same state’s hunting and fishing. Responsive Management ─ an victory somewhere else, according Non-residents gave the highest internationally recognized attitude to a recent survey that reveals most rating to the Maryland’s hunting op- survey research firm specializing in out-of-state anglers and hunters rank portunities, but sought more reason natural resource and outdoor recre- their experience in Maryland superior to spend the entire weekend here, ation issues ─ conducted the survey to that of their home state. spend more money and pursue more in August and September 2014. The “These findings underscore what deer. Hunters rated access and season research, part of a larger initiative residents already know ─ that Mary- length as a primary motivator to extend to promote Maryland as a premier land’s exciting array of top-notch or increase their visits. Adding qual- hunting and fishing destination, was recreational opportunities just can’t ity public hunting areas and Sunday designed to guide marketing decisions be beat,” said Department of Natural opportunities would allow visiting and investments to capture a greater Resources (DNR) Secretary Mark hunters a full weekend of participation. share of the $90 billion Americans Belton. “Not only do we reap the Hunting and fishing in Maryland spend annually on these activities benefits of having great hunting and generates nearly $800 million annu- nationwide. Click here to view the fishing in our backyards, the visitor ally for state and local economies, report and presentation. revenue provides more jobs, supports according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife From the first-timer to seasoned pro, local economies and helps fund public Service’s 2011 National Survey of hunters and anglers can participate in Curt Soukup with his partner resources.” Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife-Associ- a variety of DNR-hosted programs Billy Davis Jr. and their 2015 The consumer research was con- ated Recreation. including Junior Hunter Field Days, ducted last year among sportsmen and spring Eastern Shore gobblers. Rated by The National Delaware new Striper Check out Shooting Sports regulations in effect Foundation our video Pro Shop Mathews Effective May 11, 2015, & Mission Bows • Striped Bass regulations for 2015: on line! Equipment Rentals 2 fish per day. Length: 28” to 37” or more than 44”. Where the Hunt Never Ends! The summer regulation for the Bay estuary is now We welcome all types of events-Birthday, Bachelor & 20”-25” Bachelorette parties, Corporate Team Building Events! New Party Room Now Open! Crossbow Range featuring The short version is that there is a NO TAKE slot Now Open! from 38” to 43”. Four Star Rated Any striped Bass caught in that size cannot be Range! kept. This is a maximum of 2 fish per day, not 2 fish per size range. George E. Bennett, Owner- 3021 Churchville Road A+ Notice - Tautog season closes May 11 and will (Rt. 22) • Churchville, MD 410-734-9554 remain closed through July 16. www.deercreekarchery.com Colt Ask us about Taurus • Ruger HQL Classes! ON TARGET Inc. Rossi • Glock FIREARMS for Home Protection, Target Shooting & Springfield Armory AR-10 Hunting Pistols • Rifles • Shotguns Smith & Wesson Still Bersa • Walther Legal Bushmasters • 308 INDOOR PISTOL RANGE Memberships — Individual $200.00 1st year, Renewal $175.00 / Family $250.00 1st year, Renewal $225.00 Active Duty Military $175.00 1st year, Renewal $150.00 Law Enforcement $150.00 1st year, Renewal $125.00 2618 Annapolis Rd. • Route 175 and Ridge Road • Severn, MD 21144 Severn Square Shopping Center–Behind Pizza Hut 1 mi. East of I-295, 4 mi. East of I-95 BALT. 410-551-7777 www.ontarget.biz WASH. 301-621-7777 AMMUNITION • HOLSTERS & ACCESSORIES • SAFES • GUN CASES • GIFT CERTIFICATES 2 www.fishingandhuntingjournal.com July 2015 descends on a particular spot. Since we’re already working with a handicap, “Hooked on Fishing” don’t make it even worse by playing follow-the-leader and fishing alongside Offshore Tips for the all the other outboard boats. 4. Switch to chunking. Yeah, Little Guy yeah, I know, chunking is going to “the dark side” and all that. Whatever. If I Inboard diesels swinging big pro- go offshore I want to catch fish, and if pellers will attract more fish into the it’ll help me catch more of them, hack- spread as they troll. Period. It’s not ing butterfish is just fine by me. (Full By Lenny Rudow just an old wife’s tale, it’s a fact. We disclosure: I actually enjoy wiggling proved it some years ago, while doing my hand into a bucket of fresh-cut field research for a magazine I was butters.) When you’re chunking the Many of us love fishing for big game writing for at the time. First we used props aren’t spinning, and other than a species out of Ocean City, Indian River, a hydrophone to record the underwater lack of elbow-room, you’re on a more or Wachapreague, but we have boats sounds made by several different types or less even playing-field with the big that are sized more for the Chesapeake. of boats at trolling speeds. Then we took boys. Safety-wise, as long as you wisely pick the recordings to a sound studio and 5. Switch to jigging. This can your weather, your boat is reliable, it’s had them broken down and graphed. be a bit tougher, since you really need well-built, and is properly-equipped, Finally, we had a marine biologist to locate a school of fish before you this isn’t necessarily foolhardy. Es- who specialized in offshore pelagic can effectively apply the tactic. But pecially these days, when there might fish listen to and look at the sounds, Brian Lowery and Brad Clark be 100 boats trolling across the tip and match them up with the types of show off a pair of chunky yel- when the meter is lit up and you get a of the canyon on an average summer vibrations and sounds that were known lowfin - two of six they caught bite, some fast thinking and a jigging weekend day; the ocean isn’t nearly as to peak the curiosity of the fish, and one June morning at Baltimore rod or two can quickly develop into isolated as it once was. There’s just one which traveled best through the water. Canyon - on an outboard boat. a multiple hook-up. On top of that, if thing: in our outboard-powered center The bottom line? We confirmed what you’re targeting bluefin on the inshore consoles and walkarounds, we may offshore anglers had suspected for count in the plastic, from where fish lumps it’s often possible to spot small feel like we’re at a major disadvantage years: large diesel inboards do attract tried to eat the mylar. (Hint: there will pods of fish sitting at 100’ or more on when compared to the guys in those more fish than small outboard boats, be too many to count). the meter, stop the boat, and jig on them big sportfishing machines. Well, I have mostly because of the size and shape of 2. Pull at least one deep line. vertically. news for you: we are at a disadvantage. their propellers and the deep resonating This can be a planer line, which is my If you apply all of these tactics, harmonics they produce. personal choice since you can quickly will you catch as many fish as the big They question you and I need to and easily change the offering you pull boys? Probably not. Many of the big answer is, how do we make up for this from it, a downrigger, or a diving plug. boats are charters, they have more ex- intrinsic disadvantage? Let me count In any case, get a bait or two 20’ to 30’ perience, they share information with the ways… beneath the surface. Yes, this can be a each other in 1. Pull at least one large dredge. real pain in the butt and no, this usually a closed loop, No, these don’t draw in fish like a isn’t the biggest fish-catching line of and those guys thrumming propeller, but they do add the day (though there are exceptions). simply get out a vast visual display to your spread But catching fish on this line is only a heck of a which can help pull in fish from afar.