NOTES FROM ROB
This is from another chapter's 2002 newsletter & is relevant for upcoming tournaments and fishing season. Thanks to Frank Holden
for the following: "Rules and regulations can be a real pain and take the fun out of fishing. However they are vitally important
to preserving fisheries for future generations and also ensuring the fair and proper operation of tournaments. My point is many
of you will be fishing in various tournaments this year and it is imperative that you follow all published rules. We all pay a lot
of money to fish tournaments but it is amazing how little people actually know about the tournament rules. It is vitally important
that you read, understand and follow all tournament rules to the letter .If you are going to put out the money and fish tournaments
it will pay to follow all rules. Getting disqualified or being declared ineligible for a prize, whether intentional or not, has
got to be a great disappointment for anyone." Remember the Spring Tournament rules changed this year, so make sure you understand
them.
The Spring Rockfish Season is tentatively scheduled to open on Sunday, April 20th. Yes
this is Easter Sunday and this is subject to change. The Charter Boat Association pushed last year to move opening day from April
25th to April 20th. Now they want to move it to April 18th , which will cause more pre-spawn fish to be caught. This is not a good
idea and we oppose this but will keep you posted.
Frederick Chapter 5th Annual Spring Tournament
Frederick Chapter will have the rockfish tournament again this year in conjunction with the main MSSA's Tournament May 16-18. The
cost is $50 per boat until April 9th & $60 per boat from April 10th - May 7th. We'll have information & registration at
the March meeting. We'll be hosting a cookout again on Friday May 16th at 6:30 pm, free to all chapter members & $5 for nonmembers
will be collected with the tournament entry fee. We have discounted slips at Breezy Point Marina @ $10 night. Discounted motel rooms
are available at Super 8 in Prince Frederick for $57/night. Call 410-535-8668 & let them know you are with the Frederick MSSA
Fishing group.
Frederick Chapter #22
Maryland Saltwater
Sportfishermen's Association
5430 Mt. Zion Road
Frederick, MD. 21701
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Chincoteague Island,
VA
Fishing Report by Charlie Koski
The AFMFC adopted Option 1 for the Virginia Flounder Regulations. This means a minimum size limit of 17 1/2" and an 8-fish
possession limit, with a January 1 through March 28, 2002 closure on a statewide basis.
The Frederick Chapter has 3 2003 events planned:
Chapter flounder Tournament April 25-26
Tuna Fishing Trip
July 12-13
Overnight/Offshore Trip
September 06-08
12th Annual MSSA Offshore & Flounder Tournament
August 15 - 17
Flounder Tournament
The Flounder Tournament is scheduled for April 25-26 (Friday & Saturday) Cost is $40 per boat by April 9th. The tournament &
weigh in will be at Captain Bob's. We have special slip fees for that weekend. We will be staying at the Sea Hawk Motel right on
Maddox Blvd (road to the beach) for a special rate of $39/ night. Call Carey or Brenda at 757-336-6527, tell them you are with the
Frederick Chapter. They have plenty of boat trailer parking if needed. It will be a great time.
Make sure to sign up at the March meeting.There are already a few boats signed up.Rick Etzler will have the rules and sign-ups starting
at the March meeting.
Membership News
by Ken Wheeler
Please welcome new members Norman Carlo, Kenny Becraft, Chuck Simpson, Joe Underwood, Tyler Watson, William Owens, Jim Morris, Jeff
Tabler, Tom Marney, and Matt Lacey to the Frederick Chapter.
If you have a family membership, you can obtain membership cards for your included family by listing their names in the space provided
on the application/renewal form. Please note that the family membership only covers children to the age of 16.
Please feel free to renew at the shows, as the chapter will get a $2.00 rebate from any renew or new member. In the past the only
way we received this is to renew at the chapter meetings.
Please check beside your name on the member roster each meeting. This attendance information is useful for planning future meetings
and activities. Please update your demographic information and E-mail addresses.
2003 Calendar of Events
Available at monthly meetings. |
Raffle Ticket Winners
The following people have won $50 each for the Superbowl Game. Just so you are aware we mail the checks out to the winners automatically.
They do not need to contact us.
Week 18:
Claude Dronburg
Gordan Jernigan
Steve O'Neill
Tara McElroy
Again this year, we'll be selling our football ticket books. We had many chapter members
win and it's all by luck. This is our only fund raiser of the year and books will be available approximately April 15 th. This
will give us plenty of time to sell them.
MSSA Tournaments
& Brochures
They will be available at the March meeting. New Spring Tournament shirts are also available at the shows & will be
on display at the next meeting. Don't forget to sign up for the MSSA Spring Tournament early to take advantage of
the early bird discount of $150 per boat up until March 15th & a free captain's shirt. Each month they have drawings for boats
registered the prior month for free entries into future tournaments.
Significant Changes:
Tournament is now 3 days. You can only weigh in fish 2 of the 3 days.Guaranteed Top Rockfish Prize of $15,000 for the base tournament.Daily
Prizes are for all 3 days. Fee increased to $150 prior to March 15 and $175 after March 15th - offset the cost of 3 days. No morning
check-in. Enhanced communication, as all weigh stations will be equipped with new VHF base stations.
Last year the winner walked away with over $35,000. Speaking of which we will start signups for the Frederick Chapter Spring Tournament
in March.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annapolis Offshore Rigging & Fishing Flea Market
March 8 - Annapolis VFW
Essex Flea Market March 23 Commodore Hall Essex
Solomons Flea Market
March 29-30 Solomons Fire Hall
Frederick Shakedown Cruise April 6th Sandy Pt to Kent Island for Brunch
Boat Shows
National Capital Expo Center Boat Show - March 6 to 9th Chantilly, VA |