Updates From Rob
 

A big thanks goes out to Georgie Klein, the owner of Tyler's Tackle in Chesapeake Beach Maryland. He came up from Chesapeake Beach and had reels, parachutes, umbrellas, bucktails, shads, daisy chains and huge rockfish nets. If you missed the meeting you missed a great opportunity to get tackle and accessories at show prices. Georgie also donated some rigs which were given away that night as well. He will be providing 2 gift certificates valued at $30 each that we will use in our Spring Tournament.

Spring Tournament
Apr 22-24
The March meeting is your last chance to get in the Frederick Tournament at the discounted price of $50. After March 9th the price goes to $75 until April 13th. Also don't forget the dinner on Friday April 22nd at 6:30pm at the Solomons Firehall. Members are $3 or $5 at the door and nonmembers are $15 or $20 at the door. Why not sign them up as a member and get them into a great club. Slip assignments will be done by the club but you need to make your own room reservations by calling the Comfort inn at 410-326-6303 and tell them you are with the Frederick MSSA to get the discounted rate of $70 per night. Rules and additional information will be available at the meeting.

The main tournament is only $150 until March 15th. The winner in the NON charter boat division will walk away with more than $40,000 if they enter all of the calcutta's. It's the best deal going and it is the main source of revenue for the MSSA.

Comprehensive rockfishing books that contain everything from trolling to chumming will be on sale at the meeting for $19.

Shakedown Cruise
April 09 2005
A signup will occur at the March meeting as this will be the last meeting before the event. We need to get an accurate count so we can make reservations for brunch at a Kent Island restaurant. This is a great family event and a good time to ensure you will not have boat issues on opening day, which is the following weekend.

Attn New Members:
We will host a new members and general BS discussion after the regular meeting for those needed additional information or just exchange information in an informal setting.

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The Scholarship Foundation needs a volunteer so if you are interested call the office for details at 410-255-5535.
 
Scholarship Applications:
Call the MSSA office at 410-255-5535 for applications. They are due back by April 30th.

MSSA Lifetime Memberships
are available for $500, payable in four installments; and, you will receive an MSSA Captain's jacket, MSSA license plate and a print suitable for framing.

Chincoteague Island, VA
Fishing Report by Charlie Koski
 
No column by Charlie as he is on vacation.

MSSA PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, February 10, 2005

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, ASMFC met yesterday to discuss what ultimately may be fate of the Chesapeake Bay. The Menhaden Management Board held a joint meeting with the Menhaden Technical Committee to discuss possible short-term management measures and the necessity of implementing measures immediately. These measures would be used while data can be collected to shed light on several factors which are related to local area depletion in the Chesapeake Bay. Local area depletion in menhaden occurs when total removals from a defined area reduce the numbers of fish to a level which is inadequate to allow the species to provide it's historical function as forage and perform it's historical ecological functions. On behalf of all recreational fishermen, we applaud the commission for taking action today to initiate a cap on Bay harvest at 110,400 for the years 2006 and 2007. The substance of this motion will be presented to the public in a Public Information Document and hearings will be held coast-wide. The commission also plans to continue with an aggressive research plan to get to the bottom of this problem.

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If you wish to contact the VMRC to voice any opinions on these proposals you can visit their website at: www.mrc.state.va.us for contact info, or:

You can send your comments to: Mr. Jack Travelstead,
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 144 Eye Street NW, 6th floor, Washington, DC 20005 or email him at:





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Updates From Rob

March 9 - Frederick Meeting

March 10-13 - National Captial Boat Show - Dulles Expo Center

March 12 - Annapolis Offshore Rigging Seminar and Flea Market

March 20 - Essex Flea Market

April 2-3 - Southern MD Fishing Fair - Solomons Firehall

April 9 - Shakedown Cruise at Sandy Point
April 13 - Frederick Meeting

April 16 - Opening Day Rockfish

April 22-24 - Main MSSA Rockfish Tournament / MSSA Frederick Chapter Rockfish Tournament

*Detailed hndouts for many of these events are available at the meeting*

T Shirt, Sweatshirt, Etc Sale
We will have all of our t shirts, sweatshirts and long sleeves at great prices at the March meeting.