President's Message
by Stephen Shechtel
 

Spring is knocking at the door of old man winter to move on. It cannot come soon enough. Already several members have been bitten by the fishin' bug and gone to Florida, Costa Rica, North Carolina, and other warmer climates. In a few weeks, trophy season opens (33"or better please).

Are you ready? Tackle? License? Boat? Trailer? Team? Yup... your fishing crew/team. Have you assembled a crew or are you a part of a crew? Do you have a Visa card? Really, no joke.

At the pump at Haulover Inlet, Miami, Fl, premium grade gas (no other grade available) is $3.75 per gallon. On the Middle Bay today (3/24/06), premium (93 octane) gas was $3.25/gal. at one marina (last years price) ) and $3.93/gal at another. Although many our members will purchase fuel at regular filling stations, the lowest price I can find for regular is around $2.50/gallon. I am advised that by mid summer (due to the government's ordered conversion to ethanol), gas will be a minimum of $3.00 per gallon for 87 octane at your neighborhood filling station.

So again I ask, are you on a crew? Today, it has become more important than ever to share costs. Your membership in the Frederick Chapter is more valuable than ever. It's a valuable resource of captains and crews to join together to fish. Captains, make sure your insurance carrier will allow you to split costs without violating your insurance policy (or be considered a commercial vessel). This too is no joke.

The Board is busy planning some great trips. Phone Dave Griffin to late register for the shakedown cruise on April 8th. Be sure to remember that sign ups for the Spring and Flounder Tournaments close at the next meeting. Buster's Hatteras trip is in June. See Buster or Crabby to sign up.

And did you happen to see who was filling out an application at the last meeting? Welcome back Rick and Bryan Etzler. Rick was a founding member of Frederick #22. The Etzlers have a long history of supporting our Chapter. It was good to see you.

Next Meeting

April 12 2006:

Food Service: starts at 6:00 pm
Beef Stew, corn bread, dessert & drink will be served. All for $6
Bowl of Steamed Shrimp - $3
Coffee will also be available

Meeting: starts at 7:00 pm

Speaker:
Our Speaker is Mr. Matt Abell of Sea Hawk Sports Center in Pocomoke City. He will be giving a talk on spade fishing in the bay and on the coast. Matt will also have information on eastern shore flounder fishing as well. He has a well stocked shop that encompasses the bay to offshore. He has some of the best bait around and he is right on Rt. 13 on your way to Chincoteague so stop by and see him.

Vendor:
Sea Hawk Sports Center. Matt will have his usual flounder killer rigs, stainless steel hooks and even some rockfish trolling tackle.

Football Pool:
No news.

New Fund Raiser:
The Frederick Chapter has begun ticket sales for a drawing to be held at the August Meeting (August 9th, 2006) for a five (5) day Carnival Cruise. Tickets will be sold for $10.00 each. The winner will be presented with a Carnival Cruise Certificate valid year round (except the last two weeks of December) for a 5 day cruise on any Carnival Cruise (except NY sailings). All Government taxes, fees and shipboard gratuities are included in the Certificate. Gordon Jernigan will Chair this event with Co-Chair Bob Pellicot.

Newsletter & Notices Online The MSSA Frederick Chapter Newsletter is available online at: http://www.mssafrederick.com Hard copys are available by special request. To get on the "mail to only list", contact the MSSA Secretary.
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Newsletter Items: for May are due April 22, 2006
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Upcoming Events

May 5-7 is the 23rd Annual Spring Rockfish Tournament for both MSSA and our Frederick Chapter.

Spring Tournament:
Spring Rockfish Tournament the April meeting is your last chance to sign up for the Frederick Chapter tournament. The cost is $50 per boat through the next meeting. We have plenty of rooms reserved at the Comfort Inn in Solomons, just call 410-326-6306 to book and mention Frederick Chapter to get the discounted rate. We will take care of your slips when you register and all we need is a credit card # to hold the slip. This helps them keep us close together. We already have 22 boats in the tournament and will pay cash prizes down to 5th place. Remember it's the combined length of 3 rockfish and you can check in up to 2 fish per day. Your fish must be an overall length of 34" to be measured for the tournaments and then the official length will be to the V of the tail. Don't forget to pay for the all you can eat dinner on Friday May 5th at 6:30pm at the Solomons Fire House. Boomarang's will cater the event with pulled pork BBQ, chicken and all the sides, dessert and drinks. It's $3 in advance for members and $15 for non members. At the door it will be $5 for members and $20 for non- members. We will have a 50/50 raffle and some great prizes including a 330 GTI Trolling Combo. This is a winner take all for the longest rockfish. If you have any questions or need information call Rob Pellicot at 301-696-7851.

Also the $100 Calcutta is due by April 12th as well. This is a winner take all event for the longest single rockfish. Our Frederick Chapter Tournament books and slip assignments will be available at the April meeting as well.

Opening day for Rockfish is April 15th and the minimum size will be 33" and one fish per person.

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