Spring Rockfish Regulations

April 21 - May 15 you can keep one fish per person 28"-35" OR 41" and over. One fish in either of the slots not both. This is based on total length.

Survey Data
There is a real need for the survey data. This can be done on the web
at: www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/
survey/sbsurveyintro.shtml
or we will have forms with stamped labels at the meeting. The importance of this is tremendous otherwise the ASFMC is using incorrect data to determine our catch. The only thing that really saved us this year was
the fact the charter boats are required to keep a log and those logs helped to determine that they had over estimated our catch. These surveys will only help us so please fill them out after every trip even if you did not catch anything.

Chincoteague Information
Here are some lat/long numbers of an obstruction just outside the edge of
the Assateague Point. If you cut the beach are a close while cruising or fishing you DO NOT want to hit this. It is in 9 ft of water is 8 + ft tall so at low tide you can just see it below the surface. It seems to be metal & concrete. Here are the #'s 37 52 31.4/75 24 14.4 Just go slow in this area until you can see it then mark your own GPS location. As of 3/12/07 it was still there.

Spring Tournament May 4-6
The Frederick Chapter will be accepting registrations for our tournament at the meeting. This is the last time to get in and it's $75 per boat. Don't forget the Calcutta for $100 as well. Also call to get your rooms at the Comfort Inn @ 410-326-6303 and use the Frederick Chapter code to get the discounted rate of $109 per night. We have our block of rooms both smoking and non- smoking. Do NOT request a slip as we'll take care of this on your registration at the meeting. We have a block of slips and they will be good from Wednesday - Monday (you will only be charged for 2 nights). If you have any questions at all call Rob at 301-696-7851 or 301-606-0392.

Flounder Tournament
May 18-20
Sign ups will start at the March meeting. Dave will provide updates.

Monthly Speakers
If you know of anyone or possibly one of our members that would make a great speaker, let us know. You do not need a slide show or polished presentation just bring what you need to teach others. It could be rod building, boat tricks, tips and maintenance or just a good fishermen willing to share some secrets. Let Ed Susa know at the next meeting.

Membership Coordinator
The MSSA Frederick Chapter is looking for a membership coordinator. If you are interested in helping out or would like more information see Rick Thompson or Ken Wheeler at the meeting. Ken will make sure the transition is a smooth one & be there for any issues. We are looking for others that could serve as a call team etc, to help this coordinator from time to time. All positions will not involve a huge amount of time but we do need some volunteers.

Chincoteague Island, VA
Fishing Report by Charlie Koski

Well the Flounder season began April 1. Since you could not even get a release citation per the VMRC no one has been out yet. This ruling just came out recently, it also holds for the closure from July 23-28. I will be out, weather permitting, the first day. They are calling for a cold and rainy start. I am sure a lot of fish will be caught but not sure how many will be kept with the size limit being 18.5". I have heard of some nice fish being netted & one of my fellow captains on the island who works for the Marine Science Consortium at Wallops said he has trawled up some nice flatties also. Tautog are on the wrecks & some nice ones have been brought in. The season is here! Come on down and soak some bait. Most of the tackle shops on the island are open. Tight lines.

For daily fishing reports check out www.captbobs-marina.com/
NewsReports.php
and
www.stevesbaitandtackle.com/
NewsReports.php

Report from Bill's Fishing Shack: by Bill Johnson
First let me thank the members for their support & well wishes during my recovery from back surgery. The surgeon has informed me that it will still be a long & painful process, up to two years. The effects of fishing withdrawal have been almost as agonizing as the pain & therapy from my back. Some of the best therapy hopefully will be time spent at the beach & around my boat.

As I understand it, the slot fish for striped bass will be 28" - 35" or a fish over 41". The ospreys returned weeks ago, signaling the return of the big bait. My instincts tell me that the striped bass are probably in their pre-spawned stages. Although I haven't talked to anyone that's done any catch & release, I may try some catch & release off the surf at Cove Point. Last year I caught a few up to 37" off the beach beginning April 1st. The last of the flea markets to purchase new baits, tackle & line has come and gone. Now we need to concentrate on putting the gear together in a manner to be ready for opening day on April 21st. For those who are inexperienced or had difficulty in last year's spring season, there's plenty of experience in our chapter to enable you to catch those 41-inch-plus trophy stripers. In other fishing news, I understand that the yellow perch spawn is mostly over, although there were plenty of vehicles at Hill's Bridge when I returned from Cove Point on March 25th. My plans for now are to head back to Cove Point on the 28th to continue testing the hardware I now have in my back. Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers. I hope you can get a real head-shaking trophy rockfish this spring.