Tackle Corner
by Matt Abell

This month I would like to talk about braid. In particular Momoi's new diamond braid. Momoi has had a long standing reputation as a quality mono producer now and after several years of testing has developed a new braid that seems to be right on target. Diamond braid is a twelve-stand braid, this feature allows the line to be nearly perfectly round which aids in knot performance and line lay. This line also does not require a wax type coating, which makes it very limp and extremely cast able. The diameter seems to be just a hair thicker than PowerPro. However the knot strength is much better. We tried 15# diamond with a polymar and received a break at 21 lbs. PowerPro with the same test broke at 13 lbs. This new line is available in offshore blue with 15#, 20# and 30# to choose from. Heavier test will be available soon. If you have any questions don't hesitate to give me a call.. Thanks,
www.seahawksports.com
Matt at Sea Hawk Sports Center
410-957-0198

Flounder Tournament
The April meeting is the last chance to sign up at the discounted rate of $50. Dave has secured discounted rooms at the Sea Hawk motel. Call Brenda or Carey (Owners) and let them know you are with the Frederick MSSA @ 757-336-6527. Don't forget to stop by Seahawk Bait and Tackle on Rt 13 in Pocomoke to pick up your bait and rigs from Matt. He can be reached at 410-957-0198. I would also like to thank Matt for doing the Tackle Corner in our newsletter. He will feature products each month so check it out.

Frederick Chapter Spring
Tournament Update
This will be your last chance to sign up for the tournament. We will distribute the Chapter Tournament Books at the meeting as well. We have reserved a block of rooms and slips at the Comfort Inn / Beacon Marina. You will need to make your own room reservations by calling the hotel at 410-326-6303 and provide the block name "Rob Pellicot". All of our rooms had to be reserved so they are under my name. Once you make the reservation, the room will go to your name and you will receive a confirmation # that you need to keep. These discounted rooms are the same price as last year at $109 / night. All of the slips have been taken but I can take your information in case someone cancels or does not pay by this meeting. Slips will be reserved on our tournament entry form and they need to be paid at the meeting. It's our special rate of $1 per foot per night and he's only charging us for 2 nights. These need to go through me as I provide a list to the dock master and we already have a block of 20 slips as well The tournament entry is $75 (March 13- April 9th) & the Calcutta will be $125. The last chance to sign up will be the April meeting. The rules and regulations will be given at the meeting. The dinner will be Friday May 2nd @6:30pm - members $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Nonmembers are $15 or $20 at the door. This will also be payable on the tournament entry.

Chincoteague Island, VA
Fishing Report by Charlie Koski

Well it that time folks, the black headed gulls (aka Laughing Gulls) have arrived and that means the Flounder should be here. I know some of the Frederick Chapter anglers have been down at Willis Wharf and Wachapreague and did very well! One group of four had 16 keepers last Friday. I have heard a few fish caught here around the Island but few and far between. I am heading out after I write this article and give it a couple hours and see what the water temps are. Finally a day with winds less than 15 mph.
Sea bass and tautog are on the wrecks if you can get out. Use sea clams for the Tog and squid for the Sea Bass. Mostly south is where the action is for the sea bass.

Tight Lines.

For daily fishing reports check out captbobs-marina.com and
stevesbaitandtackle.com

Rockfish Regulations for the Trophy Season April 19th - May 13th
One Fish per Person 28" or greater. There is no Slot Limit this year. No fish can be taken May 14-15. May 16 it's back to the summer regs of 2 fish per person greater and only 1 can be over 28".

MSSA Spring Tournament
Changes
The cost has increased to $200 by March 15th so get your entries in now. March 16th it goes to $225. Also there is now a $500 Calcutta with a Winner Take All.

Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report
by Captain Ed Susa
Well ladies and gentlemen, seems like "IT'S ON". I have heard reports of fish heading to their spring spawning grounds from Smith Point in Virginia to as far North as the "Flats" already. Bait fish are all over the place & tightly schooled up in many places throughout the bay. Quite a few braves souls have been jigging up some nice fish at the warm water discharge at the power plant using 4" bass assassins on 1/2 to 1 oz. lead heads with fish up to & some over 36". I've talked to a few charter captains & others who have been out scouting the area with great success. One fella told me he caught well over 20 fish in about 3 hours & another told me that he had as many as 5 rods down with 6 fish on at one time. The fish are loaded with roe & some have been in the 44" range. There is no rhyme or reason to the depth of the water as they have been caught in 90 ft. of water as well as 30 ft. of water. Everyone has been using the traditional spring tactics of working in a West to east or east to West pattern running across the shipping channels. No lures have yet to emerge as the favorite & it seems that they'll hit anything & everything from tandems to spoons way back or umbrellas in the top 15 ft of the water column. A few nice size fish have been caught deep with either a heavy MoJo or with 20-24oz's of lead 60-70 ft. back coupled with a nice umbrella rig. Hopefully the weather will warm a little & the Northwest winds will die down over the next week so we can get out & get the season rolling. Time to get your boats ready, rods tuned up, leaders tied, spreads together & hit the water. Spring is here. The fish are here & the tournament is just around the corner. FISH HARD!