Ocean City Maryland & Assateague Island - Delaware Beaches - Ocean n Bay Fishing Report
By Sue Foster, Oyster Bay Tackle Shop, Ocean City MD - Fenwick Island DE

March 27th, 2011

Fishing Report by Sue Foster

Water Temperature (WTMP): 43.5 °F°

Not too much to write about this week. The weather was "winter like" cold
and only the bravest anglers went out there to try it. There were some
skates caught from the beach the week before, but I didn't hear of any this
week. Same with tautog. Just didn't get any news of any more being caught.
Flounder were caught in VA. Capt Monty on the Morning Star has been
catching tautog and cod fish. Looks like "unofficially" Delaware flounder
will be 18-inches. Yes, Maryland and DE may have the same size limit for a
change this year. Creel limit will be different, but size the same.

Please read the info about the new MD Saltwater License at the end of this
report. (The most asked question this week is: "Do I need a license if I
fish on the federal beach on Assateague Island?" That's a "yes.") I have
all the links and the toll free number where you can buy your license. I
will be happy to print you a license at Oyster Bay Tackle from the public
website if you like, but Fenwick Tackle is busy doing Delaware licenses, so
please come to Oyster Bay Tackle. Please read all the details in the
paragraphs at the end of this report. (And remember, we didn't make the new
laws, and we are not making one dime on printing MD licenses, so please, if
you come in to Oyster Bay to get a license printed, contribute to the
"charity jar" or buy something in our store.) If you have questions call us
at Oyster Bay Tackle at 410-524-3433 or e-mail me at sue@oysterbaytackle.com

Fishing Tackle - Shop Online ! Brand
new shopping mall! Please let me know if anything is not working to your
liking and e-mail Sue Foster at:
Oyster Bay Tackle.

2011 White Marlin Open T's are here! We still have 2010 White Marlin Open
T's on sale starting at 9.99!

Tire Buddy III Tire Deflators!
(Oyster Bay Tackle will have limited hours this week. I'll be working the
Fenwick Tackle location Mon-Thursday where we are checking in a big order.
(Just call and see if we are there- 410-524-3433 or 302-539-7766). Oyster
Bay will be open Friday, Sat, and Sun. Fenwick Tackle will be open every
day this week. (302-539-7766). If you have questions email Sue at
sue@oysterbaytackle.com.) 410-524-3433).
Instore Coupons!



Reports from Assateague were "zip" again this week. I did see lots of
pictures of white perch and other brackish and fresh water fish.

"HeavySurf" posted on Stripers Online: "Went to throw some lures in the
inlet in OC the water was 48 degrees and plenty of bait fish hanging in the
floating grass. Saw some small skate chasing bait just off the rocks I was
thinking something might be lurking but the chill won."


Many anglers ask about reading the beach when surf fishing. "Poppy" a very
good angler has posted another very good description with pictures on
Stripers Online. Check it out:
Reading the Beach He draws it out completely! If you're not catching
fish in the surf, you need to study this!

First tautog were caught last weekend, but we heard nothing this weekend.
Not saying none were caught, but I didn't hear of any. It was REALLY cold!
Tautog bite best on outgoing water, when the sun is out. Outgoing water is
always warmer than the incoming tide.


Larry Jock of the Coastal
Fisherman reports: "MD/DE/VA BLACK SEA BASS SEASON ESTABLISHED FOR 2011
SEASON

March 25, 2011 - The Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Board approved state-by-state shares for the 2011 black sea bass
recreational season in order to mitigate potential disproportionate impacts
to an individual state(s) that coastwide measures may cause. The 2010
regulations resulted in a preliminary estimated harvest of 2.98 million
pounds, approximately 1.15 million pounds above the 2010 target. Given that
the 2010 regulations were not effective in staying within the target,
coastwide harvest will need to be reduced by 37% to achieve, but not
exceed, the 2011 target of 1.78 million pounds.

Under state-by-state shares the following states will need to reduce
harvest by the identified amount: Massachusetts (43%), Rhode Island (37%),
Connecticut (37%), New York (39%), New Jersey (40%), and North Carolina
(37%). Over the next two months, states will need to submit their proposed
recreational measures to meet the required reduction for technical review
and Board approval. The states of Delaware, Maryland, and the Commonwealth
of Virginia, whose combined harvest represent less than three percent of
the coastwide total, are not required to meet any harvest reductions and
have committed to maintaining 2010 measures (25 fish, 12.5 inches TL
minimum fish size, and an open season from May 22 to October 11 and
November 1 to December 31) for the 2011 fishery.

These required reductions apply to state waters for the 2011 fishing season
only. Recreational measures for the 2012 fishing season will be coastwide
unless the Board decides to change that through future management action.

"


Clark from Old Inlet (302-227-7974) posted on March 22nd "One small striper
reported from the beach on Sunday!!
Had a confirmed report of small flounder caught in the Indian River Bay!! A
couple of short stripers reported from the Broadkill beach area."


Bill Sports Center (302-645-7654) reports that sea bass regs will remain
the same as last year in DE and MD. The overwhelming vote for flounder in
DE was 18-inches and 4 fish creel. Tautog are offshore, but not inshore yet.
Soon....


E-mail Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay
Tackle with your pictures and/or reports. Vacation Pictures are
welcome! (Please send me a real picture and not a link to a "Kodak moment"
or a Facebook page.") Phone pics are fine.
E-mail me your name and where you are from so we
can put you in our weekly fish reports and/or Gallery!


Anglers now need a DE Fishing License to fish, crab, and clam in DEL:
Individual Delaware Fishing Licenses are now available
Delaware Fishing License online or
Stop into Fenwick Tackle and get your license. 302-539-7766.

Delaware anglers will also need a F.I.N. number every year, similar to a
hunting H.I.P. number. It is free, very simple to get, but necessary. DNREC
has e-mailed us how to get it! To obtain a F.I.N. number anglers may visit
www.delaware-fin.com, or call 800-432-9228, any time of day or night.


Capt. Monty on the "
Morning Star" is now tautog and cod fishing. Sea Bass will open May 22
in MD. Here's his report from the 27th:
" Fish Report 3/27/11
Going This Week - In May Too
Bubble-Gum Candy Pink
The Data's Cbass Slayers
Why Sea Bass Are Considered Recreationally Overfished

Going Wednesday & Thursday - Long Cod/Tog Trips - March 30 & 31 - 6:30 AM to
4:00 PM - Going Further, Deeper - Fare $125.00 - 16 Head Sells Out - Clams
and Green Crabs Provided - Reservations Required - Call 410 520 2076 -
Weather Looks Good But Leave The Best Contact Number In Case It Changes.

Sunday, May 22cnd - Long Cbass - 6:30 AM to 4 PM - Regular 25 Person Rail -
$125.00
Monday thru Friday, May 23 thru 26 - Regular Cbass Trips - 7 to 3 - $100
Saturday, May 28 -- Long Cbass -- 6:30 AM to 4PM -- $125.00
Reservations Required On All Trips -- Call 410 520 2076 -- Leave Your Best
Contact Number In Case Of Weather -- Clams Provided -- BYO Gulp!
See http://www.morningstarfishing.com/ for reserved rail/spot positions...
As always: If everyone is 20 minutes early--We leave 20 minutes early! Be
Early!


Hi All,
Snuck on off at zero-dark thirty Saturday morning. Breeze a little fresher
than any would have cared for, but very doable.
Sun-up & lines-in; First fish over the rail is a cod.
I'm starting to really like those fish.
In my business bending rods & smiling faces are the goal: Washing dishes
means job well-done.
Clients understand the task at hand is to leave fishing better than we found
it ..but they come to catch dinner.

We've had a couple trips of late where super-skilled tog fishermen watch
others catch; Where at fish pool weigh-ins they aren't digging through the
cooler.
Not the case Saturday.
Most of the tog were caught by Alex & NY George.. The rest of us tried but
were, in the end, too distracted by cod.

Mate Mike pulling anchors; I asked this young pulla {a tog catcher/able to
pull tog out/a puller, AKA "pulla"} ..I asked NY George to tie a jig to one
of my rods while I maneuvered the boat.

He tied it and also a single hook above the 6 ounce spoon; slipped a
bubble-gum candy-pink curly-tail worm on it.
A Whaaaat! -- I thoroughly dislike pink/light red lures -- Skate Bait!

..this young man, born when I took my last "I know we're going to go out and
catch cod trip" in 1982, puts a WHAT on my hook?
And he's using a hammered gold jig too! Nothing eats gold spoons except red
drum..

Cod, it turns out, like bubble-gum pink far more than I.
Yeah, They like gold spoons too..

An 11 hour trip stretched 12; My last stop was the best cod fishing I've
ever seen--Bar None. I had the entire rail bowed up twice-- nearly every
pole bent--even some doubles: That's nice fishing.
Especially fun, the jigging. Fun to catch on bait too, but the strike on a
jig seemed more aggressive--a harder fight.

Split pool: Alex pocketed the tog half with a 10 1/4 pound fish. Young man
from over Tochterman's, Dave, graced the rail with a 17 pound cod..

The only bigger cod I've seen caught was on June 13th, 1982 -- a 35 pounder.
Pretty sure the state record is 64 pounds caught in 1974 on the Capt.
Bunting -- But they took cod off the state record list, I couldn't double
check....

It ain't Montauk; It ain't Gloucester either - But we'll go again Wednesday
& Thursday. Try to nick a few tog too!

Going Wednesday & Thursday - Long Cod/Tog Trips - March 30 & 31 - 6:30 AM to
4:00 PM - Going Further, Deeper - Fare $125.00 - 16 Head Sells Out - Clams
and Green Crabs Provided - Reservations Required - Call 410 520 2076 -
Weather Looks Good But Leave The Best Contact Number In Case It Changes.
Will send a short email -yeah, right- if the weekend looks
fishable............





E-mail Capt Montyfor more info.
To receive Capt. Monty's full newsletter with comments e-mail Capt. Monty.

Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservation Line 410 520 2076
http://www.morningstarfishing.com/

Watch the
weather.


Check out the link on our web site to the local chapter of the MSSA. They are keeping us
abreast on all the Fishing Issues. From our Oyster Bay Website, go to "More
Fishing Info" on the left hand side, and click on "MSSA Atlantic Anglers".
Check the weather before driving hours to go offshore or fish the surf. Go
to
Coastal Marine Forecast to get an idea of the weather and height of the
waves.


Stop by to the Oyster Bay Tackle location and buy your 2011 Ocean City
Reef Foundation Charts. The donation fee for these charts are $25. $27 if
you use a credit card. These charts pin-point all the GPS numbers for all
the
Artificial Reef materials that have been scattered near offshore wrecks,
reefs, and
obstructions. The charts give you hundreds of numbers to find fish. All the
money collected goes back into the Artificial Reef Foundation.

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz of the "Thelma Dale V" Reports from Fisherman's Wharf
on March 22nd:

"We got our first weekend of our regular All-Day trips out fishing this
past weekend with some fair to good results. With decent weather in the
forecast we were able to get out three out of the four scheduled trips and
put some fresh Blackfish on the docks for the first time this year....

With great weather and a couple of handfuls of eager fisherman we sailed on
Friday for our first official regular full day trip. It was a successful
trip within minutes of anchoring the boat! The Tog bite was on. Not a fast
and furious bite like we see at times but certainly enough action to keep it
interesting and to keep everyone on their toes. We saw a nice mix with both
throwbacks and some decent Tog up to about seven pounds coming in pretty
much all day long. As a bonus we even landed a couple keeper Cod. By the end
of the day just about everyone on board had more than enough for supper with
the high hook landing seven decent fish. Given the time of year and the
temperature of the water I must say I was very pleased with the results of
our maiden voyage.



Saturday was more of a dose of reality. With a little more wind than I would
have liked to have and a nice boat full of fisherman we headed back to the
same depths that we had the good action on the prior day. It started out
looking like it was going to be a repeat of the day before with a steady
pick of both keepers and short fish but this action quickly faded and the
harsh reality of the Saturday sting began to set in! I pushed offshore a
little further but only managed a couple more short fish and a few Spiny
Sharks and found myself doubling back to the area we had started just to get
a few more bites. Late in the day we did manage a few more keeper fish but
it was too little too late to turn this day around into a good trip.


With even more wind but a better forecast we were back at it again on Sunday
morning this time with only a dozen participants. It started out much like
most of the day on Saturday and I was beginning to wonder if the fish were
going to bite at all. As the strong ebb tide associated with the super moon
began to run the Tog actually started to nibble a little and we had some
action very similar to what I had seen on Friday. While the fish never
really added up to big numbers, once again just about everyone onboard had
more than enough for supper and for a while we had pretty decent action. By
mid-day the current was vicious and staying in touch with the sticky bottom
became quite a chore and it just turned into the occasional fish. All in all
I would have to call this another successful adventure.

On other fronts the first spring Stripers have been landed up in the Bay and
if this year is anything like the past few years this fishery should come on
strong for a good couple weeks real soon. Most of the Stripers will be
caught while anchored fishing with a hunk of fresh Surf Clam.

I will continue now with the four day a week schedule sailing Friday,
Saturday, Sunday and Monday with my regular All-Day Trips. We sail at 7:00
a.m. and generally get back to the dock at around 4:00. We will be fishing
wrecks and artificial reefs for Tautog and we may see a few Cod. Bait is
furnished we will have fresh Crabs and Clams. If you want Shrimp or Gulp
you'll have to bring your own!

If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf
or you would like to reserve space for a special trip or to book a private
charter please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA."


His full report and boat info is
here.

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz
Thelma Dale V
catchfish@verizon.net"




Capt.Dan Stauffer (866-623-4746) of the Fin Chaser does wreck,
inlet and trolling trips. He says: "The 2011 fishing season is right around
the corner and I'm excited to tell you our website
www.finchasersportfishing.com has been updated with 2011 information,
specials and pricing. Reservations have been very heavy since February 1st
and many dates have already filled. If you have a specific date or time
frame you would like to fish, you may want to get your reservation in ASAP.
There are Tournaments which are still available for the 2011 season. Please
contact me and I will let you know which are still open.


The largest project of this off season was the boat. Fin Chaser received a
complete paint job from the waterline up. Another big change to the boat for
this year is the addition of a custom build transom bracket for the kill box
and/or fish bag. This will open up the cockpit and provide free movement
thoughout the fishing area.

If you would like more info on these trips please check out our website or
give us a call.
Capt. Dan -phone: 866-623-4746 -www.finchasersportfishing.com

Dad and I have been vacationing in the FL Keys fishing the Bridges and had
great luck with the mangrove snappers.
Here's a pic of Dad
(Irv Mumford of Fenwick Tackle) with a nice one!

My husband and friend Rex fished the Eastern Shore of VA this weekend. They
caught several keepers including a 21-inch and a 23-inch flounder on
minnows. It was very cold, but the fish were biting! My husband's pic with
the 21-incher
is in our Vacation
Photo Gallery .


VA
charters.
(Wilson Cropp Charters and Guide Service. Cape Charles, VA- 1-434-531-6376)
Stripers...Tog... Drum...
Eco tours as well.





CHECK OUT the Fish Talk Forum - At
The Beach - Fishing Ocean City MD Assateague Island - Delaware Fishing
Beaches


(Just a note to say to my readers that many of my fishing reports are from
other anglers and party boats that come over my e-mail. When I "copy/paste"
their reports I try to leave them intact. It keeps the fishing reports
lively and interesting. But any comments/politics within the quotes are
their comments and views, and not necessarily mine.)

Need info on where, how, when to fish, crab, and clam? Go
to
Drifting Easy Archives and READ UP! It's all in there and it's
FREE!!!!!!



James A. Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing
Alliance
has been actively working on the sea bass crisis. The RFA believes the
future of our fisheries is dependent on fixing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act which has laid down strict time-frames that
do not take into account livelihoods and that a fishery is rebounding
steadily.


Need to tie a knot? Click
Here. This is really cool! You can also click Here!

We're getting lots of e-mails and phone calls about the new Maryland
Saltwater
License and I'm doing my best to answer them. (Please don't send me e-mails
venting anger. Something the federal government mandates is way beyond my
control.)

Maryland Fishing License

Anglers fishing in Ocean City will need to purchase a saltwater fishing
license. This license will cover both the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal
waters and surf of Ocean City and Assateague Island. Yes, this includes surf
fishing. If you already have a Chesapeake Bay Saltwater license you are good
to go! Anglers will be able to purchase the license online. The
license you want to choose is "Bay and Coastal Sport" You can either choose
a year-round or 7-day. The online site will add on a small convenience fee,
but so will the tackle stores
until the state sets us up. Unfortunately, this may not happen until
sometime this summer.
Oyster Bay Tackle will be glad to do your
fishing license for you, but we have to go to the same web site you would,
and use your credit card
to purchase a license for you until the state sets us up. SO, if you know
you are coming to Ocean City, it
would be to your advantage to get it done ahead of time. Right now, you can
also call a toll free number (1-800-918-2870)
or print and mail in an application (the
least expensive way to go!) If you know you are going to buy a boat license,
this would be a really good way to go. $50 and everyone on your boat can go
fishing without a license. They will send you your sticker for your boat in
the mail.

Mail the application to their main office:

Maryland Dept. of Natural resources
Annapolis Service Center
P.O. Box 1869
1804 West Street, Suite 300
Annapolis, MD 21401


If you are going to be fishing on a private boat with someone who has a Boat
License, you don't have to buy a license, but you do have to register online. This
is free but cannot be done over the phone. (The state says it has no money
for a phone line.) So do it now. Do it anytime. But don't wait till you get
to Ocean City without a computer. Print out your number and keep an id with
you when you go fishing. It only takes a couple minutes. If you get in a
bind, we
can also do this for you at Oyster Bay Tackle.

Another interesting note about the license is that if you buy a VA license,
it is good in MD, and vice versa. If you are fishing in MD with a VA licence
you do need to register with MD online. Again, this is free. This is so each
state can "try" to figure out "how many" fish are being caught in their own
individual states. (VA Free
Registry)

If you want to go fishing in Ocean City without a license, your choices will
be the "Oceanic Pier" or to go fishing on a party or charter boat. You can
also go crabbing and clamming in Ocean City without a license. Or you can
fish off your own private dock.

Contact Info
If you have any questions regarding Maryland's sport fishing license
requirements, you may contact Fisheries Service via e mail:
customerservice@dnr.state.md.us or by calling (410-656-9526).


Following is the fee schedule for 2011:

Senior License (year round) - $5.00
Resident License (year round) - $15.00
Resident License (7-day) - $6.00
Non-resident (year round) - $22.50
Non- resident (7-day) - $12.00
Pleasure Boat Decal (covers everyone on boat - year round) - $50.00
Commercial Fishing Pier License (year round) - $290.00

No license is required for:
Boat decal passengers
Those fishing in "free fishing" areas
Those fishing from their waterfront properties
Anglers under 16 years old
Anglers fishing on a licensed charter, party or guide boat
Anglers fishing commercially under a valid license

For more information, log onto www.dnr.state.md.us



Good fishing...





We also now carry the
Oasis Trailhead Tire Deflators. 59.99 for set of 4 in store.

To buy a dozen assorted flounder rigs for $21.99. (Reg- 28.08) call
410-524-3433, stop
in our stores or
Order Online.

To buy a selection of a dozen of the most popular Got-cha Plugs in our area
for 44.99
Shop Online or call 410-524-3433.

We have a great value on a stuffed surf box

Big surf box for 49.99- a $56 value- available on line, at both our
stores, or call 410-524-3433.

We offer a great value in our stores or on our web site of
a package of 12 assorted surf rigs. (Value $28.28) for $23.99.
Surf rigs buy online or call 410-524-3433.

To buy a big stuffed Flounder box
for 49.99 stop in our stores, Shop Online, or call 410-524-3433.-

We have
6-packs of bucktails and we
have fishing
books.


Visit our online mall year
round. Check it out and
e-mail me with any comments or suggestions.
-->
We have a
Australian Gold
Suntan Lotion web page that shows all the Australian Gold Suntan
Products available in both our retail stores. Oyster Bay Tackle~410-524-3433
and Fenwick Tackle~302-539-7766. E-mail
Sue for pricing and availability or call 410-524-3433.

Visit our Website.

Visit our
Drifting Easy Archives to learn where and how to crab, clam and fish in
our area.

Sale!

We have lots of rods and reels out for this season by
Daiwa, Tica, Sea Striker and Okuma.

If you have any fish reports please e-mail
Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay
Tackle. E-mail me your name and where you are from so we can put
you in our weekly fish reports!



E-mail Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay
Tackle
if you have any questions about our inventory or if you want to place
an order for an item we do not have on-line.



Holiday Shopping

Coupons

2011
tide tables now available in online. (tides start April 1st) You'll
find our tide chart and MD regs under "More Fishing Info" on our
website. -->

Tides: These are ocean tides, add 2 hours for the bay, approximately 1 hour
for Indian River:

High Tides: (Add approx 6 hours for low tide)


Oyster bay tackle
11615 Coastal Highway
Ocean City, Md
410-391-0222
http://www.oysterbaytackle.com/