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 7th, 2011

Fishing Report by Sue Foster

Water Temperature (WTMP): 41.9°F

We're back to writing the fish reports, but right now, not much going on
yet. Capt Monty on the Morning Star has got into some big tautog and some
nice cod fish. Stripers "were" biting in VA but it was slow this past
weekend. My Dad and I just got back from a month long vacation in the
Florida Keys, and the fish were certainly biting down there! We had a great
time. Please read below paragraphs about the new MD Saltwater License. I
have all the links and info you will need.

Shop Online !
Priority Mail shipping on most items weighing more than a pound. (Brand new
mall coming soon!!!!)


T-shirts! We still have 2010 White Marlin Open T's on sale starting at
9.99!
Tire Buddy III
Tire Deflators


Flounder and
Surf Packages, complete with sinkers.

Gift Cards

( I'll be "in and out" of Oyster Bay Tackle during the week but there will
be no set hours until April 1st. I plan to open on weekends, 9-3. We'll be
"in and out" of Fenwick Tackle also. If we're there, we're open. If you
have questions or want to order over the phone please e-mail me your name
and phone number and I will call you. Email Sue at sue@oysterbaytackle.com.)
410-524-3433).
Instore Coupons!

I'm starting to get a lot 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.)

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 of Ocean City. Thus 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 $1.00 plus 2.5 per cent.
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.

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.

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.

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

Reports from Assateague and Ocean City Beaches were "zip" again this week.
I did see some pics of some fresh water fish. Crappie, white perch, yellow
perch, blue gills, etc... Had a phone call from an angler that caught a
15-inch citation crappie on Saturday.

"Poppy" posted on 3/1: "Lure fished the coast last few days.Ended February
w/o a fish caught, albeit minimal effort. Did not follow through w/ a new
pattern of fishing as I had planned to.Today is March 1st.early this morning
tried new lures and teaser combo's.nothing.May head a little further south."

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!


Need surf
rigs? We have plenty in our shops or buy online! Shop Online



If you find it hard to hold bottom try using a " sputnik
sinker if you can't hold with a regular surf sinker. I always carry a 3
1/2 or 5 1/2 ounce sputnik in my tackle box.


Larry Jock of the Coastal
Fisherman saw some stirrings of life in the ocean. He posted on 2/28:

"Looks like we may be having some fish roll by our area. Birds were seen
working just off the beach around 25th Street. Water temps are in the
low-40's. SATURDAY, February 26, 2011: Striped bass were spotted down around
Winter Quarter Shoal. Bait was seen today in the basin of the Ocean City
Fishing Center."

Clark from Old Inlet (302-227-7974) posted on Feb 4th "Not much going on
fishing-wise. A few people tog fishing the wrecks as weather permits.Two
proposed options for 2011 flounder season
Option 1 - 18.5 inches, 4 fish open year round
Option 2 - 18 inches, 4 fish, season closes October 13
Public hearing date has not been set yet."

Bill Sports Center (302-645-7654) reports that trout stocking has started
in DEL. Newton Pond in Greenwood is one of the stocking ponds. White perch
in the Broadkill river, and white perch in the " Milton spillway" and large
mouth bass in the area ponds.


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!")
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: The
state has published a very good
FAQ on the license requirement. Individual Delaware Fishing Licenses are
now available
online.
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. Here's his report and
comments.
"Fish Report 2/28/11

Hi All,
Snuck on-out Sunday. Clients had time for a nap..
Started with a cod coming over the rail. Tasty treat that.
Dipped another & another
..then a double-header.
More cod than I've seen caught since 1982.
This wasn't epic cod-fishing. Plenty of guys from up north have caught by
themselves in a day what we caught altogether..

It wasn't epic tog-fishing either. Had some taggers. A keeper, Then a 17
incher. The last two tog were also 17..
Pounds.
Alex caught his personal best--17lb 2ozs.
Man's caught a lot of tog.
Second place was 16.95 pounds. Nice guy, I'll give him 17 on it.

Both anglers stuck to their guns--didn't get distracted by the cod--stayed
with crab bait.

The cod bit clam.
Man with two watches never knows the time: Putting clam and crab on a hook
doesn't work.

High man had 8 keeper cod, 3 tagged throwbacks plus a tog. Dae does that to
people.
I had 4 cod..

Sakes.
Piece of cod on a plate. Salt & pepper. Pat of butter. Cover with another
plate. Microwave 2 1/2 minutes.
For a while life is very, very good. . . . . . .







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.


Capt. Rick Yakimowicz of the "Thelma Dale V" Reports from Fisherman's Wharf
on Dec 14th:

" We will start back fishing For the Tog in the Spring.

If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf
or you would like to reserve space for a special sea bass 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!

Mike and Jene Mcgee of Oceanview DE were also in the FL Keys: Mike wrote:
We hooked a nurse shark here in the keys, 100-120lbs, 6-7 ft long, never got
it on the boat, really didn't want to!"


VA
charters.
(Wilson Cropp Charters and Guide Service. Cape Charles, VA- 1-434-531-6376)
Stripers...
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!


Good fishing...



Gift
Certificates Call 410-524-3433 or order
ONLINE.


Need a gift card? Give us a call at 410-524-3433 You can also buy
them
online.

2010 White Marlin Shirts are here! Short sleeve and
long sleeve! Order ONLINE.

Sputnik
sinkers back in stock!


CLOSE-OUT STAR BOAT SPIN RODS FOR ONLY 19.99. Regular retail was
49.99.


We have Calcutta hats, visors, t's, long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, tanks
and new
T-shirts on our online mall. We have the Bloodworm scented
Fish Bites in stock. You can buy these items online.



Tire deflators are great! Call Oyster Bay Tackle at 410-524-3433 or order on line.
BACK IN STOCK!


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.

There's a new product out called "Rod Log." It is an affordable storage
system for your rods and reels you can set up in your garage or carry with
you to your boat. Check it out.
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. (During the
winter season (Jan-Feb) it is best to e-mail.)

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 share them with us on our Fish Talk Board or 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!

Visit our
T-shirt page of our Online Mall to see all the t-shirts available
including this year's popular Calcutta T-shirts and our new Inshore-4
T-shirt.

Tire Deflators, Calcutta t-shirts, 2009 White Marlin Open,
Storm Wild-eyed Shad lures, Gift Certificates, Got-cha Plugs, Ugly Sticks,
Tica rods, new Okuma surf rods, Daiwa reels, Windcheaters, Mann's, Stretch
25 lures, Mullet Rigs,
Aqua-Clear Tangle free Rigs, Tsunami Shads, Tandem Rigs, Spec Rigs,
Beach Runner surf rods on sale, Penn Reels, Okuma reels,
Collapsible Bridge and Pier Nets, Rat-L-Traps, Calcutta Hats, Stuffed Tackle
Boxes and more. Stop in to our shops or Order Online.

E-mail Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay
Tackle
Oyster bay tackle
11615 Coastal Highway
Ocean City, Md
410-391-0222
http://www.oysterbaytackle.com/