MSSA DORCHESTER CHAPTER 11
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MSSA DORCHESTER CHAPTER 11
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January 13th, 2012
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Jay Harfort Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Harry Miller Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH! Time has changed to 2012 and there have been a couple of changes in our Chapter. Charlie Hutchinson has asked to be replaced as our treasurer because of health, plus it will give him more time to work on Menhaden. He will be replaced by Jay Harfort. On the tournament committee Harry Miller will replace Dave Thomas. I want to thank these people for all their help and cooperation.
On January 1st our membership dues will increase by $5.00 across the board. The MSSA hasn’t increased their membership dues for years. The increase is needed to support all the activities that the MSSA is involved with, such as the scholarship program, the kids’ fishing programs, legislation programs, Menhaden programs and fishing tournaments just to mention a few. Remember the MSSA is the largest group fighting for the rights of the recreational fisherman in Maryland. There are quite a lot of places that give discounts to MSSA members. We need your support so please renew your membership when it comes due. We do have a lot of fun and fellowship at our meetings. The discount places are listed on the MSSA website – WWW.MSSA.NET
MSSA CONVENTION The MSSA convention is moving back to Ocean City and will be held at the Princess Royale on February 3-4-5. There is still time to sign up and attend this event. See details on the MSSA website or the Tidelines Magazine. FLEA MARKETOur one-day biggest show on the Shore will be held at the American Legion Post #91 on February 25th, the last Saturday in February. This is our biggest fundraiser for our Chapter and needs everyone’s support to make it a success again this year. Please try to attend for there are plenty of bargains and there will be plenty of vendors with all kinds and varieties or items for fishing, hunting and boating supplies.
Try to find some items to give us for our Chapter’s table. We all have things we don’t and haven’t used to donate to our table at the flea market. Pass the word around about our flea market and support this event. There will be flyers at our meeting on the 19th that I want everyone to take and pass around or put up in your area were you live and shop. 2011 CAPTAIN OF THE YEARThe MSSA captain of 2011 is one of our members. Sam Fisher has been a member of our Chapter for a few years and has won a well-deserved captain of the year award. Sam, for placing 1st, will win $5,500.00 and free entry in all MSSA 2012 tournaments. Sam and his crew of “right hook” entered all three MSSA tournaments and won the “tunament” tournament with a 111.4 pound Blue Fin Tuna and an impressive 15-pound Dolphin. Sam lives in Heathsville, Virginia and fishes a lot with Dave Thomas, also a Dorchester County Chapter member. Congratulations to Sam Fisher and his crew. MEMBERSHIPAs I stated earlier in this newsletter, MSSA dues will increase by $5.00. You will receive a notice from MSSA if your membership has to be renewed. When you receive this notice, return the notice with your payment. Also you can renew online – WWW.MSSA.NET. If you want to renew at the flea market, bring me your notice to make it easier and no paperwork has to be filled out. Renew. We need your support. Any questions, contact me (Clint) and I will be glad to help you.
GUEST SPEAKER Throughout the years we try to bring in each month a different speaker who will talk about or show us how to improve our fishing skills, help to improve our bays and rivers, new equipment and in general to improve our knowledge of what is happening as a recreational fisherman.
This month at our January 19th meeting we will have probably the most controversial speaker that we have ever presented. We are all aware of the commercial netting issue that is happening in our waterways. I personally know very little about commercial netting in our area. I personally want to improve my knowledge on this subject. When approach by this gentleman about this subject, I felt obligated to present this subject to our fishing club. John Motovidlak is a charter captain out of Tilghman Island. John says 85% of his income is from running fishing charters and 15% commercial netting. John says he is completely against all the illegal netting that is happening in our area. He felt everyone should be more educated on how the commercial netting of fish is handled. John was very helpful to me in getting the permit to start our fishing reef off Cook’s Point. I have known John for years and find him very honest and truthful in helping to improve fishing in our area.
Don’t miss this meeting to help you better understand commercial netting. John said he will try to answer all your questions after his presentation. See you at the meeting or on the water. Clint
November 13th, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid
MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave
Thomas Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH! 2011 is coming to an end and this month will be the last meeting for this year. There will be no meeting in December. Good fishing is holding up in the rivers and if you work at it you can pick up a fish over 30 inches out in the Bay. I hope this changes because the MSSA Fall Tournament is coming up November 19th and 20th. I have heard reports of fish with sea lice on them bring caught in the Bay. So they are coming. Keep your boats and equipment ready. MSSA FALL TOURNAMENTThe 19th MSSA Fall Tournament is November 19th and 20th – two days after our meeting on the 17th. There are quite a few of our members entering this event. Go on the MSSA website (www.mssa.net) or check out your last Tideline magazine or be at at our meeting to check out this tournament and get your information. There is a guaranteed $2,500 on the largest fish weighed in. Also there are so many ways to place in big money in this tournament. These tournaments are a big support to keep the MSSA going. Please support the MSSA with your membership and tournament entries. The MSSA is the largest recreatonal fishing organization in Maryland fighting for the rights and traditions of the recreational fishermen. We need your support. CHRISTMAS DINNEREven though we don’t have a meeting in December, we do have a Christmas dinner. This dinner this year is being held on December 10th at Suicide Bridge Restaurant outside of Secretary, Maryland. The dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. and the costs is $25 per person. The chapter will pick up the cost of the taxes and tip. This event is a great way to end out the year for our chapter. You can order your own food from a choice of four different meals and they are as follows: 1. Single crab cake. 2. Fried jumbo shrimp. 3. Delmonico steak 4. Fish – Flounder or Tuna. Also salad, potatoes, vegetables will be served with the meal. There is dessert – cheesecake or ice cream. Try to sign up at our November 17th meeting so we can get a head count or get your money in by December 5th. Get your money or check to Robert Geisler – 1617 Deep Water Road, Woolford, Maryland 21677. Mark your check Christmas Dinner. Bob’s phone number is 410-901-9711. This is a great event every year so be at the meeting to sign up. I want to thank Bob Geisler for heading up this event. PRE-PARTY CHRISTMAS DINNERAgain this year we will have a pre-party before our Christmas dinner. Mike and Carolyn German have given us a pre-party event for so many years. However this year they want to pass. I do want to thank both Mike and Carolyn for all the years they have opened their home to us at Christmas. This year we will hold our pre-Christmas party at the home of Hilmar Helgason. Hilmar lives close by Suicide Bridge Restaurant. His address is Hilmar Helgason – 3702 Willey Road. Here are the directions to his home. From Cambridge on Route 50 going east, turn left onto Route 16 going toward East New Market. Turn left on Route 16 to East New Market. Stay on Route 16 through East New Market and go towards Preston. Turn left onto Wright’s Wharf Road for about two miles. Turn right onto Hunting Creek Road – 1st road to left is Willey Road. End of Willey Road is Hilmar’s home – 3702 Willey Road. He said he will be flying his Islantic Flag. The party starts at 4:00 p.m. His phone number is 410-463-2220. Don’t miss the pre-party and the Christmas dinner. MSSA CONVENTIONThe MSSA convention will be held in Ocean City at the Princess Royale on February 3-4-5. See the MSSA website (www.mssa.net) or the Tidelines Magazine or call the MSSA office (410-255-5525) for information. I have booked a room for all three days so sign up and come on down to the MSSA convention and have some fun this coming winter. FLEA MARKETOur flea market will be upon us before we know it. The flea market will be at the American Legion on February 25th, the last Saturday in February. So start making plans and saving up items to donate for our Club’s table. Mark that date on your calendars. “The largest one-day show on the Shore.” MEMBERSHIPMost of our members memberships will expire on 1/1/12. So check your memership cards and if you need to renew your memership, please so to. We need your support. You can sign up at our Flea Market. SPEAKERMartin Carter will be speaking on “Fish Handlers Disease”. Martin is currently a mate on the charter boat “patent pending” out of Deale, Maryland. Marty is retired from the Maryland State Department of Mental Hygine where he spent 32 years working in the mycobacteria lab. Micobacteria tuberculosis (TB) is the most well known human infection diagnosed by this lab. However mycobacteria marinum (fish handlers disease) was also identified. Marty will speak primarily on fish handlers disease but will also touch on micobacteria (myco) that is infecting Rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay. Don’t miss this meeting. This is a must!
See you at the meeting or on the water. Clint P.S. Also at our November 17th meeting we will give away to two winners $50.00 cash on our membership drawing. You must be in attendance to win.
September 10, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid
MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave
Thomas Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
Last year when I was writing our newsletter, Hurricane Earl had going past us. This year it was Irene. Both could have been worse than what they were. However that was that and now it’s time to get back fishing. Before Irene, fishing had been good out in the Bay. However the River has been poor all year. Chuck Prahl informed me that some Bluefish have shown up in the River. All I can say is get out there and try to catch some fish and be at our meeting to find out where they are biting. FISHING TOURNAMENT AND CRAB FEAST
October 2nd is the scheduled day for both our fishing tournament and crab feast. The 2nd is a Sunday and both events will be held at the American Legion Post #91. Be at our September 15th meeting to sign up for these events and hear the rules of the tournament. FISHING TOURNAMENT
1. To enter it will be $10.00 per person and all money goes back to the winners. Plus the Club will ad an extra $50.00 to each winning fish. There will be a1st and 2nd place winner. Also this year we will give a bonus prize of$50.00 to the angler with the largest Catfish. Only one winner on the bonus. 2. Largest Rockfish, Bluefish and Perch are the fish to enter. Plus a bonus Catfish. 3. Fishing will start at 5:00 a.m. and final check-in registration at 4:00 p.m. at the American Legion. 4. No check-in registration of fish before 3:00 p.m. 5. Fish will be measured from closed mouth to tip to tail. 6. In case of ties, earliest fish check in wins. 7. Rockfish, Bluefish, Perch and bonus Catfish are the only fish to be entered. 8. Entrants must sign up by October 1st. Try to sign up at our September 15th meeting. Contact Chuck Prahl (410-228-0251) or Jesse Maffuid (410-228-1756) or Clint Waters (443-225-5545) to sign up. 9. $10.00 per person – a person fishing this tournament must be an MSSA member. However, any child under 16 years of age can fish and not be a member but must register by October 1st. 10. All money taken in plus Club’s donation will be given to the winners. CRAB FEAST
Our crab feast will be the same day as our fishing tournament, October 2nd. The crab feast will start at 4:00 p.m. right after the tournament. A cover charge of $10.00 per member and $15.00 per non-member will be charged for this event. Try to sign up at our September 15th meeting so Jim Kubista (410-228-4690) and Norm Bell (410-228-0913) can get a head count to make sure enough crabs and drinks are ordered. Try to bring a covered dish if you can so we can serve something besides crabs. Beer and sodas will also be provided by the Club. People and families have been great every year in supplying covered dishes in the past at our crab feast. A good, fun-filled day these two events provide to our members. KIDS’ FISHING DERBY
Our MSSA chapter held the Kids’ Fishing Derby on August 13th at the Long Wharf/Cambridge Yacht area. I want to thank Scott Fitzhugh and his family for all the work they did to put this event together. 45 kids signed up to fish this derby. All the kids won trophies, rods and reels, tackle boxes and other prizes. Every kid went home a winner. Over 180 fish were checked in and measured. Bob (Swamprat) Shenton and Charlie Hutchinson were there to measure and record the entries. Thanks Bob and Charlie! Top angler was Ava Asplen with the most fish entered. There was even a Garr Fish or Needle Fish caught. If you or your kids missed this event, you missed a great time. I would like to thank our sponsors: Simmons Center Market, Woolford Country Store, Eric Barnharts Diving Service, Pepsi Cola, Crystal Prints, Smiths Printing, R & D Boat Supply, Chesapeake Classics Sporting Goods. Ace Hardware, Gateway Marina, Dorchester Recreation and Parks, Slaughter Creek Marina, Cove Bait & Tackle, Wal-Mart, Charles Gabbin Soft Serve Ice Cream, Trophyllables, Gander Mountain, Pep-Up, Bay Country Bakery and Dorchester County MSSA for all the bait and rods and reels. Thank you all. Look on MSSADORCHESTER.COM to see all the photos by Curt Brandt.
JULY 21ST FISHING TOURNAMENT
We held our Summer Fishing Tournament on July 21st and here are the winners:
Rockfish Johnson Shufelt 1st 24 5/8” Charlie Schneider 2nd 24 3/16” –gave back money for kids’ derby Perch Bob Shenton 1st 12 1/8” Bob Shenton 2nd 11 ½” Croaker Steve Spellman 1st 16 7/8” Steve Spellman 2nd 16”
NO BLUEFISH WERE CHECKED IN MSSA ELECTIONS
It’s that time of the year for election of officers for the MSSA state and local chapters. If you are interested in volunteering your services and talents to make the MSSA a better organization, please contact me (Clint) or the MSSA office (410-225-5535) and throw your hat in the ring. Let us know by October 1st.
AUGUST 10TH AND 11TH
On August 10th and 11th, the CBF (Chesapeake Bay Foundation) ship “Patricia Campbell” placed another 219 reef balls on our reef site in the Choptank River at Cook’s Point. 147 reef balls were put in place on August 10th and another 72 reef balls on August 11th. This brings our total number of reef balls on this site to 525. This has become a great reef site and I’m proud to be a big part of this project. This site will be holding oysters and fish for 100 years. I want to thank all the volunteers and companies that have supported this project.
On Wednesday, August 10th, Bob Geisler and family plus Rick Marshall and myself had the opportunity of a lifetime to watch the sinking of the U.S. Navy destroyer “USS Radford” on a reef site off the coast of Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. You can read all about this story in the next issue of the “Tidelines”. I’m glad I witnessed this event for it was a change of a lifetime.
GUEST SPEAKER
Linda Barker of Maryland DNR fisheries service will present a project to validate or correct the site information that will be used by the National Marine Fisheries Service in their new MRIP dockside angler surveys in 2012. She will discuss the upcoming changes in MRIP, followed by a short working session to review and correct locations and fishing activity information for public boat access sites around the Chesapeake Bay. This is information that everyone interested in fishing will want to hear and they should be at this meeting.
See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint
JULY 15TH, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
I made a major mistake in the June newsletter. I put the wrong date for out July fishing tournament. The fishing tournament will be held on Thursday July 21st, our regular meeting night. Further along in this newsletter I will give all the rules and regulations. At our June meeting I was a little disappointed in the attendance. At our June and November meeting we give away $100.00 to our members who attend our meeting. The winners at the June meeting were Bill Cockran and Steve Spellman, each winning $50.00. A couple of names drawn didn’t win because they were not at the meeting. I have been president of the Dorchester County MSSA for 14 years and have tried to make your meetings as informative and interesting with good guest speakers as best I can. Maybe I have been at the helm too long and need new blood and ideas. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know for I try the best I can.
THURSDAY JULY 21ST FISHING TOURNAMENT On Thursday July 21st, the day of our regular meeting, we again are having our summer fishing tournament. This has worked out so well the last couple of years and I hope will be a success again this year. The entry fee is $5.00 per person with all money returned to the winners. Also the Club is putting an extra $75.00 on each fish species. There will be two winners on each fish: 1st and 2nd place. The fish to catch and enter are: Rockfish, Bluefish, Croaker and Perch. All people fishing this tournament must be MSSA members. All entries must be in by July 20th. Contact Chuck Prahl (410-228-0251) or Jesse Maffuid (410-228-1756) or Clint Waters (443-225-5545) to get entered in this tournament. Fishing hours are from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and all fish must be checked in at the American Legion between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The fish will be measured from tip of nose to tip of tail. Ties are broken by the earliest entered fish. Food and drinks will be served after the fish are all entered. There will be no regular meeting. However every member is welcome even if they are not in the tournament. This is the fun part, hearing all the fish stories and where they were caught. Enter the tournament or be at the American Legion on Thursday July 21st. See you there.
AUGUST 13TH KIDS’ FISHING DERBY Our kids’ fishing derby will be held on August 13th at the Long Wharf and Yacht Basin area on the same spot as last year. All kids 3-13 years of age are welcome to fish this derby. There is no entry fee. Fishing hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Food and drinks will be served. Try to bring a rod and reel for your kid. But if you don’t have any we can supply you with a rod and reel. Fishing bait will be supplied to all the kids. However if you have a bait you favor, feel free to use that bait. There will be great prizes for all the kids. So members, bring your kids, grandkids and your friends’ kids to fish the derby. We all had a great time last year watching the joy these kids get out of fishing. We need plenty of volunteers to make this derby a success. Scott Fitzhugh (443-521-2050) and Jay Harford (410-476-5961) are heading up this derby again this year.
We still have tickets for the rod and reel combo that we are raffling off to help support this kids’ derby. This combo will be given away at our fishing tournament on July 21s. Support this kids’ derby for they are the future of our fishery. Harry Miller has the tickets for the rod and reel combo. Tickets are $1.00 a piece or six for $5.00.
THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN AUGUST
MSSA TUNA-MENTThe MSSA held their annual offshore tournament on June 24-25-26 and a Dorchester County MSSA member won this event. Sam Fisher has been a member of our chapter for a few years and enters a lot of tournaments placing in most of these tournaments. Sam and his crew took 1st place with a 111.4 pound Blue Fin Tuna and $10,854.00. He was also in most of the tournament within tournaments (TWT). Congratulations to Sam and his crew.
2nd place was won by Tommy Baldwin with a 108.3 pound Blue Fin Tuna winning $5,213.00.
3rd place was won by Tony Tolbard with an 89.9 pound Blue Fin Tuna winning $675.00.
There were no Bluefish caught to enter so a lottery pick was taken and Wayne Willett won $320.00.
The next big tournament is the MSSA fall tournament on November 19th and 20th.
UPCOMING EVENTSDon’t forget our summer fishing tournament July 21st. The kids’ fishing derby August 13th – we need help and volunteers. Contact Scott, Jay or Clint.
See you at the summer tournament or the kids’ derby or on the water. Clint
June 8th, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
It’s transition time. Time to put away the big and heavy gear and get ready for summer fishing. There are still some good-sized Rockfish around but the big dogs have left the area. Seems to be a lot of small Rockfish and also seems the larger fish are holding the bottom. Get your lures as close to the bottom if trolling for you have a better change to hook up a larger fish. Six of our Chapter members went Sea Bass fishing on Mary 25th aboard the “Morning Star” with Captain Monty Hawkins. No one caught their limit of 25 which I feel is too many for a daily creel limit. However most members had plenty of fish to take home. I had 12 Sea Bass and also there were Sea Cod fish caught. Good day on the ocean and good tasting Sea Bass to eat later. On Friday June 3rd, four of our members got together for our yearly spring White Perch fishing at my secret spot. We caught 63 of the biggest Black-White Perch you ever want to catch. Most were 10-12 inches with a couple of 13 inchers thrown in. What I’m trying to say is there are lots of different fish to be caught this time of the year. However you have to get off your butt. Plan your trips ahead. Target mainly one species and prepare your fishing gear to catch that species of fish. Hardheads (Croakers) are here. There are some Spot showing up and also there are the dreaded fishermen’s nightmare, Cow-Nose Rays are plentiful again this year. A friend of mine sent me a picture the other day of two Yellow Fin Trout he had caught in the lower Bay. They looked to be 6-8 pounds. It would be a great time if we could only get the return of Yellow Fin Trout. Go fishing and come to the meeting to get the latest info on fishing in our area.
22ND ANNUAL MSSA TUNA-MENT JUNE 24TH – JUNE 26TH 2011 This is a small boat tuna-fishing tournament and you still have time to enter. If you are interested contact the MSSA office (410-255-5535) and they would be glad to help you get entered. Also go online (www.MSSA.NET) to get more info and rules.
JULY 16TH FISHING TOURNAMENT On Thursday July 16th, the day of our monthly meeting, we again are having our summer fishing tournament. This has worked out so well the last couple of years and I hope will be a success again this year. The entry fee is $5.00 per person with all money returned to the winners. Also the club is putting an extra $75.00 on each fish species. There will be two winners on each fish: 1st and 2nd place. The fish to catch and enter are: Rockfish, Bluefish, Croaker and Perch. All people fishing in this tournament must be MSSA members. Try to enter at our June meeting or by July 15th. Contact Chuck Prahl (410-228-0251) or Jesse Maffuid (410-228-1756) or Clint Waters (443-225-5545) to get entered in this tournament. Fishing hours are from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and all fish must be checked in at the American Legion between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The fish will be measured from tip of nose to end of tail. Ties are broken by the earliest entered fish. Good luck!
KIDS’ FISHING DERBYAs I announced in last month’s newsletter our Kids’ Fishing Derby will be August 13th. It will be held again this year at the Long Wharf and Yacht Basin area on the same spot as last year. Scott Fitzhugh (443-521-2050) and Jay Harford (410-476-5961) are heading up this derby. We need a lot of volunteers to help with this event. So let us know if you can help. We still have the rod and reel combo that is being raffled off to support this Kids’ Fishing Derby. Tickets are $1.00 a piece or six for $5.00. See Harry Miller at our meeting to purchase tickets and help us on the derby. The rod and reel combo will be given away at our fishing tournament in July.
THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN AUGUST
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERFor the 2nd year the Dorchester MSSA was proud to sponsor a winner of the MSSA scholarship. Last year Stacey Willey was the recipient and this year Rebecca Brannock was a winner. Rebecca is a member of our Chapter and fishes our tournaments and also helped with the Kids’ Fishing Derby. This scholarship money has got to help with their education expenses. If you have a child our grandchild or even a friend whose child is interested in marine science, get them signed up for next year. Contact the MSSA office or Jack Hanna.
GUEST SPEAKEROur speaker this month is Michael Kemp. Mike is a scientist at the Horn’s Point Lab here in Cambridge. His subject is “How Do Nutrient Inputs Affect Fish Comminutes In The Bay?” This should be a very interesting topic. Mike said he would try to answer all your questions. So if you are interested in fish and how nutrients affect them be sure not to miss this meeting.
See you at the meeting or on the water
PS ** This meeting there will be 2 - $50 drawings for attendance on June 16th.
Clint
May 12th, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
Wind, wind go away so we can get in a good fishing day. Fishing has been fairly good if you can get a day when the wind isn’t blowing. I have heard of plenty of fish being caught up and down the Bay. The upper Bay flats have been a bust this year. However the mid-Bay area has been holding a good amount of fish and larger fish. Bottom fishing with bait should get going any day now. When the peeler crabs start to get ripe. Croakers and Perch should be showing up in the rivers.
The Choptank as well at the Chester and Patuxent Rivers will partially open up on Mar 16th for Rockfish. Check DNR website for areas this year. The Choptank River opens up to Chapel Creek buoy #13 over to buoy #12-A into Board Creek. Also on May 16th we can catch and keep 2-18 inch Rockfish or 1-18 inch to 28 inches and 1-28 inch and bigger for a two-fish daily limit. Maybe by our meeting night on May 19th we will have some good fishing reports. Be at the meeting to hear these reports.
CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE CHESAPEAKE The MSSA Spring Championship Tournament is history. A 44.10 pound Rockfish caught by Clifton Disney was the heaviest fish entered in the tournament. 43.10 pound came in second entered by Daniel Rohleder and third place went to William Kratz with a 41.45 pounder. Top payoff went to William Kratz with $44,213.00. He was in all TWTs. $32,417.00 was won by Daniel Rohleder and Clifton Disney won $24,825.00.
A couple of our Dorchester County MSSA members finished in the money. Bob Granados had the heaviest fish checked in Saturday overall at 37.30 pounds. Gary McQuitty had the heaviest fish weighed in at Rippons Harbor at 31.85 pounds. If I missed anyone, I apologize. Call me and I will correct it at our meeting. There were 540 boats entered and the weather wasn’t too bad. However the weatherman was wrong on Saturday for that was a pretty windy day. I’ll have a printout at the meeting to answer your questions about the tournament.
DORCHESTER COUNTY MSSA FISHING TOURNAMENT
July 21st is the date for our summer tournament. It is again this year set on the third Thursday of July, our normal meeting night. I will have full details in our June newsletter and explain the rules at our June meeting. So mark your calendars for this tournament. We will serve food at the awards meeting that night after fishing.
KIDS’ FISHING DERBY
August 13th has been set to have our Kids’ Derby this year. Scott Fitzhugh and Jay Harford will again this year head up this derby. Last year was our first year and we want to improved this years’ event. Not that last year wasn’t good. I just want to improve this year. I brought a rod and reel combo to the April meeting to show. I want to raffle this combo to support the Kids’ Fishing Derby. Tickets will be one for $1.00 or six for $5.00. Harry Miller will have the tickets at our meetings to purchase some raffle tickets to support this Kids’ Derby. I will need volunteers to help make this event a success. Our kids are the future of fishing. Mark your calendars.
THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN AUGUST
Because of poor attendance at our August meetings, there will be no meeting this year in August.
PHOTOS FOR OUR WEBSITE
I know you all like to show off your fish you catch. Send in your pictures to Curt Brandt or get them to me and we will post them on our website HTTP://WWW.MSSADORCHESTER.COM . I hope all our members visit our website every now and then. There is a lot of info on the site.
GUEST SPEAKER
Our speaker for May is Captain Bill Kneessi. Bill has been a member of our Dorchester Chapter for years. I asked Captain Kneessi to be our speaker for Bill has vast fishing knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and ocean fishing off Ocean City. He will tell us about how and what he uses to catch fish both in the Bay and the Ocean. Bill should be able to answer your questions about fishing on the Chesapeake or out in the Ocean. Should be a very informative meeting.
See you at the meeting or on the water Clint
April 12th, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
Spring has sprung and hopefully good fishing is right around the corner. By now you should have your boats and fishing gear ready to bring in the big ones. To me it’s been a long cold and windy winter. I’ll try to keep you updated with the fishing regulations. However you still need to check the DNR website to stay updated on the fishing regulations.
ROCKFISHSpring Trophy Season – April 16–May 15 – 1-28 inch or bigger per person per day – no eels for bait – no Rockfish in possession between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. – fishing restricted to mainstream Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Maryland/Virginia line - Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds.
May 16–31st – two fish per person per day – 2-18” to 28” or 1-18” to 28” and 1 larger than 28” – restricted to the mainstream Chesapeake Bay from a line between Tolchester to the south point of Hart-Miller Island south to the Maryland/Virginia line plus areas of the Chester, Choptank and Patuxent Rivers – check map on DNR website.
June 1-December 15th – open to all of Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries – same two fish per day regulation as above.
FLOUNDERThree fish per person per day – 18” – May 16th-November 30th – keep in check with the DNR website for changes or closures.
Speaking of the DNR website: at this time I’m not going to give you anymore information on regulations because the DNR site is not up to date on the regulations. Be at the meeting if you have any questions on fishing regulations. Also note: A fishing license is now needed to fish Maryland coastal bays and the State Atlantic Ocean waters.
CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE CHESAPEAKEThis is the largest Rockfish tournament in the country. This event will be on April 29-30 and May 1st. There are so many ways to win in this three-day tournament. Anglers from all over the east coast come to our state to compete in this championship. As of the 1st of April over 300 boats have already entered and 209 of those registered online. This is ahead of last year’s count at this time. There are a few new things happening in this year’s tournament. The captain who weights in the heaviest Rockfish and has an all MSSA crew will earn an additional 50% bonus on the main tournament (not TWT prize). You must get a tournament brochure or go to the MSSA website to understand all that’s happening in this event. If you want to enter and have some questions, please feel free to call the MSSA office or contact me and we will be glad to help you any way we can. I can help you at our April 21st meeting also.
Besides the regular weigh-in stations, there are two new stations this year to make weighing in your fish a lot easier. The 1st is in conjunction with the Bay Bridge Boat Show on Kent Island at the foot of the Bay Bridge. There are more cash winners and other events going on that weekend. Contact Kelly Jackson (410-268-8828) or kellyusboat@gmail.com. The 2nd newest weigh-in station is Chapel Cover Marine on Slaughter Creek on Taylor’s Island. This station is being run by the good folks of Cove Bait & Tackle (410-221-2901 or 410-221-1151). That will give Dorchester County three weigh stations – Rippons Marina on Hoopers Island, Taylor’s Island Camp Ground on Taylor’s Island and Chapel Cove Marine on Slaughter Creek, Taylor’s Island. The MSSA has done everything it can to make this three-day tournament the most enjoyable event you have ever entered. Don’t miss out. Sign up today.
FISHING REPORTSAt this time I have very little to report on. White Perch have been hit or miss. A few Bass are being caught while fishing for perch. The Choptank River is full of spawning Rockfish. Be at the meeting on the 21st and there should be plenty of reports for the Rockfish season opens on April 16th.
GUEST SPEAKERThe spring Rockfish season will be in full force by the time of our meeting. With this I have invited Charlie Schneider to be our speaker. Charlie has done such a good job on so many fishing techniques as our speaker in the past that I invited him to give a talk on spring Rockfish fishing. Trolling will be his main subject and believe me he knows a lot about this subject. I have fished with Charlie and was impressed with his knowledge and willingness to share this with others. He will try to answer your questions on spring Rockfish fishing so don’t miss this meeting.
See you at the meeting or on the water
Clint
March 8th, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
Just in case you get this newsletter before Saturday, March 12th, this is a reminder about our flea market on March 12th. We need your support. We have sold all our vendor tables and there will be 37 different vendors presenting to you to purchase fishing, hunting and boating supplies. So there should be plenty of bargains to choose from. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. to the public. There will be a knife vendor outside to sharpen all your knives. There should be something for everybody.
Since our last meeting in February, our chapter members have gone fishing for fellow perch. We fished the 18th of February and March 1st out of North East, Maryland. Ken Simmers, the President of the Northern Bay MSSA Chapter invited us up to participate in the Northern Bay-Dorchester Invitational. The 1st trip on the 18th was fair and the largest yellow perch was caught by our good member, Conrad Lesnewski, in which we took a lot of verbal bragging abuse. However on the 2nd trip which was great, I happened to claim a 12 7/8 inch yellow perch which beat Conrad’s by ¼ inch. So tear up that photo Conrad. Ken Simmers was a great host and I want to thank him from all the Dorchester members. The fishing and food were terrific. I have heard good fishing reports of yellow and white perch in the Tuckahoe and Marshyhope Rivers. It’s about time for all of us to get the cabin fever out of our systems and go fishing.
FREE BOAT INSPECTIONS
On March 26th, Saturday, at the Franklin Street boat ramp there will be a free boat inspection for all of our members and friends sponsored by our MSSA chapter. Barry Vickers, the new president of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in our area, and his crew will be at the Franklin Street boat ramp in back of the Cambridge Hospital to inspect your boats. Come by trailer or by water and they will inspect either. Thanks for Barry and his crew who volunteer their time each year to inspect our boats for free. They will be ready to inspect by 8:00 a.m. Any questions, call Barry at 410-749-7059.
MSSA SPRING TOURNAMENT “CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE CHESAPEAKE”
This is the world’s largest Rockfish tournament. April 29th through May 1st are the three days for this event. You need to get a tournament brochure to understand all the rules and different things you can enter. There are so many ways to win and they do have some new things going on in the tournament. I can help you out at our flea market on the 12th of March as to filling out your entry or explaining the different entries of the tournament. You get a free $25.00 entry in the TWT at our flea market. Also this year there is a category for the two heaviest fish entered by a boat. The scholarship fund has a TWT entry. There are so many ways to win. Be at our flea market or at our meeting if you have any questions.
MEMBERSHIP
Just a reminder if your membership card reads 01/01/2011 your membership has expired and needs to be renewed. Renew at our flea marker or at a meeting or the easiest is to return your renewal notice to the MSSA office by mail. Anyway, check your expiration date to keep your membership going.
GUEST SPEAKER
First of all, our meeting on the 17th of March is St. Patrick’s Day and that means the American Legion will have their St. Patrick’s Day celebration going on. The party starts at 4:00 p.m. and goes until 7:00 p.m. and that means a lot of green beer and free corned beef and cabbage. So come in early to enjoy the fun and food. Our meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.
Our speaker will be Mike Hanson of Aqua Clear Tackle. Mike will be speaking and showing off all kinds of different fishing rigs and how to use them. I mean any type of fishing you do, Mike has a rig for. Also Mike tells me he will have a free rig for everyone who attends the meeting. Mike has spoken to quite a few MSSA chapter meetings and comes highly recommended. So come early and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and attend the meeting to get your free rig and learn how to make and use these rigs in your fishing.
See you at the meeting or on the water
Clint
February 12, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Clint Waters Scholarship Foundation – Jack Hanna
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
Hang in there members. February is half over so that means spring can’t be far away. This winter so far has been cold and windy. The only fishing I have any knowledge of, except for all the poaching of Rockfish that’s going on, is the upper bay fishing for Yellow Perch. My good friend Kenny Simmers keeps me well informed on that fishery. I’ll be writing about netters poaching for Rockfish later in this newsletter. What a shame and waste these poachers are doing to our fishery and livelihood of other watermen.
FLEA MARKET – MARCH 12TH
I must keep reminding everyone about the importance of this event. It is our only resource for money that supports our chapter’s programs and events. Please support the flea market any way you can; either by attending or donating items to sell at our club’s table. I have at this point only 4 or 5 vendor tables left to sell. Please also place the flyers for this event all around the area in which you live or shop. This is so important. We have the vendors. Now we need the people to come and support this event. Here is the information on the flea market. There will be a man to sharpen your knives at the flea market so bring in your knives for him to sharpen.
Largest one-day show on the shore Dorchester County MSSA fishing/hunting/boating flea market Saturday March 12, 2011 8:00 a.m. American Legion Post 91 Cambridge, Maryland $3.00 admission per person – under 12 years free $25.00 per vendor table contact Clint Waters at 443-225-5545
We need your help and support. Check our website MSSADORCHESTER.COM.
MEMBERSHIP
If your membership card or mailing label reads 01/01/2011 you need to renew your membership. The flea market would be a great place to renew or send in your renewal notice to the MSSA office. Contact me (Clint – 443-225-5545) if you have any questions about your membership. You might want to think about a three-year renewal. The MSSA is talking about increasing the membership dues. They haven’t increased the dues in the last ten years. Please renew or sign up a new member. We need your support.
SCHOLARSHIP
Just a reminder about the Scholarship Foundation. If you know of any student who is interested in biology, marine science or any studies that cover the resources and health of our waterways, contact Jack Hanna at 410-822-2663 or the MSSA office at 410‑255‑5535 and get the information you need. Jack Hanna will be bringing to our meeting this month raffle tickets to help support the Scholarship Foundation fund to help the students who apply to a better education. The tickets are $10.00 a piece. Only 1000 will be sold. There are at least three fishing trips, rods and reels, tackle, etc. Jack will show you all the merchandise that is involved with this raffle at our February meetings. There will be only one winner.
GUEST SPEAKER
If you can only attend one or two meetings a year or if you attend all the meetings. If you are interested in what is going on with the Rockfish fishery. If you want to know why the feeding habits of Rockfish have changed in the last three years. If you want to know how all this illegal netting in Maryland and trawling operations off North Carolina are affecting the Rockfish. If you are interested in the health of this fishery then don’t miss our meeting on the 17th of February. Jim Price is our speaker. Jim has spent the better part of his life studying Rockfish and Menhaden . Jim has spent countless hours of his time and money studying and opening and checking thousands of Rockfish stomachs. He started his own foundation (Chesapeake Bay Ecological Foundation) and is a member of our Dorchester Chapter of the MSSA. There has been a major change in the feeding habits of Rockfish the last few years. Jim will probably shock you on what he is finding with his studies. Every member of our chapter should not miss this meeting. If you are interested that is. Bring your family members and friends. Everyone is welcome to our meetings – members or not.
See you at the meeting or on the water
Clint
JANUARY 20, 2011
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH! The new year is starting. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. May the fishing gods give you a very safe and successful year in 2011. On the fishing front: There is very little to report except in the northern bay area there seems to be a good number of yellow perch if you can find a boat ramp that isn’t frozen in. I hope to get in on this fishing before the end of March when at that time it’s about over.
FLEA MARKET – MARCH 12, 2011
Our flea market had to be moved a couple of weeks because of schedule with the American Legion. Our flea market is usually held at the end of February. However this year it will be held March 12th. Doors will open to the public at 8:00 a.m. and for the vendors at 6:00 a.m. The admission will be $3.00 per person. Kids under 12 years of age are free. Vendor tables will be $25.00 a piece. We need all the help and support from our membership to make this event a success again this year. We need volunteers and donations to our club table. So if you have fishing, hunting or boating items to donate please bring them to the meeting or contact me (Clint) and I would be glad to pick them up. We have some time before the flea market so please start planning to support us anyway you can. This event is our largest moneymaker that supports our fishing club and all the events we sponsor.
MEMBERSHIP
It’s a new year and the new membership system went into effect the beginning of last year. Our membership runs from January 1st to January 1st the next year. Anyone with the date 1-01-11 needs to renew. Check your mailing label or your membership cards to see if you need to renew. When you receive your renewal card, write a check and return the card and check to the MSSA office. Be sure all the info is correct on the card. You can also renew or bring in new members at our meeting or at our flea market on March 12th. Your membership is very important to the recreational fishery and to help in regulating the fishing fairly. The MSSA is the largest organization in Maryland to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing. We are also in support of the reef program (MARI) to help improve our fishing and water quality. We also have a scholarship program to help students to be the future of our fishery and bay restoration. Almost every chapter has a kids’ fishing program that helps the future of our fishery. Some chapters have a Wounded Warrior program that takes our wounded vets fishing. So your membership is needed to support all these programs. It’s your fishery and bay.
SCHOLARSHIP
It’s a new year and the Scholarship Foundation will be giving out new scholarship checks to qualifying students who are taking courses in Marine Biology or any other courses that will help the future of our wildlife and improving the Chesapeake Bay. If you have a child or a friend’s child who would qualify for the MSSA scholarship, contact the MSSA office (410-255-5535) or the website (www. MSSA.NET) or Jack Hanna (410-822-2663) who is our Dorchester County scholarship representative.
MSSA CONVENTION
The 2011 MSSA convention, celebrating 30 years, will be held February 4-6 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. The convention will be in Annapolis this year, not Ocean City. If you want to attend, contact the MSSA office for details and sign up. The Dorchester County MSSA will be attending. If interested, let me know or be at our January 20th meeting.
GUEST SPEAKER
Our speaker for the January 20th meeting will be Mid-Shore-Electronics. Every year we try to get Mid-Shore to be our speaker so we can get our questions answered about our electronics. They usually put together a good presentation on what is new and what is hot for marine electronics. If you have questions or problems with your electronics or want to learn more about your equipment, be at this meeting. Bring yourself, your friends and family to our meeting. You are all welcome.
We need your support. So mark your calendars for the 3rd Thursday of each month for our meetings.
See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint
November 18th
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
November is here and so is the last meeting of our Fishing Club in 2010. THERE IS NO MEETING IN DECEMBER. We have had great speakers who have given great presentations at our meetings this year. If you have missed a lot of meetings, you were left out on a good amount of information that could improve your fishing. Every meeting we cover where all the fish are being taken, with what bait, live or technique. Our reefball project is ongoing to help improve the reef sites around our area. Our Chapter is in the forefront of the Menhaden problem. We need all your help and support to keep your Chapter of the MSSA one of the first in the organization. So next year mark your calendars and circle the 3rd Thursday of each month to remind yourself to support and attend the meetings. I hope you haven’t put your boats away for the winter for the last 3-4 four weeks there have been Rockfishing at its finest. Most of the Rockfish are concentrated in our area. From James Island north to Tilghman Island, to the full length of the Choptank River there are plenty of legal-sized Rockfish to be caught. You can troll, jig or throw an old shoe at them and they’ll take it. Be at our meeting on November 18th to get more info on fishing in your area.
MSSA FALL TOURNAMENT On Saturday and Sunday November 20th and 21st is the 18th annual MSSA CHESAPEAKE BAY FALL CLASSIC. If you need information to get in this tournament, call MSSA office (410-255-5535) or go to their website www.MSSA.NET. I do have some brochures if you need one. Call me, Clint, (443-225-5545). There are many ways to place into the money in this event. Last year the big winner won $45,000.00. Support the MSSA and fish in this tournament.
MEMBERSHIP DRAWING At our November meeting we will draw names to see who wins the two $50.00 prizes in our meeting attendance. We make this drawing twice a year at our June and November meetings. You get a ticket to sign at every meeting you attend or 10 tickets if you sign up a new member. We give away $100.00 at each of these meetings. You have to be in attendance to win. Just another reason to attend our meetings.
CHRISTMAS PARTY Our annual Christmas Party will be on December 11, 2010 starting at 6 p.m. at Clearview Restaurant. We had this event last year at Clearview and they did a wonderful job and served some great food. The cost will be $25.00 per person. The Chapter will pick up and pay for all the taxes and gratuities. There will be a cash bar. Try to get us your money at the November meeting. The cut-off date is December 1st. We must have all this money in before December 1st. Call Bob Geisler (410-901-9711) or Clint (443-225-5545) for all the information. This is a good way to finish the year with all our fishing families enjoying the holidays. Before the Christmas Party on December 11th, Mike and Carolyn German are again opening their home this year to have a pre-party affair. Mike has promised a surprise in the wine being served. This event starts at 4 p.m. and it’s a more relaxed affair that all our fishing friends and families can enjoy. So mark your calendars on December 11th for a fun and enjoyable day at Mike’s and at Clearview. Be at the meeting to get all the details. Mike’s number is 410-228-6384.
2011 FLEA MARKET I know it’s early. However I wanted to mention the up-coming flea market. It will be held the last Saturday in February which is the 26th. When you are going through your fishing, boating and hunting supplies and you have things you haven’t used or didn’t want, don’t throw it away. Donate it to our flea market. Again this year we need all the help we can get. This is our only fund raiser that keeps your Chapter going all year long. Keep it in mind and set your donations aside for the flea market.
MSSA CONVENTION The MSSA will be having their convention in Annapolis this year instead of Ocean City. All the details have not been completed. Read the Tidelines Magazine or call the MSSA office for more information. Just another event coming up to mark on your calendar.
GUEST SPEAKER I thought we would finish the year on a more relaxed note. Have a meeting of more talking about fishing. Pass along stories that have happened to us in 2010. What fishing lures and baits worked best. What type of fishing you prefer and how you can improve. Our speaker will be local legend, Chuck Prahl and he will show us how he makes his lures and tie bucktails. We have a long winter ahead and that is a good time to make lures, tie bucktails and pour sinkers. Also repair all our equipment. Think about what you would like to share with Chapter or a fishing problem you can’t seem to solve. We have a lot of fishing knowledge in our group and your problem should get answered. For such a relaxed meeting the Club may even supply some beverages and beer.
See you at the meeting or on the water. Clint
October 20th, 2010 President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH! Finally got some rain and cooler weather. Lost our good fishing or at least slowed down. Hardheads are about gone; Spot on the way out. However Perch fishing is good right now. Plenty of Bluefish in the Bay. Rockfishing is better in the shallows, if you want bigger fish. Anyway, this is transition time. The big Rockfish should be moving into the upper Bay and rivers soon. It’s a great time of the year to enjoy fishing. Get out there and enjoy what nature has provided us.
POPLAR ISLAND TRIPOn September 20th a group of Dorchester County members and families went on a guided tour of Poplar Island. This was the 3rd or 4th trip our chapter has taken to this man-made reconstructed island. The trip and tour are free and it’s a project that our taxes have been used for in a good way to help the environment and the health of the Bay. The island has been restored to its original size with spoils taken from the Bay. James Island and Barren Island are next to be restored
BILL BURTON YOUTH FISHING DERBYOn October 2nd, the first Bill Burton Youth Fishing Derby was put on at the Bill Burton Fishing Pier that goes across the Choptank River. Our Chapter was asked by DNR to help put this event together. It was short notice but it went together and went well. There were over 50 parents and kids who participated in this event. There were over 300 fish caught and released. Every kid got a medal and a box of fishing goodies full of lures, shads, etc. There were rods and reels, tackle boxes and all kinds of fishing gear given to the kids. Every child won something. Kane Williams (9) of Columbia won the charter trip aboard Captain George Prenant’s “Stormy Petrel”. Captain George donated this trip to the derby. Twin sisters (11) won the other two top prizes. Kaylin Craine won a guided trip next year as part of the Maryland Fishing Challenge. Kaythrn Craine won the basket of fishing gear and books from Bill Burton’s extensive collection by Bill’s family. I enjoyed this event with the kids and looking forward to next year’s event. I want to thank all the volunteers and mainly Earl Neall who helped me cut up all the fishing bait.
DORCHESTER FISHING TOURNAMENTOn October 3rd our Chapter held its annual fishing tournament and as tournaments go the weather was not good for fishing. Wind and rain were the order of the day. The money taken in was given back to all the winners plus the Chapter added $60.00 on each fish. Rockfish, Blues and Perch with two winners on each fish. The winners were as follows:
ROCKFISH PERCH BLUEFISH 1st Brian Smith 27 1/8” 1st Bobby Shenton 12 ¼” 1st Gary Peek 16 ½ “ 2nd Brian Smith 23 ½” 2nd Rick Marshall 11 7/8” 2nd Brian Smith 14 ¼”
DORCHESTER CRAB FEASTAlso on October 3rd, right after the fishing tournament, we held our annual crab feast. There was a good turnout and the crabs and side dishes were great again this year. I want to thank all the families that supplied all the good side dishes and Jim Kubista and Norm Bell for putting this event together. Every year we hold our fishing tournament and crab feast on the same day. Our next Chapter event will be the Christmas Party and the open house at Mike and Carolyn German’s in December.
MSSA FALL ROCKFISH TOURNAMENTThe largest Chesapeake Bay fall fishing tournament will be held November 20th and 21st. Last year’s larger fish were caught in the fall than were caught in the spring tournament. There will be about $80,000.00 in actual prize money and last year the big winner won $45,000.00. Read about this tournament in your Tidelines Magazine. Then get a crew together and win some money by registering and entering this tournament. A little luck is all you need.
VOTE Be sure you return your MSSA ballot before November 1st. We have two qualified people running for the office of President. Both, I feel, would do well for the MSSA. I am voting for Jeff Anna for I have supported him from the start of the campaign. All the other offices are unopposed. Also be sure to vote in the national election. If you don’t like the way our country is going, then the only way it can be changed is to VOTE. GUEST SPEAKERWe will be presenting something new at our October 21st meeting. We will be presenting a professional film made for Maryland Public Television. The film is titled “Growing Up On Tilghman”. It has beautiful photography and a good story regarding that area. Captain Willie Roe, who is one of the subjects covered in the film, will be present at the meeting. Captain Willie Roe and Charlie Schneider of “Big Will Charters” will present this film and talk about fishing the Tilghman Island area. This area has been great for fishing the last couple of years. I have fished with Captain Willie and Charlie and they know that area better than most. This is a meeting and film presentation that you don’t want to miss.
See you at the meeting or on the water. Clint
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ September
President and Secretary Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thom Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curtis Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH! As I’m writing this newsletter, I’m watching Hurricane Earl go past our coast. We dodged the bullet on this storm and that is a good thing. We could have used a little more rain.
Fishing has been fair to good. Livelining has been a let down this year but trolling has been steady all year. Fall of the year is coming and with that an improvement in fishing should be coming also.
One story I heard and would like to share is of Chuck Prahl. Chuck has had a somewhat disappointing year fishing the Choptank River. He was out fishing the Choptank with a couple of friends, throwing Bucktail lures as usual. Chuck hooked a Black Drum and lost it at the boat. Another angler brought another Black Drum to the boat – about a 40 pounder which was released. The third person bringing in his lure had another Black Drum following it to the boat. Chuck’s lures catch all types of fish. Anyway, get out on the water and do some fishing. You never know what you can catch. Be at the meeting to find out where all the fish are being caught. POPLAR ISLAND TRIPThis trip is scheduled for Monday, September 20th. It’s free and it is enjoyable to see out tax dollars doing some good for the Bay. Also, I truly believe that the re-creation of this island has improved fishing in that area. That part of the Bay has had good fishing all year. Be at the meeting on the 16th to sign up and get the final details of this trip. Contact Bob Geisler (410-901-9711) if you want to go on this 3 hour tour of Poplar Island.
KIDS’ FISHING TOURNAMENTThis was held on August 14th and was a great success. Thanks to Scott Fitzhugh and Jay Harford for putting this event together. Also, thanks to all the volunteers who helped to make this a success. To look at all the pictures, go to our website MSSADorchester.com and see all the happy kids who were in this tournament.
FISHING TOURNAMENT AND CRAB FEASTOctober 3rd is the scheduled day of our fishing tournament and crab feast. The 3rd is a Sunday and the events will be held at the American Legion. Be at our September 16th meeting to sign up for these events and hear the rules for the tournament.
FISHING TOURNAMENT1. To enter it will be $10.00 per person and all money goes back to the winners. Plus the Club will add an extra $60.00 to each winning fish. There will be 1st and 2nd place winners. 2. Largest Rockfish, Bluefish and Perch are the fish to enter. 3. Fishing will start at 5:00 a.m. and final check-in registration at 4:00 p.m. at the American Legion. 4. No check-in registration of fish before 3:00 p.m. 5. Fish will be measured from closed mouth to tip of tail. 6. In case of ties, earliest checked-in fish wins. 7. Rockfish, Bluefish and Perch are the only fish to be entered. 8. Entrants must sign up by October 2nd. Try to sign up at our September 16th meeting. Contact Chuck Prahl (410-228-0251) or Jesse Maffuid (410-228-1756) or Clint Waters (443-225-5545) to sign up. 9. $10.00 per person – any person fishing this tournament must be a MSSA member. However, any child under 16 years of age can fish and not be a member but must register by October 2nd. 10. All money taken in plus Club’s donation will be divided and given equally to the winners.
CRAB FEAST Our crab feast will be the same day of our fishing tournament, October 3rd. The crab feast will start at 4:00 p.m. right after the tournament. A cover charge of $10.00 per member and $15.00 per non-member will be charged for this event. Try to sign up at our September 16th meeting so Jim Kubista (410-228-4690) and Norm Bell (410-228-0913) can get a head count to make sure enough crabs and food are ordered. Try to bring a covered dish if you can so we can serve something besides crabs. Beer and sodas will also be provided by the Club. People and families have been great in supplying covered dishes in the past at our crab feast.
GUEST SPEAKEROur speaker will be the Choptank River Keeper, Drew Koslov. It has been a while since we have had an update on how the Choptank River is doing. A lot of our members fish the Choptank River and we need to know how she is doing and how we can help to make it healthier and better for fishing. This meeting is important. Try to attend.
See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint
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August 11, 2010
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
It’s August and it has been a HOT HOT summer so far. I could only wish the fishing has been as hot as our weather. However, it hasn’t been too bad. The Rockfish of good size have been holding pretty good in the mid-bay area. Bluefish have been slow showing up but now are in the area in fair numbers and size. The Spot have been slow, but now seem to be getting bigger and better numbers; That will help livelining. Croakers have been in fair numbers but you have to fish late in the day and night to hookup on the larger ones. There are lots of Perch and some areas are holding some of the biggest Perch I’ve seen in years. Surprisingly, trolling has been doing well all summer with some very large Rockfish coming ino the boats, using small to mid-size spoons trolling deep. So all in all, fishing hasn’t been too bad. So get out and have a fun day of fishing. TOURNAMENT RESULTSOur fishing tournament was held on our meeting day, July 15th. There were around 50 entries. Check-in time was 7 to 8 p.m. and afterwards we had food, drink and awards. The following ae the winners:
Rockfish1st Rick Marshall – 32 3/8 inches 2nd Bob Granados – 31 7/8 inches
Bluefish1st Terry Tubman – 12 ½ inches 2nd – no entry
Perch1st Terry Tubman – 12 ¾ inchyes 2nd Tom Branock – 12 3/8 inches
Croaker1st Chuck Prahl – 17 5/8 inches 2nd Steve Spellman – 14 ¾ inches
Good weather, good friends and good times had by all. Looking forward to next year. AUGUST 14TH KIDS’ TOURNAMENT I’m hoping to get the newsletter out early enough to remind you of the Kids’ Tournament on Saturday, August 14th at the Municipal Yacht Basin and Long Wharf. If you have volunteered to help or want to help, be at the Municipal Yacht Basin office by 7 a.m. Saturday, August 14th. Contact Scott Fitzhugh (410-330-8016) and Jay Harford (410-476-5761) or Clint (443-225-5545) for all the info.
Sign up will be at 7:30 a.m. and the tournament will be 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Kids up to 15 years old are welcome for free to participate in this event. Try to bring your own equipment. However, we do have a good supply of rods and reels. Bait will be furnished. There will be prizes and trophies and all kids will get a certificate. Get your kids or grandkids and enjoy a day of fishing and help the kids get interested in fishing for they are the future of fishing and helping to clean up the Bay. COOK’S POINT REEF This is a followup of last month’s newsletter. Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s boat, the “Patricia Campbell” placed another 80 plus reefballs on the site July 20th and 21st. This brings the total reef balls to 504 with over 8 million oyster spats placed on the site since 2008. One word of caution. If you fish this area, be careful how you anchor up. You can get caught in the reef balls. You might want to use a reef anchor when fishing any of the reef sites around the Bay. You will lose some equipment so be sure you know what you are doing when fishing these reef sites. NEWSLETTER AND EMAILS If you are not getting your newsletter or have changed your email address, please let us know. Contact, WEBMASTER@MSSADORCHESTER.COM or call Clint (443-225-5545) and we will correct the problem Also, if you think you missed a newsletter, go to our website, MSSADORCHESTER.COM and get the information. We try hard to see that you get your newsletter. SPEAKER AND VENDOR Bill Tyndall will be our speaker and Ken Daniels will be our vendor. Bill and Ken work together on training people for their captain’s licenses. If you are interested in getting your captain’s license, this is the way to go. They have been doing this for a long time. Ken Danials is the owner of R & D Boat Supply on Washington Street, Cambridge, Maryland. This store not only has boat supplies and helps you with any boating problems, but also carries a great supply of fishing equipment and bait. A lot of people don’t know about this store but they are good at helping your boating and fishing needs. Come to the meeting, bring your family or friends. All are welcome. Learn about getting your captain’s license, getting your boat fixed and fishing supplies. Can’t get any better than that.
See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint
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July 10th, 2010
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
Personally, I would love to give you all a fishing report. However, I have not been fishing since the last newsletter for I have been recovering from a back muscle pull. I have received some good reports about the fishing in our area. The mid-bay area is holding a good number of Rockfish. Some are in the upper 30 inch variety. Surprisingly for this time of the year and the high water temperature, trolling for Rockfish is doing well. The deeper you troll, the better fish are biting. Look for bait and/or birds, go deep and you’ll catch fish. Storm Lures seem to be working very well and will until the Bluefish show up. Then that becomes expensive fishing. Blues love to bite off the tails of Storm Lures.
There are some large Perch around but they seem to be more in the Bay than the rivers.
Croakers are everywhere. The larger ones are caught late in the day as it starts to get dark.
Spot are slowly showing up and that makes live lining a hit or miss situation.
In general, considering the excessive heat, fishing isn’t all that bad. So get out if you can and enjoy a day of fishing.
JULY 15TH FISHING TOURNAMENT
On Thursday, July 15th, the day of our monthly meeting, we will be having our summer fishing tournament. This worked out great last year and hopefully it will be a success this year. The entry fee is $5.00 per person and all money taken in goes back to the winners. Also the Club is putting an extra $50.00 on each fish species. There will be a first and second place winner for each fish. The fish to enter are Rockfish, Bluefish, Perch and Croakers. You must be a member of the MSSA to fish this tournament. Fishing hours will be from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and all fish must be checked in at the American Legion between 7 and 8 p.m. The fish will be measured from tip of nose to end of tail. Ties are broken by earliest fish checked in.
You must be entered in this tournament by July 14th. Contact Chuck Prahl (410-228-0251) or Clint (443-225-5545) to enter. There will be no regular meeting but we’ll spend our time talking fish. Food, beer and sodas will be provided by the Club. Even if you aren’t in the tournament, you are still welcome to attend this event. Bring your kids if you want to, as you can with every meeting we hold. It will be fun for them to see the fish that are caught and hear the fish stories.
AUGUST 14TH KIDS’ TOURNAMENT
Since this event happens before our meeting in August, I’ll try to give you all the info that I have. Scott Fitzhugh (410-330-8016) and Jay Harford (410-476-5761) are heading up this tournament. We need all the help and support from our Chapter that we can get. Scott and Jay figure we need at least 20 volunteers. Please contact them or me (Clint 443-225-5545) and give us your name and support as a volunteer. The tournament will be from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Registration will start at 7:30 a.m. by the office of the Municipal Yacht Basin. Kids up to age 15 years old are welcome to participate in this event. There will be prize winners, trophies and every kid will get a certificate. The fishing will be at Long Wharf and the Municipal Yacht Basin. Bait will be provided for everyone. Bring your fishing equipment or it will be provided by the tournament. The Municipal Yacht Basin and the MSSA are sponsoring this event. Kids are the future of our waterways and fishing, so please support this tournament.
COOK’S POINT REEF
On June 28th and 29th, Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s boat the “Patricia Campbell” placed over 100 more reef balls on this Choptank River site. CBF informed me that they have another 80 or 90 more reef balls that will be placed later this summer on this site. That will put the number of reef balls on this well over 400 reef balls along with all the oyster spats that were attached to the balls before they were put overboard. This is a program that I’m proud to say is well worth the time and effort. These reef sites in the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean will be productive for many generations of fishermen.
FINAL NOTE
Every member is welcome at our July get-together even if you aren’t in the tournament. Volunteer for the Kids’ Tournament in August.
See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint
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June 17th, 2010
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
This year is about half gone and what a year it has been so far! The year started out cold and wet and now is hot and dry, and I mean hot! With the heat, the majority of the larger Rockfish are headed out of the Bay heading north for cooler water. I only hope some stay that are big enough to liveline when the Spot show up in numbers. There seems to be a good number of Hardhead or Croakers around, but the big ones haven’t shown up yet. One thing that seems plentiful is the Skate. They seem to be everywhere in good numbers. We need to find a market for that pain-in-the-butt fish. White Perch seem to be plentiful. Most are on the small side but now and then you get into a school of larger Perch.
Bob Geisler and I went Black Sea Bass fishing on May 24th with Monty Hawkins on the “Morning Star” out of Ocean City. There was a load of Sea Bass caught. Bob came home with 22 and I had 17. Now there are some good tasting meals coming up.
If you missed last month’s meeting, you missed another good one. Chris Dollar gave a good presentation on light tackle fishing out of a Kayak boat.
The part of the meeting that I enjoyed the most was having one of the MSSA Scholarship winners at our meeting. Stacy Willey was the person who won this award and the first from our area. Stacy is the daughter of Mike and Diane Willey who live on Hooper’s Island. Mike is a member of the Dorchester County MSSA. I am proud of Stacy and the work she will be doing to help improve fishing in the Bay area. We need more people with her desire to improve our fishing.
ATTENDANCE DRAWING
At our June meeting, we will be giving away to two winners $50.00 each for attending our monthly meetings. At each meeting you attend, you get a ticket to sign and ten tickets if you bring a new member. You have to be in attendance at the June meeting to win. We have two drawings a year, one at our June and November meetings. The more meeting you attend, the better your chance to win.
KIDS’ TOURNAMENT
We are planning to have our kids’ tournament on August 14th. Jay Harford and Scott Fitzhugh are doing a great job putting this event together. Jay or Scott will report with an update on the tournament. We need volunteers for this event. Give Jay, Scott or myself your name as a volunteer. Kids are the future of our fishery.
JULY 15TH FISHING TOURNAMENT
On Thursday, July 15th, the day of our monthly meeting, we again are having our summer fishing tournament. This worked out so good last year and I hope will be a success again this year. The entry fee is $5.00 per person with all money returned to the winners. Also the Club is putting an extra $50.00 on each fish species. There will be two winners on each fish, 1st and 2nd place. The fish to catch and enter are Rockfish, Bluefish, Croaker and Perch. All people fishing in this tournament must be MSSA members. Try to enter at our June meeting or by July 14th. Contact Chuck Prahl (410-228-0251) or Jesse Maffuid (410-228-1756) or Clint (443-225-5545) to get entered in this tournament. Fishing hours are from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and all fish must be checked in at the American Legion between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The fish will be measured from tip of nose to end of tail. Ties are broken by the earliest entered fish. More details in our July newsletter.
VENDOR
I try to bring in a vendor each month with a different supply of products to make your fishing and equipment better. This month is no different. The vendor for June is Charles Huddleson. Charlie specializes in canvas. If you need canvas work, Charlie does it all: T tops, bimini tops, side curtains, cushions, just to name a few. Come to the meeting if you need canvas work or just to see what he has to offer.
GUEST SPEAKER
This is the one I’ve been waiting to have back to our meetings. Lenny Rudow is our speaker. He writes books and articles for so many fishing magazines it would be impossible to name them all. Lenny has been a good friend and has given me some excellent fishing tips through the years. He has just completed a new book on jigging. That will be his subject. I love to jig for fish and can’t wait to see and hear what Lenny has to say. I know I will be purchasing his new book. This is the meeting you definitely don’t want to miss.
See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint P.S. Please check your membership date. If the date is 1/1/2010, your membership has expired.
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May 20th, 2010 President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
Just a reminder. We now are meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Mark your yearly calendars each month for the Dorchester County MSSA meeting on the “3RD THURSDAY” of the month.
The spring fishing started out good but now is so-so. You really have to work for a daily limit of Rockfish. I see a lot of crab shedding along the shorelines. That means fishing like Speckled Trout, Red Drum and Perch should be picking up. Chuck Prahl has told me he has caught Speckled Trout already. Big Tog have been caught offshore all spring. May 22nd, Sea Bass will open up with a creel limit of 25 and 12½ inches long. Also on May 16th, we can catch two Rockfish at 18 inches or 1-18 inch and 1-28 inch or better. Also on May 16th parts of the Choptank, Chester and Patuxent Rivers open up for Rockfish. The Choptank River is five miles in from the rivers mouth to Buoys 12-A and 13. June 1st the whole Bay area opens up.
MSSA “CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE CHESAPEAKE”
This Tournament was held April 30th, May 1st and May 2nd. There were 580 boats registered and 544 Rockfish checked in. The heaviest fish was a monster 52.55 pounds caught by Kevin Howell. Kevin won $21,750.00. Second place was a 41.90 pound fish caught by Steve Smith. Steve was the big money winner for he entered all the TWT categories. Steve won $65,022.00. Now that’s a lot of fishing dollars.
Some of our Dorchester County Chapter members were big winners. Sam Fisher had the most released Rockfish. Sam has won this title before. John Waters checked in the heaviest Rockfish at Taylor’s Island weight station. If there were more Chapter winners, let me know so I can give you recognition.
DORCHESTER JULY TOURNAMENT
July 15th is the day of our Chapter’s fishing tournament. This is an early announcement but I want everyone ready for this tournament. There will be a $5.00 entering fee with all money going back to the winners. There will be a 1st and 2nd place winner on all fish. The four fish to catch will be Rock, Blue, Hardhead and Perch. All the rules and details will be in the June newsletter. Start getting ready for this tournament.
AUGUST 14TH KIDS’ TOURNAMENT
We will be having a kids’ fishing tournament this year. The Dorchester MSSA and the Cambridge Yacht Club are sponsoring this tournament. Scott Fitzhugh and Jay Harford are organizing this event. We do need volunteers. Please get involved for this worthwhile event. More details to follow.
VENDOR
The vendor for our May meeting will be Charles White. Charlie specializes in things to go in your rod holders. He makes cutting tables, combination rod holders of 2-3-4 tubes that go in your single rod holder. If you have a need for extra rod holders on your boat, Charlie has got it or can make it. He also makes excellent Flounder rigs, plus other lures. If you want to increase your rod holders on your boat or need a cutting table or fishing lures, don’t miss the May meeting.
GUEST SPEAKER
Our speaker for May is Chris Dollar. Chris writes for the Fishermen Magazine and other fishing and outdoor magazines and newspapers. He has his own outdoor guide service for fishing and hunting. Chris also owns a Kayak boat store in Kent Island. Chris will be talking about fishing from a Kayak boat and other light tackle, skinny water fishing. Kayak fishing has become very popular the last few years and you read about extreme fishing from a Kayak where people are fishing for large Rockfish and even large Sharks. This should be a presentation you don’t want to miss to increase your skills as a fisherman.
See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint
P.S. Check the expiration date on your membership card or your mailing label. If it says 01/01/2010 you need to renew. Members getting the newsletter by email need to check their cards. With the new system in place, there is a little leeway, but you need to check this out. I’m noticing a lot of members who need to renew. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
APRIL 2010
President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Dave Thomas Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market - Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
ATTENTION: NEW MEETING NIGHT – MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our meetings will now be held the 3rd Thursday of each month. For years, we met on the 3rd Thursday. Then it was changed to the 3rd Wednesday. Now we will be back to the 3rd Thursday. Mark your calendars for our meetings on the 3rd Thursday at 7:30 at the American Legin. This new date starts at our April 15th meeting and goes to the end of the year. FISHINGThe White and Yellow Perch spawn is about over and they are moving out of the small streams into the rivers and Bay. The Flounder regulations are now set. There is a three fish limit per person a day. The season will run from April 17th through November 22nd, 2010. The minimum size is set at 19 inches. There are plenty of Rockfish of all sizes being caught in the Bay. Be sure you follow all the new catch and release regulations. The trophy season opens up on April 17th. You then can keep one Rockfish over 28 inches. Fresh water fishing for Perch and Crappie has been good and should get better as the water starts to warm up. MSSA SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATIONHere’s a little info about the Scholarship Foundation. The MSSA Scholarship Foundation was established in 1992. The purpose is to provide financial aid to undergraduate students who major in Marine Biology or other fields related to ecology of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributarites. If you have a child or grandchild studying or wants to enter these feields of education, please get them entered for this scholardhip funding. You can get more information about the Scholarship Foundation by logging onto the MSSA website then clicking on Scholarship Foundation. Anyone interested in applying for these funds then click on scholarship application. APPLICATIONS MUST BE IN TO MSSA HEADQUARTERS BY NO LATER THAN APRIL 30TH. DORCHESTER COUNTY CHAPTER EVENTSApril 25th – Tog fishing with Northern Bay Chapter out of Bowers Beach, Delaware May 24th – Black Sea Bass – Ocean City – Captain Monty Hawkins July 15th – Dorchester County MSSA fishing tournament. August 14th – kids’ fishing tournament. August 15th – Flounder fishing with Northern Bay Chapter out of Bowers Beach, Delaware. September 20th – Poplar Island trip. October 3rd – Dorchester County MSSA fishing tournament and crab feast. MSSA “CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE CHESAPEAKE”The MSSA 27th Spring Tournment will be held April 30th – May 1st – May 2nd. This is the largest Rockfish tournament in the country. There will be $200,000.00 payout and a potential $100,000.00 winner. If you are interested in entering this tournmanet, go online and enter on the MSSA website. I’ll have tournament brochures at our meeting. REEFBALL PROJECT Our reefball program is on-going and we are making reefballs at a steady pace thanks to our friends at C & D Concrete. C & D has been great in supplying the concrete for our reefball molds. I want to thank the members who have been steady volunteers, Rick Marshall, Bob Giesler, John Bryde, Earl Neall (new member), Phil Todd and myself (Clint). Without their help, and C & D concrete, this program would not be happening. There is a large deployment of material scheduled on April 20th to be place on the Gooses Reef. Taylor’s Island reef is scheduled for more material this year. Our reef in the Choptank River off Cook’s Point will be getting more reefballs this year. I will keep you informed on al the reef sites in the Bay area and off the Ocean. VENDOR We started having a vendor at our meetings so our members can buy equipment at flea market prices. Our vendor for April 15th is Kenny Barwick. Kenny tells me he will have his home-made lures made for the spring Rockfish season. He also said he will have a lot of sassy shads at the best price in the area. Plus trolling equipment for the upcoming season. Sounds like some good deals can be made at our April 15th meeting. Don’t miss out on these bargains. Be at the meeting. GUEST SPEAKER Our speaker for April is Jay Harford. Jay is a sonar expert. He has worked in this field for years. Jay will tell us what is new in fish finders and how they work. He will also cover color versus black and white in fish finders. Also the importance of resolution in that equipment. New side scan technology will also be discussed. This is a fast changing field with new technology coming out every day. Jay has stayed on top of this field of technology and should be able to answer your questions.
Don’t miss this meeting. See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint
PS DON’T FORGET WE ARE NOW MEETING ON THE 3RD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH. ALSO BRING IN YOUR PHOTOS OF THE BIG FISH YOU CATCH.
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March 2010 Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Ken Barwick Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
Finally, February is behind us. What a month it was this year with blizzards, winds and steady cold below-normal temperatures! Anyway, now is the time to start getting your boats and fishing gear ready for this year. I personally didn’t get to fish this February as I have in the past because of the bad weather. I, however, was able to peck away at my fishing gear getting it ready for fishing this year. If you are going to do “catch and release” this year, be sure you understand and know the new regulations. If trolling, no more than six rods at a time on a boat. No stinger hooks on your lures. No barbs on your hooks. These are a few of the main rules. Be sure you understand and know the new regulations. Dummy lines also count as rods and are included in your six rod spread. Be sure you get your federal permit number before you start fishing this year, along with your Maryland fishing license. Any questions, be at our March meeting to get your answers. FLEA MARKET Another successful flea market this year. Thanks for all the support, donations and volunteers in making our flea market a success again this year. We had 35 different vendors. All tables were sold. There were about 550 people who came through the doors to purchase all the different items for sale by the vendors. We matched almost to the person and profit that we had at last year’s show. That makes it another success this year. I want to thank all the volunteers and mainly Harry Miller for running our 50/50 raffle and making that wonderful display of what our chapter is doing for the artificial reef program in the Chesapeake Bay. 2010 ROCKFISH REGULATIONS March 1 - May 3 catch and release only Susquehanna Flats
May 16 – May 31 1-18”-26” catch and keep Susquehanna Flats
SPRING TROPHY SEASON April 17 – May 15 1-28” or over Chesapeake Bay –no tributaries
May 16 – May 31 2-18”-28” or 1-18”-28” and 1-28” or larger
Chesapeake Bay plus areas of Chester, Choptank and Patuxent Rivers
June 1 – December 15 same fish size as above
all of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are open
MAY NOT POSSESS STRIPED BASS WHILE FISHING BETWEEN 12:00 MIDNIGHT AND 5:00 A.M.
20TH ANNUAL MSSA CONVENTION The February 5-6-7, 2010 convention dates were cancelled because of bad weather. The MSSA convention is now scheduled for March 19-20-21, 2010 at the Princess Royale Hotel in Ocean City. Contact the MSSA office (410-255-5535) if you want to attend. Our chapter will be sending a delegation down on Saturday March 20th for the convention meeting. If you want to travel with your chapter, be at the March 17th meeting to get details. NEW MEMBERSHIP CARDS Hopefully, by the time you get this newsletter, your new membership card has reached you by mail. The new system is an annual type with all renewals going into effect January 1st of each year. Check your expiration date. If it says January 1, 2010, you need to renew. We need to support the MSSA in our mission to protect and preserve the rights, traditions and future of recreational fishing. We need to support our chapter in Dorchester to help solve the Menhaden problem and suppor6t our reefball program of making reef sites in the Choptank River and Chesapeake Bay. Any questions about your membership, call the MSSA office (410-255-5535). GUEST SPEAKER Starting with our March meeting, we are trying something new. Not only will we have a speaker, but also a vendor. Many members could not make it to our flea market to get some great savings on fishing supplies at flea market prices. So we are bringing in a different vendor each month so you can get some flea market prices on equipment. The vendors will be setting up before the meeting. So come early to check out what they have to offer. Come early for best bargains. Our vendor for March will be Chuck Prahl. Chuck makes great jigging lures and bucktail lures. The time is here to get your lures ready for the upcoming fishing season. Our speaker this month is Captain Charlie Schneider. Charlie gave a great fishing presentation last year. One of the best I have ever heard. With the upcoming trophy season, Charlie will talk on trolling for big Rockfish. He will also cover other types of fishing and answer your fishing questions. Don’t miss this meeting for a great speaker and flea market vendor savings on lures. See you at the meeting or on the water. Clint
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ February 2010 President and Secretary – Clint Waters Vice President – Bob Geisler Legislative Committee – Charles Hutchinson Treasurer – Charles Hutchinson Membership Committee – Bob Geisler Club Fishing Tournaments Committee – Chuck Prahl and Jesse Maffuid MSSA Tournament Committee – Bob Granados and Ken Barwick Crab Feast and Raffles Committee – Jim Kubista and Norman Bell Guest Speakers – Clint Waters Club Fishing Trips – Bob Geisler Webmaster – Curt Brandt Flea Market – Chuck Prahl
The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.
NO UNITY – NO VOICE – NO FISH!
With the weather we have been having, it makes no sense to talk about fishing. What I need to talk about is our flea market. Fellow members, we need help. Last month in the newsletter I forgot to mention about donations to our club table at the flea market. At this point, we have very few items to sell at our club table. I know every member has items in their tackle boxes, boats, sheds and garages that they haven’t used for a year or two that we could sell at the flea market club table. We don’t want junk, but everyone has something that would be worthwhile to someone else. So please try to bring an item to our February meeting, which is ten days before our flea market. This is very important, so take some time to go through your fishing, hunting or boating equipment and bring it to the meeting or contact me and I would be glad to get the items. Our flea market is our biggest financial support for our fishing club and helps to cover all our activities throughout the year.
The flea market is February 27th, the last Saturday in the month. We have sold out all our vendor tables, so there will be plenty of things to purchase. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. to the public. There will be a vendor there to sharpen all your knives. He will be outside and you can drop off your knives and go inside to the flea market and pick up your knives when you leave. Parking will be a problem. You can park at the old Midas lot on the corner of Route 50 and Maryland. It is only one block from the American Legion. I need volunteers to help with the parking. Please support your flea market.
FISHING LICENSE REGISTERY
Just a reminder, if you are going to fish this year, you need to register with the federal agency NOAA. It is all free. The free online website is www.countmyfish.noaa.gov and the free phone number is 888-674-7411.
MSSA CONVENTION
The MSSA convention was postponed in February because of bad weather. It has been rescheduled for March 19-20-21 in Ocean City at the Princess Royale. So now there is plenty of time to plan if you want to attend the convention.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
With the new program enforced that all membership renewals and sign-ups will be set for January 1st for each year, you need to look at your renewal date. If that date is before September 2010, you might want to sign up at the flea market. Also, remember all new members that sign up at the flea market will be half price. So now is a good time if you have people you know who want to join our fishing club and the MSSA is to join now at half price. That goes for everything, one or three year and family memberships.
GUEST SPEAKER
Our speaker for this month is Mid-Shore Electronics. Frank, Marty and the crew have been one of our best speakers and members through the years. This time they will tell us what to look for and do before we start our electric and electronics up on our boating equipment. Since we have had such a bad winter, this is very important information. Also they will update us on all the new electronics that have come out this year. If you have had problems with your electronics, such as depth and fish finders, radar or anything, they can answer your problems. This is a very informative meeting that everyone should be interested in, so don’t miss this meeting.
See you at the meeting or on the water.
Clint
P.S. Don’t forget to support our flea market. Bring in something for our club table. We have 35 different vendors so there should be something for everybody. There are show specials for renewing your membership and half price on all new members. There will be a 50/50 raffle given away that day. There will be food available. Don’t miss the “BIGGEST ONE DAY ON THE SHORE”. There is something for everybody.
JANUARY 2010 President and Secretary – Clint Waters |
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