FishTalk Magazine May 2024

Delaware

Pontoon Express | 302-945-0654

22572 Harbeson Rd, Harbeson, DE pontoonexpress.com

North Bay Marina Inc | 302-436-4211

36543 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE northbaymarina.com

Maryland

Annapolis Inflatables/Fawcett Boat Supplies 410-267-8681 | 919 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD

annapolisinflatables.net

Intercoastal Marine | 410-335-0458

2925 Eastern Blvd, Baltimore, MD intercoastalmarinemd.com

Scott’s Cove Marina | 410-784-7624

10551 Eldon Willing Rd, Chance, MD scottscovemarina.com

Hidden Harbour Marina | 301-261-9200

600 Cabana Blvd, Deale, MD hiddenharbour.net

Maryland Boat Sales | 410-574-3988

2426 Holly Neck Rd, Essex, MD mdboatsales.com

Powersports of Crofton | 410-697-5965

7045 State Route 3 North, Gambrils, MD hondaofcrofton.com

Galahad Marine | 410-827-7409

121 Rental Ln, Grasonville, MD galahadmarine.com

Danny’s Marine LLC | 410-228-0234

3559 Chateau Dr, E. New Market, MD dannysmarine.com

PYY Marine | 410-255-1771

1132 Pasadena Yacht Yard Rd, Pasadena, MD pyymarine.com

Thornes Marine | 410-957-4481

1237 Greenbackville Rd, Stockton, MD thornesmarine.com

Virginia

Jett’s Marine, Inc. | 804-453-3611

18477 Northumberland Hwy, Reedville, VA jettsmarine.com

Friday’s Marine | 804-758-4131

(Malise Marine Sales & Service)

14879 GW Memorial Hwy, Saluda, VA facebook.com/fridaysmarine

Legasea Marine | 757-898-3000

821 Railway Rd, Yorktown, VA legaseamarine.com

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DELAWARE

Rudy Marine | 302.945.2254

32606 DuPont Blvd, Dagsboro, DE rudymarine.com

North Bay Marina | 302.436.4211 36543 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE northbaymarina.com

Rt 113 Boat Sales | 302.436.1737

52 Cemetary Rd, Selbyville, DE rt113boatsales.net

MARYLAND

Fairwinds Marina | 410.216.0205

1000 Fairwinds Dr, Annapolis, MD 21409 fairwindsmarina.com

Tri-State Marine | 410.562.6247

7320 Edgewood Rd, Annapolis, MD tristatemarine.com

Annapolis Inflatables/Fawcett Boat Supplies 410.267.8681

919 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD annapolisinflatables.net

North Point Yacht Sales | 410.280.2038

7330 Edgewood Rd, Ste 1, Annapolis, MD northpointyachtsales.com

Beacon Light Marina | 410.335.6489

825 Bowleys Quarters Rd, Baltimore, MD beaconlightmarina.com

Annapolis Boat Sales, LLC | 410.604.6962 1629 Postal Rd, Chester, MD

annapolisboatsales.com

Tri-State Marine | 410.867.1447

5861 Deale Churchton Rd, Deale, MD tristatemarine.com

Jim’s Marine, Inc. | 410.648.5106

96 East Cross St, Galena, MD jims-marine.com

Bosun’s Maryland | 410.286.1350

411 Winchester Creek Rd, Grasonville, MD bosuns.com/about-us-maryland

Hudson Marine | 410.643.6768

219 Hess Rd, Grasonville, MD 21638 hudsonmarinellc.com

Rudy Marine | 443.995.3785 3033 Kent Narrows Way S, Grasonville, MD rudymarine.com

Anchor Boats, Inc. | 410.287.8280

448 N Mauldin Ave, North East, MD anchorboat.com

Campbell’s Boatyards - Jack’s Point | 410.226.5105 106 Richardson St, PO Box 410, Oxford, MD campbellsboatyards.com

Ventnor Marina | 410.255.4100

8070 Ventnor Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122 ventnormarinamd.com

Haven Harbour Marina | 410.778.6697 20880 Rock Hall Ave, Rock Hall, MD 21661 havenharbour.com

VIRGINIA

Oyster Cove Boatworks | 804.824.9904

5195 G Washington Mem Hwy, Gloucester, VA oystercoveboatworks.com

Norfolk Marine | 757.461.3391

5221 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA norfolkmarine.com

Jett’s Marine, Inc. | 804.453.3611

18477 Northumberland Hwy, Reedville, VA jettsmarine.com

Oyster Cove Boatworks | 804.824.9904

27 Campbell Dr, Topping, VA oystercoveboatworks.com

Oyster Cove Boatworks | 757.716.1819

1305 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA oystercoveboatworks.com

Legasea Marine | 757.898.3000

821 Railway Rd, Yorktown, VA legaseamarine.com

Ricky’s Life – Not Defined by His Disability

I became disabled in August of 1980 at Sandy Point Beach diving off one of my cousin’s shoulders. We had been diving all day and I said I was going to take one more dive and that one was my last. I almost drowned because everyone thought I was joking. I became paralyzed from the neck down for about a year. I was told by doctors that I wouldn’t be able to feed myself again, but after that year they diagnosed me as an incomplete quadriplegic because I have some use in all four limbs after staying in the hospital for about a year getting therapy. I have been in and out of therapy for years. I heard of Fish Redeemer through one of my therapists, so I booked to have fun with my family, my cousins, one friend, and a nephew. We are all baby boys of each family. My cousin who is also in a wheelchair got hurt a year after I did and is a paraplegic and his sister approximately a year after that became a quadriplegic. We may have a disability, but we have the ability to still live laugh, and have fun. The fishing trip was a great experience for all of us. We never knew that there was an organization out there like yours that assists those with disabilities and veterans. The guys (Captain Greg, Tony, Curt, and Ray) were really nice and helpful. I pray God continues to bless this organization and everyone connected. Thanks so much. We look forward to the next trip.

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This offshoot of the Potomac River has a slew of potential fishing hotspots.

Spinnerbaits are incredibly versatile and effective, and knowing these five critical tips will help you use them more effectively.

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612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, MD 21403 (410) 216-9309 FishTalkMag.com

ANGLER IN CHIEF

Lenny Rudow, lenny@fishtalkmag.com

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@fishtalkmag.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Chris Charbonneau, chris@fishtalkmag.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Molly Winans, molly@fishtalkmag.com

SENIOR EDITORS

Beth Crabtree, beth@fishtalkmag.com

Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@fishtalkmag.com

COPY EDITOR

Lucy Iliff, lucy@fishtalkmag.com

FISHING REPORTS EDITOR

Dillon Waters

ADVERTISING SALES

Katie Lange, katie@fishtalkmag.com

Eric Richardson, eric@fishtalkmag.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Brooke King, brooke@fishtalkmag.com

DISTRIBUTION / BROkERAGE / CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER

Beatrice M. Roderick, beatrice@fishtalkmag.com

ART DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER

Zach Ditmars, zach@fishtalkmag.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Royal Snyder, royal@fishtalkmag.com

TACTICIAN

Craig Ligibel

COASTAL CORRESPONDENT

John Unkart

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alan Battista, Jim Gronaw, Chuck Harrison, Capt. Monty Hawkins, Eric Packard, David Rudow, Wayne Young

DISTRIBUTION

Martin and Betty Casey, Gregory and Dorothy Greenwell, Dave Harlock, Ron and Colleen Ogden, John and Chrissy Wathen

Rudow’s FishTalk is a monthly magazine for and about Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic anglers. Reproduction of any part of this publication is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the officers of Rudow’s FishTalk LLC. Rudow’s FishTalk LLC accepts no responsibility for discrepancies in advertisements.

Rudow’s FishTalk is available by first class subscription for $45 a year, and back issues are available for $4 each. Mail payment to Rudow’s FishTalk Subscriptions, 612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, MD, 21403.

Rudow’s FishTalk is distributed free of charge at more than 850 establishments along the shores of the Chesapeake and the DelMarVa Peninsula. Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute Rudow’s FishTalk should contact the Rudow’s FishTalk office, (410) 216-9309 or beatrice@fishtalkmag.com.

© 2024 Rudow’s FishTalk LLC

FishTalkMag.com

IT’S TIME TO ROCK THE BOAT

MAKE WAVES in cancer care for patients and their families.

COMPETE for the most dollars raised.

CELEBRATE

a great day on the Bay at an in-person Shore Party.

GET HOOKED on our awesome swag from your favorite local businesses.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2024

Fish For A Cure (F4AC) is a fishing and fundraising competition that benefits cancer patients and their families in our community. Over the last 17 years, F4AC has raised more than $5 million to support the Cancer Survivorship program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. The 18th Annual Fish For A Cure Tournament, Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge, and Shore Party will be taking place on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Safe Harbor Annapolis, our new tournament home. Registration for the 2024 tournament is now open.

For more information, visit us at www.fishforacure.org.

Join us in 2024 as we celebrate continued commitment to making a splash in cancer care for our community.

Notes from the Cockpit

By Lenny Rudow

People, prepare your pitchforks and torches — I propose a new extra tax on anglers. Now, some of you may think that you already pay enough in taxes but clearly this is not the case because some very important work is not getting done. For years we’ve been asking for an app similar to the FACTS program charter boats use to record their rockfish catches, which recreational anglers could use for the same purpose to generate a solid count on harvest levels. Those who want to

beat up on recreational anglers often use the lack of hard data on our catches as a reason for which we should be penalized. And we’ve forever been told that the health of the fishery could be far more accurately monitored with such a system.

But we’ve also been told by state representatives from Maryland that creating such an app would be complex, time consuming, and difficult. Which likely translates into “we don’t have the budget.” Never mind that they managed to work things out in short order when it was deemed necessary for the charter segment. Maybe Maryland could swallow its pride and ask Virginia to team up on the project? What’s really depressing, though, is the fact that both Mississippi and Alabama have created apps like this already to account for red snapper harvest. Yes, you read that right, Mississippi and Alabama made it happen but Maryland says no can do. Logic dictates that this must be because taxes (and thus constituent services) are so much higher in those other states, right?

# We can do this, people.

No, wait a sec, it also could be because red snapper are simply more important than rockfish. Or, maybe because states in the deep south are more progressive and scientifically inclined than Maryland. I don’t know. However, as a native Marylander the need for more taxes to solve this problem seems obvious to me.

Now that we all agree on the need to raise an extra angler tax, we just need the state folks to tell us how much it would cost. We know this is a massive undertaking, so we expect it to be a hefty fee. Yes, building an app so comprehensive that an angler could register catching a fish, its size, and whether it was kept or not would be immensely complex. We could even consider incorporating the ability to include a cell phone picture of the fish on a ruler, but that would probably be asking too much from modern technology — even if we had the billions of dollars it would take to hire IBM or Haliburton and get this moon-shot off the ground.

The cost and complexity of appmaking is why to date only about 5.1 million apps have been created. And why none of them relate to tracking the catches of anglers. Well, except for those apps they made for the red snapper, and they obviously had an unlimited budget when those were created because money is free in Mississippi and Alabama (that’s why no one who lives there complains about the sky-high taxes).

In reality, of course, we anglers do already pay extra taxes. Every time we buy and register things like boats, fishing tackle, and dock fuel we pay up, because they have specific taxes levied on them to support the angling infrastructure. So, y’all can put down those pitchforks. As for the torches, let’s keep them burning. You never know, one day maybe the people who strive to serve their constituants will see the light.

Boston Whalers perform beautifully offshore, inshore or on the lake, are incredibly safe, with unmatched fishability and comfort.

Pickled over Perch

Dear FishTalk,

Thank you for your “Red Alert” regarding perch fishing with minnows. This circle hook/minnow/perch fishing topic might be of serious interest to the readers. I was researching (as I am sure you have) and a minnow would be considered a finfish. I guess by that definition, a live minnow on a bottom rig or lip hooked through a shad dart suspended under a bobber could be considered livelining. But taking it one step further, after May 1, does this mean I can’t fish for perch with bloodworms on a shad dart under a bobber with my five-year-old grandson? I’ve never seen a shad dart with a circle hook.

I understand that the circle hook regulation (and controversy) was primarily related to rockfish, but now everything must be fished with a circle hook? Seriously?!?!

-John P. via email

Dear John, We remember that when the circle hook regs were first rolled out we were told by the DNR and its representatives that they were worded specifically, with the half-inch hook gap exclusion, to avoid any confusion with a mandate to use circle hooks when fishing for panfish. Unfortunately, this new interpretation of the regulations threw our historic understanding of the rules into chaos. Asking the DNR directly would seem to be a good course of action, but we note that previously when there has been a vagueness in a regulation we’ve been told enforcement is at the discretion of the officer on the scene. So, we honestly don’t know how to answer you, but hopefully the DNR will revisit this issue before the next perch season.

Unintended Consequences

Dear FishTalk, Iknow that the blue catfish is invasive and we need to find ways to harvest as many as possible. My concern is that commercial fishermen long-lining for them in the upper Chesapeake Bay and Bay tributaries harvest through the spawning season for rockfish. I have been told some catch over a dozen large spawning-size rockfish every set. I would think that the DNR should be very concerned about this, how can we get them to look into the matter?

-14886, via email

Dear 14886, We have passed this on to the DNR and are sure they will check into it, thanks for bringing it up!

The Trout, the Whole Trout, and Nothing But the Trout

Dear Fishtalk:

Q: Why did the trout get a computer?

A: He wanted to try streaming.

-Anonymous

navigating peace of mind

Unpredictable waters

THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE

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Navigational exibility

The open water can be unpredictable, with unexpected storms, collisions, or other potential accidents. Boat insurance can give you nancial protection if there is damage to your vessel, providing coverage for repairs or replacement.

Damage and injury

Accidents on the water can result in damage to other boats, docks, or even injuries to passengers. Boat insurance offers liability coverage, which can pay for damages or injuries you’re liable for while boating, up to speci ed limits, and lawsuit costs if you’re sued. This includes damage you cause to another watercraft or if someone on or near your boat is injured and you’re found to be legally responsible.

Theft and vandalism

Unfortunately, boat theft and vandalism are realities that boat owners face. Boat insurance has comprehensive and collision coverage that can protect you against events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism.

Incurred medical payments

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Peace of mind for nancing

If you nanced the purchase of your boat, most lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. Having boat insurance not only ful lls these requirements but also gives you peace of mind knowing that your nancial interests are safeguarded.

Some water municipalities and marinas may require proof of insurance for docking or accessing certain areas. Boat insurance allows you the exibility to explore different destinations without worrying about entry restrictions.

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Fis H N E ws

By Lenny Rudow

Species of Interest

CCA Virginia announced in February that they were filing a formal petition for rulemaking to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) this winter, requesting that the Commission consider reasonable harvest regulations for hickory shad in Virginia waters under its jurisdiction. Unlike American shad, currently there are no conservation protections in place for hickory shad in Virginia waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its coastal rivers and their tributaries and no limits on the size or number of hickory shad an angler may take from these waters. There are also no restrictions on the type of gear one can use to catch them. Hickory shad, however, are fully protected in Maryland and DC waters and there is a 10-fish daily bag limit in North Carolina (though no size limit) and selected Virginia rivers beyond the Chesapeake Bay watershed. CCA-VA finds this concerning because unrestricted catches in Virginia’s coastal rivers threaten progress made to protect and restore both shad species.

New Flounder Regs

The ASMFC handed down a 28-percent cut for the 2024 season, with multiple options given for Delaware, Maryland, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC), and Virginia to be regulated on the whole. As of the time of this printing Delaware and Maryland had confirmed and announced compliance, with a season opened year-round and a January 1 to May 31 minimum size of 16 inches, jumping to 17.5 inches from June 1 through December 31. Throughout the season a four fish per person bag limit will be in effect. Finalization of the rules for Virginia and the PRFC hadn’t been announced as we went to press but identical regulations are expected.

Lucky Number Six

Former FishTalk Magazine

cover model Rashan Hunt (August, 2021) was the sixth angler to be recognized by the Maryland DNR as a “Master Angler,” catching 10 different species at trophy-sized length. He clinched the title after catching a 24-inch pickerel in Loch Raven Reservoir, capping off an impressive list of trophies including a 45-inch striper, a 14-inch yellow perch, and a 34.5inch snakehead.

Lucky Number 17.44

Jean-Philippe Lartigue utterly demolished the Maryland state record for rainbow trout this winter, when he caught a monstrous 32 inch, 17.44-pound rainbow trout in Antietam Creek. Topping the old record (which has stood since 1987) by more than three pounds, the catch was even more impressive since Lartigue was fishing with eight-pound test, and after a 30-minute fight, was landed without a net. Congratulations Jean-Philippe, on catching the trout of a lifetime.

# Hickory shad are protected in adjoining states, but there are no restrictions on their harvest in Virginia.

Stripers in the Spotlight

As we enter May with trophy striper season eliminated in the Chesapeake Bay, two new studies have brought new light to their spawning challenges. In one performed by fisheries biologist Jim Uphoff, the survival of larval striped bass was found to be a critical factor in year-class success. The study also showed that “Even though the decline of Atlantic coast striped bass has largely been attributed to overfishing, trends in EP (egg presence) and JIs (juvenile index) indicated that recruitment failure preceded overfishing and that stock recovery was enhanced by increased survival of eggs and larvae that reflected their habitat.” In a second study performed by fisheries biologist Angela Giuliano, it was found that changing water temperatures have not resulted in an earlier start to spawning in the Bay tributaries. However, a significant change was found in the timing of the end of spawning, suggesting that the spawning season has shortened.

Mongo Mania

The Mongo Offshore Challenge begins on the first of this month and runs through September 30. You can fish any time, anyplace you want, with blue marlin, swordfish, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi categories in the East Coast division. These are winner-take-all divisions, with additional calcuttas in play. Visit mongooffshore.com to learn more.

Three Decades and Counting

The 33rd annual Captain Zed’s Spring Flounder Tournament cranks up on April 26 and runs through May 5, with a whopping $5000 on the line for first-place flounder, additional prizes for second through fifth, and prizes for junior and female anglers. Weigh-ins are at the Trident Tackle in Wachapreague, VA. Visit theislandhouserestaurant.com for the details.

1. In an emergency situation on the water, PYROTECHNIC FLARES are the most DYNAMIC, BRIGHT & RECOGNIZED signal clearly conveying the message that assistance in needed.

2. Flares are self-contained and require no batteries (which often corrode leak and lose charge in extreme marine environments as well as posing environmental concerns upon disposal).

3. PYROTECHNIC FLARES are up to 300X* BRIGHTER than a flashing LED Electronic Beacon.

4. Orion flares DO NOT CONTAIN Perchlorate, a chemical of concern associated with groundwater pollution.

5. As a result of the altitude achieved by pyrotechnic aerial flares, the sighting area for these signals is exponentially greater than for electronic beacons:

6. Flares are US Coast Guard APPROVED Day and Nighttime signals**. Flashing Electronic Beacons are certified for nighttime use only and require a separate daytime signal.

7. Orion flares are MANUFACTURED IN THE USA whereas most electronic beacons are imported from China.

UNDERSTANDING

LOCATE VS ALERT SIGNALS

Due to the curvature of the earth and line of sight restrictions, potential rescuers can only see handheld electronic light and handheld flares

(LOCATE SIGNALS) up to 3 miles away.

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Monster Madness

Saturday May 18 is the date to remember if you want to join in the Monsters of the James Fishing Tournament. Teams of one or two kayak anglers must be registered by May 16, with a cap at 30 teams. This is a C-P-R event, with points awarded for the cumulative length of three largest catfish plus a “lunker award” for the largest single fish of the tournament. Visit riverrockrva.com/events to get the details.

TShore We Will!

The Shore Girls Flounder Tournament kicks off on the last day of this month and continues through June 1, with fishing taking place from 7 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. June 2 is the awards banquet and silent auction at the Island House. Proceeds benefit Dogs Deserve Better – Eastern Shore Virginia, and there are cash prizes for first through third place plus calcuttas. Visit Wachapreague Shore Girls Flounder Tournament on Facebook to learn more.

Island Time

he Smith Island Fishing Tournament is set for Friday through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, with the proceeds benefitting the Smith Island Fire Department. Anglers will be casting in search of the Smith Island Slam, a three-fish stringer of rockfish, redfish, and speckled sea trout. This is a photo/length tournament platformed on the iAngler app with cash prizes for first through third place plus calcuttas for the largest redfish, black drum, rockfish, speck, and kayak-caught fish, plus youth 16 or under. The awards ceremony will be held on the island and via video conference, but trust us people, you should NOT miss out on the chance to spend an entire weekend of fishing based out of Smith Island – this is one of the coolest places on the Chesapeake! Visit Smith Island Fishing Tournament on Facebook for details and to learn about lodging options on the island.

H o T NEW GE a R

Editor’s Note: We wish we could personally test every item that appears on these pages, but that simply isn’t possible. So that you know the difference between when we’ve physically tested a piece of gear and when we’re writing about it because it’s newsworthy and we think you’ll want to know about it, we’ve developed this FishTalk Tested button. When you see it printed next to something in this section, it means we’ve personally run it through the wringer.

CHIRPing away

If you want a potent CHIRP fishfinder but you don’t need the added expense and complexity of a chartplotter you won’t have too many options to choose from in this day and age, but Furuno has two new ones hitting the water in 2024: the FCV600 and the FCV800. These stand-alone fishfinders can drive CHIRP (40 – 225kHz) and dual-frequency continuous wave (50 –200kHz) transducers. They also offer improved visibility in bright daylight, make it easier to differentiate fish from the bottom with Color Range Expansion, and boast improved resolution and target separation with RezBoost. The FCV600 has a seven-inch display and the FCV800 is 8.4 inches, waterproofing is to IP56 specs, and multiple displays can communicate wirelessly. Small boat anglers will love the fact that the user interface comes via soft-touch buttons and a rotary dial as opposed to a touchscreen. Price: $895/$1495; visit furunousa.com for more details.

Bag of Tricks

By Mark Nicolaus

Looking for a tackle bag that can be packed with as much gear as possible while still being able to throw it over your shoulder?

The H2OX Evo 3700 from Academy has got you covered. This bag comes with four 3700 tackle boxes, one 3600 box, two side pouches, two roomy pouches on the front and back, along with multiple netting slots for pliers and knives. All of the boxes have adjustable organizers, so whether you’re packing in large swimbaits or small split shots it can be organized to your preference. The zippers are heavy duty and slide past the bag’s polyester material without getting caught up. The shoulder strap is strong and cushioned, so adding plenty of weight to this bag is not an issue. It has a rugged, waterproof bottom, too, so setting it down on the damp ground won’t let moisture soak into the bag. The H2OX Evo 3700 fits in the back of a kayak instead of the traditional-style milk crate, but even on a boat, this will be a great option for storing your tackle and keeping it all in a safe place. Personally, I am a big fan of the front/back and side zipper pouches which seem to get overlooked with most other tackle bags. They are great for storing extra line, lip grippers, and anything else besides tackle that you need on a trip. This is a great do-it-all choice for tackle storage no matter your preferred style of fishing. Price: $89.99. Visit academy.com to learn more.

NavNet.com

Feeling Crabby

Fishbites bloodworms have become a tacklebox staple for many Chesapeake Bay anglers, but now Fishbites has a new offering of interest: EZ Crab Blue Crab. The strips are blue on one side and white on the other, and any finned critter that enjoys slurping down blue crabs (are there any that don’t?) should enjoy eating them. We gave EZ Crab Blue Crab multiple tests while fishing for black sea bass late last fall and winter, and found that threaded onto the hook of a small spoon and dangled in the depths the fish loved ‘em. In fact, multiple anglers fished it multiple days side-by-side with cut squid and live minnow, and we discovered it made zero difference which bait was on the end of the line. To the fish, that is — from our human vantage point this stuff is spectacular, because it doesn’t make a mess, you don’t have to keep it alive, one bait lasts for a half-dozen or more fish, and you can toss a pouch into a drawer and leave it there for months on end between uses. Price: $5.99. Visit fishbites.com to order it up.

Stupid is as Stupid Does I

t was only a matter of time… Riding on the coattails of the Savage Gear 3D Suicide Duck, we now have the 3D Stupid Duck courtesy of DaHiKan Fishing Tackle. It looks exactly like the Suicide Duck, has seemingly identical spinning flippers, the same hook placement, and even the same duckling-like downy tufts fore and aft. We believe the manufacturer’s claim that it may get attacked by pike, bass, and musky, but the “big brutal catfish” they speak of, we’re not so sure. It would seem a lot more likely to trigger savage attacks from snakeheads. Or, maybe from Savage Gear. Price: $12.80. Nope, we’re not going to list the website where we found this weaselly waterfowl lest ye be tempted.

Trashy Treasure

Sick and tired of trying to find somewhere to stow trash on your boat? SeaSucker has the answer with the new Basking Bag. No drilling is necessary to mount it because the 4.5” suction cup vacuum mount has a rated pull strength of 120 pounds. A rigid frame at the top keeps it sealed tight so trash doesn’t escape after you pull the handle to open it up and deposit your refuse, and the two-foot tall, foot and a half wide bag has room for plenty of cans, bags, and wrappers. Mesh and closed bags are available in black and white. We love the concept behind the Basking Bag — nothing is worse than seeing a plastic bag or wrapper fly off a boat in the breeze — though we have to admit the cost is a bit difficult to swallow. Price: $165. Visit seasucker.com

Ask an Expert

This month we pose some questions about fishing in May and about catching Chesapeake Bay bull reds to Captain Steve griffin, of griffin’s guide Service.

Q: When rockfish come into season, lots of people find it tough to locate fish early on. Can you share a pointer or two on how to find ‘em right as the season begins?

A: May can be a tough time to locate them! We typically find rockfish schooled up in Mid-May. Think warm and shallow water, anywhere from 20’ ledges to twofoot flats. Use your side scan, not many birds or visual clues are around at this time.

Q: You’re known for being a real sharpie when it comes to catching those big summertime Chesapeake Bay bull reds. What’s the most important thing anglers need to know about finding them?

A: The most important thing is Humminbird Mega Side Imaging. The big schools of Chesapeake Bay Bull Reds are like roaming buffalo and they will make you work for it. You need to cover a lot of water while scanning for them. We have the ability to scan and identify Redfish 300-plus feet on each side of the boat while running at 25-plus mph. We will effectively cover over 100 miles looking for them on many trips. Be confident in your electronics, you’ll know when you find a school of reds, but remember one thing while scanning: Redfish are also known as channel bass for a reason.

Q: What’s the top tip for getting them on the line once you’ve located them?

A: These fish will almost always eat so getting your lure in front of them is the most important thing. Redfish move very fast, so we use heavier jigs than normal. That way our clients can get down to them before they’re gone. We find them stacked on the bottom 90 percent of the time. You won’t find a jig less than 1.5 ounces on our boat for redfish. On windy days we will even throw four-ounce G-Eye Jigs.

Q: Let’s talk tackle for a second. When you’re looking for those bulls and/or maybe cobia — big, potent fish — what’s your dream rig?

A: A smooth and powerful drag is important when fighting these fish. My favorite setup is a Shimano Twin Power XD 5000 on a G-Loomis IMX Pro Blue 843SF (seven foot, medium fast). I only trust 30-pound Power Pro SSV2 and 40-pound Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader with these big fish. Our go-to lure is a two-ounce G-Eye Jig with a Z-Man seven-inch Diezel Minnow in the Sexy Mullet color pattern.

Q: You see a wide swath of anglers of all levels on your boat; what’s the most common mistake you see, and how would you advise anglers to overcome it?

A: Slack line! If you’re not in contact with your lure you will miss bites. We give a slack line demonstration and lesson before we leave the dock on just about every trip. It’s that important.

Q: Open mic — if there was anything you could say to all the anglers out there, what would it be?

A: Four things:

1. Keep working hard and strive to learn new stuff. You’ll get much more out of a fishing trip if you set out to learn a new area or technique versus following a fleet around.

2. Currents and tides – Yes, they’re related. The fish typically don’t care what the height of the water is, they do like moving water though.

3. Be courteous, the fishermen around you might be having the time of their life. Give them space.

4. The success of a fishing trip should not be measured by the amount of fish in a cooler. Photos and memories made with family and friends will last a lifetime.

You can contact Captain Steve via his website, griffinsguideservice.com, or at (443) 624-0088.

# Captain Steve holds up his best catch ever.

Chesapeake Calendar presented by

May through May 5

captain Zed’s 33rd annual spring flounder tournament

$5000 on the line for first-place flounder, additional prizes for second through fifth, and prizes for junior and female anglers. Weigh-ins are at the Trident Tackle in Wachapreague, VA. Visit theislandhouserestaurant.com for the details.

1 fsff monthly meeting

7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse at the Davidsonville, MD, Family Rec. Center. Rich Batiuk, a FSFF member, will present on “The New Maryland Fly Fishing Trail.” Questions: rybeer@gmail.com

1

- Sep 30

5th annual mongo offshore challenge

The sportfishing world’s most unique challenge! You can fish anytime, anyplace you want, with blue marlin, swordfish, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi categories in the East Coast division. These are winner-take-all divisions, with additional calcuttas in play.

2 liVE with lenny

Join the conversation at 6 p.m. on Facebook or YouTube. fishtalkmag.com/live-with-lenny

4 Blues, Brews, & BBQ festival

12 to 6 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Sample more than 30 different craft beers, dig into some amazing BBQ, and listen as some of the best blues musicians in Hampton Roads and beyond take the stage. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 after 4/15 and at the door.

4 fsff monthly annual swap meet

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse at the Davidsonville, MD, Family Rec. Center. Open to members of the public at no charge. A wide array of fly fishing and other fishing related rods, reels, fly lines, equipment, clothing, and books will be available for sale, all at incredible prices. Questions: rybeer@gmail. com

4 mD DNR youth fishing Rodeo

8 a.m. at Rising Sun Pond in Cecil County. Sponsor: Town of Rising Sun. Ages 3-15. Contact: Judy Melton, (410) 6585353.

8 frederick saltwater anglers monthly meeting

Food starts at 6 p.m. followed by meeting at 7 p.m. at 289 Willowdale Drive, Frederick, MD 21702. Each meeting has a speaker, vendor, prize raffle, and 50/50.

9-19

2nd annual station 15 hook n’ hose Black Drum tournament

Benefitting the Cape Charles Vol. Fire Company. Captain’s meeting May 9, 7:30 p.m. at Bailey’s Bait and Tackle. Weekend one: May 10 and 11. Weekend two: May 18 and 19, awards presentation 2 to 5 p.m. at the Fire House.

11 annapolis marine industry spring open house

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participating businesses include: Annapolis Sailyard, Crusader Yachts, David Walters Yachts, East Coast Yacht Sales, Intrinsic Yacht & Ship, North Point Yacht Sales, Passport Yachts, Port Annapolis Marina, Tristate Marine, Sail Annapolis, Seattle Yacht Sales, S&J Yachts, Walczak Yacht Brokerage Services, Yacht Brokers of Annapolis, AA Dive Services, AM Marine Custom Boats, Chronic Sailing Charters, and Ocean Point Marine Lending.

11 fsff monthly hands-on session

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse at the Davidsonville, MD, Family Rec. Center. Joe Bruce will share with club members his experiences in using different retrieval techniques with his fly rod to greatly improve your ability to catch more fish under an array of different weather conditions and fishing situations. Free to members and visitors. Everyone should bring a fly rod rigged up with line and a leader. Questions: rybeer@gmail.com

11 yorktown market Days

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Vintage market and car show on Main Street.

15 annapolis anglers club monthly meeting

7 p.m. at the American Legion in Crownsville, MD.

17-19 fsa Etzler flounder frenzy

Presented by the Frederick Saltwater Anglers in Chincoteague, VA.

18 monsters of the James fishing tournament

Spend this year’s Dominion Energy Riverrock weekend casting and catching with the Department of Wildlife Resources. Teams of one or two anglers can paddle up and down the Mighty James in this catch and release tournament.

18-19 legasea marine open house

At Legasea Marine (821 Railway Rd.) in Yorktown, VA.

20 Emergency services on the Water

How the US Coast Guard manages and oversees search and rescue missions. 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. (online via Zoom). Free. Presented by CAPCA (capca.net).

21

Blue angels annapolis

Blue Angels air show practice day over the Severn River in Annapolis (approx. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) for the U.S. Naval Academy Commissioning Week.

22

Blue angels annapolis

Blue Angels air show over the Severn River in Annapolis (approx. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) for the U.S. Naval Academy Commissioning Week.

24-26 smith island fishing tournament

This three-day tournament celebrates the culture of this iconic Chesapeake Bay community. Proceeds benefit the Smith Island Fire Departments and its first responders. Prizes will be awarded for the top Smith Island Slam: the longest three fish stringer of a redfish, rockfish, and spotted seatrout. $225 per team (max of 4 anglers), $100 for individual anglers. Register: ianglertournament. com

28 combos for kids

Combos for Kids provides fun opportunities to celebrate and enrich the lives of children and their families through the sport of fishing. Presented by Anglers Sport Center. At Ruth Eason School (648 Old Mill Rd, Millersville). This event will bring water and fish to the school, Chesapeake Whalertowne to provide boats. Contact: EJ Harman, (410) 299-2693.

31 - Jun 1

Wachapreague shore girls flounder tournament

Fishing times: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Awards banquet June 2 at 1 p.m. at Island House Restaurant. Proceeds benefit Dogs Deserve Better - Eastern Shore Virginia, and there are cash prizes for first through third place plus calcuttas. Find entry on FB page or contact: nlkatr@aol.com or (757) 787-3970.

7-9 guardian of the Pearl Rockfish tournament

June

Mandatory captain’s meeting on June 7. Register to fish one or two days (June 8 and 9). The tournament promotes heritage, tourism, and fishing for the town of Rock Hall while raising funds for the Rock Hall Vol. Fire Company which serves it and surrounding communities. Learn more and register: rockhallvfc.org/rockfishtournament

8 Bands in the sand

Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and Title Sponsor Annapolis Subaru for a night of live music on the beach raising critical funds to help save the Bay! Sells out quickly.

8 mD DNR youth fishing Rodeo

7 a.m. at Hillcrest Park Lake. Sponsor: Baltimore Highlands Recreation Council. Ages 3-15. Contact: Joan Mitchel, (410) 887-6994

8 mD DNR youth fishing Rodeo

8 a.m. at Calvert Cliffs State Park. Sponsor: Calvert County Parks and Rec. Ages 3-15. Contact: Sandy Abell, (410) 535-1600 x2829.

12 frederick saltwater anglers monthly meeting

Food starts at 6 p.m. followed by meeting at 7 p.m. at 289 Willowdale Drive, Frederick, MD 21702. Each meeting has a speaker, vendor, prize raffle, and 50/50.

12-18 maryland fleet Week and flyover Baltimore

Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore returns to Baltimore City and Baltimore County with an exciting line-up of ship tours, festivals, flyovers, and educational activities, taking place at the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, North Locust Point, and Martin State Airport.

14-16 36th antique and classic Boat festival and coastal arts fair

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Father’s Day weekend at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. Presented by the Antique and Classic Boat Society Chesapeake Bay Chapter.

14-16

fsa offshore challenge

Presented by the Frederick Saltwater Anglers in Chincoteague, VA. Open to the public; you do not need to be a member to fish this tournament.

15 6th annual cobia East coast championship

Online registration: $275 (closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 13). On-site registration: $300. Additional calcutta divisions available. Over $63,000 paid out in 2023. Awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. at Legasea Marine in Yorktown, VA.

16 mD DNR youth fishing Rodeo

10 a.m. at Cypress Branch State Park in Kent County. Sponsor: Maryland Park Service. Ages 3-15. Contact: Erin Gale, (410) 820-1668.

20 combos for kids

Combos for Kids provides fun opportunities to celebrate and enrich the lives of children and their families through the sport of fishing. Presented by Anglers Sport Center. At Podickory Point: Annapolis City Police - Kids Fishing (boats needed). Contact: EJ Harman, (410) 299-2693.

21-23

9th annual kids catch-all

Open to all youth anglers ages 3-18, parents may help reel in fish. Every angler receives an award. A portion of the proceeds benefits Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva, Inc. At Indian River Marina in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Register online at kidscatchall.com

27 combos for kids

Combos for Kids provides fun opportunities to celebrate and enrich the lives of children and their families through the sport of fishing. Presented by Anglers Sport Center. At Mike’s Beach: Voices for Children (Boats neededcrabbing). Contact: EJ Harman, (410) 299-2693.

# gary nabbed a 24-inch largemouth fishing at Loch Raven.

# Robert tied into a monster pickerel on a warm winter day.

# Adam had some success on a couple of very different species!

# David fished all winter to come up with his PB on a kayak, this magical 49-incher, on a 7” plastic.

# Herb tied into some very chunky crappie in a Salisbury area millpond.

# Kenny enjoyed great panfish action in a Cecil County creek this spring.

# Kaitlin and Kevin had a great trip to Florida prior to the Chesapeake waking up from its winter slumber.

# Kevin and Dave had a great trip to Key West, where fishing was in the plans (of course).

Reader Photos presented by

# She’s fishing in the rain, she’s fishing in the rain… nice smallmouth, Lucy!

# Chris tied into a megarock fishing near Thomas Point this spring.

# Mike tied into this awesome African pompano while fishing off Florida this winter.

# Nick battled this mammoth 50-incher to the boat, got a quick pic, then slid her right back over the side.

# Ryan trolled into some monster rockfish early this spring on the Prime Time Jr.

# Sawyer tied into this beauty while fishing on the eastern Shore.

# Keith tied into this monster while fishing in a trib for specks, proving once again that elephants do in fact eat peanuts.

# Christopher tied on a 43-pounder in the lower Potomac this spring

# Ryan caught and released some 40-plus inchers in the preseason.

# Pedro caught and released a pair of trophy-sized stripers on white and chartreuse tandems, trolling near the ship anchorage.

# Uncle Walter snapped off this pic of Park “Pooh” Reese celebrating his first snakehead catch.

#

#

# Fred tied into this monster 45-pound blue cat in the Sassafras.

# Adam greenberg tugged up this nice bass on a Senko.

# Adam and his brother Jake tied into a mix of hickories and American shad at Fletcher’s this spring.

Andrew tangled with a true Susquehanna Flats giant.

# Lucy found a beaut of a crappie.

Tony braved the spring rains and walked away with a stringer of Chesapeake gold.

# Patrick got in on the shad action, too!

# Henry had fun playing with shad on the Potomac this spring.

# Tyler had an AMAZINg spring break, catching a drum in the surf, his first hickory shad, a 13” perch, and four tog aboard the Morning Star. W-O-W!

# Luke braved the rain, and it paid off big-time!

# Joel had a blast catching shad in a Potomac River creek with his grandad Bob.

Hot New Fishboats

By Lenny Rudow

World Cat 260 DC-X: A w orld of i nnovation

Go to any boat show or large dealership, look at a dozen 26’ dual consoles boats, and chances are that a day later you’ll barely be able to remember one from the next. That will be a clear indication that you didn’t see a World Cat 260 DC-X — because there’s zero chance of this boat getting lost in the shuffle.

First things first: the fact that this boat rides atop two hulls instead of one immediately separates it from the pack. As cat fans know (and monohull fans will find out if they take a sea trial) this produces a supersmooth ride in a chop.

of beefy barrel latches, it swings down to the deck so you can walk even farther aft. In fact, you can step all the way back and use it as an aft casting platform, or keep going until you’re in-between the outboards, thanks to the extended center platform.

Wait a sec… does this transom arrangement mean you give up the integrated livewell and cooler/fishbox normally found back there? Nope.

But beyond this obvious difference the 260 DC-X sets itself apart in numerous ways.

Stroll back to the stern, and you’ll discover a transom that’s incredibly svelte. It allows you to get much father aft than most, and when you pop open a couple

In a crafty maneuver

World Cat widens the aft gunwales and integrates the livewell to starboard and the cooler/ fishbox to port. That livewell is lighted, holds 30 gallons, and has a high-speed pickup. When loaded up this can add some weight to one side but it’s easily mitigated with engine trim — and the cat design reacts so favorably to trimming the outboards that tabs aren’t even a necessity on this boat, as they

would be on most monohulls this size. In another move we’ve never seen before, behind the helm the 260 DC-X features an integrated tackle station with a swing-out cooler underneath. And for still more uniqueness check out the passenger’s side seat, which has a swing-back seat allowing you to face forward or aft, with a pull-up extension on the end that turns it into a huge lounger or, with the seatback pulled aft, a double seat facing both fore and aft.

This incredibly inventive cockpit is certainly enough to warrant calling the boat unique, but we haven’t moved forward to the passenger’s console head compartment yet. Rather than having a swing-open door, the entire front of the console swings aft. This means you step down into the compartment without having to duck under the common

Q UIC k Fa CTS

LOA: 25’6”

Beam: 9’0”

Displacement: 7200 lbs.

Draft (hull): 1’2”

Transom Deadrise: NA (cat)

Fuel Capacity: 180 gal.

Max Power : 400 hp

a RE a DE a LERS

Bosun’s Marine, grasonville, MD, (443) 347-6314 or bosuns.com; Taylor Marine, Milford, De (302) 251-2506 and Ocean City, MD (443) 647-8265 or taylormarinecenter.com; and Norfolk Marine, Norfolk, VA, (757) 895-7432 or norfolkmarine.com

# The 260 DC-X has a slick tackle station and swing-out cooler behind the helm chair.

forehead-banging rim, and since a gasassist strut secures it in place you don’t have to worry about it swinging around — yet opening and closing it is still onefinger-easy.

The bow compartment is all about family fun with wide lounger seats forward and an insert that turns it into a sunpad. Or, it can be all about fishing when you leave the cushions at home and turn it into a casting deck. Speaking of

fishing, the hard top sports six rocket launchers, there are four gunwale holders, and the hard top comes ready for outriggers. We also love that the boat comes ready for both fishing and family action with standard raw and freshwater washdowns, and the fresh system has a pull-out shower wand at the transom so you can rinse off after a swim or wash the rods and reels on your way back to the dock.

Have all the 26’ dual consoles you’ve seen in the past year or two blended together in your brain? Are you wondering why there aren’t any really unique offerings that stand out from the crowd? You can change that in a heartbeat, with one look at a World Cat 260 CC-X.

Grady-White 231 CE: Angling Adventures Await

Grady-White’s Coastal Explorers have always been a great option for people who like a good dose of open water attitude in a hybrid-style bay boat. But since they stopped building the 191 CE years ago, the series has offered just two choices starting at 25 and 28 feet. For 2024, however, there’s a new option which stretches the tape to 22’7” and maintains an easily trailerable 8’6” beam: the 231 CE.

We spotted the 231 CE for the first time at the Miami International Boat Show, a place where it’s exceptionally easy for most center console fishing boats to blend into the background. Not this one. Almost immediately after jumping aboard we spotted the first unexpected feature: the bowdeck fishbox is large

enough to crawl inside of. Literally (yes I did, and yes I was able to pull the hatch down all the way and close myself in). When the day of light and variable winds arrives and yellowfin tuna are crushing baits offshore, you’ll have no problem zipping out there and then icing down multiple 70-pounders.

Speaking of zipping: with a single Yamaha F250 on the transom the 231 CE posts solid performance figures, including a cruise in the mid- to upper30s at 4500 rpm and a fuel-sipping cruise in the upper 20s at 3500 rpm while getting over 3.5 mpg. With 70 gallons in the tank that means you have 220 miles of range accounting for a 10-percent fuel reserve. Top-end, meanwhile, comes darn close to breaking 50 mph.

Hull design holds true to GradyWhite’s standard, with the SeaV2 variable-degree deadrise. At the transom it tapers down to 16-degrees. Another thing that holds true to Grady-White form is a flawless fit and finish capped off by the same top-shelf pieces and parts you’ll find on their larger offerings. The bowdeck seatbacks rise up electrically at the press of a button. Deck hardware is all 316-grade stainless-steel, and it isn’t screwed down but is throughbolted. The livewell doesn’t just hold 25 gallons, but is also lighted and has a full-column inlet so every bait in there gets a full blast of oxygenated water wherever it swims.

Another Grady-White trait that carries through to this model is their

equation the boat has four gunwale and three transom flush-mount rodholders, four rocket launchers on the T-top, four more vertical holders forward, the livewell and fishbox, and a huge forward casting deck. The aft casting deck needs a special call-out, too, because it incorporates the swinging seatbacks

LOA: 22’7”

Beam: 8’6”

Displacement: 3720 lbs.

Draft: 1’4”

Transom Deadrise: 16 deg

Fuel Capacity: 70 gal

Max Power : 250 hp

Q UIC k Fa CTS a RE a DE a LERS

Norfolk Marine, Norfolk, VA, (757) 895-7432 or norfolkmarine.com; Taylor Marine, Milford, De (302) 251-2506 and Ocean City, MD (443) 647-8265 or taylormarinecenter.com; Tristate Marine, Deale and Annapolis, MD (410) 867-1447 or tristatemarine.com

found on this boat’s larger siblings. When the cruise is complete they swing aft and inboard, out of the way of anglers casting from the elevated deck #

and allowing direct access to the swim platform and ladder.

What all these trademark GradyWhite traits and features add up to is a boat that will surely enjoy one other advantage that this builder is well known for: class-leading resale value. While a Grady may carry a higher initial price tag than the average center console, the expenditure comes back to you when you resell the boat down the line. Grady-Whites are virtually always in demand, and you recoup a larger chunk of the boat’s purchase price. Of course, we don’t want to start talking about moving on from this boat so early in the game. Heck, you’ll be enjoying it for many years before that sort of thing ever crosses your mind. But when it eventually does one thing is for sure: You’ll be glad you got the Grady. Of course, you’ll probably be thinking that from day one.

Live Lining with Atlantic Silversides

By Adam Greenberg

It was Memorial Day weekend at the mouth of the Choptank River, and the fishing was unusually quiet. The water was so clear you could make out every little shell and pebble on the sandy bottom.

I grabbed a sabiki rig tipped with Fishbites and dropped it down, hoping to catch some live bait. I watched in the crystal clear water as my hooks were swarmed. Not by spot, nor croaker. Not even by perch.

They were Atlantic silversides – but the little guys couldn’t quite fit the Fishbites in their tiny mouths. I glanced over at the boulders lining the shoreline and… eureka!

Periwinkles, hundreds of them. With spot apparently out of the question for bait and a last-ditch effort needed, I climbed down on the wet rocks and gathered a handful of these snails. I smashed two of them open and threaded each one onto the sabiki hooks. Down went my offering, and I watched the tiny fish attack in piranhalike fashion.

I reeled up, and two Atlantic silversides were dangling from my hooks. Finally, some live bait. I stuck a circle hook through one of them and casted him off the end of the pier. Within minutes I had a strike, and I managed to wrangle in a thick speckled trout. My fellow anglers and I took advantage of this discovery and landed half a dozen specks in the next hour.

It was a spectacular surprise, and I continue using silversides to this day. But it seems like very few other anglers in the Chesapeake region have adopted this strategy. Is this just a well-kept secret, or has nobody figured it out yet? Either way, we constantly see schools of specks and bluefish and rockfish chase

these little guys. So, why not utilize Atlantic silversides as live bait and catch more fish?

How to Catch Atlantic Silversides

Atlantic silversides are abundant in the Chesapeake Bay and relatively easy to catch. Most bait shops in our region don’t sell them, so yes, you’ll have to catch them. The two most effective ways to do so are with a sabiki rig or a cast net.

A sabiki rig consists of a barrel swivel followed by a number of tiny hooks or flies attached to the same line with a weight at the end. Different states have varying laws regarding how many hooks may be used on a sabiki rig, so be sure to check your local regulations. You can either buy a sabiki rig that has only a legal number of hooks (“Chesapeake” sabikis), or you can buy longer ones with more hooks and cut them into separate rigs, which I prefer; it’s more bang for your buck.

Hook size is extremely important when selecting a sabiki rig for Atlantic silversides. These rigs come in all shapes and sizes, so narrowing it down might be overwhelming. Let me help you out with a simple word of advice– go as small as you can. Try to avoid the standard Chesapeake sabiki rig when going after these tiny baitfish. The rigs work wonderfully for spot and perch, but usually the hooks won’t be small enough for your silversides.

Choosing the right weight is also fairly straightforward. The key is making sure your rig hits the bottom quickly and stays there while simultaneously being able to maintain tension in your line.

This will allow for the baits to suspend in the water column instead of laying on the bottom. You’ll also be able to feel the tiny tick tick of the silversides grabbing your offering. A quarter ounce to one ounce weight will work well; just match it to the water depth and current strength.

The best bait for Atlantic silversides is snails, hands down. Marsh periwinkles–those white and grey colored shell dwellers you find all over rocks, grass, and pilings– are likely the species you will come across most in the Chesapeake Bay region. Fishbites, bloodworms, and other tiny cut baits will entice silversides but likely be

# Tiny hooks are the key to catching Atlantic silversides like this one.

ripped off the hook before a fish is secured. Go with snails. Crush the shell with a rock, and pull the little slug-shaped meat out. Before you put it on the hook, find the suction bit of the periwinkle. It will be darker in color and easy to spot. This part of the critter’s body is extremely tough and will make sure the bait stays securely on the hook. Push the point of the hook through this piece of flesh, drop down your sabiki, and slowly reel when you feel that little nibble.

Cast nets are also an effective way to catch Atlantic silversides. They aren’t as easy to throw as they look. It will take a lot of practice. But once you’ve got it down and see a school of the little guys swim by, you can catch yourself a whole bunch. Again, when fishing for such small species, you want to use small gear. Quarter inch mesh size is the way to go.

Both methods work great for securing yourself some Atlantic silversides for bait, however oftentimes the cast net will haul in other species as bycatch, which takes time to sort through. Also, throwing a cast net into a big school of silversides will likely yield more bait than you can use, which can unnecessarily cause injury or death to a lot of little fish. Either will work, but I recommend the sabiki rig.

How to Fish Atlantic Silversides

The best way to fish an Atlantic silverside is on a Carolina rig. A Carolina rig is made up of a sliding egg sinker on the mainline followed by a barrel swivel and leader with a hook on the end. The size weight you choose for your rig is, again, dependent on water depth. I typically fish silversides in five to eight feet of water, so my choice of weight is either a half ounce or one ounce. Once that weight is slid onto the mainline and a barrel swivel is attached, it’s time to select a leader. Fluorocarbon is the material to go with, at least 20-pound test. Lots of toothy species like speckled trout and bluefish will come for your offering, so having some extra durability while also presenting a nearly invisible line for the shy ones is important. In terms of length, I like to go with three to four feet, but in deeper water a longer leader may be necessary. The long leader will give your silverside plenty of room to swim around, while the weight prevents him from only swimming on the surface. At the end of your leader, tie a size 1/0 circle hook.

Now you’re ready to put a bait on the hook. Choosing where to hook your Atlantic silverside is the same as spot. Hook him through the nose or mouth when you want him to swim up, and go through the back when you want him to swim down. Remember, go between the dorsal and tail in slower water, and hook him between the dorsal and head in stronger current. I fish from a pier or the shoreline without electronics, so I’ll typically assess the current and toss out one mouth-hooked and another bait hooked through the back. Whichever gets bit tells you where in the water column the fish are feeding, and you’ll know how to rig the rest of the silversides you cast.

And there you have it – hold onto your rod or stick it in a holder, wait for a strike, and hold on tight! #

# Bluefish can be enticed with Atlantic silversides, too — leading to an epic light tackle battle!

# These two keeper specks caught on Atlantic silversides made for a delectable fish dinner for the author and his family.

This offshoot of the Potomac River has a slew of potential fishing hotspots.

By Wayne Young

Our voyage starts at the Potomac River entrance to the long Occoquan River access channel, which begins off High Point. This bay is otherwise shallow throughout. In addition to recreational boats, there’s commercial tug and barge traffic transiting to and from a sand and gravel landing just upriver from the Route 1 Bridge. At High Point (Site 1), the shoreline falls off sharply to the northwest. There is fallen timber all along this high bank, providing plenty of targets to cast to for bass, crappie, perch, and rockfish, depending on the season. Segmented breakwaters at Site 2 provide additional structure. Immediately upriver of the northwesternmost breakwater is a dike armored with rock on both sides. The dike separates the bay and tidal action from a large upland freshwater marsh. Between the dike and Site 3 is another group of segmented breakwaters.

There are a few scattered but significant rocks (Site 4) charted between the shoreline and the channel running northwest to Sandy Point. A 1973 hydrographic survey found a rock approximately 10 feet in diameter that is uncovered at mean low water at coordinates of 38°37.792 x 77°12.853. The high bank shoreline is characterized by fallen timber all the way to the point. Look for a large rock pile (Site 5) immediately northwest of Sandy Point. The rocks are uncovered at low water and were marked by a duck blind beginning circa 2016. The rocks appeared more natural than smaller rocks that can be manhandled and are typically seen in ballast piles.

Site 6 off Deephole Point is an old wreck (charted coordinates 38°38.200 x 77°13.551) but nothing is visible. However, there’s also a charted three-foot wreck at coordinates 38°38.563 x 77°13.256 located on the other side of the river to the north northwest.

Catamount Creek and three unnamed small creeks discharge through outlets under Deephole Point Road, which runs along the shoreline. Most of the shoreline is armored with gabion-sized rock. There

is a section of riprap rock armor as the shoreline approaches Marumsco Creek. Just beyond this riprap is a double row of concrete pipes as well as several scattered concrete pipes that end at a submerged spit on the east side of Marumsco Creek opening. The shoreline immediately to the east is also armored with rock. The creek itself has enough water to access on a rising tide.

Southeast of the creek are the substantial rock breakwaters (Site 8) for the Tyme N’ Tyde marina. A small creek discharges along the north side of the marina breakwater. South of the marina, the shoreline turns residential before intersecting Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge. The residential shorefront, shown as Site 9, has docks and pilings as well as a number of short rock groins.

Featherstone Refuge extends all the way down to Neabsco Creek. Fallen timber is all along this shoreline. Two small creek outlets are marked as Site 10. The creeks drain fringe marshes. There is some structure to cast to in the form of old and active duck blinds from there south to the entrance of Farm Creek.

Due east of the refuge in the center of the bay at coordinates 38°37.248 x 77°13.584 is an artificial island (Site 11) shown in Image 1. It’s recorded in Prince William County land records as Holiday

Island and is privately owned. Some Nautical charts label it as Smoots Island which immediately flags the island as related to sand and gravel mining. A combination of land records and anecdotal oral histories indeed lead to Smoot Sand and Gravel Corporation as the party that created the island. Internet lore says that in the mid-1920s Smoot wanted a duck hunting site. So, one night, one or two barges were taken to the site, sunk, and subsequently filled with rock.

The island first appears on a nautical chart in 1936 as a square box. The feature currently includes a foundation slab with a flagpole at the north corner on a mound surrounded by rock armor. There’s also a dock on the southwest side and a marker on a piling on the northeast side. Regardless of how the island got there, it provides subsurface structure and opportunities for catching fish.

Moving back to the bay’s western shoreline, look for a duck blind in the vicinity of Site 12. The entrance to Farm Creek is at Site 13. There’s a short but substantial rock groin on its east side. The entrance is very shallow but is a little deeper once inside. This is trolling motor or kayak water. Guide Andy Andrzejewski, in an article circa 2012, said there was an old causeway with lines of pilings that uncover at low tide. This feature is

# Image 1: Holiday Island. Satellite image courtesy of google earth.

indeed there immediately south of where the marsh widens and a feeder creek enters the main creek. The southern row is almost gone with only a couple showing in the creek channel. The northern line extends all the way across the creek.

Four hundred yards east-southeast of the Farm Creek entrance jetty at Site 14 is the west end of a submerged rock jetty or breakwater at coordinates 38°36.636 x 77°14.746W. It’s oriented east-west and is about 100 yards in length. This charted feature, which appears to consist of gabionsize rock, is a major danger to navigation but also provides structural habitat and fishing opportunity. The structure first appears on nautical charts in 1940. An observation by Ken Penrod in his 1994 Potomac River fishing book stated that garbage from the District of Columbia was hauled down to Occoquan Bay and dumped somewhere. Frederick Tilip reported in “This Was Potomac River” (1978) that garbage was barged to Occoquan Bay for “special handling,” whatever that means. With this historical information as background, a possible function of the jetty was a protection for anchoring DC garbage scows or perhaps for barges used for transporting excavated sand and gravel. My research didn’t uncover the intended purpose, but there’s no other apparent reason why a substantial rock jetty or breakwater would be built at this remote location. Regardless, don’t pass this feature by without checking around it for bass, stripers, crappie, and catfish.

The shoreline between Farm Creek and Neabsco Creek is mostly marsh edge with several small creek outlets and a couple

of duck blinds. There’s a short section of upland shoreline with fallen timber just before reaching Neabsco Creek. Just inshore of a duck blind off the mouth of a little creek at Site 15, there is an obstruction, possibly a ballast pile.

Other than typical creek features, the primary artificial structure in Neabsco Creek are the railroad bridge piers (Site 16) and channel wingwalls on either side. Off to the southeast are charted rocks at Site 17 on both sides of Freestone Point at coordinates 38°35.588 x 77°14.780, with more on the east side where some are visible and others are awash, extending just off the shoreline. Submerged rock with a charted least depth of three feet is northeast of the point at Site 18 in line with the Buoy G “1” marking the entrance to the creek.

Just around the point is the Leesylvania State Park fishing pier. A number of pilings are off the southwest side. Just downriver from the pier, a section of shoreline has been armored with rock. About halfway between the point and the northernmost boat ramp breakwater are a series of substantial rock segmented breakwaters. These coincide with the north end of the Potomac Beach picnic area. Multiple boat ramps beyond the beach are protected by stone breakwaters (Site 19).

Immediately southeast of the southern ramp breakwater, the shoreline is ringed

around Bushey Point (Site 20) by a line of segmented, mostly submerged breakwaters. The shoreline behind them has eroded, resulting in fallen trees. This failed shoreline protection is all very fishable. The shoreline then turns abruptly to the northwest marking the mouth of Powells Creek, which drains an 18 square mile watershed that includes Lake Montclaire. The creek features extensive tidal wetlands. The entrance west of the bridge is shallow but the middle of the shoreline between Bushey Point and the northeast end of the railroad bridge, shown as Site 21, has eight small rock breakwaters. A line of piling is charted on the river side of the bridge. The railroad bridge piers (Site 22) are primary structure. The shorelines west of the bridge are also fishable, but the creek shallows up quickly after which it is canoe and kayak water upstream to a powerline crossing. About halfway to the powerlines there is a long beaver dam.

Proceeding southeast from the railroad bridge, the shoreline is lined with trees. One section has an old bulkhead. Site 23 marks a long industrial pier at Cockpit Point where the shoreline turns sharply towards the southwest. Downriver is the Possum Point Power Plant and transmission lines, which are always worth a few casts or jigs. #

# Chart 1: Structural feature locations in Occoquan Bay and southern approach.

# Image 2: Submerged breakwater in Occoquan Bay. Satellite images courtesy of google earth.

5 Tips for fishing spinnerbaiTs for Beginners

By Lenny Rudow

Spinnerbaits are incredibly versatile and effective, and knowing these five critical tips will help you use them more effectively.

If you’ve ever read a word or watched a video about fishing, you’ve almost certainly heard about spinnerbaits. In fact, there are probably a few of them sitting in your tacklebox right now. These simple lures are an excellent choice in a number of scenarios for a number of different species, and better yet, just

about anyone can use them. Just cast a spinnerbait out and then reel it back in and if a hungry fish sees it go by it’ll bite, right?

Well mostly, but there are a number of finer points to consider. And when you begin to apply them you might start catching so many fish with spinnerbaits that it makes your head spin.

# There are many different spinnerbaits out there, including classics like this Super Rooster.

What is a Spinnerbait?

First, let’s define what we’re talking about. A spinnerbait is any lure that has three components: a hooked lure, a spinner blade, and an arm that connects the two. Famous lures like the Beetle Spin, Super Rooster, and Perch Pounder are all spinnerbaits, albeit small ones. Larger spinnerbaits meant for bass may have multiple spinners, and many spinnerbaits are fished with both a skirt and a trailer on the hook.

As you draw a spinnerbait through the water you’ll feel the “whumpwhump-whump” of the blade as it spins. Many people would credit the combination of flash and vibration that’s being created by the whirling blade as the main reason why these lures are so effective. And this leads us to TIP #1: If you don’t feel the blade vibrating, something is wrong. There could be a bit of weed snagging it up, maybe the arm got bent in the tacklebox, you might not be reeling fast enough to get the blade spinning, or you may be fishing too small a spinnerbait with too heavy a rod and line. Determine what the reason is and fix it asap, because as things are you aren’t going to catch many fish.

Remember how we just said a spinnerbait can have any number of hook lures, trailers, or skirts? Choosing from the bajillions of shapes, colors, and patterns you might see in the tackle shop can be tough. And this is when you’ll want to remember TIP #2: Color and size are the two most critical factors, and swapping out either will have a far bigger effect on your success rate than changing the styles

and shapes of your trailers and skirts. In fact, if you look in the tackleboxes of very successful spinnerbait anglers you’ll often see the exact same model spinnerbait in 10 different colors and three or four different sizes.

How to Fish a Spinnerbait

Back to that thing about tossing it out and reeling it in: Yeah, that will catch some fish. But you’ll catch a heck of a lot more fish if instead of just tossing it you use TIP #3 and toss it past structure and then drag across it. We mean physically across it — don’t be afraid to cast over a stump or into a rock. Spinnerbaits will pick up weeds, but they rarely hook a branch or snag a rock thanks to their design, which keeps the hook turned up and protected. Unlike most other lures they tend to bounce right off of even the snaggiest items. And naturally, that structure is probably where the fish are hiding. Bang that lure against the hard item and not only will you be dead center in the strike zone, it will often create a puff of silt or algae that can catch the predator’s eye.

Also use TIP #4, and when you’re casting to docks don’t just cast to them, cast under them. Use a low sidearm cast or learn to skip the bait (it’s not easy with a spinnerbait but it can be done) and you’ll discover that quite regularly casts that fall right next to a pier go unnoticed, but casts that go under the very same pier get crushed.

Finally we come to TIP #5, which is all about the retrieve. Instead of just reeling a spinnerbait back, vary your retrieve to change the lure’s depth until you start getting strikes. This can mean allowing lots of sink-time before you start the retrieve, using a heavier or lighter spinnerbait, reeling faster or slower, and/or changing the angle of your rod. All of these variables will have an effect on that lure’s depth as you bring it back in, and if the fish are particularly deep or particularly shallow, this factor can make all the difference in the world.

BONUS TIP: From time to time hold your rod tip up high, accelerate the lure

# Small spinnerbaits are effective on a wide range of species.

# Anything with a spinner, a lure, and a wire arm connecting the two can be called a spinnerbait.

until it breaks the surface, and keep that tip up so the blade comes out of the water and “bloops” a few times before decelerating. On occasion this will call in the fish.

You just read this entire article, and realized you don’t have a single spinnerbait in your tacklebox?

RED ALERT DOUBLE BONUS TIP: Run right out and get some asap, because these things work great!

Zap aND Trickle

Fine tuning your electronic tacticS

By Lenny Rudow

Those of you who read FishTalk on a regular basis may have noticed that I swapped out my old reliable 22 Glacier Bay for a new Caymas 26 HB last year, and along with it, shifted to a completely new electronics package. That’s triggered a series of articles focused on the different experience that comes with a new boat and new gear — and the learning curve that goes along with it. Back in January we focused on the initial upgrade, and now with a couple hundred hours of use under the belt, it’s time to get a little bit deeper in depth with a look at fine-tuning some of the less conventional ways you can use the latest tech to catch more, bigger fish.

First, the details: the electronics package consists of a Humminbird Apex 16 MEGA SI head unit at the helm with a XM 14 HW MSI T side/down imaging and dual spectrum CHIRP transducer, a Solix 12 on the half-tower station, a 36-volt Minn Kota Riptide Terrova trolling motor, an HB 2124 CHIRP radar, and a Furuno NAVpilot-300 autopilot.

Sweeping with Side imaging

Readers may remember from the “Marine Electronics Upgrade” article in our January edition (you can pull it up at FishTalkMag. com if you missed it) that one of the best features of having a side-scanner you can trust is that it eliminates a lot of wasted time when fishing structure. You can run to a hotspot, sweep it, and determine at a glance if fish are present or not. If not, it’s on to the next hotspot instead of blindcasting over and over again until deciding to give up and move on. Since then, I’ve encountered another structure-fishing situation where a different tactic applies: small groups of fish scattered over large areas of debris fields.

Last spring many of the usual hotspots in the Middle Bay

were bereft of fish, but there were rock scattered through the Tilghman Island reef site in small pods. This site is over half a mile long and nearly half a mile wide, which means there’s a lot of water to cover. The natural tendency is to dial down the side-scanning frequency and boost your range, which is great for finding schools of fish at longer distances. But a pod of three or four fish is tough to differentiate from structure at long distances and

# With range dialed down, a small pod of fish becomes very easy to recognize on-screen using side-scan.

low frequencies. I found myself casting at ghosts as often as I was hooking up. In fact, taking the opposite approach turned out to be much more effective. Dialing up the frequency to MEGA and pulling range down to 100 feet I had to do a bit more searching, but when one of those pods of fish showed up on-screen there was no doubt — we’d cast, and we’d catch.

Editor’s note: My eyes are admittedly not what they used to be, and younger anglers with better vision may be able to spot pods of fish amongst the structure at lower frequencies without any problem… enjoy it while you can.

trolling? not trolling.

It’s often said that the one thing anglers don’t use an electric trolling motor for is trolling, and to a large degree that’s true. Spot-locking in place to cast to an area without having to anchor and jogging to make slight positional adjustments is undoubtedly where these motors shine the brightest for most Bay anglers. But through time I’ve discovered that another tactic can be just as effective at boosting my catch rate: trolling… but not really trolling, with the trolling motor.

This is a move that works well on fish that are loners, specifically, mixed speckled trout, rock, and reds in shallow areas but not up against shorelines. Think:

stump fields and grass beds. In this scenario, drifting across a large area will often prove more productive than sticking to one spot. But, what if the wind’s blowing the wrong way, is blowing too strong, or isn’t blowing at all?

You could use the trolling motor to ease across the area in a controlled manner, but steering a 26’ boat with a bow-mount requires constant attention. With the chartplotter and trolling motor integrated, however, you can set in a waypoint on the chartplotter and then tell the motor to take you there. Dial in the right speed and anglers can cast and retrieve as you go, while you can simultaneously toss a line out the back and troll it. Since the path is locked in, your hands are free and you can focus on what you want to do — mind the trolled line and/or cast your line and hook up — rather than having to pay attention to steering the boat.

trolling? yeS, trolling!

The Furuno NAVpilot-300 autopilot is obviously more for navigation than fishing, but it does come in quite handy when trolling. First because it allows you to step away from the wheel and help land fish or rig lines as necessary (so long as you maintain a watch, of course). Beyond that, however, the “Figure Eight” mode is particularly useful for relocating schooling fish after a strike, since you cover water all around the location of the strike while crossing back over it multiple times.

Offshore anglers will also want to familiarize themselves with the “ZigZag” mode. Often pelagic predators take a swipe as a lure or bait passes in and out of the whitewater, and trolling in zig-

zags to keep those baits swinging back and forth is always more effective than trolling in a straight line. Doing so manually, however, takes constant attention, and regularly leads to long zig-zag-less stretches before you think to turn the wheel again. In this case, however, you can press the button and stop looking over your shoulder to see if it’s time to zig or zag.

Most high-end autopilots have functions like these, and the key to taking advantage of them is simply force yourself to make the time to learn how to use them. A peek at the directions (travesty!) and a bit of practice prior to going fishing is all it takes.

timing iS everything

Speaking of how to learn this stuff: remember, it’s nearly impossible to “figure it out” with lines in the water when your focus is divided — you need to dedicate time on the water to learning missions. Stay in cell range, and use your phone to Google up answers to questions as they arise. Once you figure out a specific task, practice it three or four times over. Frequency, range, and contrast changes; jogging position; making waypoints and setting the motor to track to them; setting the autopilot — you’ve got to concentrate on the task at hand when you’re not being distracted by a hot bite or by trying to figure out how to catch something when the action is slow.

Whether you have an old system or a new one, few of us ever make the effort to truly master our electronics. I know that even with hundreds of hours of use and a little bit of cheating — the Humminbird pros have joined me aboard the Caymas a couple of times for some tutoring — there’s still a ton of stuff I have yet to learn.

Stay tuned.

# Push the button on the Furuno autopilot and enjoy hands-free trolling that’s more effective than hands-on trolling.

# The trolling motor can creep you through large areas, casting all along the way — no steering necessary.

Trophy Bluegills

T his is one panfish that punches above its class.

By Jim Gronaw

Kayak fishing is fun, no matter what you’re fishing for — it’s productive, scenic, and offers much to soothe the soul as we paddle along our varied waterways. The same can be said for fishing from micro-skiffs and mini-boats. The cool thing is you can do it any way you want. Depending on your budget, you can outfit yourself with sonar, electric propulsion, and GPS location systems. Or if you wish, you can simply paddle or pedal along, enjoy the scenery, and cast. Me? I’m on the simpler end of the spectrum, preferring to paddle from a simple kayak while chasing down big, cooperative bluegills that the masses ignore.

Most anglers view bluegills as kid’s stuff, pushovers unworthy of their time and effort. I mean, if there is a supply of

12-inch bass around, why not fish for them… right? Not me, I’d rather hunt down bull bluegills that measure nine to 10 inches with the possibility of an even bigger trophy coming to hand. Whether you fish before, during, or after the June spawning time, bluegilling is pure joy. Here are a few tips on getting on those rotund panfish that we all got started with.

Boats for Bluegills

You do not have to have the latest and greatest to get on the fish. Like my good friend Tommy Robinson says, “just get out there.” He has thrown Wal-Mart’s cheapest yaks in the back of his autos and found plenty of outstanding panfish venues over the years. Many of the finer bluegill fisheries throughout the MidAtlantic are small public and private

ponds and lakes where you couldn’t use a full-size boat anyway, due to the lack of launch sites.

I currently use a nine-foot Vibe Skip Jack SOT that weighs a scant 52 pounds. Nothing fancy, just plain nuts and bolts with a few personal touches: Go Pro camera mounts in front, an improved seat for comfort on the water, and a simple anchor system. That’s it. I don’t need a ramp or trailered parking lot, just a body of water to fish. I prefer to paddle as most of my options are in shallow, quiet lakes where electric motors may well spook the fish. There are so many kayak and small boat options out there that it could make for a difficult choice, but the choice is yours.

‘Gilling Gear

Almost exclusively, I use ultralight spinning sticks with soft 6’ to 6’ 6” rods doing most of the work. I like quality four-pound monofilament lines like Trilene Extra Limp or Trout Magnets SOS in green. A 1000 series reel completes the outfit. Traditionally, I carry two rods of this size and one will be for casting tiny lures and the other may be used for bobber ‘n bait applications.

Lure selection is almost totally a micro-jig deal, with weights from 1/80th to 1/32nd of an ounce. I like the Mule Jig 1/80th and 1/64th ounce heads for fishing soft plastics, but they also team up well with worms, mealworms, or Gulp! products when the fish want meat. Trout Magnet shad dart style heads in 1/64th and 1/32nd ounce are excellent choices as well. The Trout Magnet plastic trailers and crayfish plastics, along with the Mule Jig Burro Bug, have been recent favorites of mine to cast to bedding or post-spawn bluegills.

Always on the menu for bluegills are common earthworms and pieces of nightcrawlers. They can be fished on jig heads or a long-shank number-eight Aberdeen wire hook and drifted below a bobber. Small,

# The author with a chunky ‘gill.

pear-shaped bobbers from Mr. Crappie or the 3.5-inch Rocket Bobber can add casting distance and serve as a strike indicator for shallow bluegills.

Plan of attack

Most of the time I will scout for bedding bluegills with polarized glasses. In our region the activity can occur anytime from late April to middle of June and will vary each year depending on the progression of the spring warmup. Look for water temperature in the shallows to be 68 to 72 degrees. This can be a month-long process and may occur multiple times in and around the full moon periods of April through July. However, most of the larger adult fish in any system will spawn first and occupy the prime sand- and gravel-bottomed areas receiving sunlight.

Once bluegills have been located, either bedding or post spawn, return

15 to 20 minutes later and fish for them while keeping your distance as to not spook the fish. Though deeper bluegills aren’t spooky, shallow fish can be. Clear water ‘gills in a quarry or spring-fed lake can be skittish as well. Turbid water can calm their nature, but they may be harder to visually locate. Sometimes bedding fish may be deeper than you think, too, from three to five feet instead of the usual two feet and shallower.

A good initial tactic is to cast micro plastics, with or without a bobber, to the fringe areas around sighted fish. If they don’t respond to the artificials then switch to live baits and see what happens. Seldom will a bull bluegill refuse a writhing garden worm or nightcrawler chunk. Micro-sized hair jigs tipped with a tiny piece of worm or mealworm also do well. Aggressive fish, however, will not need that extra enticement. Experiment to see what works best.

Where lake or pond aerators and fountains exist, bluegills often cruise on the outskirts of these and can be picked off as they feed on a variety of morsels that get caught up in the oxygen-rich turbulence. Of course, classic panfish structures such as submerged weed beds, brush piles, fallen wood, and docks should not be ignored.

Bluegills are not only fun to catch but offer terrific eating qualities as well. We keep some for the pan a few times a year and most of those fish range from 7.5 to 8.5 inches and make tasty fillets. But trophy bluegills exceeding the 10-inch mark are rare and should be considered for catch and release. Indeed, the internet is loaded with pics of huge hauls of bull bluegills, and catch and release of trophy panfish is a hard pill to swallow for some. But use discretion and after keeping what you need, release the rest for others to enjoy. #

# A bluegill bigger than your hand will put up quite a fight.

PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY

FishandHuntMaryland.com

Blue Cats in the Bullseye: Part II

10 Tips for Catching More Catfish

By Staff

If you live anywhere near Chesapeake Bay and you like fast angling action that results in tasty fish on the plate, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself fishing for blue catfish in the near future. No doubt you already know that blue cats can now be found in virtually all of our waterways, often in ridiculously large numbers. But nothing in fishing is a sure thing. Targeting blue catfish may be about as close as it comes, but you can boost your odds of success even more by putting these 10 catfish-catching tips to work.

1. Check out the Maryland Catfish Trail at fishandhuntmaryland.com

Even if you already have a favorite hotspot, there could be many more right around the corner which you haven’t visited yet. The Trail details dozens of them all across the state and has all the detailed info you need to set up your next blue cat fishing foray.

2. If a strong front has moved through, which can sometimes depress the bite, look for deep holes and sink your baits in the deepest part. Often the pressure changes associated with fronts will cause the fish to go as deep as they possibly can and sit there.

3. Forget all those weird baits that the catfish will eat, like hot dogs and chicken nuggets. Yes they will eat them, but they’ll eat a chunk of cut bunker or gizzard shad a whole lot more often.

4. When possible, get fresh bait as opposed to frozen. They often won’t show a preference but on occasion they will, and in any case, fresh stays on the hook a lot better.

5. Use very large circle hooks. A 10/0 or 12/0 hook might seem huge in comparison to what you’re used to, but catfish have rather massive mouths and those big hooks will cut down on unwanted bycatch of other smaller species.

# Learn more about Maryland’s Catfish Trail at fishandhuntmaryland.com

6. If you aren’t getting a lot of bites try a floater rig (with a float on the leader pushed up to the hook eye). Sometimes the catfish hover a foot or two off the bottom, and this can put the bait right in front of them.

7. Try to place your baits along drop-offs and channel edges. Often the catfish will school up halfway down a drop.

8. Catfish like structure, too, so if you can locate a tree or deadfall laying right on the edge of a channel or drop-off you’ve found a prime hotspot.

9. Rig up with fairly heavy leader of 50-pound test or more. The leader is likely to get rubbed across structure, shells, and other chaffing items, and you don’t have to worry about these fish being leader shy.

10. Don’t grab your rod and start reeling at the first jiggle of the tip. Catfish often play with a bait before inhaling it all the way down so wait for the fish to start swimming off before reeling the line tight.

# Mati caught a biggie! Mati caught a biggie!

Making it Count

Why are these fish suddenly appearing in massive numbers throughout so many of our waterways? There are numerous reasons ranging from their unintentional importation to climatic changes. But the bottom line remains the same: today, here on the Chesapeake, invading invasive species are on the loose and scarfing down our native fingerling fish, blue crabs, and grass shrimp.

Snakeheads and flathead catfish can prove problematic in certain waterways, but the biggest and most widespread invasive offender is without question the blue catfish. We’ve been bringing you one article after the next on where to find them, how to catch them, and how to cook them. We’ve introduced you to the new Maryland Blue Catfish Trail, rife with information on easily accessible shoreline fishing hotspots that are great for full family fishing trips. We’ve begged you to remove them from the ecosystem rather than releasing them. And we’ve spent many of our own fishing days casting chunks of bunker on circle hooks and reeling back those fat blue cats.

Now we’re asking you to do one more thing — something you probably do already when you make an outstanding catch. Take a picture of that fish on a ruler, and “report” it to the “authorities.” This may sound a tad bit like vigilantism, but in truth it’s closer to citizen science. When you take a picture of that blue catfish, flathead catfish, or snakehead, and upload it to the Great Chesapeake Invasives Count via the iAngler app (which takes all of about 30 seconds) the data you’ve collected gets shared with the fisheries scientists tasked with handling this crisis. Better still is if you slice open the fish’s stomach and photograph the contents, then upload that into the system as well.

All of us should be willing to register for the Great Chesapeake Invasives Count (which is absolutely free) and upload these photos as a matter of being responsible anglers working to protect our environment. But on top of that, it’s entirely self-serving — if the scientists can figure out how to secure our Bay’s borders our native fisheries stand to reap the benefit, which means there will be more rockfish, perch, and blue crabs for us all to go out and catch.

Interdicting the Invaders

The Maryland DNR notes that due to factors such as a loss of biodiversity, altered food webs, and declines in native fisheries and habitat, invasive species like the blue catfish and the flathead catfish can cause significant ecological and/ or economic harm. The department therefore asks anglers to:

• Remove and kill any invasive species they catch.

• Not release these fish when caught.

• Not transport these fish alive, which is not only discouraged but it also illegal (transport or unauthorized introduction of invasive species should be reported to the Natural Resources Police, at 800-628-9944).

Like they say on TV: But wait! There’s more!

Each and every time you upload a picture of one of those invasives and/ or you upload a picture of the stomach contents, your name goes into the Great Chesapeake Invasives Count prize drawing. It works sort of like raffle tickets; the more entries you amass the better your chances of winning. And this isn’t for a mere single prize. Through the course of the count there will be monthly drawings for all sorts of sweet goodies with winners announced on Live with Lenny. Sure, there’s the usual stuff like T-shirts and tumblers, but there are also some prizes worth serious cha-ching like high-end Marucci sunglasses, Engel coolers, and more. And remember people, you can win all this stuff without ever laying out a dime—all you have to do is register, take those pictures, and upload them onto the iAngler tournament app. So, what are you waiting for? Visit ccamd. org/count right now and add your name to the list of patriotic anglers participating in the Great Chesapeake Invasives Count.

# Catfish have pretty monstrous mouths, so larger than usual hook sizes are in order.

Invasive Catfish Conver Contest

o ne Catty Cover Contest

YTune in Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6 p.m. for a new episode!

New episodes air on the first Thursday of the month on our Facebook page (facebook.com/fishtalkmag) and YouTube channel (youtube.com/fishtalkmagazine).

View past episodes at fishtalkmag.com/live-with-lenny

ou say you’d love to see yourself or your kid grace the cover of FishTalk Magazine? We can make that happen! When you hit the Catfish Trail be sure to take plenty of pictures. They need to be:

• In a vertical upright format, with room at the top and bottom for the title and cover blurbs.

• High resolution and in focus.

• Showing a blue or flathead catfish caught in Maryland waters and an angler or anglers with BIG SMILES on their faces!

We are now accepting entries at FishTalkMag.com, so be sure to snap off some awesome cover-style photos as you enjoy angling for those catfish all summer long — you never know, you might just end up on the cover of FishTalk!

Scan this code to follow us on Facebook and YouTube or sign up to get notified about upcoming LIVE video streams via email at fishtalkmag.com/live-with-lenny

Log your catch of northern snakehead, blue catfish, and flathead catfish in the Chesapeake Watershed for a chance to win great monthly prizes!

for

Offshore Fishing

Make sure your offshore adventures go smoothly by gaining these safety advantages.

Ronald Reagan was president, GPS didn’t exist outside of the military, and recreational boaters were running around with two-stroke outboards that were about as reliable as the weatherman when I enjoyed my first true offshore adventure in a small outboardpowered boat. We were probably a little bit safer than we would have been cruising down the highway in a Ford Pinto, but heading for the canyons was mostly reserved for diesel inboard boats, guys too young to know better, and crazies.

Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little. But only a little. Back then going offshore meant hitching a ride on a big boat or recognizing that you were taking a significant risk, and doing so on a 20-something-footer with a single outboard engine was considered foolhardy at best. Then we got four-strokes, boat manufacturers got

presented by #

By Lenny Rudow

better and better at building boats that didn’t break, and modern navigational systems hit the scene. More and more recreational anglers began making the voyage to the edge of the Continental Shelf, which meant there were usually more boats around just in case anything did go wrong. The level of danger dropped significantly. But running 50-plus miles from the inlet is still, even today, a big endeavor that entails risk. If you plan on running your own boat out there you need to think long and hard about just what safety investments you’ll make. These three items should top your list.

EPIRB, PLBs, and Satellite Messenger

EPIRBS (emergency position indicating radio beacons) are the best panic button around for boaters, period. They’re uber-reliable, communicate directly with search-and-rescue personnel, and are designed to work even when floating in the ocean. Same goes

for PLBs (personal locator beacons), more or less. The main difference between the two is that an EPIRB is registered with and stays with a specific boat, while a PLB is carried by an individual. EPIRBS do last longer, however, with a minimum 48-hour runtime versus 24 hours for a PLB. Note that in either case it’s best to get one with an internal GPS. Units that don’t have GPS can get rescuers into the area, but those with it can provide your exact position. Also note that all EPIRBS float, and while most PLBs do, some do not.

Satellite messengers are great, but they don’t send their signals directly to SAR personnel. Instead, if you hit the SOS button the alert goes to an emergency response center, which then communicates with the authorities. In practice the system has performed exceptionally well, but the extra step in communications could potentially produce a delay. On the flip side of the coin most allow for two-way communications and in an emergency situation that can be invaluable. We do note, however, that some messengers work by pairing with your phone. Bluetooth can be finicky at times and you don’t want to wait for pairing while you’re standing on the deck of a sinking boat, much less when you’re treading water. Also note that while satellite messengers enjoy the advantage of being useful communications devices even in non-emergency situations, they also require a monthly subscription fee.

SiriusXM Satellite Weather

SiriusXM is a FishTalk supporter and we thank them for it, but that alone doesn’t earn them a spot in this article. What does prove its safety value, however, is multiple firsthand experiences on the ocean. Remember the crack we

“SiriusXM Marine is great when deciding how many miles offshore we can go and how long we can stay out. Even when we’re out of cell range, we get live weather updates to know what’s going on offshore.”

Learn more at siriusxm.com/marine or watch Emily and Amanda spend a day on the water using SiriusXM Marine by scanning the QR code.

Gale Force Twins Capt. Emily and Capt. Amanda Gale Palm Beach, FL

Offshore Fishing

presented by

made earlier about the reliability of the weatherman? It’s well-deserved, and there isn’t a single pair of eyes reading these words right now that hasn’t seen a weather forecast which turned out to be ridiculously (and maybe dangerously) wrong. With SiriusXM weather aboard, however, you can overlay near-real-time weather right on your chartplotter screen. You can watch the pop-up thunderstorms develop, see where the lightning strikes are, and monitor the direction and speed of those storms.

I’ve had multiple personal experiences when I was offshore on my old Glacier Bay, staring at a wall of black on the horizon even though the weatherman neglected to mention any possibility of thunderstorms. One look at SiriusXM weather overlaid on the chartplotter told me which way to run to get out of the line of fire, and how long I had to do it. I can remember multiple occasions when I was able to dodge storms completely, and one — with my 10-year-old boys

aboard — when it told me to head for home early and I pulled up to the boat ramp just as we saw the first bolts of lightning.

active DSC VHF

Pay special attention to the word “active,” above. Every VHF unit built since 1999 has Digital Selective Calling (DSC) functionality. With DSC when you flip up the red lid on the face of the radio and press the panic

button the Coast Guard knows you need assistance, knows your exact location, and knows what type and size boat you have. HOWEVER, it only works if you’ve taken the steps to make DSC active, and according to the latest statistics over three-quarters of the DSC radios out there aren’t. That. Is. Tragic. If you haven’t already done so you can boost your safety margin no matter where you do your boating, right now, by going

# With SiriusXM weather aboard you can see the storms in near real time, and know where they’re heading.

# With SiriusXM weather aboard you can overlay near-realtime weather right on your chartplotter screen.

through this process. And it will take less than half an hour. First, go to Boatus.com and get an MMSI number. (It’s free for BoatUS members, $25 for non-members). This is a nine-digit number that will be assigned to your radio. Then go to your boat, turn on the VHF, and follow the radio manufacturer’s instructions to plug in the MMSI. It’s ridiculously easy and a quick Google search on your cell phone will tell you how to do it while you’re standing at the helm. If your VHF has an internal GPS (most except the very basic models do these days), you’re done. If not, you need to connect your chartplotter’s data-out wire with the VHF’s data-in wire. Again, a quick Google search makes this incredibly

easy (I just timed myself and it took 15 seconds to find instructions to link a Garmin EchoMap and an Icom VHF). No excuses, people — anyone reading this who has inactive DSC on their boat should make it happen before they leave the dock even one more time.

Are there other measures you could take to be even safer at sea? Of course. Life rafts will be worth considering for some, offshore fishing on the buddy system is always a good idea, and a healthy dose of common sense when making the go/no-go decision is critical. But these three things — satellite-based panic buttons, SiriusXM weather, and DSC VHF — will turn that Pinto into a Volvo. #

In addition to these three components, any boat heading offshore should have:

• Type I life jackets, not the cheap Type IIs most people have to merely meet requirements, which can provide up to 25-percent less floatation.

• A first-aid kit. Why these aren’t required gear aboard every boat remains a mystery.

• Twice the number of required flares.

For more offshore fishing content, visit fishtalkmag.com and type “offshore” in the search box.

Fis H i N g For ECA s T

Predicted after review of past reports gathered by Dillon Waters.

For timely, up-to-date reports, visit our website FishTalkMag.com. Current reports will be published every Friday by noon — just in time for your weekend fishing adventures.

Coastal

Surf fishermen casting mullet and bunker chunks into the suds will likely still be seeing a few big rockfish pop up here and there as May begins, along with a shot at drum. Meanwhile, anglers up and down the coast will be counting down the days in May until the 15th arrives and black sea bass come back into season. They should be available in good numbers on the inshore wrecks and reef sites from the moment the season opens up. And anglers with offshore-capable boats will be eyeballing the SST charts all month long. Will we get a blast of tuna heading up the coast this month? We can’t predict it with any assuredness, but it’s a good bet that they’ll be in the reports so keep a sharp eye peeled.

Freshwater

May is a magnificent month for freshwater aficionados, with a long list of options. At the beginning of the month crappie and bass should be moving shallow to nest, snakeheads will be fully awake from their off-season slumber by this point, and there should be some trout left from last month’s stockings. By the end of the month post-spawn fish will be feeding hard to restore their body weight, chances are there will be a topwater bite going for the snakes, and while stocked trout action may begin to slow as the fish get caught out there should still be a good bite happening in the western portions of our region.

Way North

The entire Way North zone will be closed for rockfish through May this year, but there’s still going to be plenty of action to focus on. Blue cats will, of course, provide the steadiest bite and the shot at the largest fish possible. Out on the Flats and up the rivers, meanwhile, snakeheads should be transitioning into summer patterns as weed growth expands and the waters warm up a bit. And don’t forget that last spring, mid- to late-May was red-hot for largemouth anglers on the Flats.

# Our intrepid reports editor Dillon Waters releases a cow he reeled up while fishing with griffin’s guide Service.

Upper Bay

Countless Upper Bay anglers will be watching the calendar for the 15th to arrive, when the striper closure ends and we can target rockfish once again. If history is any indication look to find the fish near the Bay Bridge and the mouth of the Chester when the season kicks off. (Usually we’d add the mouth of the Patapsco but with everything going on up there…) Meanwhile, white perch should be moving into their summering haunts in the creeks and rivers and snakeheads should be providing some action in the Baltimore-area creeks and rivers to the north.

Middle Bay

Yes, here we’re waiting for the rockfish to come back in, too! It’s the longest we’ve had to wait in a number of years, but when it’s over some traditional mid-May hot zones include the Bridge, Eastern Bay (note that much of Eastern Bay is catch and release only through the month), Poplar Island, the shallows downriver of the closed portion of the Choptank, and the lower Patuxent. As we wait for the rockfish to come into season there should be white perch available in the rivers and creeks, and at some time this month we’d expect to hear about the specks showing up in areas from the Tangier up to the Choptank or thereabouts.

Charters, Guides, and Headboats

One of the most difficult ways to learn how to fish the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean is trial and error. Then there’s the boat issue; we don’t all have one. Luckily, the Bay is full of knowledgeable guides and charter captains ready to show you the ropes. Below you will find a directory of professional guides, charter boats, and head boats to get you started on your quest for the perfect fish. Whether you like to fly fish, troll, or bottom fish, there’s likely a local expert who can lend a hand.

Fishing Forecast

Lower Bay

Anglers in this neck of the woods will be counting the days to rockfish, too, but this zone will have more options developing through May than northern areas. Speckled trout should show up this month, and this is a great time to target them because while their numbers may not be huge as of yet, the early catches are often bigger fish. Redfish should be heading this way, too, and by the middle of the month last year there was a nice mix of all these species from the Rap on down.

Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore

Specks and reds! Specks and reds! Specks and reds! Oh, and rockfish? They remain catchand-release through the month inside the confines of the Tangier, but will open midmonth elsewhere. Black drum should also be showing up this month; last year oyster rock in the Pocomoke was the ticket for finding these big brutes in May and they were anxious to chow down on chunks of peeler crab.

Way South and Va

By the time May arrives just about anything can happen this close to the ocean, and last May flounder, bluefish, and mackerel had appeared to add to the angling choices. Of course, the big news this month will likely be the drum fishing. Bull reds should invade in earnest at the CBBT and nearby shoals and reefs, with black drum also in the mix. Sheepshead should begin appearing in good numbers as well.

# Those big bull reds are on their way back — and Hunter will be ready for ‘em. Photo courtesy of Scott Heinz.

Let's Talk!

Communications on a Kayak

By Eric Packard

Merriam-Webster defines communication as: “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.”

Over the years I’ve picked up a few fishing buddies. When I get a phone call or text, or have a casual conversation while loading out the kayak, it usually turns into being on the water and taking a cast somewhere with someone. I can’t express the importance of building a network of angling friends who have the same passion for fishing as you have. You can share ideas, locations, and information on baits, bites, and when the runs are on. When we get out and start casting, not everyone is casting the same bait. If you get bit share that knowledge with those in your group and don’t forget to communicate the depth of the bite, too, because there’s nothing like getting half the information you need to keep up with the other guy.

Of course, this presents a problem when kayak fishing as opposed to fishing on a boat when passing on information to your fishing buddy is as simple as talking to the person next to you. There are communications breakdowns. As a collective group if you are on the water and on your kayaks, wading the shoreline, or working around a portage and need a hand, how do you communicate with your fellow angler while out in the field? We all know, or at least we should know, that talking loudly to a distant angler can scare the fish. And that sound carries across the water, too. But we can use several different means to communicate while out on the water.

What if you are catching and your buddies are nowhere in sight? Texting a

photo of a fish you just caught is always a preferred method (and will make you smile inside, especially if you’re the first to catch). If you get a text in return with questions, answer. Sometimes a phone call is necessary to convey the information, but don’t forget to give all: the bait used, depth the fish was caught, speed of the retrieve, water clarity (yes water clarity may vary throughout a body of water and is an important piece of information), etc.

Another method that works well on big water like the Chesapeake Bay and large tributaries is the use of portable marine radios. Keeping a quality marine radio on hand is very helpful and not only provides easy communication between the group, but a means to communicate with the authorities in case of emergency. They are also helpful in checking the weather. Best of all, unlike many cell phones, they’re watertight and you don’t have to worry too much about them being damaged by the environment.

In place of portable marine radios Family Radio Service (FRS) units will work too. FRS handhelds are inexpensive radios that are used for short distance, two-way communication. They are limited in range, usually no more than two miles, and are essentially walkie-talkies.

On a few occasions we’ve used our paddles to communicate too, such as while shark fishing off the beach. When one of us paddles out to change baits on a line, the paddle can be raised vertically to signal when the bait has been dropped, so that the team members on shore know to take up line slack. With a bit of pre-planning you can arrange signals like this with your fishing buddy — there are snakeheads over here, topwater is working, and so on — to communicate without making a sound.

Communication is a great tool in your tacklebox, so use it. But don’t speak up, because if I can’t hear you the fish can’t either. #

# These anglers may spread out as they search for fish, but by staying in communication they all have a better shot at success.

BRO k ERAGE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIONS

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2020 Yamaha 210 FSH Sport great Family and Fishing boat! Twin Yamaha TR-1 Jet Drives w/ 210 hours. extended Warranty until 6/14/2025. $52,900 w/ 2022

2022

212CC F150XB

2016

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To advertise in the Brokerage and Classified sections, contact beatrice@fishtalkmag.com

2007 Sea Hunt 225 Victory Walkaround Alot of new recent upgrades including Minnkota Trolling motor setup! Yamaha F150 w/ 336 hours and a new F9.9 Kicker. $34,900 w/ 2022 Loadrite Trailer. Beacon Light Marina 410.335.6200 sales@beaconlightmarina.com www.beaconlightmarina.com

Outboard, Venture VATB-4225 Trailer, explorer Blue w/ White Bottom, Ash gray Upholstery, Offshore Package, T-Top, Premium Dual Chair Leaning Post w/ Flip-up Bolsters, Hours - 134, Vinyl Teak Flooring, and more! $63,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20778

2024 Boston Whaler 210 Montauk A local favorite with lots of room fitting up to 9 people w/ bow cushions available for a very comfortable and dry ride. The 21 Montauk gets you into the 200Hp club which comes w/ digital throttling to make docking the boat that much easier. Lots of maneuverability for whatever the water activities you are enjoying this summer! Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

Scout 21’ 210 Dorado DC 2021MY Mercury 150 4-stroke, new Loadrite aluminum Trailer, like new condition, rare find. $48,310 OBO (Stock# U-386) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2021 Robalo Boats 222 CC F200XB Yamaha Outboard, Yamaha extended Warranty until 3/5/26, Hours - 192, Coyote Aluminum Tandem Trailer w/ Brakes and Winch, Center Console Cover, Hard Top w/ electronics Box, Rocket Launcher, Spreader Light, Leaning Post, Compass, Simrad gPS, Simrad VHF, and more! $69,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20677

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2023 Pathfinder 2200 TRS BLOWOUT LeFTOVeR PRICINg! Yamaha F150. Boat Is Loaded and Ready to go! Ameratrail Trailer Available. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2023 Defiance 220 Admiral Very Nicely optioned ready for cold weather fishing. Yamaha Mechanical F250. $99,900 w/ trailer. Beacon Light Marina 410.335.6200 sales@beaconlightmarina.com www.beaconlightmarina.com

2024 Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless Newly designed hull! Balanced perfectly between the local favorite 210 Montauk and the durability of the Outrage hull model, this 22-foot boat just feels much bigger but w/ all the maneuverability, a little deeper V that can handle rougher waters. Big lounge seat up front w/ a massive storage locker underneath. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

22’

Wellcraft

17’ 171 Saltwater Sportsman CC 1993MY Yamaha F150 4-stroke, Loadrite trailer, leaning post, AFT fish boxes, highly sought after hull, super clean. $11,995 OBO (Stock# U-402) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2016 Sportsman 19’ Island Reef Clean, low-hour boat w/ T-Top, Yamaha 115Hp. $32,999 w/ trailer. Beacon Light Marina 410.335.6200 sales@beaconlightmarina.com www.beaconlightmarina.com

Grady White 205 Freedom

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Trophy Bayliner 20’ 2002WA Mercury 150 2-stroke, Roller trailer, runs great, Cuddy cabin w/ toilet, well maintained. $9,995 OBO (Stock# U-361)

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Sportsman Open

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Shamrock ‘96 $17,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

22’ 222 Fisherman CC, 2019MY Mercury 4-stroke 150, new alum. Loadrite trailer, powder coated hard top, head compartment w/ toilet, low hours, super loaded. $44,888 OBO (Stock# U-385) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2000 Grady White 232

Gulfstream Overall great fishing platform w/ a comfy cabin and wide beam! Single Yamaha 225 OX66 2 Stroke. $34,900 (No Trailer included). Beacon Light Marina 410.335.6200 sales@beaconlightmarina.com www.beaconlightmarina.com

2015 Sportsman Heritage 231 CC

F200XB Yamaha Outboard, 2023 Venture VATB-5225 Trailer, White Hull, Fiberglass T-Top w/ LeD Lighting, VHF w/ Antenna, Compass, Console Cover, Fresh Water Washdown, Helm Pad, Porta Potty, Spray Shield, Simrad gPS. *Boat trade just coming in - changes may apply* $58,900 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20802

2016 Sportsman Open 232 CC

F200XB Yamaha Outboard, Hours640, engine Cover, (New trailer available for $5,439, Used trailer available for $3,500), Offshore Package, 12” Simrad gPS w/ Stereo, Structurescan Transducer, Porta Potty, Under Leaning Post Tackle Station, Slide Out Cooler. Purchased new from Riverside w/ all services performed by us, customer trading up to a new Sportsman Heritage 261! $56,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20679

Trophy Bayliner 23’ 2302WA

2000MY Mercury 225 Optimax, Loadrite roller trailer, hard top w/ electronic box, runs great, cuddy cabin w/ toilet, well-maintained. $19,995 OBO (Stock# U-332) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2019 Cutwater C242 Sport

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2022 Cutwater 24C $154,987 Vessel is lightly used in great conditionTurnKeY!! 250 V6 4.2 L engine. Reverse Cycle A/C, Inverter, Bow Thruster, AgM Batteries, Underwater Lights, gPS Chart Plotter, Auto Pilot, and more. Call Chris Holtsclaw at 443.585.0732 or CHoltsclaw@Pocket-Yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

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2024 Boston Whaler 240 Vantage

Another Chesapeake Bay icon of the Boston Whaler family is our 24 Vantage. Perfect ski boat for the family, fits 11 people and has a top speed of nearly 50mph. every Whaler is built w/ a foam filled hull, so this unsinkable legend is one of the safest boats on the water. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

Century 24’ 2400CC 2007MY Yamaha F250 4-stroke, Venture aluminum Trailer, T-tops w/ electronics box, new cushions, head compartment w/ toilet, well-maintained, low hours. $39,999 OBO (Stock# U-381) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

Twin V 24’ 240DC 2024MY Twin 150 4-stroke Mercury, new custom fitted alum. Loadrite trailer, dual console, powder coated hard top, full head compartment w/ toilet, super load, 9 hours. $149,999 OBO (Stock# U-390) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

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or jmiller@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

Bayliner Trophy T24CC 250 4S Mercury Outboard, Mercury Warranty until 7/16/25, Hours – 30, Power Assist Steering, (new trailer shown in photos is available for

Verrado, new alum. Loadrite trailer, powder coated hard top, head compartment w/toilet, low hour, super loaded. $57,996 OBO (Stock# U-396) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

Ranger Tugs 25 $90,000 “Miss Tina” is fully equipped w/ a Yanmar 150Hp Deisel Inboard engine, generator Mase 2.5KW

2017 Sportsman Open 252 CC Twin F150XB Yamaha Outboards, Venture Trailer 7225, White Hull, Black Powder Coat, Hard-Top w/ Rocket Launchers, Spreader Light and Outriggers, Spray Shield, Simrad 12” gPS, Simrad VHF, Compass, Hours - 570, Trim Tabs / Trim gauge, Bottom Paint, Lots of extrasmore to come! $99,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20803

2024 Boston Whaler 250 Dauntless For boaters seeking a higher-quality bay boat experience, the all-new 250 Dauntless raises the bar. Smooth-riding performance and a spacious center console layout combine w/ amenities for fishing, watersports, comfortable offshore cruising and beyond. From the inviting bow lounge to the sleek redesigned hull, the 250 is more than just confident - it’s dauntless. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

Brokerage & Classified

2024 Boston Whaler 250 Outrage

Powered by twin 300 v8s - This incredibly dry haul even in the worst of seas is truly a well thought out design. Our 250 Outrages are equipped with the fishing package, including rod holders, a livewell, fresh and raw water washdowns, and a tackle storage center. Safety factors - self-bailing cockpit, stainless steel grab rails, and tempered glass windshields provide peace of mind for you and your crew. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

Aquasport 25’ 2500CC 2020MY Twin F150 4-stroke Yamaha, Venture alum. trailer, radar, twin Simrad, head compartment w/ toilet, and much more. Super low hours. $89,995 OBO (Stock# U-365) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

Parker 25’ 2520 Pilot House

1993MY Yamaha 250Hp, Karavan aluminum trailer, solid floor and transom, super clean, awesome 6pack boat. $39,999 OBO (Stock# U-389) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2011 Cutwater 26 Ideal pocket cruising yacht, thoughtfully owned and maintained. Features include generator, bow and stern thrusters, A/C, upgraded electronics and more. Contact grady Byus at 410.533.9879 or Grady@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2016 Cutwater C-26 $138,987 Built for the great Loop!! Many Improvements and extremely wellmaintained. Volvo D3 220Hp Inboard Diesel engine. Dockside Reverse Cycle heat & A/C. Bow/Stern Thruster, and more. Call Chris Holtsclaw at 443.585.0732 or CHoltsclaw@Pocket-Yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2017 Century Boats 2600 CC

Twin F200XCA Yamaha’s, Hours320, Yamaha extended Warranty until 4/19/25, Venture Trailer-8725, HardTop w/ electronics Box, Rocket Launchers, Spreader Light/Outriggers, Windlass, RayMarine DF/FF/ gPS, RM VHF, RM Radar, Trim Tabs, Compass, Dual Batteries w/ Switch, Leaning Post, Aerated Baitwell, Tackle Station, and more! $104,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20645

2019 Regal LS6 V8 350 DuoProp Volvo Penta, Hours - 322, 2020 Venture VATB-7225 Aluminum Tandem Trailer w/ Brakes and Spare Tire, Sunshade System - Bow and Cockpit, Cockpit Seagrass Mat, Bimini Top, Bow Cover, Cockpit Cover, garmin gPS, Arch, Anchor Windlass, Fusion Stereo, enclosed Head, Lift kept, and more! $89,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20662

2023 Pathfinder 2600 TRS $149,990 Yamaha F300NSB - Under 20 Hours. Full Transferable Warranty. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2023 Pursuit DC266 $199,990

Twin Yamaha F150XCA - Under 20 Hours. All Warranties Transferable. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2024 Pursuit S268 Sport Twin Yamaha F200XSB. Trailer Available. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2020 Ranger Tugs 27 LE $215,987 New to Market! Only 315 Hours on Yamaha 300 Four-Stroke! Midnight Blue. Hydraulic steering

(Mental Rehab) 27’ Rinker ‘05 $39,900 Dan Tisoski 267.784.7229 dant@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2013 Ranger Tugs 27 Classic

$149,987 The perfect coastal or longdistance cruiser. Outfitted w/ all spares needed for the great Loop!! Full Aft Deck enclosure and Trailer Included. Yanmar 180Hp Deisel Inboard engine, generator Mase 2.5KW - 90 Hrs., Reverse Cycle A/C, Inverter, Bow/Stern Thruster, and more. Call Chris Holtsclaw at 443.585.0732 CHoltsclaw@Pocket-Yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

} extended warranty until 5/29/2026! Call Lee Cook at 410.703.9911 or leecook@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

(Reel Blessed) 28’ North Coast ‘21 $249,900 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822 jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2012 Pursuit C 280 Very low hours, well-equipped, and lift kept since new. excellent fishing platform w/ aggressive deadrise for handling rough water. Contact Ken Comerford at 410.991.1511 or Ken@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

Cutwater 26’ C-26 2016MY Volvo Penta in-board diesel, new customer fitted Loadrite aluminum trailer, super loaded boat, like new condition, super low hours. $149,995 OBO (Stock# U-395) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

Jeanneau 26’ 7.5 CC 2022MY Yamaha F300 4-stroke, white powder-coated T-top, garmin electronics, Fusion stereo, electric windlass, bow thruster, head compartment w/ toilet, under 40hrs., super clean. $99,995 OBO (Stock# U-387) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.rudymarine.com

2017 Boston Whaler 285

Conquest $274,987 Fully loaded and IMPeCCABLY maintained 2017 Boston Whaler 285 Conquest. Twin 250Hp Mercury Verado’s - only 320 hrs. Lift kept, single owner boat. Call Josh Miller at 810.531.9191 or jmiller@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2018 Cutwater C-28 $189,987

Features a Volvo Diesel 260 D4, Diesel generator, garmin 7612 w/ Autopilot and Remote, garmin XD Radar, Rocket launcher arch w/ 6 rod holders, Bow and Stern Thrusters w/ Remote. Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2019 Cutwater C-28 $189,987 Perfect family cruiser, delivering a combination of performance comfort and style. The vessel has been well cared for. She is turnkey and well-equipped. Call Chris Holtsclaw at 443.585.0732 or CHoltsclaw@Pocket-Yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2020 Pursuit S288 Sport $255,000 Twin Yamaha F300 w/ 90 hours. Trailer Included. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2023 Boston Whaler 280

Dauntless Our 28 Dauntless here is the perfect combination of fishability and family cruiser. equipped w/ retractable aft sunshade and bow sunshade that is very quick and easy to install - this single-engine 400Hp is more than enough juice to run across the bay even in the worst of conditions.

Sale Pending. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2024 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage

Beautiful classic white hull with chrome decals, big enough to host the entire family including aunts and uncles - the twin 300s that will reach almost 60mph! Plenty of room to host for any occasion or head out and catch some local rockfish out on the Bay. A must see! Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2024 Boston Whaler 280 Outrage

Powered by twin 400 v10s - This incredibly dry haul even in the worst of seas is truly a well thought out design. equipped with the fishing package, including rod holders, a livewell, fresh and raw water washdowns, and a tackle storage center - The 280 is a self-bailing cockpit, stainless steel grab rails, and a tempered glass windshields providing peace of mind for you and your crew. One difference in the layout of the deck is the 280 Outrages offers a large lounge in the bow seating areachildren and ladies first notice and their favorite part of the boat. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2013 Ranger Tugs R-29 S $135,987

great opportunity to get into a 29’ Ranger at a good price! The seller has reduced the price to reflect some of the minor repairs needed. Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2019 Mathews Brothers Patriot 29

Freshly repainted, comes w/ full garmin electronics package, gS, Radar, VHF and Autopilot. Contact Jack Mcguire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

(Hot Pursuit) 30’ Pursuit 3000 ‘00 $49,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2014 Cutwater 30 Sedan $219,987

Come see this well-cared-for and wellequipped Cutwater 30. Highly desirable Volvo D6 370Hp diesel. Onan genset. Reverse Cycle Heat and A/C. Twin garmin’s w/ Radar and Autopilot. Bow and Stern Thrusters. Weaver Dinghy Davits. Contact Tim Wilbricht 888.519.9120 or TimWilbricht@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2018 Cutwater C-30 CB $269,987

Beautifully Kept! Major price reduction! Volvo Penta 435hp Diesel w/ only 500 hours! Diesel generator, Twin garmin Displays Navigation package, Autopilot and remotes, Bow/Stern Thruster w/ Remote and Much More! Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2019 Cutwater 30 CB $274,987

Immaculately maintained. 2 Webasto A/C Units. Onan generator. Volvo Penta 435. Bow/Stern Thruster w/ Remote. Twin garmin Displays. Radar Autopilot w/ Remote and more! Call Josh Miller at 810.531.9191 or jmiller@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2022 Cutwater C-30 Sedan

$324,987 Like New 2022 Cutwater 2022 30 Sedan! With only 76 hours. Features: 2 Webasto A/C Units Onan generator Volvo Penta 435 w/ warranty Bow/Stern Thruster w/ Remote and more! Call Lee Cook at 410.703.9911 or leecook@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2024 Cobia 301 CC Twin Yamaha F300NSB. Trailer Available. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

Brokerage & Classified

2021 Cutwater 32CB $319,987

A well cared for example of the sought after Cutwater 32 Command Bridge w/ twin 300Hp Yamahas. Two ZONe A/C w/ Reverse Cycle Heat, 5KW generator, Inverter, Bow & Stern Thruster and more! Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2021 Cutwater 32CB $349,000 “Red Knot” is New to the market. Meticulously maintained, Features A/C, Bow Thruster, Dinghy, gPS Plotter, Depth finder, Radar, and more. Call Robert Tolbert at 443.595.6210 or robtolbert@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

2021 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer A true natural, the Sundancer 320 Outboard reimagines the possibilities of how a cruiser can look, feel and perform. Contact Jack Mcguire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2023 Cobia 320 CC BLOWOUT LeFTOVeR PRICINg! Twin Yamaha XF425. Yamaha Helm Master Joystick w/ Autopilot. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2024 Boston Whaler 320 Vantage This is our 320 Vantage, and comfortably fits 14 people. An adjustable port lounge gives you lots of options for your boating enjoyment. Bluetooth ready. 3/5/10 year warranty available. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2024 Pursuit DC326 Twin Yamaha F300NSB. Yamaha Helm Master Joystick w/ Autopilot. generator, Air Conditioning, Full electronics Package. RT 113 Boat Sales 302.436.1737 www.rt113boatsales.net

2024 Boston Whaler 325 Conquest

Pilot House Fish, cruise, never have to choose. With the new 325 Conquest, “split personality” takes on a whole new meaning. This adventurous boat is so much more than a cabin cruiser - Designed for maximum versatility, the 325 offers purposeful amenities for all your favorite activities. The conquest offers ultra-convertible port lounge, full front glass windshield for incredible visibility, and a spacious cabin perfect for overnighting. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

2002 Grady White 330 Express extremely well-equipped to fish outfitted w/ full tower, outriggers, and recent re-power in 2019 with Yama F300’s still under warranty. Contact Chris Beardsley at 315.447.1251 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2024 Boston Whaler 330 Outrage

Built for the ocean but easy enough to handle through ego alley downtown Annapolis! equipped w/ white 400Hp v10 engines to maximize performance on our newly designed Outrage. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

33’ Bertram ‘80 $45,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Dottie k) 34’ Silverton ‘05 $119,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

34’ Intrepid ‘01 $145,000 Curtis Stokes 401.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2007 Triton 351 Express Repowered in 2021 w/ Triple Mercury Verado V8 300s. This sought after engine package elevates the ultimate offshore fishing machine. Price recently reduced. Contact Mike Coe at 410.387.8859 or Mike@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2022 Sportsman Open 352 CC

Fully loaded w/ Triple Yamaha F300XSB’s. Digital electric steering, LOW HOURS, Venture Aluminum Trailer, garmin gPS/VHF/Radar/ SiriusXM Antenna/Screens,12V A/C

Cabin & Cockpit, Teak Package (Helm, Captain’s Chairs, Bow Backrests), gull Wings, electric Reel Outlets, SeaKeeper 3 gyro Stabilizer w/ extended warranty, Yamaha Auto Pilot, Outriggers: gemlux Bluewater Bases w/ 22’ Carbon Fiber poles, FLIR M232 Thermal Camera. *THIS IS A MUST See & TeST-DRIVe!! Save almost $100,000 over the price of new!!* $479,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20806

(Rivendell) 36’ Nauset ‘90 $98,000 evan Joseph 804.396.5446 evan@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2011 MJM 36 Downeast Lift kept w/ upgrades to electronics, power windshield and pilot house cushions. Twin Volvo 220Hp D3 diesels fully serviced in 2023. Contact David Malkin at 443.790.2786 or David@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2019 Tiara Sport 38 LS Perfect boat for day yachting w/ family and friends. equipped w/ triple Yamaha 350’s, painted to match the hull. Contact David Malkin at 443.790.2786 or David@NorthPointYachtSales.com

www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2021 Tiara Yachts 38 LS Lift kept, lower hours (150 hrs) on triple mercury 400s, optioned w/ Seakeeper, radar, painted engines to match the hull, and more. Contact Jack Mcguire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com

www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2024 Boston Whaler 380 Realm

The 38-foot Realm is the ultimate host w/ the most boat ride - You will draw attention in the best way possible!

Perfectly equipped w/ Quad 400 v10s, bow thruster, and joystick pilotingNo matter the amount of your boating experience these tools make docking such a big boat look easy. Chesapeake Whalertowne 410.827.8080 www.whalertowne.com

jack@curtisstokes.net

www.curtisstokes.net

(Martini & Me) 42’ Post ‘81 $35,000 Andy Stratton 908.265.7670

andy@curtisstokes.net

www.curtisstokes.net

2023 MJM 4 Looking for an opportunity to purchase a Like New MJM 4, then this is your boat. Contact Ken Comerford at 410.280.2038 or Ken@NorthPointYachtSales.com

www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2023 Tiara Yachts C49 Coupe

Rare chance to get into an almost new Tiara 49 Coupe without the wait and at a nice discount to new. Contact Bob Oberg at 410.320.3385 or Bob@NorthPointYachtSales.com

www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

MARkETPLACE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIONS

HELP WANTED

Marine Electronics Sales Are you passionate about marine electronics and enjoy helping customers find the perfect solution? BOe Marine is looking for a motivated and knowledgeable individual to join our sales team. Responsibilities: assist customers in selecting and purchasing marine electronics products, provide expert advice/recommendations, and contribute to the overall success of our sales department. Commission based position. To apply, email resume to jobs@BOEmarine.com www.boemarine.com/careers

Marine Technician BOe Marine is seeking a skilled and dedicated Marine Technician to join our team. Responsibilities: diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining a variety of marine equipment and systems. experience in marine mechanics, electrical systems, and engine diagnostics is preferred. If you have a passion for the marine industry and enjoy working w/ boats and marine equipment, we want to hear from you! To apply, email resume to jobs@BOEmarine.com www.boemarine.com/careers

Seeking P/T Magazine Delivery Drivers for threeday-a-month magazine distribution routes in Maryland. Compensation based upon quantity of stops. Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, reliable vehicle, and be able to lift up to 25 lbs. For more info, call 410.216.9309 or email info@spinsheet.com

Yacht Sales - Curtis Stokes and Associates, Inc. is hiring new salespeople for our Chesapeake area operation. Candidates must be honest, ethical and have boating experience. This is a commission only position. Contact Curtis Stokes at 410.919.4900 or curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

MARINE SERVICES

Mid- a tlantic Dealer

North Point Yacht Sales announces its exclusive partnership as the Mid-Atlantic dealer for Mag Bay Yachts. Built by the same hands that brought you the original Cabo Yachts, Mag Bay Yachts delivers the finest quality handmade fishing boats, with unparalleled craftmanship based upon decades of boat building experience. Mag Bay Yachts are designed to perform with both high speed and efficiency, embodying elegance and function in every aspect. “The partnership with Mag Bay Yachts marks an exciting chapter for us,” says Ken Comerford, owner and president of North Point Yacht Sales. “Their commitment to superior style and quality aligns perfectly with our values at North Point Yacht Sales. We are dedicated to providing our clients with access to the finest yachts available, and May Bay Yachts certainly represents excellence in every sense.”

Mag Bay Yachts hull design ensures agile performance with dignified, stylish flair. Backed by decades of boat-building experience, the creators of Mag Bay Yachts have a long history of success in the industry, with a commitment to quality and customer service that is unmatched. “At Mag Bay Yachts, we seek perfection in craftsmanship, performance, and styling,” says Michael Howarth, co-founder of Mag Bay Yachts. “Our boats represent the epitome of luxury and sophistication, and we are thrilled to partner with North Point Yacht Sales to bring the Mag Bay experience to the Mid-Atlantic region.” For more information about Mag Bay Yachts and North Point Yacht Sales dealership in the Mid-Atlantic Region, please reach out to Ken Comerford at (410) 280-2038 or Ken@NorthPointYachtSales.com; northpointyachtsales.com

Prestigious a ward

Sharrow Marine announced that the Sharrow Propeller has been named the “Clean Technology Transportation Solution of the Year” in the inaugural CleanTech Breakthrough Awards program. CleanTech Breakthrough is a leading independent market intelligence organization that evaluates and recognizes standout climate and clean technology companies, products, and services around the globe in categories including solar technology, smart grid, energy management, wind energy, waste and recycling, transportation, and more. This recognition reaffirms Sharrow Marine’s commitment to revolutionizing propeller technology and advancing sustainability in transportation. The Sharrow Propeller is recognized as the first major advancement in propeller technology since the 1830s, with a patented design that eliminates or significantly reduces tip cavitation and vortices. The Sharrow Propeller offers up to an 80 percent reduction in noise, a smoother and more reliable boating experience, and up to 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to standard propellers. These advantages enhance the boating experience and significantly reduce each boat’s carbon footprint and impact on marine life.

“Receiving the Clean Technology Transportation Solution of the Year award underscores the Sharrow Propeller’s transformative impact in promoting sustainability and efficiency,” said Greg Sharrow, founder and CEO of Sharrow Engineering and Sharrow Marine and inventor of the Sharrow Propeller. “This honor is a testament to our dedication to advancing environmentally friendly solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future and leave the world better than we found it.” sharrowmarine.com

a ccolade

AkzoNobel’s Awlgrip yacht coatings is the first topcoat finish to be verified as a Sustainable Solution by the Water Revolution Foundation (WRF). Awlgrip HDT has been added to the WRF’s Database of Sustainable Solutions to enable builders and applicators to find the most environmentally conscious products for superyachts. WRF is a not-for-profit organization established in 2018 with the goal of driving sustainability and change in the superyacht industry through collaboration and innovation, leading the way towards neutralizing its ecological footprint and preserving the world’s oceans. The Awlgrip topcoat helps to deliver on the goal of reducing the environmental impact of solutions, combining the best of performance and sustainable attributes to elevate builders’ creations. It has reduced solvent in its formulation and has lower VOC when compared to a standard polyurethane topcoat, being VOC compliant considering even the most stringent legislations. Awlgrip HDT was given the Sustainable Solution stamp of approval by WRF after a rigorous analysis into the product’s life cycle, including the evaluation of the resources used in sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, and applying the product, alongside the waste generation, airborne emissions, and longevity of the topcoat.

Matthew Anzardo, global yacht segment manager at AkzoNobel’s Yacht Coatings, said: “We are extremely proud to make history with having the first topcoat to be verified on the WRF’s Database of Sustainable Solutions. Across our brands and business, we share the same goal of reducing the environmental impact of coatings solutions through collaboration and innovation, combining the best of performance and sustainability. WRF’s recognition and support of our product is testament to our innovation and commitment to more sustainable yachting.” awlgrip.com

# Courtesy of NPYS