At 629 pounds, Yamaha’s new V6 Offshore F350 is a featherweight knockout. Stealing all the best design cues and advanced features from its V6 and V8 siblings, the new F350 is the dawn of a new power platform. It’s also the lightest F350 in its class—by more than 65 pounds. Pair it with Helm Master® EX and Siren 3 Pro for exhilarating boating and incredible control in a powerfully light design.
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5.6 liters of V8 displacement, a Phase Angle Control charging system, and integrated electric steering combine to change the way you offshore. And with Helm Master® EX, it
platform that takes outboard engineering to the edge—and back. Learn more at YamahaOutboards.com/XTO.
YAMAHA DEALER
DELAWARE
DELAWARE
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Rudy Marine | 302.945.2254 32606 DuPont Blvd, Dagsboro, DE 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
Jett’s Marine, Inc. | 804.453.3611
legaseamarine.com
18477 Northumberland Hwy, Reedville, VA jettsmarine.com
Legasea Marine | 757.898.3000
821 Railway Rd, Yorktown, VA legaseamarine.com
ve things you should know about boat insurance
Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are ve things to know about boat insurance.
1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents
With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected nancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.
2. Accidents can happen to anyone
When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to speci ed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.
3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments
Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.
4. Most lenders require boat insurance
If you nanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.
5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages
Ever worry about getting stuck on the water?
Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.
Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your voyage. Cruise with con dence thanks to Progressive Boat insurance. Because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.
Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and af liates. Product features are subject to policy terms and conditions and may not be available in all states or for all vehicles and coverage selections.
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**Sign & Glide® is an optional coverage you can add to any Progressive Boat policy and costs $30/annually ($50/annually in Florida). Prices are subject to change.
Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes.
Go to progressive.com to learn more.
M-E-G-A Rock
Your chance to land a new PB rockfish could be right around the corner.
By Lenny Rudow
Fishing Jerkbaits for Beginners
With a little jerk here and a little tug there, here a jerk, there a jerk, everywhere a jerk-jerk…
By Staff
37
Getting Into Hot Water
Fishing at the Calvert Cliffs warm water discharge.
By Wayne Young
40
Electric Boats for Fishing
Fishing from electric boats has some serious advantages, but are these things ready for prime time?
By Lenny Rudow
42 White Christmas
Are you dreaming of white perch for Christmas?
By Staff
44
The Artful Angler, Part I: Parameters & Parabolics
Do you dream of casting with your own custom creation? Let’s make it happen!
By Staff
Congrats to Jonathan Riffe, the winner of the FishTalk December Cover Contest! Weston and Shepard caught their first largemouth bass alongside their Grandpa John at a pond in Calvert County.
Expert Local Fishing Knowledge & Advice
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
Eric Richardson, eric@fishtalkmag.com
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
Brooke King, brooke@fishtalkmag.com
DISTRIBUTION / BROKERAGE / CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER
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ART DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER
Zach Ditmars, zach@fishtalkmag.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Royal Snyder, royal@fishtalkmag.com
COASTAL CORRESPONDENT
John Unkart
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Adam Greenberg, Jim Gronaw, Chuck Harrison, Capt. Monty Hawkins, Eric Packard, David Rudow, Wayne Young
DISTRIBUTION
Keith Basiliko, Martin and Betty Casey, Jennifer and Al Diederichs, Gregory and Dorothy Greenwell, Dave Harlock, Crystal Mayes, Mark Schlichter
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.
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Rudow’s FishTalk Recycles
Notes from the Cockpit
By Lenny Rudow
Ummm… is it really almost 2026? Are my kids all out there adulting on their own? Do my knees and elbows ache more than they used to, is that bald spot really visible when my back’s to the camera, and is that “new” project called FishTalk really in its eighth year of publication?
Yes to all of the above—wow, time flies. And while my own children have aged out of needing my assistance on a daily basis, my son David will become a father any day now. Soon I’ll be bringing grandkids aboard the boat. Some of you have already reached this stage, while others are struggling to find the best ways to bring your own young children out on the water. Since I’ll soon need to use them once again, I have dug deep into my somewhat foggy memory banks to remind myself of the critical tips and tricks I employed to get through a day of fishing when my kids were mere tykes. I now pass those tips on to you angling parental units everywhere. You can thank me later.
• Be very, very careful to completely slather the child in sunscreen. Fail to do so, and mom will be very, very angry. If you left the dock without any sunscreen aboard, protect the child from sunburn by gently placing him or her in the fishbox for the duration of the trip.
• If the child refuses to stand still, runs around the boat, or presents a casting hazard, gently place him or her in the fishbox for the duration of the trip.
• If the child interferes with fishing in any way, shape, or form, you know where to (gently) put them.
• When choosing a life jacket for kids under the age of three, be sure to get one with a grab-strap on the head support. This will make it easier to lift them back out of the fishbox at the end of the day.
• Snacks are a critical component of any fishing trip with kids aboard, regardless of their age. Stock up with plenty of Slim Jims, candy bars, and pickled eggs.
• Toddlers get bored quickly and you’ll need to keep them entertained—loud crying must be avoided at all cost, lest the child spook the fish. Come up with a list of onboard activities that will keep them busy, like spinney radar-rides and livewell swims with those cute bluefish.
• Upgrade your raw water washdown with a high-pressure pump and outfit it with a quality spray nozzle. You can’t be expected to dig out wipes and fresh diapers when there’s an epic bite going off, but a few blasts with sufficient water pressure will resolve soiled diaper issues in seconds.
• If the pacifier falls overboard, Spike-It markers make an excellent substitute. As I recall my kids were partial to shrimp flavor in chartreuse.
• Kayak anglers should add seatbelts to crate stowage systems.
• Repeat after me: “Honey, we’re going to need a bigger boat.”
Just in case any of my kids happen to be reading this: don’t worry, I’m just kidding around. I promise to treat your children with the same love, care, and respect I treated you guys with when you were little and we went fishing. Wait, scratch that…
# David and Max after an average day of fishing. They survived.
The FG Knot
Several FishTalk readers reached out to say that the FG Knot we illustrated in the 11/25 edition wasn’t the FG Knot they knew and tied. With some further research we found that there are at least four different major variations going by the same name. We are unable to determine which is the original and apologize for any confusion this may have caused, but this reinforces one of the article’s main points: knots can differ from person to person (and line to line), so it’s dangerous to label any one knot as “best.”
Triple Threat
Dear FishTalk,
Switching trebles for single hooks can be really difficult on a lot of lures. Isn’t it just as good to pinch the barbs down?
Wally P., via email
Dear Wally, We’re not aware of any studies that have directly compared barbless or pinched trebles with singles so we can’t say for sure, but there’s no doubt that pinching the barbs is better than not doing so.
Ho-Ho-Ho
Dear FishTalk,
This being the holiday season and all: Knock, Knock. Who’s there? Fish. Fish who? We fish you a merry Christmas, we fish you a merry Christmas… -Anonymous
Send your fish photos, questions, and comments to lenny@fishtalkmag.com
Meet our biggest and best saltwater trolling motor yet. Riptide Instinct™ QUEST™ has a treasure trove of features for chasing trophy fish: shaft lengths up to 100”, Auto Stow/Deploy and all the power you need for offshore fishing. FREE REIN TO FISH FEARLESSLY IN SALTWATER minnkotamotors.com/Instinct
FISH NEWS
By Lenny Rudow
Stripers Still Suffering
The 2025 Striped Bass Young of Year index is in, and once again the news is not good. This year’s Maryland index is a four, slightly better than the past two years but still abysmally below the average of 11 and the seventh year in a row of results falling well below normal. In Virginia the results were slightly better but still below the norm, with an index of 5.12 versus the historic average of 7.77. Other species with similar spawning habits, such as white perch, blueback herring, and shad, also showed belowpar reproduction for 2025. On a brighter note, yellow perch showed a rebound with their best numbers since 2018.
Record Breakers
It seems as if state records have been falling one after the next in recent times, and this month we can add two more to the list: Maryland records for longfin tuna and pompano dolphinfish. The longfin record of 74 pounds was smashed this fall when angler Marc Spagnola cranked a 78-pounder up to the gunwales of the Instigator on the way home after a long-range two-day trip to the Hudson Canyon. Days later aboard the Talkin Trash angler James Frazetti Jr. reeled in a seven-pound, eight-ounce pompano dolphinfish, more than doubling the existing state record. As if that wasn’t enough, the very next day Frazetti hand-cranked a 36.5-inch golden tilefish—completing the 10 qualifying FishMaryland catches to earn him Master Angler status.
Floundering Around
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) determined that summer flounder are not overfished, and overfishing is no longer occurring. Accordingly, they selected a 55-percent increase in harvest compared to 2025, with 55 percent of the allocation going to the commercial sector and 45 percent to recreational. They also determined that a 12-percent “buffer” be deducted from annual catch limits to account for management uncertainty. The MAFMC also says sea bass are faring well, allowing for a 28-percent increase (55 percent recreational and 45 percent commercial). Bluefish got the thumbs-up as well, with a 40-percent boost in recreational harvest limit. Recreational regulations were modified to increase the bag limit from three to five fish, with for-hire boat limits increasing from five to seven fish.
MRIP in the News
The Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) is back in the news, following more study of the Fishing Effort Survey. This much-maligned program, intended to keep count of just how many recreational anglers are fishing and just what they’re catching, has been blamed for over-counting anglers and their catch, and in many cases can be proven wildly inaccurate—sometimes resulting in regulatory measures that reduced catch and size limits even as some fisheries improved. In 2023 NOAA acknowledged that MRIP numbers were likely an over-estimate, probably in the neighborhood of 30 to 40 percent. Now, according to the 2024 study, NOAA says a revised design and question order in the survey has addressed a primary source of measurement data and resulted in lower estimates of angler effort. Reporting error is said to have been reduced by minimizing “social desirability bias” (reflecting a person’s identity as an angler) and “telescoping” (anglers reporting trips outside the intended timeframe). The revised design is expected to be implemented in 2026.
# Small stripers will remain tough to find for some time to come.
TOURNAMENT NEWS
Top Three
The Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association (TKAA) Striper Tournament starts December first and runs through the rest of the year, with all waters of Virginia open to anglers in the competition. The biggest stringer of three rockfish wins this C-P-R event, run through the iAngler app. Visit the TKAA at tkaa.org to learn more.
# What lucky angler will win the 2025/2026 CCAMD Winter Pickerel Championship? Photo courtesy of Eric Packard
Winter Picks
As the tournament season for 2025 winds down, there are two events continuing into the winter. The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Maryland Winter Pickerel Championship will continue through the month of February, with prizes for the longest stringer of three pickerel, the single longest fish, and more—in total there are nine different categories to win in this C-P-R event. Also running all winter long, the CCA Great Chesapeake Invasives Count awards monthly prizes to winners who log catches of blue catfish, flathead catfish, and snakeheads. This one’s free to enter and piles of awesome angling prizes are handed out every month to participants as winners are announced on Live with Lenny (on Facebook and YouTube). Your catch logs (entered via iAngler) help fisheries managers learn where these fish are prevalent and support sciencebased management. Visit ccamd.org to learn more and enter.
Log your catch of northern snakehead, blue catfish, and flathead catfish in the Chesapeake Watershed for a chance to win great monthly prizes! Register for FREE today! ccamd.org/count
HOT NEW GEAR
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.
The Reel Deal
We’ve noticed through the years that Piscifun delivers quite a bang for the buck when it comes to their rods and reels, and after spending a few months fishing with a NautiX 3000 we’re convinced that this reel will help you do less spending and more catching. The NautiX is an aluminum-body saltwater spinner that has the goods where it counts: a stainless-steel shaft, brass pinion gear, triple-disc carbon drag, carbon rotor, and eight stainless-steel shielded ball bearings. It’s gasketed and carries an IPX5 water resistance rating, while putting out a whopping 26-pounds of drag (33 pounds for the 5000 and 6000 models). That all sounds great, but you won’t realize what it all adds up to until you start casting and cranking. It’s smooth, lightweight (10.8 ounces), cranks in 35.4” of line with a single spin of the handle, and feels like a reel that costs twice as much in-hand. An amazing bang for the buck? Youbetcha. Price: $109.99. Bonus Perk: type in discount code FT18 and as a FishTalk reader you’ll pay even less. Visit piscifun.com if you’re feeling a little nauti.
Rippin’ the Tide
Following up on its recent introduction of freshwater trolling motors for kayak angling, Minn Kota has announced a new Riptide Terrova designed for saltwater fishing kayaks. The bow-mounted Riptide Terrova can be operated remotely via the Micro Remote, a connected Humminbird fishfinder, or the One Boat Network app. The GPS positioning features that boat anglers love so much, including Spot-Lock, Autopilot, Drift Mode, and Follow Mode, are all now available in kayak form. The motor has a 36” shaft, weedless prop, and produces 55 pounds of thrust on a 12-volt power supply. Like all Riptides, the motor’s lower unit is armored against the saltwater environment with housings that are grit-blasted and aluminum-coated. Price: $1899.99. Visit minnkotamotors.com to energize that salty angling kayak.
X Marks the Spot
Game On! Lures has been a perpetual supporter of Team FishTalk/ PropTalk in our Fish For a Cure fundraising efforts, and this year they sent us a big box of lures to auction off including the X-Walk Topwater. We’ve used the 4.5” and 6.0” X-Walks before—with a lot of success—but in this box of goodies there was an X-Walk we hadn’t yet seen: a whoppingbig eight-incher. Weighing in at 3.5-ounces, the monster X-Walk comes with VMC hooks and boasts through-wire construction. The face has a small cup so it throws a bit of water and makes a little splash, yet still zigs and zags like a dog-walker. We discovered in short order that stripers in the 22” to 26” range have no problem smashing a lure of this size. But what we’re really excited about is throwing these beasts for those big trophy winter stripers, because they cast a country mile and offer up the mega-meal those big fish want. White, bunker, clear mullet, and chartreuse/silver color patterns are available. Price: $19.99. Visit gameonlures.com for a zig… zag…splash… KABOOM! (And thanks, Game On!, for your continued Fish For a Cure support!)
Reaching New Summits
hakespeare is ready to enter 2026 with a new line of value-priced spinning and conventional rods, reels, and combos, called the Summit Series. Rods are built on 24-ton graphite blanks, with stainlesssteel guides and zirconium inserts and hybrid EVA/ cork handles. There are 6’6” and 7’0” models available, in medium power with fast or extra-fast action for spinners and medium-heavy power and extra-fast action for the conventionals. Reels have aluminum spools and handles and five ball bearings plus a roller bearing. Price: $74.99 (reels) and $109.99 (combos). Visit Shakespeare-fishing.com for the full scoop.
No Burn, No Bites
By Kaylie Jasinski
un protection clothing is all the rage these days, and for good reason (who likes suntan lotion?), but what if that same clothing could do double duty and offer bug protection, too? This past summer I’ve had the chance to test out Royal Robbins’ Expedition III L/S shirt and Wilder Pant. Both feature the brand’s built-in mosquito protection technology (MPT), which uses a chemical-free, engineered, tight-weave fabric that provides a robust barrier against mosquitoes that won’t wash or wear away. Unlike traditional insect-repellent clothing, there are no toxic chemicals or biocides and it’s lightweight and breathable for all-day comfort on the water. Both the shirt and pants I tested also offer UPF 40+ sun protection; they are moisture wicking, wind- and water-resistant, and quick-drying. The fit is designed for easy movement whether you’re hiking to the riverbank, paddling, or hopping around your center console. And speaking of hiking, the Wilder pants feature double-layered knees and a tapered fit, so they’re tough yet flexible for whatever the fishing adventure dictates. The brand also has sustainability at its core, so all MPT apparel is made from recycled or Bluesign-approved fabrics, minimizing impact on people and the planet. Over the summer, this pants/shirt combo quickly became my fishing outfit of choice. I often grabbed it even when not fishing, whether I was hiking with my dog or working on my boat on land, because the sun and bug protection is topnotch. I never noticed any bites where my skin was covered, and I felt great knowing I had added protection from the sun. These clothes are light, breathable, and very comfortable, even in the heat and humidity of summer. Both styles come in men and women’s sizes. Price: Wilder Pant $120; Expedition III L/S $95. Visit royalrobbins.com to be prepared when sunny warm weather returns.
Catatonic Cranking
The Okuma Cat Slayer collection has expanded beyond just rods with the new Cat Slayer reels, which we tested while cranking on blue cats in the Patuxent. First impressions: the anti-reverse is instantaneous, there’s zero flex in the reel or handle, and the reel feels thoroughly robust in-hand. Both regular and baitfeeder versions are available, and both are coated in UV-reactive paint for easy visibility when targeting catfish at night. Cat Slayer reels feature five ball bearings plus roller bearing, Carbonite and felt drag washers, machine-cut brass pinion gears, and corrosion-resistant frames, side-plates, and rotors. Max drag is 26 pounds and the 4.4:1 gear ratio brings in 31.5” per crank. Price: $75.99 to
St. Croix has a new line of one-piece boat rods called the Rogue V, with ART carbon fiber to prevent ovaling and resin curing that provides a 33-percent increase in strength. Guides are Alconite-lined stainless-steel, the reel seat is nylon, grips are EVA foam, and there’s a non-marking rubber gimbaled butt. Available lengths are 6’9” and 7’3”, in actions ranging from medium light to extra heavy. Price: $220 to $250. Visit stcroixrods.com if you want to swing a new stick.
A Box Beyond
Remember those old-school tackleboxes with the pull-up trays? Granddad loved his, but today’s angler demands better organization and protection. A nifty mix of old and new can be found in Flambeau’s latest offering, the NextGen 4/0 tacklebox. Rather than pulling up the four trays in this 14” x 8.7” x 7.6” box, the trays pivot out to expose 23 compartments on top of the bulk storage compartment above. Compartments range from 1.5 to five inches, and there’s an integrated storage space for stowing a 4000 Series Tuff Tainer that adds another 16 to 24 compartments. There’s also a larger 6/0 model available. Price: $21.99/$26.99. Visit flambeauoutdoors.com to pivot to the next generation.
Chop Suey
Looking for a soft-body glide bait that can produce both long, sweeping movements and short, “choppy” actions? That’s the idea behind Berkley’s new PowerBait Chop Block. Available in six-, eight-, and 10-inch versions, and in a dozen different color patterns, the Chop Block is equipped with Fusion 19 hooks with the stinger locked in on a magnet, and the joint is mesh-reinforced for longevity. Price: $15.99 to $29.99. Visit berkley-fishing.com to get chopping.
North Bay Marina | 302.436.4211 36543 Lighthouse Rd, Selbyville, DE northbaymarina.com
Carlisle’s Marine | 302.389.0100 49 Artisan Dr, Smyrna, DE carlislesmarine.com
Virginia
Legasea Marine | 757.898.3000 821 Railway Rd, Yorktown, VA legaseamarine.com
Ask an Expert
Captain Steve Griffin of Griffin’s Guide Service
This month we pose some questions about catching Chesapeake Bay winter mega-rock to Captain Steve Griffin, of Griffin’s Guide Service.
Q: Are you getting excited about those big winter stripers? We are too—tell us about the gear you use for them.
A: I can’t wait for the big migratory stripers to show up! It’s one of my favorite times to fish on the Chesapeake and anticipation of the migration gets me excited every year. We use two different setups throughout the winter and we choose them specifically for these non-negotiable reasons: SENSITIVITY to feel subtle bites, POWER to land big fish quickly, SMOOTH DRAG to allow smaller diameter lines (for increased sensitivity), and DURABILITY to withstand the dayto-day abuse of catching heavy fish on
light tackle. Remember, just because its light doesn’t mean it’s not powerful.
Number One: This is our heavier combo that we use to make long casts and fish heavy topwaters, jerkbaits, and paddletails. These are the same combos we use for bull reds. The length, powerful backbone, and fast action allow us to cast a mile and work lures with precision.
• Rod - G Loomis IMX Pro Blue 843F (7’ Medium Fast)
Number Two: This is our light (but very mighty) jigging combo that we use to vertically jig soft plastics with heads up to 1.5 ounces, and for metal jigs. The Hi Power X technology in these rods makes them very strong for their weight. It also reduces rod twist under heavy loads, which means less failure.
• Rod - Shimano Expride EXS68MB (6’8” Medium Extra Fast)
# Thanks for the fish-catching intel, Captain Steve!
Everyone should note that you can pick up these combos pre-rigged at Anglers in Annapolis, MD—just ask for the “Griffin’s Guide Service Combos.”
Q: What are your favorite lures for winter stripers?
A: My go-to and all-time favorite lure for winter stripers is the six-inch Z-Man Diezel Minnow (color depends on conditions). It is my Swiss Army Knife because it’s the perfect size and profile, and I can catch big stripers with it in one foot of water down to 100 feet by adjusting the weight of my G-Eye Jig head.
My “Skunk Buster” is the Shimano Current Sniper jig, 60 or 80 grams, in Candy Iwashi. These jigs will catch fish when nothing else will, but don’t forget to change out the treble hook for a single.
My “fun bait” is the Shimano Current Sniper Splash Walk topwater lure. There is nothing like an exhilarating day of watching big stripers blowing up topwater lures, and I caught my personal best striper (52”) on this one.
Q: What tools in your arsenal are most important for finding the fish at this time of year?
A: Quality electronics—they have changed the game. We use Humminbird Mega Side Imaging to search for schools of fish, bait, and any other clues. The ability to see incredible detail in shallow water while also being able to read up to 400’ on each side of the boat in deep water is a huge advantage. The last few years we have also been utilizing the Humminbird Mega Live 2 live imaging sonar. This helps us identify fish in front of the boat before we run them over and spook them. It also helps us identify exactly where the active fish are in the water column.
Q: Most educated anglers will know that release mortality is extremely low at this time of year, but still, we all want to do everything we can to ensure that released fish swim away unharmed. What specific practices do you consider most important to keep release mortality as low as possible?
A: Man, this is so important and there is so much we can do to limit our impact, so I’m going to list a few.
• Handle these fish with care!
• Use quality tackle. I truly believe using sensitive gear and proper technique almost eliminates deep hooks.
• Use adequately sized tackle to limit fight times.
• Be prepared, and have help, net, pliers, de-hookers, camera, etc. ready.
• NO TREBLE HOOKS! We use only large single hooks.
• Limit the fish’s time out of water, if any.
• Use a rubber “release” net.
• If you pick a fish up, hold it horizontally supporting the lower jaw and belly with both hands (no Boga Grips).
• Do not touch the eyes or gills.
• Give the fish time to revive. You will know when they’re ready to swim off.
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Q: Open Mic - Tell us what we need to know about the winter rockfish fishery that we haven’t covered yet.
A: Our winter striped bass fishery on the Chesapeake truly is world class, we have clients coming from all over the country to experience it. It really is hard to beat the rod-snatching thump of the aggressive eats and the iconic head shakes of an XL striper, and there’s no better way to experience it than with light tackle and artificial lures. Catch and release mortality is at an all-time low in the winter which makes it a great time to extend the season—get out there, catch some big fish, and make some memories!
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CHESAPEAKE CALENDAR
DECEMBER
through Dec 7
St. John’s Lost at Sea (Ulysses) Exhibition
The sea can be a merciless foe. It is also a poignant metaphor for the human psyche. This exhibition tells the story of a subject set adrift in more ways than one. Features sculpture, painting, and prints by nine artists from North America and Europe. Free. Open Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays, 2 to 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s College in Annapolis.
through Dec 31
Holidays at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum
Come enjoy guided tours for all ages of the lighthouse and museum. The Keeper’s Quarters and museum will be decorated for the holidays and special festive exhibits will be available. Piney Point, MD. Free family open house on November 30.
through Feb 28
CCA Pickerel Championship
Register any time before the end of tournament. Open to MD, DC, and DE tidal and non-tidal waters. This is a catchphoto-release tournament using the iAngler Tournament app. CCA membership is required to enter.
through Mar 31
The Great Chesapeake Invasives Count Help collect important data while competing for great prizes! Log your invasive species catches (northern snakehead, blue catfish, flathead catfish) on iAngler, and FishTalk will present live, monthly prize drawings. Register: ccamd.org
3
CCA SoMD Chapter Holiday Happy Hour
5 to 7:30 p.m. at Ruddy Duck Piney Point. Join CCA for a casual holiday happy hour with fellow anglers, conservationists, and community members who care about protecting the Chesapeake Bay and Southern Maryland’s waterways.
5-6
A Dickens of a Christmas Experience historic Chestertown, MD’s, Victorian holiday extravaganza! This two-day event includes entertainment, home tours, food, book talks, merchandise, and more.
6
25th Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Parade starts at 5:30 p.m., dockside festivities 2 to 8 p.m. at the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront in Virginia.
6
76th Annual CambridgeDorchester County Christmas Parade
Lineup at 4 p.m., parade at 5 p.m. This year’s theme is “Surfing into Christmas.” The Parade route begins at Long Wharf, progresses down High Street, turns left onto Poplar, straight down Race Street, and ends at Washington Street by Haddaways.
6 Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups and more to celebrate the city’s Scottish heritage.
6 Bear Creek Lighted Boat Parade On Bear Creek off the Patapsco River. Stayed tuned for more details on Facebook.
6 Bohemia River Boaters Lighted Boat Parade
5 to 7 p.m. in Chesapeake City, MD. View From Pell Gardens, Chesapeake Inn, or either side of the canal. The boats will leave from the basin by Chesapeake Inn at roughly 5 p.m.
6
FSFF Club Fly Tying
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse at the Davidsonville Family Rec. Center (behind Ford Hall). Join FSFF as one of its members instructs on how to tie a couple of fly patterns and demonstrates proper tying techniques. Patterns to be determined. All materials will be provided. Please bring your vise and tying tools if you have them.
6
Holiday Boat Parade and Party at The Wharf
5 to 8 p.m. activities throughout The Wharf in Washington, DC, including a beer garden, s’mores, ornament decorating, karaoke, live music, visits with Santa, and more. 7 p.m. boats arrive in the Washington Channel. Fireworks finale at 8 p.m.
6
Queen Anne’s County Watermen’s Association Crab Basket and Tree Lighting Vendor Fair 12 to 6 p.m. Tree lighting at 6 p.m. at Fishermen’s Crab Deck in Grasonville, MD. Handmade artisans and crafters, hot apple cider and cocoa, kids’ activities and face painting, food trucks, and more.
Do you have an upcoming event? Send the details to: kaylie@fishtalkmag.com
6 Rock Hall Tree Lighting
Santa arrives by boat at the Rock Hall Bulkhead at 6 p.m. and arrives on Main Street (approx. 6:30 p.m.) for the tree lighting.
6 Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade
Pre-parade festivities start at 6 p.m. at the Yorktown, VA, waterfront and include caroling around illuminated braziers, a musical performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town, and complimentary hot cider from the Boy Scouts of America. At 7 p.m. the boats will finish out the evening as they make their way down the river in a dazzling display of lights.
10 Frederick Saltwater Anglers Monthly Meeting
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Frederick Elks Lodge #682. Optional food starts at 6 and meeting begins at 7. We have a speaker and vendor along with raffle prizes and a 50/50.
11 Midnight Madness in Downtown Annapolis
Stroll along Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street from 4 p.m. until midnight to support local businesses. Find entertainment, holiday decorations, refreshments, and sales.
12-14 Christmas in St. Michaels
The event’s mission is to provide resources to help local nonprofit groups enhance the quality of life for the residents of the Bay Hundred community. Gingerbread house competition and display, marketplace, breakfast with Santa, Talbot Street Parade (Saturday at 10:30 a.m.), Lighted Boat Parade (Saturday at 6 p.m.) and more.
13 FSFF Monthly Hands-On Session
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse at the Davidsonville Family Rec. Center (behind Ford Hall). Speaker/Topic: Rich Batiuk - Finding Places to Fish in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
13 43rd Annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade
Dozens of boats in all shapes and sizes covered in thousands of colored lights parade through the Annapolis Harbor for two magical hours. This year’s parade will feature new prize categories designed to welcome first-time and emerging skippers while still celebrating creativity at all levels. Skipper application is now live! Proceeds from the event benefit the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation.
13 Poplar Hall Christmas Parade of Horses and Market
One of the most beautiful Victorian towns in the country will be the home of an equestrian Christmas wonderland. Horse parade begins at 10 a.m. and Christmas market begins at 11 a.m., along with other events in Chesapeake City, MD.
14
DECEMBER
(continued)
Deale Parade of Lights Organizers are encouraging everyone to get to the parade viewing location by 5 p.m. due to high traffic; parade will start at 5:30 p.m. on Rockhold Creek in Deale, MD. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook.
18 Midnight Madness in Annapolis
Stroll along Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. to support local businesses. Find entertainment, holiday decorations, refreshments, and sales.
18 MSFC Monthly Meeting 7 to 8 p.m. at Elks Lodge #1272 in Cambridge, MD. Mid-Shore Fishing Club of Maryland.
JANUARY
9-11 Philadelphia Fishing Show
At the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, PA. Free parking. Tickets cost $12 adults, $6 children ages 6-12, and free for ages 5 and under. Tickets are only available at the door, cash only. Free seminars, trout pond, saltwater and freshwater fishing tackle, gear, apparel, and more.
10 FSFF Club Fly Tying
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse at the Davidsonville Family Rec. Center (behind Ford Hall). Patterns to be determined. All materials will be provided. Please bring your vise and tying tools if you have them.
29 Watermen’s Story Swap
Join local author and emcee Brent Lewis, as well as a panel of local watermen, for a lively evening of stories of the past and present drawn from lives spent on the water harvesting from the Bay. 5:30 p.m. in the Van Lennep Auditorium at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD.
31-Feb 1
For links to the websites for these events and more, visit proptalk.com/calendar
Kent Island Fishermen’s 15th Annual Fishing Flea Market
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the Kent Island American Legion Post #278 in Stevensville, MD. Admission $4 (ages 16 and under are free). Fishing rods, reels, lures, boating accessories, crabbing supplies, fishing charters, door prizes, and more. Plenty of good food and beverages.
Presented by
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 Tune in Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 6 p.m. for a new episode!
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Reader Photos
# Evan caught his first largemouth bass. Congrats, Evan!
# Todd and Jackson inspected one of the numerous slot rock they encountered in the Potomac.
# Ted and Janet had a fun day of catching—and releasing— rockfish in the Middle Bay.
# Chris scored a SWEET mahi-mahi while fishing aboard the Schedule Sea out of OCMD.
# Max hiked out to the Green River and fooled a few trout.
# Rising angling talent Conner holds up his catch from the Potomac River – the next generation of competitive fishermen are making their mark!
# Herb traveled west to Deep Creek Lake and hooked up with a big pike, as well as walleye, smallmouth, and yellow perch.
# The North East River provided some catfish action for CJ.
# Colden tugged on a citation-sized perch while fishing north of Pooles Island.
# Isaiah caught this nice smallie on a custom minnow pattern tied by his dad, Joshua.
# Amos and Rudy had a great evening at Thomas Point (and undoubtedly out-fished their dad).
# Terry picked up a beautiful 22” speck casting near Cambridge.
# Dave enjoyed the fall run of big reds in the suds of Assateague.
# Brian had some topwater excitement this fall.
# Andy picked up a couple of specks in Eastern Bay.
# Steve reeled up his first rockfish (Go O’s).
# Rich pulled up another river monster from the Susquehanna.
# Craig tempted this red to bite by casting a Johnson spoon on the flats off Plantation Creek.
# Derya reeled in this chunky blue cat while fishing in the heart of the nation’s capital.
# Preston found a flattie in the South River this fall.
# Vince stayed out late, and it paid off bigtime.
# Casey and Jackson found ‘em at the Target Ship.
# Eliza used a Chug Bug to tie into her new PB rockfish.
# Matt and Matt caught a nice rockfish, and a nice rockfish!
# Craig found the Lower Bay blues.
# Simon picked up a nice one in Liberty Reservoir.
# Little Brooke, Herman, and big Brooke had fun reeling up spot in the Choptank River.
# Ryan got into the chopper blues while trolling aboard the Prime Time
# Vince and Craig had some luck at the Bay Bridge this summer.
# Oliver caught a speck – WTG Oliver!
Hot New Fishboats
By Lenny Rudow
Robalo R300: Space Jam
You say you want a center console fishboat big enough to provide triple-wide seating at the helm, room for multiple anglers on the bowdeck, livewell space for dozens of baits, and tuna-sized fishboxes? You want it to have the chops for offshore runs as well as days on the Bay? And, you want to enjoy a few of those luxury touches that are generally found on yachts rather than boats? If you’ve been spending your fishing time on an average 20-something boat common to the Chesapeake you may need to step into an entirely new class of vessel—one like the all-new Robalo R300.
With an LOA of 30’6” and a beam stretching to 10’6” the R300 delivers gobs more elbow room than your average cen-
Quick Facts
LOA: 30’6” Beam: 10’6”
Displacement: 9900 lbs.
Draft (min.): 2’0”
Transom Deadrise: 21 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 280 gal.
Max. Power: 700 hp
ter console and Robalo lays out the boat to take full advantage of this fact, starting at the helm. Three cushy flip-down bolster seats sit behind a three-sided enclosure with an electrically actuated front windshield that swings up for a breeze on nice days and is swiped by a dual-speed wiper on not-so-nice ones. At the helm there’s room for a pair of 16” MFDs, and you’ll discover inviting perks like dual cell phone charging docks, a JL Audio system (with eight speakers, two subwoofers, and 1400 watts of amplification), and if you opt for it, joystick steering.
The bow cockpit is another area where XL accommodations are apparent, with U-shaped wrap-around seating and a removable dinette that a half-dozen people could sit around with room to spare. Drop the table to the seat’s level, pull those cushions, and you now have an XL casting deck. And note that the hatches accessing stowage/fishboxes under the bow seats are on integrated latches so when the cushions are in place you don’t have to fumble around to open them.
There’s additional bow seating integrated into the front of the console, which does double-duty as the front-opening
console head compartment door. Again, there’s more room here than on the average center console, with over six feet of headroom, a countertop with sink, and a dedicated rack for stowing that removable dinette table.
It’s the spacious fish-fighting arena back aft, of course, that we anglers will be most interested in. The cockpit is kept open by incorporating a swing-down transom bench seat between the flanking 28-gallon transom livewells. Common folding transom seats are a cause of flummoxing fumbles—we’re sure you’ve wrestled with one a time or two—but this one is electrified so it folds flush and deploys at the press of a button.
More evidence that size matters: Swing open the large centered hatch, and you’ll find a space designed to accommodate a Seakeeper 2 gyroscopic stabilizer; swing open the hatches to either side, and you’ll discover a pair of whopping-big 70-gallon fishboxes; swing up the seat base of the aft-facing mezzanine-style seat, and you’ll see a 65-quart Yeti cooler.
For its spacious attitude and comprehensive equipping, the biggest surprise about this boat might just be its perfor-
Hot New Fishboats
mance. The R300 comes with a pair of F300 or F350 Yamaha outboards, which doesn’t exactly sound overpowering for a boat of this size and nature. Yet with the F350s top-end pushes into the upper50s, and at a 4500-rpm cruise this rig runs at over 40 mph. Dial it back to 3500 rpm and about 30 mph and efficiency sits at around 1.5 mpg.
The boat’s performance marks an improvement over the old R300, which was a slightly smaller (29’2” LOA) and lighter (8200 pound) boat. Credit goes to a new Michael Peters Yacht Design hullform, which is backed up by Robalo construction including a Kevlar-reinforced hull, a foam-filled molded stringer grid that’s glassed in and gel-coated, and a poured ceramic composite transom. Additional construction touches to take note of include the use of Sileather silicon upholstery to resist mold, mildew, and UV rays; waterproof Deutsch connectors in the tinned-copper-wire electrical system; and an extensive use of stainless-steel in everything from hardware to the toe rails.
Aw, shucks—one problem with checking out a center console this big is that there’s so much to cover, we
sometimes run out of space on these pages before we can cover each and every attribute. We’ve barely scratched the surface when it comes to the boat’s luxury attributes (there’s a freshwater shower integrated into the hard top!). We haven’t talked fit and finish yet (lids are RTM molded so they’re fully finished inside and out!). And what about available options (want a 115-pound
thrust Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Quest on the bow)? It turns out that when you’re looking at the Robalo R300, space is at a premium in more ways than one.
For more information visit the Robalo Boats website, or FishTalk supporter Anchor Boats, North East MD, (800) 773-2628 or anchorboat.com
Cotton Thomas Calvert 16: A Treat for the Tributaries
After walking through row after row of big, bodacious, multi-engine center console fishing machines at the Annapolis Powerboat Show, it
was one of the smallest boats tucked back in a corner that got me the most excited: the Cotton Thomas Calvert 16. Its roots trace back several decades to Lusby, MD, where boatbuilder Cotton
Thomas offered this 16’ and an 18’ as well as custom designs, back in the 1980s. Mispillion Marine in Milford, DE, got ahold of one of the molds, and has breathed new life into this V-hull skiff.
The best thing about the Cotton Thomas Calvert 16 is how simple it is, and—let’s be honest here, people—how inexpensive it is. We eschew printing prices on these pages because they change so quickly and vary so much depending on options, but Mispillion has a starting point of $16,400 for the bare boat (excluding power) on their website and the boat they showed in Annapolis, with all the bells and whistles and a 60-hp Tohatsu on the transom, ran just under $30K. And we give bonus points to Mispillion for transparency on this count, because unlike many boatbuild-
Quick Facts
LOA: 16’0”
Beam: 6’9”
Displacement: 950/lbs. (tiller)
Transom Deadrise: 12 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 19 gal.
Max. Power: 75 hp
ers you can easily price out all the different options, from trailers to Bimini tops, right on their website.
The base boat consists of a hull and self-bailing deck, a 19-gallon integrated fuel tank, hardware, running lights, and an elevated enclosed foredeck with stowage compartments. You can choose to have a center console and leaning post, or opt for the boat in a tiller-steer version with a wide-open deck. Such simplicity means there’s very little to maintain, and very little to go wrong with the boat.
What about construction? Again, simple is a keyword, but along with it add “stout.” Stringers are molded glass and the deck is Coosa-cored. When I climbed aboard and did some stomping and shaking every-
thing felt nice and solid. The gunwale cap gives the boat an upgraded look from regular rolled-edge skiffs and the gelcoat work was flaw-free. In fact, the level of finish work on the model I saw was a grade above what one usually finds on small skiffs of this nature and closer to custom styled than massproduced.
The boat’s rated for up to 75 horses, but Mispillion says a 60-hp powerplant is ideal for this rig. It keeps cost and weight relatively low, while delivering a top-end over 30 mph (they say they’ve reached the mid-30s on sea trials). And truth be told, there isn’t a 16-footer on the planet that really needs to go any faster than that.
LWhen it comes to finding a small, simple, relatively inexpensive skiff, your choices in this day and age are depressingly limited. And the few that are available new tend to be mass-produced boats that are short on character and pricier than expected. If you’re looking for a boat that’s perfect for a morning of crabbing, an afternoon of fishing, and a full day of fun on the tributaries, the Cotton Thomas Calvert 16 offers an option that shouldn’t be missed.
For more information visit the builder’s website at mispillionmarine.com
ooking for a fishing boat that lets you hang out and relax as you hang your bait over the side? A Hammocraft might be exactly what you’re searching for. Available in kit form for SUPs and kayaks, the Hammocraft frame and hammocks let you transform your watercraft into a seagoing snooze machine. Poles are 6061 aluminum, corner connectors are stainless-steel, and hammocks are, well, hammocks. Visit hammocraft.com if you’re ready to start lazing for largemouth and snoozing for stripers.
# M-E-G-A rock like this will plaster a smile on any angler’s face. Remember, hold fish with one hand on the jaw (not under the gill plate) and the other supporting it by the anal fin.
M-E-G-A Rock
Your chance to land a new PB rockfish could be right around the corner.
By Lenny Rudow
While striped bass stocks may be depressed and our summer fishery certainly isn’t what it once was, we here in Chesapeake country are still major-league lucky. Even though the big, beautiful trophy fish head north every year they’re also guaranteed to come back. And while we can’t be assured of the exact timing, we know for a fact that we’ll get a shot at those fish either as winter sets in, as spring approaches, or both.
The When
For several years running there’s been an arrival of trophies along with cold weather, much as there was back in the early 2000s when they often showed up as early as mid-November. In more recent times it’s been mid-December, with action lasting into early January
before water temps dropped down so far that the fish became inactive.
In March we’ll get another shot at the trophies out on the open Bay. Much depends on the weather, of course, but at some point during this month opportunities should arise. Historically April would have been an
even better time to target them and you still can if they’re in southern waters, but of course in Maryland the month of April has been closed even to catch and release—despite that fact that the open Bay waters where catch and release was previously allowed are 20-plus miles from the nearest spawning areas. The
DNR has showed some willingness to reassess whether allowing for an April catch-and-release fishery makes sense, especially considering that release mortality is exceptionally low at this time of year (in the neighborhood of one to two percent depending on which figures you believe). We shall see.
Whether they show up this month or we have to wait until spring approaches, the 40-degree barrier is key. As a general rule of thumb once water temps fall below that mark the fish won’t eat, even if you dangle an irresistible temptation right in front of their noses. And as the waters warm back up, that’s the point at which they’ll start pursuing baitfish again. One exception: warm water discharges, which can remain productive right through the winter.
The Where
These are wild critters we’re talking about, people, so predicting exactly where they’ll show up weeks or months in advance is a fool’s errand. That said, there are a few perennial winners. At the mouth of the Bay the CBBT often produces early winter runs on these fish. True, it happens a lot less these days than it did a decade or more ago, but
there’s still a good bet that some anglers will pick up new PBs here before the month is out.
The mouth of the Potomac is another regular hot zone. Just where the fish pop up is anyone’s guess but the entire area from Smith Point to Point Lookout, a mile or two out into the Bay and a mile or three going up the river, is often a good bet.
For the past several years the Middle Bay has also experienced an excellent run, with schools of fish popping up anywhere from Calvert Cliffs to the Choptank to Poplar Island. The mid-Bay waters between the Choptank and Chesapeake Beach often offered the hottest bite in 2024, with some good action on the west side clear up to Franklin Manor.
Of course, as we said, these fish will do whatever the heck they want and every year is different. During the post-moratorium resurgence there were seasons when they staged at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and there were seasons when they decided to skip entering the Bay altogether and spent the winter months in the ocean or off the North Carolina coast. There’s just no way of knowing what will happen—
but be ready, because if it happens in waters you can reach you’ll have a shot at tugging on one 40-inch-plus rockfish after the next.
The How
Back in the day many anglers targeted these fish with stock-and-trade spring trophy trolling tactics. Planer boards, tandems, and umbrellas were the gig. The old methods still work today, though stinger hooks should be removed from your trolling rigs; during March the use of stingers in Maryland waters is prohibited while trolling, as is the use of barbed hooks (barbless only). Also note that trollers are limited to six lines during March.
Eeling is also prohibited in Maryland during this timeframe, but eels are still fair game in Virginia waters. Some anglers prefer to drift them over shoals and bumps, others slow-troll them along bottom, and exceptionally hearty anglers will bundle up and head for the CBBT after dark to fish them under floats along the bridge light-lines. It can get very, very cold out there, but the brave souls who partake in this midnight madness often out-catch anglers fishing in broad daylight.
# In recent years the waters near Poplar Island and the mouth of the Choptank have accounted for some magnificent catches.
Fishing plastics, jigging spoons, and sometimes even topwater with light tackle is the main tactic applied in the Bay’s more northern waters. Often the fish will break into surface frenzies and give away their location—this is the perfect opportunity to chuck that big topwater lure and enjoy the surface explosion of a lifetime—and other times it’s possible to locate the schools on the meter and vertically jig. One- to two-ounce spoons work well depending on the fish’s depth, as do one- to two-ounce leadheads rigged with sevento 10-inch soft plastics. Use smaller offerings and you’ll catch more 20- and 30-somethings, and remember that on occasion the elephants want to eat peanuts, too.
Few forms of fishing are as thrilling as catching these monsters on jigging sticks, but we should note that “light tackle” is a relative term and we don’t want to over-play these fish. They stand the best chance of survival when the fight is relatively short and they still have plenty of energy left when you
slide the hook out and release them, so 20-pound gear should be considered minimal.
We can’t say where or when those trophy rockfish will show up, but we
# Seven- to 10-inch plastics are great offerings for these fish.
know one thing for sure: they’ll be back. We might not be as lucky as we once were, but we’re still very, very lucky. And your new PB rockfish could be right around the corner. #
Meaningful Measures
We know you’ve seen this before if you’re a regular reader of FishTalk and we hate to repeat ourselves, but protecting these fish and ensuring they swim off safely is too important to neglect. So, always be sure that:
• When taking a picture, lip the fish with one hand while staying clear of the gills and gill plate, slide the other hand under the fish just aft of its belly as you lift its head, and hold it horizontally. (Holding them vertically by the jaw alone can cause serious injury). As you remove the fish from the water take a gulp of air and hold your breath. When you run out of air remind yourself that the fish can’t breathe either, and get it back into the water asap. After you get a picture or if you don’t need one, release fish by lipping them next to the boat and removing the hook without taking them out of the water.
• Minimize netting these fish. We understand that in some scenarios (such as catching a new PB), you’ll want to bring the fish aboard, but do it as gently as possible. Never, ever use a landing net with knotted nylon. If you have one throw it away, please, and get a release net with mesh covered in rubberized coating. Don’t drop or dump the fish onto the deck, where it may flop around and injure itself. The netter should maintain control while the angler removes the fish from the net using the same method as described for removing a fish from the water. Then get your picture, and return the fish to the water asap.
• Remember that anything dry and/or absorbent touching the fish can remove its protective coat of slime. Always wet your hands, any article of clothing, or anything else before allowing it to come into contact with the fish. It can be awfully cold out there in December so remember to pack a towel for drying your hands afterwards.
• Crimp your barbs to minimize injury to the fish. Of course, it’s not illegal start with a barb if you want to using jigging tackle, but after catching a trophy or two why not grab the pliers and crimp it down for additional fish?
• If a fish isn’t kicking and kicking hard, revive it. Hold it by the lower jaw in the water and swim it in a figure-eight, or idle the boat forward to get water pumping over its gills. When the fish bites down on your finger, you know it’s recovered enough energy to swim off.
FISHING JERKBAITS
for Beginners
With a little jerk here and a little tug there, here a jerk, there a jerk, everywhere a jerk-jerk…
By Staff
If you read the FishTalk fishing reports on a regular basis there’s a good chance you’ve seen the term “jerkbait” pop up plenty of times, and if you want to catch more, bigger fish, jerkbaits definitely belong in your arsenal. These slender hard baits come in many different shapes, sizes, and forms, and there will be times when a jerkbait out-catches just about any other offering.
What is a Jerkbait?
This is actually a rather tough question to answer, because there are so many different forms of the lure and there’s no “official” definition. The term doesn’t exactly appear in sources like Merriam-Webster. But it does show up in the Wiktionary defined as “a type of fishing lure having a swimbait-like slender body that resembles a small baitfish, a
short steeply angled bill, and usually two or sometimes three treble hooks.”
That’s not a terrible definition, though we’d argue about the treble hooks (if it does have them switching for inline singles will make life easier for both you and the fish). The bottom line? You could call just about any hard bait with a long, thin profile and a bill a jerkbait
without being too far off base. Some anglers and some lure manufacturers might also call a lipless lure a jerkbait, while others would switch to the term twitchbait. Some anglers and manufacturers might call two very similar lures either jerkbaits or crankbaits, though most will agree that lures with deeper lips and squat bodies are cranks. And then there’s the term stickbait, which
# Largemouth bass, striped bass, speckled trout—you name it, that fish will smack a jerkbait. Photos courtesy of Eric Packard
FISHING JERKBAITS for Beginners
some people apply to all of the above and others use to describe some soft plastic versions of similar lures. The bottom line? It’s all open to interpretation, so don’t get too hung up on it.
That said, there’s one thing all jerkbaits have in common: they’re intended to be retrieved with a mix of cranking and jerking. If it’s called a twitchbait, on the other hand, it’s probably designed to be paused and twitched during the retrieve. And if it’s designed to be reeled back with a steady retrieve it’s probably labeled a crankbait. Note, however, that any mix of these retrieve styles can work better or worse with any shape or size lure on any given day—regardless of what the manufacturer stamped on the label.
How to Fish a Jerkbait
Fishing a jerkbait is pretty darn straightforward: cast it out, then retrieve while giving the rod tip an extra jerk every now and again. What speed, cadence, and rhythm will be most effective changes from day to day according to the fish’s mood. Your best move is to try varying all these different factors until you start getting bites, then try to use the same style unless and until it stops working.
In some scenarios jerkbaits also work great for trolling. Kayak anglers or those fishing from Jon boats often find slow-trolling them to be effective, especially if you hold the rod and give it an extra tug every so often. At speeds over a couple of mph, however, some jerkbaits will roll onto their sides or may spin.
When to Fish a Jerkbait
This is one of the most important questions to ask, because most jerkbaits will run at a specific depth range. Casting a jerkbait that swims two feet beneath the surface won’t do you
# Jerkbaits come in all shapes and sizes, but most are long, thin, and have a relatively small lip.
much good if the fish are sitting on bottom 20’ below. The bottom line? Try fishing a jerkbait whenever the depth range of the fish matches up with the depth range of the lure. But…different jerkbaits run at different depths. Some sink, some float, and some are neutrally buoyant. Sinkers allow you to cast out and count before you begin retrieving, to get an approximation of the running depth. Floaters will dive to a specific depth then float back towards the surface when you pause. And neutrally buoyant jerkbaits will dive to a specific depth right after you
begin retrieving. With most of these, a couple of hard cranks on the reel will get them to that depth and they’ll stay there for most of the retrieve, until line angle pulls them back up towards the surface.
This is where you, dear angler, need to have a good understanding of your gear—and of the fish. You’ll need to know which jerkbait in the box runs shallow and which runs deep. Then, match that up with your best guess as to what depth the fish are likely to be found considering the time of year, conditions, nearby structure, and bait. Simple… right? #
For more article on how to learn to fish, visit fishtalkmag.com/tag/fishing-beginners
Getting into Hot Water Fishing at the Calvert Cliffs warm water discharge.
By Wayne Young
Knowing how to fish the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant (CCNPP) warm-water discharge stream greatly increases the probability of a successful fishing trip there, and with this in mind, years ago I went on a pre-season catch-and-release guided trip with Walleye Pete Dahlberg before taking my own boat into the discharge stream. I wanted to learn bottom structure, local operating conditions, and site-specific fishing techniques. My observation was that turbulence there could tip a small boat and pull a person under. I also observed that the extreme outflow created a jet-like effect which produced suction that drew in surrounding water and baitfish, which are delivered to waiting stripers. Learning this site and how to fish it under various operating conditions was going to take many trips.
This hotspot eats tackle, especially from those who don’t know how to fish it—as I certainly learned during that first trip, and subsequent trips, with Pete. Of course, you could just go there and toss jigs into the turbulence and sometimes catch a fish. But knowledge of the structure configuration and jigging mechanics in high-current flow are fundamental to fishing it effectively. My recommendation based on personal experience: invest in guided trips so that you can focus on learning the site and building effective hands-on skills to fish it. That said, the following observations will give you a jump start.
CCNPP Site Configuration
The nuclear plant’s water intake and discharge are regulated. Cold water intake occurs inside the charted restricted area shown on Chart 1. The cooling water is drawn in from an uncharted dredged intake channel that extends out to the northeast directly in front of the plant and out to deeper water. Channel depth isn’t charted and charted contours often aren’t correct here. The channel is very wide and current veloc-
ity is relatively slow, thereby minimizing entrapment of fish and baitfish at the intake control structure. Cold water is more dense than warmer surface water, so the current flow would be more along the bottom than near the surface. The channel’s location also puts it in position to receive bait carried north on an incoming tidal current.
The warmwater discharge occurs from a subsurface concrete structure off the northeast corner of the power plant shoreside complex. The structure consists of four concrete conduits. Least depth at the top of the structure is about six feet. The base is at a depth of about 15’. There’s a narrow scour trench at each corner that drops down two to three feet. The bottom in front of the discharge is about 17’ down and quickly slopes down to about 20’ of depth 100’ in front of the structure, and then slopes down to a depth of 25’ about 150 yards out.
The discharge feeds into a canal that is oriented from the outlet towards the northeast paralleling edge, with a shoal
along its northern side. The outlet structure is protected from scour by huge rocks directly in front and by additional rocks which line and stabilize the canal bottom.
Hydrographics
The discharge rate is nominally 1.2 million gallons per minute per each of the two generating units, or 2.4 million gallons per minute when both are generating at full capacity. The discharge volume and strength of the current varies depending on whether or not the plant is generating electricity at full capacity. So, how do baitfish end up in front of the outlet with all this water rushing out? The fluid dynamics that enable this are incredibly complex. All the formulas included in hydrodynamic modeling, theoretical studies, and assessments of this site and other warm water discharges look like just a bunch of squiggles on paper to me. But sorting through the details led to some basic insights.
# The author during his first trip to Calvert Cliffs. Photo courtesy of Walleye Pete
The discharge stream is a three-dimensional thermal plume characterized as a turbulent jet with a stratified flow and a semi-free boundary. The plume shoots up from the openings in the outlet, as the excavated canal provides a semi-bounded pathway that steers water flow towards the northeast, thereby providing separation between the outflow and the intake feeder channel to the south. Water temperature can be no greater than 12 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than ambient Bay water. Stratification occurs with the warm jet on top and a cold-water wedge underneath, which slopes up towards the bottom of the outlet.
The turbulent jet plume produced by this dynamic discharge has both momentum and rises due to being warmer than the surrounding water. The latter reduces or eliminates vertical mixing between the thermal plume and the underlying water close to the outlet, where the dominant force is the momentum of the discharge. This produces the turbulent surface flow we see shooting up and out in front of the outlet.
The net effect is stratification in the water column with the plume on top and a cold-water wedge underneath, with the thicker part of the wedge
Editor’s Note
Ever since the 1970s the CCNPP has been an awesome hotspot—and a source of controversy and angst among some anglers. Remember, everyone is out there to have fun, nobody “owns” any fishing spot including this one, and every angler has equal claim to be there. If you fish here you have to expect there to be a crowd, especially on weekends. That said, it’s always best to be considerate:
• When deciding whether to anchor or drift consider how many people you might inconvenience in one way or the other.
• Stealth is important, and noise can shut off the bite. Yelling, stomping on the deck, slamming hatches, and shifting into and out of gear are just a few of the things that do the trick. See “Spooking Fish with Your Boat” at FishTalkMag.com to learn more about how we sometimes scare the fish off.
• Staying out of the current and casting into it rather than drifting through it will minimize the amount of noise created directly over the fish.
• Try to stay outside of casting distance of other boats, but remember that different boats drift at different speeds and it’s often impossible to maintain a measured distance. If you feel someone’s getting too close recognize that they may have positioned their boat respectfully, but simply got pushed in an unexpected manner by the current or wind.
• When motoring up to the outflow after a drift, circle wide and stay at preplaning speeds so you don’t accidentally wake all the other anglers.
directly in front of the outlet. However, turbulence can at times reach all the way to the bottom, especially when rough surface conditions interact with the discharge stream.
Striped bass forage and feed where current delivers or disorients baitfish.
So, bait interaction with prevailing current is an important consideration. Fishfinders often show baitfish in front of the outlet and within the canal below the plume turbulence. And right in front of the outlet on the bottom is often where large striped bass stage in ambush. Note that they are not wasting energy fighting the jet stream—they’re under it. That’s why keeping your lures in close contact with the bottom is so important. My observation is that the discharge creates suction immediately off the face of the outlet at its northeastern and southeastern corners which draws in cooler water from outside the plume. The draw on the north side seems stronger, especially when tidal currents are ebbing. On a calm day just after the flood starts, I’ve also observed incoming current pushing water up against the southwestern edge of the discharge current. Baitfish caught up in this are drawn into the discharge stream, which concentrates and disorients them, and then delivers them to or above stripers waiting along the bottom for a meal. Baitfish also visit the heavily biofouled rocks coming in from the sides of the canal under the stratified warm water layer.
# Chart 1: Calvert Cliffs layout annotated to show water flow and baitfish movement. Chart screenshot from NOAA Bathymetric Data Viewer.
Conditions are dynamic and continually changing, so fish can be found almost anywhere under and sometimes in the moving current. Look for speckled trout farther out in the stream under the turbulence and sometimes closer to the edges of moving current.
Fishing the CCNPP
Regardless of water flow mechanics, the basic fishing technique used here most often involves jigging with lead-head jigs tipped with plastics such as BKDs or paddletails. Use a moderately heavy leader to mitigate the abrasion of rubbing against rocks and as little weight as necessary to touch bottom in the current flow (usually an ounce, sometimes a bit more). Cast upstream to allow your jig to fall to the bottom, otherwise it will “float” in the current as your line gets stretched out downstream. Anglers should start snap-jigging immediately the instant it touches bottom and don’t let it rest or drag, or it will most likely snag.
Where to start casting depends on conditions and your best guess. Some anglers drive the boat into the discharge stream, starting as close as practical to the upwelling on the Bay side of the outlet, and ride the current out towards the east. In this case they may drop the jigs as soon as the boat settles and jig vertically. Sometimes the current will carry the boat in the stream all the way out to where it disperses. Other times the current will spit the boat out to either side. But note that sometimes fish are farther out in the stream, especially schoolie stripers and speckled trout. The way to figure this out is to ride the current jigging your way out until you find the prevailing sweet spot.
Another way to fish the site is to either drift or anchor on either side of the outfall and cast in. Jigs should be worked the same way, snapped along in close proximity to the bottom. This works, although anchoring limits the area that can be covered plus finding bottom once the jig is carried downstream can be next to impossible. Some anglers will set up a round-robin of sorts when anchoring, with each indi-
vidual casting upstream then moving to the downstream side of the boat once the jig hits bottom, so the next angler can move in for their upstream cast.
Anchoring adjacent to the outfall when other boats are fishing the stream blocks their access and can be contentious. When this happens, it’s not uncommon for other boats to push into the stream from behind the outfall directly over the top and split the distance between the anchored boats. Boats will also push in from the side fairly close to the anchored boats and drop lines once the current grabs the boat and starts carrying it downstream away from the blocking boats.
Sometimes Calvert Cliffs provides fishing conditions suitable for smaller boats when the main stem Bay is too rough for an enjoyable fishing experience. Other times a breeze running counter to the outflow can cause large, dangerous standing waves. Even when it’s calm there is always turbulence and undercurrents. A person who falls overboard can be sucked down, tumbled around, and held underwater. Don’t take a chance here. My recommendation is to always wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), even when on a charter boat or on a guide trip since they don’t have special exemption from Murphy’s Law. #
As well as being a regular contributor to FishTalk, Wayne Young is the author of multiple books detailing wrecks and fishing reefs in the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and beyond. All are available at Amazon.com, and you can find his Facebook page at “Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reefs.”
# Top – Down-looking sonar scan showing turbulent warm water top layer and relatively quiet area immediately above the rocky bottom in front of the outlet. Bottom – Several fish in the relatively quiet zone below the heavy plume turbulence. This image was taken at the end of the large rocks about 150 yards in front of the outlet. Sonar scans by the author.
Electric Boats for Fishing
Fishing from electric boats has some serious advantages, but are these things ready for prime time?
By Lenny Rudow
If you’ve done any fishing on electric boats you already know that doing so is a tremendous pleasure. There’s no growling engine noise, harsh vibrations, or exhaust to breathe, and as long as the batteries have power their reliability is downright magnificent. Those are the upsides. But there are bound to be downsides, too. And in the grand scheme of things, this tech is quite new. It’s constantly changing and the options are limited, so anything you buy today may well be considered archaic in a couple of seasons. At this point in time, should you even consider electric boats for fishing?
Electric Boats Versus Electric Outboards
The first thing to note is that even using the term “electric boat” is a bit of a misnomer. There are very, very few fishing boats (or boats in general for that matter) that are designed from the ground up for electric power. There’s the X Shore lineup, which includes a 26’ long straight-inboard center console. There’s
a handful of very small boats, like the 10’ Freedom Electric Marine Twin Troller. And there are several conceptstage boats like the Lurion iOn21 electric bass boat, which have yet to be proven in real-world use. But the vast majority of the fishing machines being marketed as electric boats are really models designed for gas power which have been adapted or tweaked in minor ways to accommodate electricity.
#
Electric outboards, on the other hand, are becoming more and more common. At this point most anglers have heard of Torqeedo, ePropulsion, and Elco, and industry powerhouse Mercury jumped into the fray a few years ago with their Avator line. Most are relatively small at 15 or fewer horsepower, but Torqeedo’s offerings do go up to 80-hp and there are options from lesser-known players clear up to 300-hp (in the form of the Evoy Storm).
While the design of a boat built for gasoline outboards may not be ideal for an electric outboard, truth be told it’s pretty darn close. Bolt on the powerplant and the only thing left to worry about is trading out the fuel tank for batteries, right? Pretty much, but…
The Fatal Flaw of Electric Boats
The biggest drawback to electric boats remains the same as it’s always been: limited range. Boats don’t have wheels, and they require a lot more power than cars do to move at cruising speeds. They don’t enjoy the benefits of regenerative braking (when energy is recaptured and fed to the battery by a car as it brakes). And they certainly don’t get to coast downhill. As a result, an electric boat needs gobs of juice
Batteries, meanwhile—even the latest and greatest LiFePO4 batteries—pack a meager punch when compared to fossil fuels. Burning that dinosaur juice we get around 65 times as much energy density as high-end lithium batteries can provide. That’s not problematic when you’re
The three-horse electric outboard provides plenty of range and speed on the author’s little pond-hopper.
powering a 36-volt electric bow-mount to creep through the shallows and SpotLock all day long, but when the task is fire-hosing 800 volts to 300 horsepower as you keep a 25-foot center console on plane, all that energy gets burned up fast. Really fast, and planing electric boats generally get just a few dozen miles of range when running at the speeds we’re used to enjoying on our gas hogs.
If you only plan on making short runs and plugging in between uses, an electric boat might fit the bill and any angler would find it a superior experience as opposed to using internal combustion to get from Point A to Point B. But if you plan on running out into the Bay and fishing all day? Forgeddaboudit.
Electric Fishing Boats That Work
Considering all of the above, why even bother talking about electric fishing boats at this point in time? Because for those of us who will be fishing tributaries, reservoirs, or enclosed bodies of water on a small boat, opting for an electric outboard could be an excellent move. With boats that don’t need to plane and don’t need to travel farther than 20 or so miles in a day of fishing, those smaller motors can more than get the job done. A threehorse electric with an integrated LiFePO4 battery on a 12’ Jon boat will get you close to 10 miles of range at full-tilt speeds of six or so mph; around 20 miles of range at four mph; and over 50 miles trolling around at a crawl of two and a half mph. Battery weight for this sort of capacity is around 20 pounds, so it’s easy enough to double these figures even on a small boat by grabbing a second battery.
A critical factor to consider if you’re thinking about getting a small electric outboard is the battery system. Most modern manufacturers (including all we mentioned earlier except for Elco) offer outboards up to five or so hp with a purpose-built, clip-on or drop-in battery. While going this route does eliminate the possibility of hooking up to additional external power sources, it makes for a clean, easy-to-use, portable package, with no external connections or additional battery storage needed. If you’re on the fence between five horses or six, this factor is a strong argument in favor of the smaller powerplant.
CHA-CHING!
Wait a sec, we know what you’re thinking—it has to cost more to go with an electric boat, right?! Well, yes. In the case of large boats with big motors and uber-potent battery banks, it can cost a LOT more. That 300-hp Evoy is advertised at around $80K, which is more than double the cost of a gasoline powerplant in the same size range. But the motors themselves aren’t even what creates the biggest dent in your bank account, because the cost of batteries can be downright shocking. A quad 63 kWh battery bank that gets you a hair under 30 miles of range and a charger pushes frighteningly close to the $200K mark.
The cost differential shrinks the smaller you get. A gasoline three-horse, for example, will cost around $1200, while an electric in that size range goes for a little over twice as much including a battery. Again, most of the cost is in the battery rather than the motor itself; spare batteries for these motors generally go for $1000 or more.
True, you’ll never have to buy gas for that outboard, but it will take a lot of fishing time to recoup the investment.
Then again, that’s not what fishing from an electric boat is all about. And don’t worry, we’re not about to get all treehugger on you or anything. While we applaud the idea of reducing that carbon footprint, we’d never ask an angler to sacrifice his or her fishing prowess to make it happen. The real motivator here is having a better day of fishing out on the water, and electric motors do make that a reality. I’ve been running my pond-hopper on a three-horse ePropulsion for close to five years, and I’ll never buy a gasoline eggbeater for a boat 14’ or smaller again. It’s just too darn pleasant to cruise down the river in silence, maneuver the boat without having to crank or yank, and fuel up by walking into the house and plugging in.
Back to the original question: should you even consider electric boats for fishing? In the case of small boats used on small waterways, the answer is an emphatic heck yes. In the case of slightly larger boats, a cautious maybe. And in the case of full-sized Bay-worthy fishing machines, a plain and simple nope. At least, not yet.
# The Freedom Electric Marine Twin Troller is one of the few boats out there designed specifically for electric power, in this case with a pair of 45-pound thrust motors integrated into the hulls.
White Christmas
Are you dreaming of white perch for Christmas?
By Staff
As temperatures begin to plummet and the chill of winter sets in many anglers will be thinking about the holidays, the new year, and… the end of the fishing season? Balderdash! As any Chesapeake dweller should know, the fishing season never ends around here—it merely changes. If you’re willing to bundle up and brave the cold you have plenty of options for casting and catching. And one that often gets overlooked is the early winter white perch bite.
White perch are one of the most prolific fish in the Bay, and you can catch them from all the way north in the Elk River clear down south to the Elizabeth. True, their numbers have been lagging in recent seasons in many areas. Yes, they’ve had poor spawns similar to rockfish performance the past few springs. But there are still lots of white perch out there and when the water grows cold they school up tight, which means you can enjoy red-hot action.
Finding Winter White Perch
The white perch migration is a fairly simple one to wrap your head around. In the summer they spread out in tributaries, creeks, and over oyster bars and shoals. As temperatures drop out they move to deeper waters around structure and edges and school up tight. And in the spring they run up the tribs to spawn before scattering out again. As the holidays grow close expect them to be packing together and heading for holes and channels of 20plus feet of water, sometimes depths triple that or even more, especially where there’s good structure.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is an excellent example of a reliable winter white perch hotspot. In the summer
you might find perch here at just about any piling in just about any depth but by the time water temperatures drop into the low 50s you’ll usually discover that the perch have balled up in 30’ to 50’. The sheer drop-offs and edges around
the rockpiles are commonly a great place to find them. Similarly, deepwater bridge pilings on the lower tributaries, like the Route 4 bridge on the Patuxent, the 301 bridge on the Potomac, the Route 3 bridge on the Rappahannock, etc., are
# Fish nuggets for Christmas! Fish nuggets for Christmas!
# John may have had to put on a few extra layers, but the effort paid off.
all good bets when the water temps are in the 50s down to the mid-40s. Once the bottom drops out on the thermometer and it goes into the lower 40s the bite becomes much tougher, but you can usually still tempt the fish into giving you a nibble or two. Deep drop-offs and open water holes can hold winter perch, too, especially if bait and other predators are around. In fact, it’s not uncommon to pick up perch when jigging deep for late season rockfish if your spoon is small enough. When you see fish on the meter on bottom in 30’ to 50’ of water along a channel edge in the open Bay and the stripers aren’t biting, try dropping down a smaller offering and you might be surprised with the results. Which brings us to…
Getting Winter White Perch Biting
There are a number of offerings that will get winter whites chomping. Old timers will likely drop a top-and-bottom rig baited with bloodworm bits or small minnow. Some anglers will rig up a tandem rig with relatively large jigheads (to reach down deep) and relatively small plastics. But the tactic that’s proved most effective for many anglers over the years is to tie on a relatively compact one-ounce fast-sinking jigging spoon on 15-pound test, with a three-inch bare dropper hook about three feet up the leader.
The spoon does most of the work when it comes to getting down deep and staying there, and is often very productive. The dropper hook lets you experiment by adding on a 2.0” to 2.5” plastic, a piece of bloodworm, or a small bull minnow. If you aren’t getting strikes, switch the color, flavor, and/or profile of the offering on the dropper until you figure out what the fish want. White, red/white, blue/ white, purple, and chartreuse are good options to try, and sometimes switching between tube jigs and twister tails makes all the difference in the world.
Drop the rig all the way down to the bottom, reel in slack until your rod tip is near the water level, and start jigging with long sweeps of the rod; slowly at first but if that doesn’t work pick up the pace. Every so often stop jigging and hover the rig a few feet off bottom for a second or two. Keep changing up the presentation until you get a few strikes and figure out what the fish want.
We’re all looking forward to unwrapping those presents in a warm, cozy living room… and the chilly breeze and falling snowflakes make it a lot tougher to get motivated, bundle up, and head out the door. But people, there are still fish to be caught. And as the other bites thin out winter white perch will fill the gap—if you remind yourself that in Bay country, the fishing season never really ends.
# Jigging spoons will produce plenty of perch, and adding a dropper a few feet up the line lets you experiment with different offerings.
The Artful Angler
Part I: Parameters & Parabolics
Do you dream of casting with your own custom creation? Let’s make it happen!
By Staff
Maybe you prefer custom over mass-produced, maybe you want to give an angler a gift with real meaning, or maybe you just like fishing with the best. In any of those cases you might want to build a fishing rod rather than buy it. And thanks to a helping hand from Angler’s Resource, we’re going to show you how to make it happen with this three-part series on custom rod-building.
There’s a special thrill that comes from catching a fish using your own resources. Whether you’re using a rod you built with your own two hands, flinging a home-made lure, or just using some creative thinking, it’s your individual efforts that fooled that finned critter—which makes the experience that much more fulfilling.
Of all the custom creations you can work on, building a custom fishing rod, or even an entire set of rods, is
one of the most rewarding. Every time you take a cast, jig the tip, or feel the subtle take of a light-biting predator, you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labor. Added bonus: you can build the rod to your own personal specifications and parameters to perform ideally for the ways you most enjoy fishing.
In this three-part series on custom rod building we’ll walk through the steps of turning an idea into a bunch of pieces-parts, then turning those
pieces-parts into a fish-catching reality. Step I: identifying the ideal rod for your needs, and then laying out exactly what you’ll need.
Choosing Your Build
Most of us fish for a wide range of species depending on the season, what species of fish are biting, and where the conditions allow us to fish on any given day. So, most of us have a wide range of rods sitting in the rack. Since we have to start our rod-building
# Nothing makes a cool catch cooler than reeling it in with your own custom-built fishing rod.
endeavors somewhere and will have to choose one specific type and size rod as a starting point, step one is narrowing down the options and choosing the build. Though it might sound like odd advice at first, we don’t suggest starting with your most favored type of fishing. Like any craft, rod building is a talent built with time, effort, and knowledge. While the first rod you build will meet the specifications you set and should perform as expected, it’s likely to have some wiggle in the wraps or some imperfections in the finish. It’s more likely to qualify as practice than perfection. So, while the ideal starting point for most people will be a rod that they use often, it won’t necessarily be the rig that they’ll covet the most.
Let’s say, for example, you’re a Bay angler who most commonly targets striped bass. And let’s say you enjoy jigging and maybe even catch the most fish that way, but it’s topwater action that really gets you excited. There are some subtle differences that make a rod better for one job or the other. Your ideal jigging stick might be a bit shorter to boost accuracy when zinging jigs under
docks, and have a super-fast action for instantaneous hook-sets. Meanwhile, your ideal topwater rod might benefit from increased length to maximize casting distance, and a slower action to give that plug a wide zigzag when you pump the tip to walk the dog. Even though you might use the jigging rod more often you’re likely to treasure the topwater rod more. In this scenario, it might be wise to start out by building a jigging rod this winter and save the topwater rod for next time, after you have some experience.
Once you’ve ID’d the specific type of rod you want to try building it’s time to set the parameters for rod length, weight, action, and power. (See “Choosing the Best Fishing Rod” at FishTalkMag. com if you need a refresher on how these characteristics interact.) With the concept fully formed, it’s time to move on to the next step of the process and detail exactly what you’ll need.
Creating a Build Sheet
A “build sheet” is generally used by a custom rodbuilder to outline a project for customers and come up with an estimate
of the cost. As a DIY builder you certainly don’t need to figure out the cost of your labor nor the pricing for decorative work, but laying out the basics of your build either on paper or in digital form is critical.
You can create an XL or grab the old-fashioned pad and pen and list out:
• The blank of choice and its specifications
• Reel seat brand, style, and size
• Brand, style, and size for the grips
• Guide details and spacing
• Tip size and style
• Thread size and color(s)
• Finish type
• Additional details and/or decorative work
Along with the actual rod components there are some specific tools you’ll need to build a rod. After choosing a well-lighted workspace with plenty of room for the rod you plan on building, you’ll want to outfit it with:
• A rod wrapper – This can be a simple set of sawhorse-like stands to rest the rod on as you wrap the guides, or it can be a motorized version so the rod turns by itself.
• Sandpaper, flexible sanding sponges, and reaming tools –You’ll need these to shape, finish, and size components like grips and reel seats. A Dremel tool comes in handy for this, too.
• Burnishing tools – These are used to make the thread wraps even and tight.
• A tape measure and calipers –Measuring out the spacing of guides and components is critical, as is measuring the internal and external diameter of some parts to ensure a perfect fit.
• Scissors and razor blades – Cutting tools will be needed for trimming thread, cutting tape, and slicing away frays.
• Masking tape – Having tape on hand will help you temporarily affix pieces and parts at various stages during the building process.
• Disposable cups and stirs – For mixing the epoxy.
• A rod dryer – Having a motorized rod dryer that slowly rotates the rod as it dries will ensure evenly spread epoxy and create uniform coatings. You can save some cash and do the rotating by hand while the rod sits in a non-motorized stand, like a manual rod wrapper. But you’ll need to hawk it as it dries and keep turning it regularly or risk having drips and droops in the epoxy. So, first-timers who are
# First things first: you’ll need to decide exactly what size and type of rod you’d like to build.
just getting their feet wet to see if they enjoy rod building might go manual to save a few bucks, but should realize that this will increase the workload and can be risky.
Adding Intel: Builder Resources and the GPS Calculator
The final step in prepping for a build is doing some research to wrap your head around each stage of the process. We’ll cover each step of building a rod in next month’s edition, but meanwhile, you’ll probably want to watch a few videos and read some additional articles on custom rod building.
Anglers Resource specializes in giving rod builders exactly what they need, and that includes knowledge. Click on the “Learn” tab at anglersresource.net and
Syou’ll discover Builder Resources, with articles and videos detailing everything from picking components to making specific types of thread wraps. The GPS Calculator is an especially helpful tool for building spinning rods from 5’6” to 9’0”, as it helps map out guide placement using Fuji’s proven New Guide Concept and KR Concept spacing systems.
Okay: are you ready to settle on a project and map out your plan? There’s a long winter ahead, anglers, and nothing will help it go by faster than thinking about fishing while you endeavor to make it even more fun than it already is—and up your angling game at the very same time. Make sure next season is the best ever, by taking those casts with your own hand-built custom fishing rod.
Building the Dream
tay tuned for next month’s installment, “The Artful Angler, Part II: Building the Dream.” Right now as you read this, FishTalk Contributor Eric Packard is wrapping guides and reaming grips as he builds his dream stick for stripers. In the January edition of FishTalk he’ll walk us through the process on a step-by-step basis and explain what tools and supplies are necessary. Then in February we’ll dive into Part III: Devil’s in the Details, and take a look at the cool custom touches you can add to your rod to make it a standout.
Take a Seat
By Eric Packard
Let’s talk about cushions for your kayak—bet you’re on the edge of your seat, right? It’s a subject you don’t hear people talking about too much, but if you spend hour upon hour sitting in a kayak taking cast after cast, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’m not sure how to put this, but it’s a true pain in the butt. The good news is that there’s a solution to relieve the pain in your posterior.
Wait a sec—do you really need a cushion for the seat in a high-end kayak? Well, first and foremost, the extra comfort will pay off on those extra-long days spent on the water. Aside from that many of us have back pain, sciatica, leg pain, and/ or numbness from sitting for long periods of time. Kayak cushions provide comfort, additional support, and enhance our endurance and
performance by preventing pain during those long days on the water. And fortunately, there are various options to meet your needs.
There are round cushions, square cushions, lumbar cushions, etc. So where do you begin? Start with the manufacturer of the kayak that you own. Search their websites for options that they may offer or recommend. You’ll find that many of the manufacturers sell cushions and back support items specifically for the models they produce. For example, it will run you $69.99 to get a Native Watercraft kayak cushion and $92.99 for those of you who own a Hobie. There are companies that make generic cushions too, usually round or square ones. YakAttack makes a cushion for $60 that fits most name brand kayaks. By flipping it over you get more or less firmness to meet your needs. Kayak Kushion makes cushions from $64 up to $69, and they also make a lumbar support for $45. Home Depot has them as well, their offer is for two cushions for $38.95. Most cushions have covers that are removable so that you can wash them or replace the cover as needed. Or, of course, you may be able to find a cushion designed for other uses that happens to fit the bill.
As for me, I didn’t need a cushion for years, then one day I did. So, I checked around and did some research. Then one day while at a local department store, I noticed a year-end closeout on patio furniture seat cushions on sale for an additional 10 percent off, so $5. It works, and I’ll use it until the next sale comes around and just pitch the old one at that time.
That said, take your time and do your research before you settle on a cushion. We all have different needs for comfort and performance while out on the water. And remember to take that cast in comfort, because a comfortable day on the water can only mean more casts and more fish in the box.
FISHING FORECAST
Gathered over the past month by Dillon Waters
Editor’s Note: We all know printed fishing reports are generalized, and weeks have passed before the report gets into your hands. 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. In the meantime, here’s our monthly prognostication.
Coastal
If you see those bluefin tuna busting water, well, wave at them and bid them well. Luckily tautog should be on the feed right about now too, and in recent years the inshore wrecks have been offering up a wide range of additional species in December: big chopper blues, knothead sea bass, and black and red drum, among others. Back on the beach, meanwhile, December always offers a chance of encountering a migrating striper or two, and the coastal bays will likely have plenty of schoolies to keep you busy.
Freshwater
The fish may be slowing down a bit but they’ll still be biting, and larger reservoirs in particular are often a good bet at this time of year. Expect pike and pickerel to be hunting, bass will often hit blade-baits fished deep, and crappie will likely be found suspended next to structure (especially bridge pilings) in deepwater areas. Musky and smallmouth fishing in the region’s rivers are good opportunities at this time of year, too, so also consider heading for those deeper pools.
Way North
Yellow perch should begin schooling up late this month, and while we wait for that to happen the smallmouth and walleye will likely be active in lower portions of the Susquehanna. Hopefully the striper bite will be an improvement over last season, too. The most reliable action, however, will almost certainly be the blue cats. December is an excellent month of the year to go after these fish and if you set up anywhere in the Port Deposit to Perryville stretch you can often catch all you can handle.
Upper Bay
Hopefully the striper bite will hold up until the end of the season (the 10th of the month is our final day keeping fish in these waters), and perhaps beyond that for catch-and-release anglers. By now the Baltimore-area creeks should also be offering up excellent pickerel action, and we note that every year in the CCA Winter Pickerel Championship multiple 25-inchplus fish come from this zone.
Middle Bay
Everyone will have their fingers crossed hoping that those big rockfish make a return showing this year. We can’t predict if it’ll happen, but if it does, expect the waters off Calvert Cliffs, the mouth of the Choptank, Chesapeake Beach, and Poplar Island to all hold potential. Just before and right around Christmas is often the peak of the action, and if they return the schools should be busting bait in 20’ to 40’ of water. Meanwhile the tributary pickerel fishing should be kicking into full swing this month. Grab some bull minnow, inline spinners, or jerkbaits, and hit the creek mouths and docks.
# Reports Editor Dillon Waters is ready for those chunky late-season stripers.
Lower Bay
Will the mouth of the Potomac be loaded up with striped bass this month? We certainly hope so, and historically this is one of the best areas to find fish during the month of December. The Rap should offer up some action, too, especially for trollers working from Urbanna down. And although the season closes December 10 in Maryland waters, striped bass remain in season in both the Potomac (PRFC waters) and Virginia. Those farther up the tribs may well want to target blue catfish, though, because they’ll be feeding hard as winter approaches.
Tangier, Pocomoke, and Lower Shore
The Sounds will likely hold some stripers this month, and last December there were sporadic bird shows from Tangier Island clear down to Cape Charles. The big news for anglers plying the area with small boats or kayaks, however, is likely to be the boost in action in the tributaries. The lower Eastern Shore rivers really come to life as water temps drop, with crappie and perch schooling up and pickerel and bass going on a rampage.
Way South
Monster stripers? We sure hope so! Eeling and trolling should both be good bets. It’s also a good bet that there will be reds and specks caught this month, particularly in the Elizabeth and the inlets. Remember that last year during this timeframe suspending MirrOlures and jerkbaits were killers.
# Chilly waters won’t stop those yellow perch from biting, right Herb?
2021 Sportsman Heritage 211 Yamaha F150XB 4-Stroke Outboard, Aluminum Trailer, Twin Garmin 943XSV, Hardtop, Dual Battery w/ Switch, Underwater Lights, Raw Water Washdown, Seakeeper Rideprofessionally installed by Riverside, Bow Filler Cushion, Cooler Slide, JL Audio Stereo, Premium Dual Chair Leaning Post, Bow Cushions w/ Backrests, Transom Full Bench Seat, Outrigger Bases, Prewire for Trolling Motor and Bracket. $64,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21279
2015 Sportsman Heritage 231 Yamaha F250XA Outboard (175 Hours), Venture Aluminum Tandem Axle Trailer w/ Brakes, Steel Blue Hull w/ White Bottom, Hardtop, Ski Tow Pylon, Dual Battery w/ Switch, Battery Charger, Underwater Lights, Garmin GPS, Simrad VHF, Raw Water Washdown, Trim Tabs, Under Leaning Post Tackle Storage, Cooler Slide. $55,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21322
2017 TideWater 230 XLF Yamaha F250 Vmax (253 Hours), 300hr Service was completed 2 years ago and a 100hr Service was completed this spring. Aluminum Tandem Axle Trailer, Garmin GPSMap, Standard Horizon Eclipse VHF, Gull Wings, Sprayshield, Dual Battery and Switch, Underwater Lights, White Bottom Paint, Trim Tabs, Outriggers, JVC Stereo KD-MR1BT, Missing 2 Cushions in Bow and 1 in the Transom, and more! $59,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21230
2017 Sportsman Open 232 Yamaha F200XB Outboard (413 Hours), (Trailer Available), Solid White Hull and Bottom, 12” Simrad GPS, Simrad VHF, Hardtop, Dual Battery w/ Switch, Portable Head, Raw Water Washdown, Trim Tabs, Under Leaning Post Tackle Storage, Cooler Slide. $59,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com , www.riversideboats.com #21320
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MARKETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS
Advertising Sales Representative Are you on a search for the ultimate full-time gig that pays you well, requires you to get out and enjoy the water, where all of your co-workers are super cool, and where flip-flops and shorts are considered business casual? We are in growth mode, and we are looking for that special advertising sales rep who understands how to work and play hard. If you think you will excel in creating sales and marketing solutions for advertisers, then we would love to chat with you. Contact mary@spf-360.com today!
MARINE SERVICES
Boating
Award
Suzuki Marine USA was honored with a 2025 EPIC Award from the editors of Soundings Trade Only magazine. This award, created to honor Exceptional, Purposeful, Innovative, Compassionate companies, was presented during the 2025 International Boatbuilders Exposition and Conference (IBEX) that concluded in October in Tampa, FL. The EPIC awards are judged by a panel of journalists and industry experts who carefully review dozens of nominated companies from all segments of the boating business. Suzuki Marine was chosen as an EPIC Award Winner for the Sustainability category, which was established to “recognize projects that use inventive design to meaningfully reduce harm to the environment, and for developing products with consideration to end-of-life cycles, a thoughtful utilization of materials for packaging, shipping, industrial design, and components.”
“We are grateful for this honor and are pleased to see Suzuki Marine’s long-running dedication to sustainability recognized by the industry,” said Brandon Cerka, Suzuki Marine vice president of sales and marketing. “Sustainability is not a one-time project at Suzuki Marine; it is a company-wide commitment. From the Micro Plastics Collecting Device on our outboard motors, to greatly reducing the use of plastics and sourcing more sustainable alternatives, to our focus on sustainable fuels, to cleaning up beaches and waterways across the country, Suzuki Marine is always looking for ways to improve. It’s great to see these efforts recognized, and we hope it provides a strong example for others in the boating industry to follow,” added Cerka. suzukimarine.com
Welcome to the Team
Josiah Carbone has joined the sales team at Yacht Brokers of Annapolis Growing up a Navy brat, the water was never far from reach for Josiah. Frequent moves were part of life, but it was in Maryland where he first put down roots. During high school, he spent his evenings working at a family-owned sailboat marina in his neighborhood, the place where his passion for the marine industry took hold. After restoring several dinghies, Josiah came across an opportunity to purchase a 1989 Catalina 30. Though he hasn’t yet embarked on a long expedition, it’s on the horizon. He went on to earn his OUPV Captain’s License and spent several years sailing the Chesapeake Bay. His professional journey continued at Riverside Marine, where he sold Sportsman and Bayliner boats for four years. His performance earned national recognition, receiving Top 10 Salesman awards from Sportsman for two consecutive years. “We’re thrilled to welcome Josiah to our sales team,” said Matthew Sansbury, owner of Yacht Brokers of Annapolis. “His experience, energy, and customer-focused approach make him a perfect fit for our growing team. We’re confident he will help drive new opportunities and strengthen relationships with our clients.” Josiah is committed to continuing his growth in the industry, combining deep experience, authentic passion, and a lifelong connection to the water. You can reach him at (757) 510-0154 or josiah@yachtbrokersofannapolis.com yachtbrokersofannapolis.com
New Places To Pick Up FishTalk
Let’s give a warm welcome to these new FishTalk distribution stops!
• Hampton Marina Hotel in Hampton, VA
• VA Department of Wildlife Resources in Henrico, VA Exxon in Chesapeake City, MD
• 410 Seafood in Chesapeake City, MD
• Stony’s Dockside Bar and Grill in Norfolk, VA
Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute Rudow’s FishTalk should contact the Rudow’s FishTalk office, (410) 216-9309 or beatrice@fishtalkmag.com.
Cover Contest
We received so many great submissions this year and we wish that every photo could be on the cover! Congratulations to Jonathan Riffe's photo of Weston and Shepard fishing with grandpa John for receiving the most votes. Here are a few of the runners up in the 2025 FishTalk December Cover Contest. Submit your cool catches anytime for our Reader Photos section (see page 23) to lenny@fishtalkmag.com
# Tilman caught his fish near bloody point. He loves fishing! He loves eating his catch too!
# Everett loves fall fishing on the Chesapeake!
# Dan and friends enjoyed chasing Cobia in the Chesapeake Bay.
# Patrick soaks in autumn skies and a striped prize.
# Charlie pulled in a nice rockfish at the Bay Bridge using a 5-inch paddle tail.
# John caught this PB 48-pound golden tilefish hand cranking a vertical jig!
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
