June brings on the first full fishing month of summer and with it some great opportunities for striped bass, bluefish, flounder, white perch and croaker. Its family fishing time at its best and with the youngsters fresh out of school what could be better than unwinding together on some fishing expeditions. Chumming for rockfish is getting the attention of many anchored up across favorite fishing locations in Maryland and Virginia waters. As Chesapeake Bay and the tributary confluences continue to warm, early morning anglers will be looking for signs of diving birds and breaking fish. Casting or jigging bucktails into feeding stripers will become first morning priorities as this favorite kind of fishing gets underway. Once the bluefish arrive, bucktails will give way to diamond jigs and spoons. Drifting for flounder will be a popular pastime across all of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay and part of Maryland’s. June is the month when those who go “flukin” drift the edge of channels and drop-offs where flounder hide to ambush small baitfish. Croaker or hardheads as they are called are providing some great bottom fishing action. Wind your way up the creeks and backwater tributaries of the bay and tidal rivers and there is some great skinny water fishing for white perch. This can be some of the best experience to get the really young ones interested in. Rig up light spinning tackle or even cane poles with bobbers and small hooks. Grass shrimp are the best bait for whit perch but peeler crab will also work. There is plenty to enjoy and experience just being out on the water this month, but Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has provided another reason to spend time fishing this summer season. 

     The second Annual Maryland $1,000,000 Fishing Challenge, also known as the Return of Diamond Jim runs from Saturday, June 3 through Monday, September 4. An added bonus for the 2006 competition is that Maryland’s non-tidal lakes and streams join the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as waters eligible for winning prizes. Joining the DNR as sponsors are the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), Boater’s World Marine Centers, Toyota of Maryland, and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Five donated grand prizes include a chance at $1 million in cash, a 20’ center console Sailfish 206CC motorboat and trailer, a 18’ 7” Tracker Nitro 591 motorboat and trailer, and two 2006 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 pick-up trucks. As in last year’s event, there will be also be tagged fish which when caught will reward anglers as instant winners of prize packages.

     During each of the 13 weeks of the 2006 Diamond Jim tournament, a striped bass marked with a special yellow tag will be released. The lucky angler who catches that week’s tagged fish will win $25,000. During the 2005 Maryland Fishing Challenge, 103 fish were caught provided prizes for 102 anglers during the six-week challenge. Four of these were selected to compete for the $1 million grand prize. Maryland is on record as seeing this annual competition having two significant benefits; it demonstrates the productivity, diversity and value of Maryland’s fisheries resources, and generates enthusiasm for fishing in Maryland while garnering national recognition. 

     The 2006 Maryland Fishing Challenge is open to everyone legally licensed to fish in Maryland, and also to anyone fishing in one of the Maryland License Free Fishing Areas. Also eligible are those fishing on one of Maryland’s three Free Fishing Days (June 3, 10 and July 4). No registration is required and there are no fees to participate and no age restrictions apply. Adult anglers should take opportunity and the excitement of maybe catching a tagged fish worth a prize to teach younger anglers the joys of recreational fishing. For additional information on the species of fish that are being tagged and how to contact Maryland officials if you catch one, visit their website at www.dnr.maryland.gov/fish4cash/. 

© 2006 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved