The month of May included some of the best trophy striped bass fishing in years and this month could provide some of it’s own “lineside” excitement. With all three Chesapeake Bay area jurisdictions offering striped bass (rockfish) recreational fishing seasons this month, anglers are sure to have opportunities to enjoy some fishing. Include with your “rock time”some croaker fishing as the “hardheads” are again back in force. By mid-May, many inshore creeks and Chesapeake Bay tributaries from the Lower Potomac River in Southern Maryland to Tidewater Virginia provided significant catches of croakers. This action should continue for much of the summer. As for the rockfish, look for higher numbers to be landed with more fish in the 18 to 20 inch range being the predominant catch.

     The three striped bass (rockfish) seasons open during June in Chesapeake Bay waters are as follows: In Maryland, June 1-December 15, open in all Maryland Chesapeake Bay waters and tributaries with a daily creel limit of two fish per person per day at 18 to 28 inches or one fish at 18-28 inches and a second fish larger than 28 inches. Information on the 2003 striped bass seasons in Maryland can be obtained by calling Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service at 1-800-688-3467 (FINS). In Virginia, the current 2003 recreational striped bass season in Chesapeake Bay waters continues through June 15. Two fish per person per day at 18 to 28 inches are permitted with one of these allowed to be longer than 32 inches. For additional information, call the Virginia Marine Resources Commission at (757) 247-2200 or visit their website at www.mrc.state.va.us The Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) 2003 striped bass season now underway continues through December 31. During this season, the daily limit is two fish per person per day with an 18 inch minimum size and only one of these can be over 28 inches. For additional information, call the PRFC at 1-800-266-3904 or (804) 224-7148. 

     The annual Smith Point Sea Rescue’s Reedville Bluefish Derby is scheduled for June 13th and 14th with a deadline for entries being June 12 at 8:00 p.m. or when the 500th entry is received..This premier fishing tournament is a great way to enjoy some fishing competition and contribute to a local organization’s efforts to assist those in trouble on the water. The entry fee is $150 per boat and is considered a “charitable donation”, to Smith Point Sea Rescue. In addition to helping out with a local Northern Neck effort, those entered also get a crack at over $125,000 worth of cash and prizes, which is based on a minimum of 175 entries. Daily and overall categories are provided for both striped bass and bluefish. Registration and all events take place at Buzzard’s Point Marina. To get information about how to enter the tournament, call Jett’s Hardware at (804) 453-5325. 

     June is a favored month for family get-togethers, so remember to take the kids fishing. Sometimes your best fishing partner is sitting right across the dinner table from you. Youngsters like A.J. Bowman were treated to the thrill of a lifetime complete with his Dad- Wendell, Michael Sweeney, Ryan Nys and “Chester”as they wrestled in some big Chesapeake Bay trophy rockfish. Their May 10, 2003 experience aboard the “Mary Pauline” with Captain Sean Myers will be a positive memory for years. Keep the kids fishing and enjoy the time with them. For other events this month which are fun for the whole family, see the June, 2003 “Outdoors Online”.

© 2003 Chelly & Steve Scala All Rights Reserved