In its 15th year of celebration, Buddy Harrison’s invitational fishing tournament has become a welcomed tradition. The 2005 tournament was held on April 28th following an evening of friendly conversation, dinner, overnight stay and a hearty breakfast at Harrison’s Chesapeake House on Tilghman Island. Anglers boarded one of the many charter boats docked at Harrison’s, for a day of friendly competition. History has been kind to the Harrison Family who has made hard work and customer satisfaction the mainstay of their business. During the post-dinner introductions of those in attendance on April 27, several noted their being a customer of Harrison’s Chesapeake Hose for over 30 years, including one gentleman who stated he had been coming to Tilghman Island to fish with them for 60 years! A legacy of friends and relatives passing on the great hospitality, food, fishing and hunting available through the “Captains Harrison”, was given a well deserved mention during the 2005 event. Before the annual celebration ended, all in attendance enjoyed the sincere hospitality which Captain Buddy, his son Buddy Jr. and the rest of the staff provided. Harrison’s Country Inn and Sportfishing Center has some great package options which follow the fishing and hunting seasons. For information, call (410) 886-2121 or contact them via E Mail at, cheshse@goeaston.net. They also have a website at, www.chesapeakehouse.com

     The Harrison Family is well known for their philanthropic endeavors and support for community. During the evening of April 27, Buddy Harrison Jr. along with his father mentioned the fundraiser they were supporting on behalf of the Tilghman Island Fire Department. Like many rural communities, Tilghman and the surrounding community depend heavily on their local first responders, and the construction of a new firehouse and vital equipment has been answered by a local family and other supporters. On Sunday, May 15, 2005, Harrison’s Chesapeake House and Budweiser are sponsoring the Budweiser Tilghman Fire Co. Classic, in support of the Tilghman Island Volunteer Fire Department. Over $5,000 in prizes, including $2,500 for the largest rockfish will be awarded to those signed up for the competition. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first through fourth place winners. The registration fee is $125 per person for Charter boats and $65 per person for private boats. For registration information, call Captain Buddy at (410)-886-2109 or email captbuddy@chesapeakehouse.com 
 The reports of good striped bass fishing turned out to be even better than expected. Not long past dawn on the morning of April 28, anglers aboard the charterboats out of Harrison’s Chesapeake House found that Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay was the place to be for rockfish action. The annual gathering of guests invited by Captain Buddy Harrison and his Chesapeake House staff enjoyed Rockfish as large as 46 inches and 29 pounds. Even the most experienced anglers and captains were amazed at the fishing action as boats quickly reached their limits during the morning of the tournament. Big stripers hit lures trolled in the upper water column of deep channel waters across an area East of Deale, Maryland to South of Parkers Creek. A late and unseasonably cool spring had delayed the annual striped bass spawn and migratory movement to make the 2nd full week of the 2005 Maryland striped bass season, one for the record books.

     We along with many other anglers continue to be impressed with the continued and longstanding success of umbrella lures. For more than a decade, these multiple radial arm lures fitted out with sassy shad teaser baits and large bucktails have proven to be the lure of choice for anglers and charterboat captains alike. A new lure, known as the Alien, showed itself on the block during the 2005 Harrison’s Invitational Tournament. With their large green, blue or red eyes on either side of a large head attached to a bucktail like body, it is easy to see how their name was developed. Alien lures were the majority lure of choice by the Captains on both charterboats we were aboard on April 28, but the umbrella lures were still used as well. Although big stripers are traditionally found in the upper water columns of deep Chesapeake Bay channel waters in April and May, the boats we fished on also included a few deeper rigs via wire line reels. This can be a wise choice in the event conditions during part of the day keep the rockfish in the lower reaches. 

     This year, Steve fished aboard the Pamela Lee, with Captain Justin Firth. He was joined by Carl Engleman Jr., Ed Banks, Mark Higgins and Chris Knauss. Amid the traditional radio chatter and discussion about where to fish, Justin opted to work an area away from an already developing concentration of charterboats. With big stripers cruising the upper water columns, even slow trolling boats when concentrated over an area can have the potential to spook the fish and cause them to sound, or leave the area. The Pamela Lee slowed to rockfish speed among bay channel waters ranging from 100 to 108 feet. Even without a mate to assist him, Captain Justin quickly and efficiently got 13 rigs in the water. Six of these which were attached by quick release rings to large planer boards, rigged on the port and starboard sides of the 46 foot charterboat. First fish honors went to Carl Engleman Jr., followed by Ed Banks, and Chris Knauss. At one point the hook-up action was so fast, it was hard to keep up with who was reeling in the fish. All aboard the Pamela Lee enjoyed some great striper fishing on April 28, including having to release some fish while pulling in the lines. 

     Chelly fished aboard Cynbad, with Captain Glenn Higgins. With no fear in jinxing the trip, the Captain told his April 28 fishing party that earlier in the week he had as many as five fish on at one time! Joining Chelly was Martin Bruce of Manaca, Pennsylvania, a loyal fan of Harrison’s Chesapeake House. In 2005, he chose to invite his two brother-in-laws, Tim Cox (Murph), Tom Cox and their friend, Al Goldstrohm to join him in some fishing action at Harrison’s. All are from Pennsylvania, except Tom Cox is from Olustee, Oklahoma. They enjoyed great fishing every day of the week they fished with the Harrison charterboat fleet. Captain Higgins was joined by his son, Adam, who served as the first mate. Before they got all the lines in the water, the fish started hitting. Martin pulled in the first huge rockfish at 7:26 a.m., followed by his brother-in-law, Murph. Murph’s big striper would turn out to be the biggest fish caught that day onboard Cynbad. Chelly battled with the next rockfish, followed by Tom and Al. By 7:53 a.m., the Cynbad crew had their limit of monster rockfish, all ranging from 38 inches to 42 inches and weighing from 19 pounds to 27.2 pounds! The Cynbad crew of April 28 was done but the big rockfish weren’t; Martin caught and released a double header of 38 inches Rockfish, before they could get all the lines pulled in! Waters of 50-70 feet deep off of Parker’s Creek in Calvert County, Maryland were the place to be, as the Cynbad crew found out.. Green, blue eyed alien lures provided us with the most success. Other lures which saw action that day included skip-jacks with white sassy shads and Glenn’s own “Barney” lure, complete with a purple face.

     By mid-day on April 28, the dock at Harrison’s Chesapeake House was filled with happy anglers sharing their adventures and amazement at the great fishing they experienced. Weary but pleased charterboat captains including Captains Buddy and Buddy Jr, thanked their guests and welcomed them to return as soon as they can. Others from the staff picked up the fish and after weigh-in fillet and packed them in ice for the anglers to take home and enjoy. After saying our goodbyes to the Harrison’s, we took a walk across Tilghman Island, a location now familiar to us for a tradition of great times and hospitality.

© 2004 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved