April and May are trophy rockfish time for much of Maryland and Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters. Not to be left out is the mainstem of the Lower Potomac River, where anglers enjoy an annual Spring, posts-spawn exodus of big striped bass. Those with a watch on the Bay and it’s tributaries may have seen signs of baitfish entering waters which the big “linsiders” pass through. Perhaps it was “wishful sightings”, but we are sure we saw bunker schools heading up the Potomac in March, near the Route 301 Bridge. Speaking of the Route 301 (Harry Nice) Bridge, during the first 2004 recreational trophy striped bass in Potomac River Fisheries 
Commission (PRFC) waters, fishing and possession of striped bass is permitted only in waters downstream of this location. Like other regulations in Virginia and Maryland waters, this is met to protect any late spawning rockfish who may have not yet done nature’s business and headed back down river towards Chesapeake Bay mainstem waters. Now, it’s time to enjoy the exciting 2004 Chesapeake Bay recreational striped bass season openers, better known as the “trophy rock” seasons. 

     Maryland’s first 2004 Chesapeake Bay recreational striper season opens on April 17 and continues through May 15. One striped bass (rockfish)  28" or larger per person per day is permitted during this season. Striped bass may not be in possession  while fishing between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. No Eels are permitted as bait and fishing is restricted to the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Maryland/ Virginia Line, Tangier & Pocomoke Sounds. No Tributaries other than the Lower Potomac River are included as areas where possession of striped bass is permitted during this first season. From May 16, 2004—Dec. 15, 2004, the season creel and possession changes to 2 @ 18"- 28" or 1 @ 18" - 28" and 1 larger than 28"/person/day. Anglers may not possess striped bass while fishing between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. during this season. Note that possession of striped bass remains restricted to mainstem Chesapeake Bay waters from Brewerton Channel South to the Maryland-Virginia line, until June 1. From June 1 through December 15, all Maryland Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters in Maryland are open to possession of striped bass. Call Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service at 1-800-688-3467 (FINS) for additional information. The DNR Fisheries website is at, www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations. Virginia’s Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) 2004 recreational striped bass season is as follows: May 1 through June 15, Minimum Size Limit is .32 inches with a possession limit of one per person per day. A VMRC catch report is required. Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Spring Season runs from May 16 through June 15 with a minimum Size of 18 inches and a maximum Size of 28 inches with a possession limit of 2 per person. One of the two fish in possession can be larger than 32 inches, but a catch report is required.. No possession of striped bass 32" or greater is permitted in Virginia’s spawning reaches from May 1 through June 15. For additional information, call the Virginia Marine Resources Commission at (757) 247-2200 or visit their website at www.mrc.state.va.us The 2004 recreational striped bass season for PRFC waters opens on April 17 and continues through May 15. Daily possession limit is one striped bass 28 inches or larger. PRFC waters are open for the first 2004 recreational striped bass season in the Potomac River downstream of the Harry Nice (Route 301) Bridge. No live eels and no more than 2 hooks per rod and reel rig is permitted during this PRFC season. From May 16 through December 31, PRFC waters are open to recreational striped bass fishing from down river of the Route I-95 Woodrow Wilson Bridge to the end of PRFC waters at Smith Point, Virginia. The daily creel is two fish per person per day from 18 to 28 inches. One of these fish in possession can be over 28 inches. Call the PRFC at 1-800-266-3904 or visit their website at www.prfc.state.va.us

     Smith Point Sea Rescue’s annual Reedville Bluefish Derby is scheduled for Friday and Saturday- June 11th and 12th . As in previous years, there will be multiple cash prize categories for blues and rockfish, with a new, additional $5,000 prize included in the 2004 competition. For information about how to enter the 2004 tournament, call Jett’s Hardware at (804) 453-5325,or visit April/May “Outdoors Online” at; www.chesapeakestyle.com/internet/internet.html. 

© 2004 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved