Virginia’s rockin’ season is here with lots of action and big water fishing action. The 2005 Fall Chesapeake Bay season runs from October 4 through December 31 and provides some of the best action all year. From the Maryland-Virginia Line to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay at Cape Charles, anglers and charterboat captains will be trolling deep channel edges for big stripers prowling bay waters for a late fall meal. Rockfish in the 18 to 28 inch range will be available for catching both by chumming and trolling, including some fast paced top water action. Casting into breaking schools of rockfish that are chasing baitfish is one of the best fishing experiences you can ever have. 

     There are some changes to the 2005 fall recreational striped bass season in Virginia which concerns maximum length of fish kept for creel possession. From October 4 through December 31, anglers fishing in Virginia Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters the daily possession limits is as follows: 2 fish per person with a minimum size of 18 inches and a maximum size of 28 inches. One of these two fish can be 34 inches or longer. No fish between 28 and 34 inches can be kept. The VMRC website is found at; http://www.mrc.state.va.us and their phone number is (757) 247-2200.

     In November, there is a fishing tournament that all anglers should consider supporting. The 2nd Annual Casey Neal Rogers Memorial Rockfish Tournament takes place on Saturday, November 5, 2005, with fishing times from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fish entered for competition are weighed-in at Smith Point Marina or Buzzards Point Marina, in Northumberland County, Virginia. After the competition, dinner, beverages, music and a raffle will take place at the Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department in Reedville, Virginia. Registration and a captain’s briefing takes place from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, November 4 and also takes place at both marina locations. Prizes include 1st place- $5,000, 2nd place-$2,000 and 3rd place $1,500. There is also a youth division (17 and under) award. For information and cost per boat to enter, call Jett’s Marine at (804) 453-3611. 
The entry fee for this tournament is considered a charitable donation and non-refundable. All proceeds are to benefit the Casey Neal Rogers Memorial Scholarship Fund and Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department. Checks should be made out to CNR Memorial Rockfish Tournament and mailed to CNR Memorial, P.O. Box 233, Ophelia, VA 22530. Also required are the following information; Name, phone number, social security number, signature, city, state and zip code address, boat make, boat registration number, length and boat name.

© 2004 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved