03/09/2019
Hi fellow fishermen,
It's early March but you wouldn't know that because of the snow one day and 70 degrees the next. Another fishing year starts with trophy rockfish season on April 20 so let's get going.
Review of 2018 - This was a short trophy season and very different from 2017. A cold spring saw the first week tough as the cold water caused serious rockfish lockjaw. Seeing fish on the meter and not getting bites gave me bad heart burn. Catching improved in late April - May as warming temps encouraged their appetites. The 2 fish summer season starting May 16 saw good catches of 19" to 34" fish while trolling various lures. As in the last few years large numbers of porpoises moved the rock up the bay and I spent most of the summer going to several locations to get action. Rockfish don't like to share the water with those air breathing mammals that eat them. Light tackle chumming with alewives in June was the ticket until spot showed up in mid July. Then live lining turned on and with blue fish entering the mix made for hot days, good catches, and me buying a lot of circle hooks. Spanish mackerel and a few redfish showed in August adding to the fun. Bottom fishing for white perch was fair to great for most of the summer and spot were good in numbers but lacked size. Fall saw the rock return from up the bay and catching was good through mid November.
2019 - As far as seasons and regulations there are no changes. Trophy season April 20 - May 15... 1 fish per person 35" minimum. Summer season May 16 - Dec 1... 2 fish per person 19" minimum. Circle hooks are still required when chumming or live lining. DNR says the circle hooks cut down on mortality of released fish. I didn't see that but as usual... rules are rules.
My rates have changed for 2019. $600.00 for 6 hours... $700.00 for 8 hours. 6 persons maximum and a 20% tip for the mate is recommended.
Give me a call at 301- 802-4027. Let's get out there and see what adventures we can have this year.
Capt Frank Abner
Tamshell II Charters
301-802-4027
