1999 TOURNAMENT TIMES
February 2000
Tournament Manager: Angel Bolinger
customerservice@dnr.state.md.us
Number Crunch
Since 1994, the Maryland Sport Fishing Tournament has had a steady increase in angler participation; 1999 was no different. In 1999, 6,455 entries were received for the tournament; an increase of 1,228 entries from 1998. Of those 6,455 entries, 4,163 citations were issued and 2,292 received patches in addition to a citation. Once again, striped bass was the most popular species in the Chesapeake Bay division with 2,818 entries. That is an amazing increase of 1,114 entries from 1998! In the freshwater division, largemouth bass remains the most popular species receiving 149 entries, which is 13 less than in 1998. Flounder was the top species in the Atlantic division in 1999 with 150 entries, which is an increase of 20 entries from 1998.
Catch & Release
The Department of Natural Resources sponsored its 9th annual Catch and Release program. This program is designed to award fishermen for releasing "keepers" for future generations. In addition, it promotes conservation and good fishing ethics. In 1999, 309 entries qualified to receive the special catch and release citation and patch. White marlin (all billfish and sharks must be released) was the most popular species entered into the program with largemouth bass coming in second. Congratulations to Blue Marlin Tackle for sending in the most Catch and Release entries!
Citation Center Data
Once again Breezy Point Fishing Center, Chesapeake Beach, MD, topped the ranks with 788 entries surpassing Bunky's Charter Boats in Solomons, MD, by only 6 entries! Johnny's Bait House on Deep Creek Lake, continues to be the dominant citation center for the freshwater division sending in 345 entries. Oceanside, Buck's Place sent in 174 entries. On behalf of the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries, I would like to thank all the citation centers for your hard work and cooperation in 1999. I look forward to working with each center in 2000.
All Maryland Angler
Nine people qualified as an All Maryland Angler in 1999.
They include:
- Ray Crouse II
- Robert Devereaux
- Steve Eccleston
- Donald Fountain
- Bobby Graves
- Jayne M. Queer
- Will Smith
- Morris E. Williams
- Thomas M. Wilson.
These anglers entered at least 5 different patch sized species into the tournament. Congratulations!
All Maryland Angler Trivia
- Bobby Graves, Robert Devereaux, Steve Eccleston, and Morris E. Williams have attained the status of All Maryland Angler each year since 1997.
- Will Smith and Thomas M. Wilson both qualified in '97 and '99.
Angler Highlight
Ray Crouse, II not only qualified as a 1999 All Maryland Angler with 10 different patch size species, but he also will receive 9 of the freshwater division species plaques! In addition, Mr. Crouse had 8 entries in the Catch and Release program. Mr. Crouse was also a 1998 All Maryland Angler. Congratulations Mr. Crouse!
Tournament Changes for 2000
- Lower Catch and Release size requirements on 12 species!
- Walleye has been added to the Chesapeake Bay division. Minimum size requirements are 20 inches for a citation and 26 inches to receive a patch.
- In the Atlantic Division, the citation minimum size requirement for Spotted seatrout and weakfish has changed to 20 inches so that it corresponds to the Chesapeake Bay division. The patch size requirement remains the same.
- New Category: My 1st Fish
This program will recognize an angler of any age that catches a fish in fresh or tidal waters of the State of Maryland, for the first time in their life. A special certificate will be awarded. All catches must comply with Department regulations or must be immediately released.
- Special citations will be awarded upon approval of the tournament director in the case of unusual catches or extenuating circumstances.
Biggest Fish of Each Species per Division
Sixty-four people will receive a species-specific plaque in recognition of catching the biggest fish of that particular species in the tournament. The following is a list of the winner(s) separated by division.
ATLANTIC
SPECIES |
WINNER |
LENGTH (in.) |
| Albacore | John V. Weidler | 51.5 |
| Black Drum | Endre Pasztor | 46 |
| Bluefish | Scott M. Grasser | 42 |
| Croaker | Michael Smyth | 19.5 |
| Dolphin | John "Jake" McCuen | 52 |
| False Albacore | Scott Peters | 28 |
| Flounder | Darwin D. Young | 28.75 |
| Northern Whiting | Terry Townsend | 15.25 |
| Red Drum | Carroll Hastings | 48 |
| Seabass | Toby Seiders | 22.25 |
| Sheepshead | Rob Baldwin | 26 |
| Spanish Mackerel | Brent Garland and David D'Aurora | 24 |
| Spot | Edward Kirk | 11.5 |
| Spotted Seatrout | Kevin Brack | 31 |
| Striped Bass | Chris Vasquez | 49 |
| Tautog | Joseph F. Schaffer | 27.875 |
| Bigeye Tuna | Robert Todd Cannady and Chet Phillips | 54 |
| Bluefin Tuna | Robert S. Poole | 65 |
| Yellowfin Tuna | Lucius Lamar | 52 |
| Wahoo | George Antellas, Jr. | 74.5 |
| Weakfish | Ben Esham |
CHESAPEAKE BAY
SPECIES |
WINNER |
LENGTH (in.) |
| Black Drum | Jacob Adam Henderson | 56 |
| Bluefish | Patrick Hogan | 38.5 |
| Carp | Hillard H. Head | 43 |
| Channel Catfish | Robert Gannon | 34 |
| Chain Pickerel | Eric Freeman | 24.5 |
| Cobia | Will Smith | 54 |
| Crappie | Dan Downer, Sr. | 14.5 |
| Croaker | Francine I. Coleman | 22 |
| Flounder | Richard A. Scott | 28 |
| Largemouth Bass | Dave Ziegler | 24.5 |
| Red Drum | Merritt Robbins | 50.25 |
| Sheepshead | Tom Horan | 24 |
| Smallmouth Bass | Nicholas Lynch | 23 |
| Spanish Mackerel | Peg Gerding | 34 |
| Spot | Linda L. Causey | 14 |
| Spotted Seatrout | Dennis McClelland, Jr. | 31 |
| Striped Bass | Donald Berezoski | 53 |
| Weakfish | Mike Hester | 31 |
| White Perch | Andrew Kelley | 15.5 |
| Yellow Perch | Robert Mason and Robert T. Mason, III andClayton C. Sherrill, III |
FRESHWATER
SPECIES |
WINNER |
LENGTH (in.) |
| Bluegill | Larry W. Shifflett | 13.5 |
| Brook Trout | Mike Fiorita, Jr. | 22.5 |
| Brown Trout | Scott McFarland | 29 |
| Carp | Ray Crouse, II | 44 |
| Channel Catfish | Ray Crouse, II | 38.375 |
| Chain Pickerel | Tracy Riley | 27 |
| Crappie | Ray Crouse, II | 19 |
| Largemouth Bass | Ray Crouse, II | 27.75 |
| Muskellunge | Keith Imes | 45.5 |
| Northern Pike | Shawn Jacobson | 46 |
| Rainbow Trout | Ray Crouse, II | 28.5 |
| Redear Sunfish | Ray Crouse, II | 11.25 |
| Rock Bass | Ray Crouse,II | 12.5 |
| Striped Bass | Dean Barrett | 45.5 |
| Smallmouth Bass | Ray Crouse, II | 23.75 |
| Walleye | Matthew Hill | 32.25 |
| White Perch | Bryan L. Rees | 13.25 |
| Yellow Perch | Ray Crouse, II | 15.75 |
New State Records
Eight state records were broken in 1999!
Mike
Fiorita, Jr. from Falling Waters, WV,
was fishing the North Branch of the Potomac River
below Randolph Dam on April 10,1999.
Fiorita reeled in a 6 lb, 1.75 oz, 22.5 inch
brook trout using corn for bait.
Mary Godfrey of Ownings Mills, MD,
was fishing Liberty Reservoir on May 1, 1999
when she established the freshwater state
record for white perch.
The1 lb., 12 inch perch was lured in with a worm.
Dean Barrick, of Westminster, MD,
was trolling crankbaits in Liberty Reservoir
on May 23, 1999 when he hooked this
44 lb., 8 oz striper measuring 45.5 inches.
Donnie Simon of Annapolis, MD established
the thresher shark state record for the Atlantic division.
Simmons landed the 585 lb. thresher on June 4, 1999
while fishing the 20th Annual Ocean City Shark Tournament.
The shark was 15 feet, 11 inches and was caught using
a whole false albacore. Photo courtesy of Dale Timmons.
Donald Wilson of Fort Washington, MD, was fishing at
Fort Washington off the Potomac River on August 8, 1999
when he caught this 39 lb., 4 oz, 41.625 inch blue catfish.
Wilson was using herring for bait.
Tom Horan of Clarksville, MD was bottom
fishing the Chesapeake Bay Middle Grounds on
September 25, 1999 when he landed this
6 lb., 5.92 oz, 24 inch sheepshead. The
sheepshead was caught using squid for bait.
Joseph E. Haller, of Lusby, MD, broke the
Spanish mackerel state record on October 10,1999.
Haller was trolling a parachute rig off Kenwood
Beach when he reeled in the 9 lb., 6.4 oz, 32 inch mackerel.
Shawn Jacobson, of Phoenix, MD, was bottom fishing
Deep Creek Lake when he caught this 24 lb., 12 oz, 46.5 inch
northern pike. Jacobson was fishing a live shiner in 6 feet of water.