Next Update: March 26, 2008

Oceanside water temperatures continue to slowly climb out of those cold winter temperatures. There still is quite a way to go; but at least we’re headed in the right direction. The current surf temperature is hovering around 46-degrees. Fishermen are reporting catching a few short striped bass inside the Ocean City Inlet and along the beaches. Inside the inlet fishermen have been catching tautog in increasing numbers as water temperatures rise. An ebb tide still seems to produce the best action and fishermen are using frozen sand fleas or pieces of green crab for bait.

Along the beaches most of the pull fishermen are getting is coming from spiny dogfish and skates. It’s that time of the year when these critters move in close to the beach and although they can be a real pain at times; they do keep people from falling asleep.

The boats headed out to the wreck sites are finding good numbers of large tautog on many of the wrecks and artificial reefs; spiny dogfish continue to be a persistent problem at times.

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Click here to view recent bay region satellite images at mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/NASAimagery/EyesInTheSky.cfm

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OFFSHORE MAP Click Map Icon For a Larger View	Please click for the latest sea surface temperatures from Rutgers University Marine Remote Sensing
	Please Click for the latest automated weather observations from Station 44009 - DELAWARE BAY 26 NM Southeast of Cape May, NJ
Please click for the latest automated weather observations from THE HOTEL BUOY.

A Couple of Closing Notes...

Don't hesitate to e-mail your recent fishing/crabbing photos and trip information. Send your photos via E-mail by the following Monday in order to be included in the next update. The file should be in .jpg format with the longest side sized at 320 pixels. Please keep the file size small. The photo should clearly depict the angler(s), fish, and ethical handling practices. For information on ethical angling practices please reference the Catch and Release information located at URL:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/articles/catch_release.shtml

Include the following information:

• Date

• Angler(s)

• Hometown(s)

• Photo credit

• Location

• Weight/length of catch

• Bait/lure

Important Note: If anyone in your picture is under 18 years of age, we must have a photo release signed by that person and a parent/guardian before we can post your picture.

Send your photos and information to Keith Lockwood

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