Steve Doctor, Maryland Coastal Fisheries Biologist - The cold water continues to be stacked up on the beach. The surf temperature was 67 degrees on Sunday. This has affected the fishing dramatically.
The break line of the cold water is right over the 20 fathom line. This is where the bluefin tuna continue to concentrate. Last year most of the fish caught were right at 47 inches. This year the bulk of the fish are running between 51 and 56 inches, and weigh an average of 90 pounds. There were also a couple of bluefin that weighed between 160 and 221 pounds landed this weekend as well.
The bluefin are being caught on pink and white, and blue and white Islanders fished down deep. To get the lure deep fishermen are using planners, downriggers, and way way backs. The way way back method is a problem when the fleet gets jammed in tight as often happens so take the time and learn how to rig a planner.
The canyon cowboys continue to plow the deep with limited success. We did see a few yellowfin tuna and dolphin cross the dock but considering the effort being put offshore the pickings are slim. Other than the cold water up against the beach, 
the sea surface temperatures are just a pool of lukewarm water with no break or other features to seek out and fish. There has been no weedline yet either.
This week should see a continued effort to find some billfish in preparation for the white Marlin open. Hopefully the cold water upwelling will dissipate along the beach, so at least the bathers will be happy. Fishing at the Norfolk canyon is starting to pick up so good fishing should show up here at any time.
Click here to view recent bay region satellite images at mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/NASAimagery/EyesInTheSky.cfm
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 600 pixels. Please keep the file
size under one megabyte if possible. 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.html
Include the following information:
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Date
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Angler(s)
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Hometown(s)
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Photo credit
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Location
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Weight/length of catch
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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. By sending any photos or art to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources you are giving DNR permission to use the image(s) online and in print. You are also giving DNR permission to distribute the photo for non-commercial purposes to other media, print, digital and television for their use. You are not giving up your copyright, but are allowing the photo(s) to be used for educational and news purposes.
Send your photos and information to
Keith Lockwood
The Fisheries
Service is pleased to have you visit. We want to make this
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mail them to
Paul Genovese.
