Next Update: December 3, 2008

Fishermen are looking forward to improving weather conditions this week; the water temperature around the Ocean City Inlet and surf is about 54-degrees so conditions are just about right for migrating striped bass and bluefish. Fishermen inside the inlet have been drifting over some of the deeper channel areas in small boats while fishing live spot and eels close to the bottom. Those who have managed to hoard a supply of spot are finding that are worth all the trouble since the striped bass seem to prefer them over live eels. Shore bound fishermen are casting swimming shad lures, bucktails dressed with sassy shads or twister tails and enjoying good results with striped bass on the top of the tide; especially at night. Many are slightly undersized but a number of them are not and everyone is enjoying the action. Tautog fishing should be good this week especially during the time of a ½-hour on each side of slack tide. Most fishermen are fishing from shore but a few hardy souls are fishing the south jetty and other rock work inside the inlet with good results.

Surf fishermen should see good fishing in the surf for large bluefish and striped bass this week; most fishermen are using mullet or spot for the bluefish and striped bass. Spiny dogfish have moved into the surf and anglers are reporting they can be downright pesky at times.

When wind conditions are favorable, boats have been trolling the shoals off the beaches such as the Little Gull Shoals and Isle of Wright Shoals for large bluefish and striped bass. Most are using Stretch deep diving crankbaits such as 25’s or parachutes and bucktails.

The boats heading out to the wreck sites and artificial reef sites are reporting fair catches of sea bass and good catches of tautog.

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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 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:

• 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. 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

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