DECEMBER 30, 1998
Capt. Jim Brincefield
Middle and Lower Bay Fishing Report
Fishing from "Drury’s Marina" – Ridge, MDThe big Rockfish and big Bluefish have invaded the lower Bay with authority. I have never seen anything quite like it. We have been catching limits of these fish all the way from Smith Point south to "The Cell". The area south of Tangier Light has been productive, as well. The large Rockfish are a welcome treat, but the big surprise has been the big Bluefish. We have been catching almost everything on Bucktails trailed from Umbrella Rigs. There has been no pattern on depth – they seem to be everywhere! The largest Rockfish so far from Drury’s has been 46 lbs.– caught by Jean Radassao of Springfield, VA. If this fish holds up, it will be the first time a female angler has won top honors for a season on my boat. As Seinfeld would say "not that there is something wrong with that!" The Annapolis Sailors’ annual father/son trip took top honors for the year (and my career) for numbers of big fish with a whopping 30 Rockfish of 30"or better and a dozen Bluefish of 25" or better. We even had one father/son team come all the way from New Zealand for the trip. I think that sets a new record for distance traveled to go out fishing on the Bay! Marty Gary and the MDDNR did a nice story on the "Jil Carrie" and the big fish that we caught the last day of the Maryland season. You can see it (there’s also a good picture of the new boat) at this link: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/index.html
Now that winter is upon us, we will concentrate on getting ready for the spring trophy season sprinkled in with a few bottom-fishing trips for Black Bass and White Perch. I will soon be writing some articles on procedures for getting ready for the spring season. I want to thank all of the customers who went fishing with me this year and let you know that we are now accepting bookings for the 1999 season.
We have heard that the proposed Maryland Rockfish season next year will be from April 23 -11/30/99. We have not heard anything yet regarding proposed seasons from Virginia or the Potomac River. Of course, I will again move down the Bay to Drury's Marina in Ridge in late October to fish the Potomac and VA season until the end of December 1999. From 4/23/99 to 5/31/99 it will be 1 fish/angler of 28" or better. From 6/1/99 to 6/13/99 it will be 1 fish/angler of 28" or better and 1 fish/angler of 18" or better. From 6/14/99 through 11/30/99 it will be 2 fish/angler of 16" or better. Of course, these proposed seasons are subject to the scrutiny of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission although we do expect swift approval along these lines.
Please keep me in mind for a spring trip. If you would like to call me at (410) 867-4944 and schedule a date, it would be good to do it soon as we hope to fill up quickly. We are now accepting reservations for the 1999 season. A $100.00 deposit is required. Our prices will remain the same for our 5th year in a row. $330.00 for up to 6 anglers and $25.00/angler for each angler over 6 up to a maximum of 49. I hope to hear from you soon.
DECEMBER 12, 1998
Aiden and I fished on Miss Alice. Wind was SW15-20 decreasing thru the day. I was seasick. It was rough as heck, my favorite for rockfishing. We got 11 rock from 31 to 39 inches and 4 monster bluefish. This the best trip that I have been on. The fish bit on everything but most of >the bigger fish favored Jim C.'s 8 oz. white bucktails with white or red/white shad. Also several ate the 21 tony spoon which trails behind the big jigs. Umbrellas did alot in the afternoon. We fished under the gannets in the area of the San Marcos wreck. I am done for the year. Luckily, a new year will soon be here and we have a trip planned for Jan. 1 to take Miss Alice back around to the seaside.
Craig
DECEMBER 5, 1998
Capt. SteveJim as I told you on the phone we went out today Sat the 5 of December. We were in a 25-foot boat and their were three of us. I put two wire lines out both with umbrellas one green and one white 20 oz of lead the other two lines were mono using 6 oz and 8 oz of endline lead back about 100 feet. We were about 2 miles south of the mid channel marker in the Potomac headed towards the light at Smith Point and in 45 to 48 feet of water. The gannets were diving into the water from about 40 feet in the air; their had to be at least 500 birds in that bunch plus their were gulls and some loons. We made two passes; the first fish was the largest 28 lbs down to 18 lbs ( 6 fish caught ) We then went back into the Potomac and jigged for trout ( kept 9 ) Most were small, caught and released about 50 small rock and one rock of about 13 lbs all in all a good day for the 5th of Dec. 70 degrees no wind, no seas, great fun, just great. Hope you have a good day Sunday Check the Potomac Mouth. You might not need to run as far as you have been . Good Luck .
NOVEMBER 12, 1998
Capt. J. KillianI fished a tournament this weekend. Lot''s of fish from 12-20 lbs. The larger fish are congregating in basically three locations. The best results will come from the 10' shoal just before the high-rise on the bay bridge tunnel. Casting shad bodies on large jig heads with fast retrieve works best. The second place is over the tunnel tube between the third and fourth Islands. If your patient, this is where the monsters will come from. Best results in 25-35 feet of water and right over the tube. Again using large jig heads and shad bodies. Ofcourse you can catch these fish wire-lining too. We had very little results with large fish on wire line or plugs (stretches or large rattle-n-traps). The third place is out of Cape Henry in the Ocean. This is the place to fish at sunrise and during the day. In about a month, this will be the only place I'll fish. As the fish exit the bay in late December and January, the fish all seem to Hug the South Cape. This is purely a Stretch-30 event. Red and White seam's to work the best. I'll keep you informed. I will be going again Tuesday or Wednesday and then I'll be out of the loop until Tuesday the following week (I have Guard Duty). I plan on fishing every day the week of Thanksgiving. Typically, the next two weeks are the best weeks of the year. Good Luck and Good Fishing.
NOVEMBER 14, 1998:
Steamed to 4A area outside of the high level bridge from Onancock on the Miss Alice. Got a 32 incher and missed one. Came all the back to a mile or 2 above the range light and got a 46 inch cow and one in the 39 or 40 inch range. Big girl hit a black/grey stretch, other one ate a 21 tony way back.
NOVEMBER 8, 1998:
Steamed the mighty Miss Alice around to Onancock VA from Chincoteague. Daybreak is now semi-retired for the year. We stopped at the high level bridge with no luck, then went back out in the ocean to 4 and 4A, got (4) fish in the 31 to 32 inch range on white bucktails near the bottom. Bucktails had black/white 6" shad or white grub tails.
NOVEMBER 7, 1998:
Left coulbern creek and steamed 19 miles to within 1 mile of bouy 72A. Turned around ....too rough. Suck day.
OCTOBER 31, 1998:
We left Occahannock creek on VA's lower eastern shore around 10 am. Wind was NW 15-20, water was 59 to 63. We crossed the bat to R2 and Windmill point in 3 to 5 footers. It was so rough that we got a fairly smooth ride except for alot of green water up over the windshield and into my rainsuit hood. The radio reported a real hot bite over there just prior to us arriving and another just after we left(of course). We did manage to get one 21 inch striper and had 4 or 5 shad bodies chopped in half by bluefish. We found bait 10 feet thick over almost every inch of windmill point and no other bait at all the whole 12 miles across except a pod or 2 in the cut channel. We saw 1/2 acre schools of stripers come up a couple of times which were run down by boats. I guess I need a therapist cause we spent 3 hours in transit each way from home to lines in, got pitched, rocked, sprayed and froze while going thru 25 gallons of fuel and a pile of tackle all for one less than fat fish. I had a great time and can't wait to go again. Please pass the word as I am desparate for reports and need a crew. I would like to fish on till mid december if I can get a crew or boat to take me. I am also supposed to fish with Miss Alice some in the ocean for rock and trout. Other stuff I hear is some guys got some nice rock on eels at the rt 50 bridge all just short of 28 inches. Also some rock were jigged in tangier or pocomoke sound then vanished a day or two later. Rock are erratic here and the big ones are not here. Send me reports, rumors, etc when you can.
Craig
JULY 3, 1998
Lower Chesapeake Bay
Captain Jim,
Fishing continues to be outstanding here in the lower reaches of the Chesapeake Bay. Gray trout are abundant, we caught 15 or so this morning to 21 inches. They were caught along the CBBT between the 12 and 14 mile markers in fairly deep (50 foot) water. Other boats were taking these trout using sting silvers, we were drifting squid strips. We moved to the hump following slack high tide, and managed to box 4 flounder (15-18 inches) before getting into small sharks. We caught about 15 of these critters, mostly 30 inches long or so with one pushing 40 inches. They were fun! We also mixed in several sea mullet, ever present croaker, and an occasional bluefish. I do have one pic to share, a real monster flounder caught by one of my fishing buddies July 3. See attached photo of the 8 lb 11 oz beauty. I continue to hit and enjoy your page regularly. Keep up the good work.
Larry Turner
DECEMBER 2, 1997
Capt. Jim Brincefield
"Charlotte K" Charter Fishing Report
Fishing from Drury's Marina - Ridge, MD
Lower Chesapeake Bay ReportThe Maryland Rockfish season closed on 11/30/97 with a whimper. However, the action below the VA line south of Smith Point is decent. We are still catching a few fish of 30" or better, but not in the numbers as before. The majority of our catches now consist of 18" - 24" fish. We have had a few fish over 30" still mixed in. It seems we have to go further south each day with 3 and 4 hour rides to the Cut Channel, Buoys 41, & 42 and Windmill Point being the closest spots to Ridge for the big fish. There are still some keepers available at Smith Point, but the majority of the action is haulin' butt down the Bay. We caught several fish in the 30 & 40 lb. class over the last few days at the Cut Channel. Although the action could have been faster, the size of the fish was great! Yellow Butch Tawes 3 & 6 oz. Pumpkinheads continue to produce fished behind umbrella rigs or off a 30' leader with no weight. We are trolling in 40' - 60' of water. The last of my trips for this season has been completed. If you are interested in fishing in December, I can give you a referral to a good Capt. - Pete Ide, who will be fishing out of Windmill Point for the rest of the season. If you don't have his number, give me a call and I can give it to you. I'll be working on custom building my new boat from scratch - the "Jil Carrie" for the '98 season. Best holiday wishes to all of you and your families and I hope to see you next season - we will start accepting bookings for the '98 season as soon as the Spring Trophy dates are announced. The season typically starts the last Friday in April and we are hoping the DNR will announce the season in January.
NOVEMBER 26, 1997
Capt. Jim Brincefield
"Charlotte K" Charter Fishing Report
Fishing from Drury's Marina - Ridge, MD
Middle and Lower Bay ReportAs the Maryland season draws to a close, the action in the mouth of the Potomac and below the VA line is heating up right on schedule! We are still catching a few fish of 30" or better, but the majority of our catches now consist of 18" - 24" fish. We have had 2 or 3 fish over 30" each trip - some with more, some with less. The weather has been more cooperative this week, finally. The green 2 and 4 oz. Andrus parachute has cooled off considerably. Yellow Butch Tawes 3 & 6 oz. Pumpkinheads have heated up - both fished behind umbrella rigs and off a 30' leader with no weight. The 2 oz glow Butch Tawes bucktails are still catching small and medium Rock. We have been trimming our bucktails with 6" and 9" chartreuse sassy shads. We are trolling in 40' - 50' of water in the mouth of the Potomac, just off VIRMAR beach. Action is also decent at Smith Point at the state line green can along the edge to the lighthouse. The Grey Trout still are schooling up, especially along the 40' - 50' edges just off Point Lookout. I hope you will join us aboard the "Charlotte K" before 12/31 - the end of the VA season! If not, hope to see you next season - we will start accepting bookings for the '98 season as soon as the Spring Trophy dates are announced. The season typically starts the last Friday in April and we are hoping the DNR will announce the season in January.
NOVEMBER 18, 1997
Capt. Jim Brincefield
"Charlotte K" Charter Fishing Report
Fishing from Drury's Marina - Ridge, MD
Middle and Lower Bay ReportJust when I told you that trolling from Point No Point to the mouth of the Potomac couldn't be better for large fish - it got better! We are catching unbelievable numbers of fish of 30" or better. We have had several days when fish over 30" were all that we caught! The weather has been awful, especially Sunday. The green 2 and 4 oz. Andrus parachute is on fire when fished in the upper water column - especially off an an umbrella rig. Try trimming them with green 9" Lockett's Sassy Shads. Yellow and glow Butch Tawes 6 oz. Pumpkinheads also have produced large fish - both fished behind umbrella rigs and off a 30' leader with no weight. The 2 oz glow Butch Tawes bucktails are still catching small and medium Rock. We are trolling work 50 - 120' of water and looking for large schools of monster Bunker. The Grey Trout still are schooling up and join small and medium Rock chasing Silversides all over the place - it's a "can't miss" proposition right now. I hope you will join us aboard the "Charlotte K" before 12/31 - the end of the VA season! If not, hope to see you next season - we will start accepting bookings for the '98 season as soon as the Spring Trophy dates are announced. The season typically starts the last Friday in April and we are hoping the DNR will announce the season in January.
NOVEMBER 14, 1997
Capt. Jim Brincefield
"Charlotte K" Charter Fishing Report
Ridge, MD
Middle and Lower Bay ReportTrolling from Point No Point to the mouth of the Potomac couldn't be better for large fish. We are catching unbelievable numbers of fish of 30" or better. Yesterday we had 10 over 30" and several in the 20 & 30 lb. class mixed in! This type of fishing surely won't last long. The weather has been poor for the most part, but it doesn't seem to affect the fishing too much. The green 2 and 4 oz. Andrus parachute remains especially productive when fished in the upper water column - both off a leader and behind an umbrella rig. We are still triming these 'chutes with green and yellow 6" and 9" sassy shads. Smaller 1 to 1&1/2 oz. yellow head & hair bucktails trimmed with yellow or white grubs or pork rinds are still very effective on small and medium Rockfish and nice Grey Trout fished at or near the bottom off bottom tandem rigs with drop sinkers of 24 and 28 ozs. Yellow Butch Tawes 6 oz Pumpkinheads are also have produced large fish -fished behind umbrella rigs and off a 30' leader with no weight. They were the hottest bait we had last year - and as the season progresses, they will probably become more effective. The 2 oz glow Butch Tawes bucktails are catching small and medium Rock. We are trolling work 40 - 120' of water, East - West trolling continues to be the most productive. The Grey Trout are now schooling up and join small and medium Rock chasing Silversides all over the place - it's a "can't miss" proposition right now. I hope you will join us aboard the "Charlotte K" before 12/31 - the end of the VA season! If not, hope to see you next season - we will start accepting bookings for the '98 season as soon as the Spring Trophy dates are announced. The season typically starts the last Friday in April and we are hoping the DNR will announce the season in January.
November 7, 1997
Capt. Jim Brincefield
"Charlotte K" Charter Fishing Report
Ridge, MD
Middle and Lower Bay ReportWe are still trolling at the mouth of the Potomac and having excellent success with large fish. We are catching increasing numbers of fish of 30" or better. We caught even caught a 42 pounder on Monday - with several in the 20 & 30 lb. class mixed in! This type of fishing promises to improve (if that's possible) as the season progresses. The green 2 and 4 oz. Andrus parachute has been especially productive when fished in the upper water column - both off a leader and behind an umbrella rig. we trim these 'chutes with green and yellow 6" and 9" sassy shads. Smaller 1 to 1&1/2 oz. yellow head & hair bucktails trimmed with yellow or white grubs or pork rinds have been effective on small and medium Rockfish and nice Grey Trout fished at or near the bottom off bottom tandem rigs with drop sinkers. The 42 pounder took a white ruby lips 1 1/2 oz. bucktail with a "Mister Twister" white 2" grub. Yellow Butch Tawes 3oz and 6 oz Pumpkinheads are also heating up - they sure were hot last year. The 2 oz glow Butch Tawes bucktails are still catching a few. We continue to work 40 - 50' of water, just off "The Rack" at Point Lookout and south across the mouth of the Potomac in 40 - 60'- Be careful of the crabpots! We snagged one in 55' of water yesterday! East - West trolling has been the most productive - try starting in 40' & moving out to 70' and then back. I hope you will join us aboard the "Charlotte K" before 12/31 - the end of the VA season! If not, hope to see you next season - we will start accepting bookings for the '98 season as soon as the Spring Trophy dates are announced. The season typically starts the last Friday in April and we are hoping the DNR will announce the season in January.
We did have an excellent year on flounder, as can be seen in this photo. The largest fish went 5 lbs 8 ozs, with 6 others in the 3 to 3.5 lb range. The rock shown is the first of the year for us and went a humble 22 inches. He did make for an excellent chowder though. We are looking forward to another great rock fishing year as well, the fish aren't here in mass yet. Here, by the way, is at the CBBT, Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, James River, Monitor Merimac Tunnel, and the general area around the mouth of the York River.
We would certainly be interested in learning how to chum for rock, this is not practiced by anyone I know here in the lower bay. Any tips? Please note that I would have posted directly to your page, but I couldn't figure out how to attach the pics. Please post this for me or guide me on how to attach pics and I will post. I think with a little encouragement, us lower bay boys could add significantly to your already great page. Keep up the good work. I for one check your page routinely, 3 or more times a week. I've been lazy about posting, but will try to be a more active participate in the future.
Larry
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