Morning Star Fish Report: August 2007

Fish Report 8/26/07

Should'a Been Here Yesterday ~ Declining Numbers of Fishers

Hi All,

Suntan lotion retailers and fishers didn't do so hot last week. Moderate north-east winds, cloudy skies and occasional rain put a damper on the fishing nearly all week.

Had one pretty good day on the flounder, a couple fair days, two days when I couldn't buy a flattie or cbass -resorting to the jumbled-up croakers, trout and small blues- and two days we couldn't get out at all.

As an example, I tried 3 spots for the flounder/cbass on Thursday and nearly drew a blank. Croakers saved the day. After stopping again for croakers on the way out Friday, we went back to one of those same spots in the diminishing swell and caught along fairly well.

Despite a few limits of fluke with fish to 6 1/2 pounds, I'm pretty sure that "You should'a been here yesterday" wasn't part of the conversation this week.

Did see two of the giant leatherback sea turtles though!

When the weather breaks -and stays that way- we'll see more fall-like fishing.

The black cherry trees crowning our driveway, decorating vehicles and feet with their purple-staining seeds, have dropped their last. Had we clear skies, Orion would be visible in morning's nautical twilight. The local bank's collecting back to school supplies for the less fortunate kids...

Fall's coming.

'Twas the black cheery seeds that got me thinking about one of the dilemmas in the fisheries ~ declining participation. Not just in America; places as far off as Australia and New Zealand are seeing declining fishing license sales. 'Course we don't have a license on the coast yet, but they do in the Chesapeake. It too is following the world-wide trend.

Point is, for most fish and wildlife departments their funding comes, at least in part, from license and user fees and is threatening in it's decline. And that, if nothing else, is a good reason to have a license. It gives the recreational fisher more strength and managers more incentive to keep fisheries flourishing.

In the broader society our leisures and what we 'need' are changing. For some, fishing was a pleasant but very real task. A putting up of providence. The huge family freezer, salting, smoking and certainly home canning are seen less often it seems.

The general trend of expanding frozen food areas in grocery stores and an increasing number of meals eaten 'out' certainly doesn't indicate folks are more desirous of catching, cleaning and cooking their own dinner. We're too busy.

How can a teenager 'kill' scadjillions of things on a video game yet find taking a real fish off the hook and putting it into a cooler 'icky'. I thought the games 'desensitized'...

There was a study that I've heard quoted by upper management that recreational fishing is 'more about camaraderie' and 'being outdoors'.

When there is regional and national news coverage of a fish kill such as physteria or the croaker kill off the coast here a few years back, participation falls off sharply. A steep decline in catch rates certainly has the same result ~ and lasts a lot longer!

Boston mackerel: the recreational fishery was huge until '91 or '92 when the MAFMC allowed foreign processor boats inside U.S. waters. (Boy, would I like to go back and be a fly on the wall for that deal.) I've not even held a large mackerel in nearly 15 years let alone seen every boat in town sold-out on an April Saturday. In Ocean City, that fishery is dead. Pretty steep decline in participation.

A comparison of the party boat fleet in the Delaware Bay from 1978 to present might be eye opening. In those days it seemed you could walk from boat to boat while the trout were running. Now, I'm told, it's possible to fish all summer and not catch a keeper trout.

"Should'a been here 25 years ago!"

All the anglers that participated in those fisheries could still be right there; out enjoying the camaraderie and being outdoors.

I recently spoke to a fellow that fished Ocean City's party boats back in the 70's. As often happens, life had taken him elsewhere, but he was coming back to visit and wanted to go fishing. He couldn't remember exactly what boats he'd been on or what year, but he knew precisely -exactly- how many fish he'd caught. Didn't mention how lovely the days were or the time with his buddies.

I smell Bad Science. (which I would have abbreviated to it's letter form but that wouldn't be polite)

The water's scenic beauty, the raillery & joshing around are still there and still key to real enjoyment of a day on the water, but...

It's the fish!

Those black cherry seeds -10s of thousands it seems- are all capable of growing into a tree. By mowing and weeding we do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen.

Fishery managers need to take it the other way and give the tens of millions -billions- of fish 'seeds' their best chance of survival.

Habitat in all it's forms and clean waters ~~ Stop the mowing and weeding.

Looking to write a report on spectacular fishing ~ maybe next week!

Regards,

Monty

Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservations 410 520 2076
www.morningstarfishing.com

posted by Monty # Sunday, August 26, 2007

Fish Report 8/26/07

Should'a Been Here Yesterday ~ Declining Numbers of Fishers

Hi All,

Suntan lotion retailers and fishers didn't do so hot last week. Moderate north-east winds, cloudy skies and occasional rain put a damper on the fishing nearly all week.

Had one pretty good day on the flounder, a couple fair days, two days when I couldn't buy a flattie or cbass -resorting to the jumbled-up croakers, trout and small blues- and two days we couldn't get out at all.

As an example, I tried 3 spots for the flounder/cbass on Thursday and nearly drew a blank. Croakers saved the day. After stopping again for croakers on the way out Friday, we went back to one of those same spots in the diminishing swell and caught along fairly well.

Despite a few limits of fluke with fish to 6 1/2 pounds, I'm pretty sure that "You should'a been here yesterday" wasn't part of the conversation this week.

Did see two of the giant leatherback sea turtles though!

When the weather breaks -and stays that way- we'll see more fall-like fishing.

The black cherry trees crowning our driveway, decorating vehicles and feet with their purple-staining seeds, have dropped their last. Had we clear skies, Orion would be visible in morning's nautical twilight. The bank's collecting back to school supplies for the less fortunate kids...

Fall's coming.

'Twas the black cheery seeds that got me thinking about one of the dilemmas in the fisheries ~ declining participation. Not just in America; places as far off as Australia and New Zealand are seeing declining fishing license sales. 'Course we don't have a license on the coast yet, but they do in the Chesapeake. It too is following the world-wide trend.

Point is, for most fish and wildlife departments their funding comes, at least in part, from license and user fees and is threatening in it's decline. And that, if nothing else, is a good reason to have a license. It gives the recreational fisher more strength and managers more incentive to keep fisheries flourishing.

In the broader society our recreation is changing. For some, fishing was a pleasant but very real task. A putting up of providence. The huge family freezer, salting, smoking and certainly home canning are seen less often it seems.

The general trend of expanding frozen food areas in grocery stores and an increasing number of meals eaten 'out' certainly doesn't indicate folks are more desirous of catching, cleaning and cooking their own dinner. We're too busy.

How can a teenager 'kill' scadjillions of things on a video game yet find taking a real fish off the hook and putting it into a cooler 'icky'. I thought the games 'desensitized'...

There was a study that I've heard quoted by upper management that recreational fishing is 'more about camaraderie' and 'being outdoors'. (this to justify lowering recreational quotas while increasing commercial - 'nother story)

When there is regional and national news coverage of a fish kill such as physteria or the croaker kill off the coast here a few years back, participation falls off sharply. A steep decline in catch rates certainly has the same result ~ and lasts a lot longer!

Boston mackerel: the recreational fishery was huge until '91 or '92 when the MAFMC allowed foreign processor boats inside U.S. waters. (Boy, would I like to go back and be a fly on the wall for that deal.) I've not even held a large mackerel in 15 years let alone seen every boat in town sold-out on an April Saturday. Pretty steep decline in participation.

A comparison of the party boat fleet in the Delaware Bay from 1978 to present might be eye opening. In those days it seemed you could walk from boat to boat while the trout were running. Now, I'm told, it's possible to fish all summer and not catch a keeper trout.

Yet all the anglers that participated in those fisheries could still be right there; out enjoying the camaraderie and being outdoors.

I recently spoke to a fellow that fished Ocean City's party boats back in the 70's. As often happens, life had taken him elsewhere, but he was coming back to visit and wanted to go fishing. He couldn't remember exactly what boats he'd been on or what year, but he knew precisely -exactly- how many fish he'd caught. Didn't mention how lovely the days were or the time with his buddies.

I smell Bad Science. (which I would have abbreviated to it's letter form but that wouldn't be polite)

The water's scenic beauty, the raillery & joshing around are still there and still key to real enjoyment of a day on the water, but...

It's the fish!

Those black cherry seeds -10s of thousands it seems- are all capable of growing into a tree. By mowing and weeding we do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen.

Fishery managers need to take it the other way and give the tens of millions - billions - of fish 'seeds' their best chance of survival.

Habitat in all it's forms and clean waters...

Looking to write a report on spectacular fishing ~ maybe next week!

Regards,

Monty

Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservations 410 520 2076
www.morningstarfishing.com

posted by Monty # Sunday, August 26, 2007

Fish Report 8/19/07

Flatties

Hi All,

The mid-Atlantic in August ~ calm, serene, sun-drenched seas... Yeah not.

Easier to call the weather in February than what it's been here lately. Have to play the hand you're dealt I suppose. At least we don't have a hurricane Dean barreling up the coast ~ yet.

Tough fishing too. Mostly because of weather, but the nearly complete absence of cbass isn't helping. Did have one day of fair fishing on them. I wish there had been a tagging program for sea bass this year; interesting to see where they've fanned out to.

I've had a couple very nice days on flounder, and have had my head handed to me as well!

Can't say I enjoy goose egging a long time customer ~ happened twice last week. One day I had a good angler barely scratch a dinner while two 11 year olds were catching limits of fat flatties.

Oh man... This is sorta like toggin'. The very skilled and the somewhat lucky make out great.

Anyway, when they are cooperating, flounder to 6 1/2 ~ 7 pounds are taking the pool. Ever hopeful, I've been splitting the pool with the biggest bass, heaviest was 3 lb. 15 oz. this week.

It's fun if the weather's in your favor.

In the odd-ball category, we caught a remora this week. You've seen 'em on TV. They're the fish that cling to sharks and other large critters. The back of their head is a full-on suction cup. Stuck this one to a bulkhead and then a window. Chore getting it off the glass. Put a tag in it and let it go. A first? I doubt it, but maybe.

Also had a long slow run-off. Something on the end of a lady angler's rod that didn't even know it was hooked. She handed the beast off to her husband and he pulled the hook. In the doghouse. Later we had a 10-12 foot manta ray swim down the starboard side. I'd wager...

Croakers! Haven't caught 'em yet. Sakes. Has to be soon. Half day boats lost 'em for a while but got back on them today.

I did stop on a great big beautiful screen full of fish that just had to be the mother-lode; folks were swinging by the time I came out of the wheel house. On trout. Little itty-bitty sea trout. We really need to figure out how to get them into the next size class. There must have been hundreds of thousands of them in the school I was over - the whole slough painted with them. But, from what I can tell, dern few are going to make it to next year.

Lots of work to do out there.

Grade school history books teach us that the Native Americans traded Manhattan for a few beads and blankets -coerced, no doubt, by the noisy end of a musket too- but a trade it was.

Wonder what they'll say we did with all the fish in a century's time...

Restored 'em I hope.

Regards,

Monty

Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservations 410 520 2076
www.morningstarfishing.com

posted by Monty # Sunday, August 19, 2007

Fish Report 8/19/07

Flatties & Declining Participation

Hi All,

The mid-Atlantic in August ~ calm, serene, sun-drenched seas... Yeah not.

Easier to call the weather in February than what it's been here lately. Have to play the hand you're dealt I suppose. At least we don't have a hurricane Dean barreling up the coast ~ yet.

Tough fishing too. Mostly because of weather, but the nearly complete absence of cbass isn't helping. Did have one day of fair fishing on them. I wish there had been a tagging program for sea bass this year; interesting to see where they've fanned out to.

I've had a couple very nice days on flounder, and have had my head handed to me as well!

Can't say I enjoy goose egging a long time customer ~ happened twice last week. One day I had a good angler barely scratch a dinner while two 11 year olds were catching limits of fat flatties.

Oh man... This is sorta like toggin'. The very skilled and the somewhat lucky make out great.

Anyway, when they are cooperating, flounder to 6 1/2 ~ 7 pounds are taking the pool. Ever hopeful, I've been splitting the pool with the biggest bass, heaviest was 3 lb. 15 oz. this week.

It's fun if the weather's in your favor.

In the odd-ball category, we caught a remora this week. You've seen 'em on TV. They're the fish that cling to sharks and other large critters. The back of their head is a full-on suction cup. Stuck this one to a bulkhead and then a window. Chore getting it off the glass. Put a tag in it and let it go. A first? I doubt it, but maybe.

Also had a long slow run-off. Something on the end of a lady angler's rod that didn't even know it was hooked. She handed the beast off to her husband and he pulled the hook. In the doghouse. Later we had a 10-12 foot manta ray swim down the starboard side. I'd wager...

Croakers! Haven't caught 'em yet. Sakes. Has to be soon. Half day boats lost 'em for a while but got back on them today.

I did stop on a great big beautiful screen full of fish that just had to be the mother-lode; folks were swinging by the time I came out of the wheel house. On trout. Little itty-bitty sea trout. We really need to figure out how to get them into the next size class. There must have been hundreds of thousands of them in the school I was over - the whole slough painted with them. But, from what I can tell, dern few are going to make it to next year.

Lots of work to do out there.

Grade school history books teach us that the Native Americans traded Manhattan for a few beads and blankets -coerced, no doubt, by the noisy end of a musket too- but a trade it was.

Wonder what they'll say we did with all the fish in a century's time...

Restored 'em I hope.

Regards,

Monty

Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservations 410 520 2076
www.morningstarfishing.com

posted by Monty # Sunday, August 19, 2007

Fish Report 8/12/07

Leatherbacks?

Hi All,

Left the dock this morning with high hopes. Calm, just a leftover swell from Saturday's NE mini-blow, cooler finally, and some great regulars ~ pretty day & easily one of my worst trips!

Thankfully, we did have a few days treat us well this past week. The flounder wouldn't cooperate after the big southerly swell kicked in, but some sea bass knotted up. Still uncooperative -had to work for 'em- but sure scratched dinner out of it.

Friday's confused seas -the remnant southerly swell and a heave from the NE- had me convinced that my deckhand needn't put out any strip baits for fluke.

NET! Good flounder on clam... Best day on flatties this week. It's fishing.

The half day boats have had some decent shots of croaker - I anticipate that we'll find good hardheads knotted up one day very soon.

I saw a chart of sea turtle sightings for our region. It's data. Really poor data. Anyone looking at it would think them quite scarce.

Been writing down coordinates to the ones I see -including my first Ridley- to help build a better picture of sea turtle distribution. Someone will want it I suppose.

Seems odd that I haven't seen a single Leatherback. Growing to just over a ton, they are the world's largest sea turtle and typically common -but not prolific- in summer.

Today we saw a few windrows of jellyfish several yards wide and close to a quarter mile long. That's a lot of jellies. Conditions have come together that pushed them in.

Ol' Leatherback eats 'em almost exclusively. Most of these turtles are likely far to our north, but now that the table's set I'd bet we'll see a few.

Abundance or scarcity isn't always about fishing. At least I don't think anyone's pin-hooking jellies or trawling them in this region. (yes, there is an overseas market for certain jellyfish!) Weather, currents, water temps and salinity are things we can not control and are difficult to predict. Yet the fisher and fishery manager are at their mercy.

There may come a day when such are factored into computer modeling. It's no time soon, at least in a fashion that may help to predict their effects on fisheries. Especially useful would be their favorable/unfavorable effects on spawning.

Not near as hard to get your arms around; we don't even have a chart of seafloor habitat yet. It's either there or it's not, or was and now isn't, or isn't but will be...

With the jellies come the leatherback ~ croakers bring sharks ~ sea robins the flounder. In the immense complexity of our region's marine ecology; some parts are quite simple.

Abundant reef habitat -a place where crabs and lobsters thrive- means everything to a host of species. A huge portion of our fisheries economy is driven by reef ecology. It's part of a tangled food web that stretches to the top predators.

We need to model it ~understand it~ and put that knowledge to work.

Soon.

Regards,

Monty

Capt. Monty Hawkins
mhawkins@siteone.net
Party Boat "Morning Star"
Reservations 410 520 2076
www.morningstarfishing.com

posted by Monty # Sunday, August 12, 2007

Fish Report 8/12/07

Leatherbacks?

Hi All,

Left the dock this morning with high hopes. Calm, cooler finally, and some great regulars ~ pretty day & easily one of the worst days of fishing in my years!

Thankfully, we did have a few days treat us well this past week. The flounder wouldn't cooperate after the big southerly swell kicked in, but some sea bass knotted up. Still uncooperative -had to work for 'em- but sure scratched dinner out of it.

Friday's confused seas -the remnant southerly swell and a heave from the NE- had me convinced that my deckhand needn't put out any strip baits for fluke.

NET! Good flounder on clam...

Best day on flatties this week. It's fishing.