Let one go

Monday morning (05/04/15) and going fishing. The water in the St. Martins River was a balmy 70 degrees. Wow! The water warmed up quick. It was a clear and warm morning with no wind and no forecast of any. Very few crab pots left in the bay. As I proceeded through the thoroughfare, the water temp was 60 degrees. The water was very cloudy which baffled me as we didn't have any storms or wind lately.

Headed out to the south side and set up for Tog. The water temp was 55 degrees but the water was, as well, very cloudy. Fished the incoming tide for two hours with not even a nibble. When the tide turned, the water cleared up long enough for me to catch 2 nice tog; a 19" female and 17" male. Released both. Did catch sight of 2 bottlenose in the inlet.

As the water started running hard, I went south down by the  OC Airport to Flounder fish. Thought I could catch minnows down there but no luck.  Wouldn't have mattered anyway because the water was dirty down there, also, but it was 62 degrees.  Nice.

There is a great new asset to the Coastal Fisherman this year. It's a graph that shows approximately how old a fish is  per its weight and length.  What a great idea!  It will educate us on how many years it takes for a fish to become legal length.  Maybe then we will just let a few legal size swim.

Isn't it a lot of fun to just catch fish? We don't need to keep all that we catch. Back in the '70s my brother and I were catching a hundred Flounder a day.  My mother would only allow us to bring a couple home to have for dinner that night. I hear of people stating we used to fill up trash cans full of Mackerel.  Well, guess what?  The Mackerel are gone.  And the best one is the Trout.  We all remember the big tide runners, but  where are they now? All I'm asking is to let a few go. My wife and I have drifted through the inlet many times and caught flounder upwards of 28"s. We usually released them as other boaters asked why?  Because we have got to start living for tomorrow. Well, stop rambling now,  Kenny,

First flounder of the 2015 Ocean City fishing season!

Headed out Monday (4/27/2015) and what a pretty day.  Air temp at 65 degrees and very little wind. The water temp in the St. Martins river was a chilly 55.  Not as many crab pots as there has been. I spotted two Ospreys nesting and three Bald Eagles. The water as I pass thru the thoroughfare is crystal clear but a bit chillier for this time of year at 52. Still not a soul Flounder fishing. Strange, considering they're catching a few in Indian River. Stopped on the sand bar outside of Hooper's to get a few clams for bait. Caught my first flounder of the year, but it was in my clam rake. Well, told you they were here. I was clamming in about a foot of water and never saw the little guy.

Speaking of Hoopers Crab House, went there Sunday with the family for the all you can eat crabs, They were delicious.  Our server, Dan, did a very good job for the 6 of us. The thing that baffles me is that the crabs came out of North Carolina, Yes they were pretty crabs, but I love keeping the money close to home. Arrived at my honey hole, south side jetty, and set up. Water temp was a very cold 48 degrees, Fished the out going tide that was screaming for an hour with nothing happening. As the tide starting changing, I brought two 15 inchers over the rail. Things are looking up huh? So I thought until, as usual, the wind started howling out of the east. So I called it a day.