CCA MD Announces 2013 Tidal Pickerel Championship

Last year I participated in the First Annual CCA Tidal Pickerel Championship and never really had the time to put a good effort into it. I caught two or three Pickerel, with the biggest being around 21.5" which honestly isn't bad. Unfortunately, it was a non-tidal Pickerel...on Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts. The biggest tidal Pickerel I caught was about 18.5".

This year (the Second Annual CCA Tidal Pickerel Championship), I've done a lot better already in getting out three times and bringing in total over a dozen Pickerel to hand. The smallest sitting around 17" and the largest around 21". Now unfortunately, I just registered two days ago before Zach and I went out and fished Luce Creek off the Severn River in the Chesapeake Bay and we practiced the Art of Skunk.

So for those of you in the area or in Maryland looking to participate in a little winter tournament, read on...(click on the link on the bottom of the page to register).

The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is holding  its second CCA MD Pickerel Tidal Fishing Championship, which begins January 1st and runs through March 15th 2013. The catch and release event is being held in conjunction with four local tackle shops—Alltackle, Anglers, Shore Tackle and Custom Rods, Tochterman’s and Sea Hawk.
“Pickerel reside in many of the tidal streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay during the winter,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “They also provide exciting light tackle and fly opportunities for recreational anglers.”

This is a careful catch and release tournament and all you need to do is email the picture to pickerel@ccamd.org for judging.
Register at your favorite shop listed above. You will be issued a cca official ruler. Now all you need to do is go out and catch some pickerel.

Rules:

- No Treble Hooks may be used.

- Hooks may be rolled over or snipped off allowing only 1 of the 3 hooks  to be exposed and in its original form.

- Fishing may take place in any tidal tributary of Chesapeake Bay

- Catch Photo Release Championship governed by the honor system

- Photos must be taken against official ruler provided

- Photos must be sent in by midnight March 15th

- Panel of judges will determine actual length based on photograph

-tie breaker determined by time

- Prizes for individual fishermen and tackle shop

- 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd for largest fish per tackle shop, awarded by shop

- 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, for largest overall fish, awarded by CCA MD

- Most inches overall by team , perpetual trophy awarded by CCA MD

- Every fish counts towards team total

- All pickerel caught and released count towards total inches award

- All rules and regulations set forth by MD DNR apply

Photo Submission

-Photos must be taken against an official CCA MD sticker ruler, or in a CCA MD cradle with sticker.

- Panel of judges have final say in determination of fish length.

- Photos must be sent in an email to pickerel@ccamd.org

            SUBJECT LINE FORMAT:  “ LAST NAME,FIRST NAME, SHOP, DATE, # OF FISH PICS INCLUDED “

Ex:…. Subject: Doe, John, Smith’s Bait Shop, 12/20, 6

A confirmation email will be your record of registration.

Best Practices for Careful Catch and Release

Tidal Pickerel are a special fish living on the edge of their range here in MD.   Salinity levels and water quality seem to control their population cycles.   It is important that while catching and releasing Pickerel fishermen use care, and adhere to some best practices.

Pickerel have the best chance of surviving when they are not handled extensively, or kept out of the water for an extended period of time.   Please use care when taking pictures and do your best to only keep the fish out of the water for a limited time.

Catch and release mortality can be high when fish are deep hooked.   Actively retrieving artificials, or artificials tipped with bait should limit the amount of deep hooking which occurs.

Pickerel are aggressive feeders and fighters and treble hooks can cause a great deal of damage if not modified.  Please roll 2 of the hooks inward, or clip off 2 of the hooks before using treble hooks for Pickerel, or any other fish you intend to release.

You can register by clicking here to head on over to the CCA site an signing up at the bottom. May the best Pickerel fisherman win...

Boom...Morgan

Annapolis Angler Wins Grand Prize At Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale

Via MD DNR:

Annapolis Angler Wins Grand Prize At Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale

Diamond Jim Anglers Split $25,000 Cash

Annapolis, Md. (September 8, 2012) ─  Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John Griffin presented approximately $70,000 in cash, prizes and merchandise to lucky anglers this morning at the 2012 Maryland Fishing Challenge. Nearly 2,000 people, including sponsors, anglers and their guests attended the 8th annual contest’s closing ceremony at Sandy Point State Park.

“The sport of fishing is a longstanding tradition here in Maryland, a way to build camaraderie and create memories with friends and family,” said Secretary Griffin. “I want to extend a huge congratulations to this year’s winners, and remind my fellow anglers that although the 2012 contest has come to an end, this marks the start of the 2013 challenge ─ Happy fishing!”

Since Labor Day 2011, more than 1,000 anglers qualified to participate in today’s grand prize drawing, nine of whom also qualified for the Diamond Jim component of the challenge. Youth winners from fishing rodeos across the State also won exciting guided fishing trips donated by supporting fishing groups and professional guides.

“Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who have helped this contest go strong for eight years now,” said Griffin. “These partnerships help keep this sport alive, introducing our State’s youth to the joys of fishing, while inspiring the next generation to become responsible stewards of our natural world.”

Walking away with today’s grand prize of boat, motor and trailer from Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats, was John Veil of Annapolis who caught an Angler Award qualifying, 13.5-inch white perch.

“This was a big surprise!” said Veil. “I came here to enjoy the event and won a new boat!”

John Schultz, a novice angler from Pennsylvania won an all expenses paid fishing trip to the Bimini Game Club on Bimini Island in the Bahamas provided by the World Fishing Network.

“This is amazing!” said Schultz. “I cannot get over it!”

Bill’s Outdoor Center at Deep Creek Lake returned as a premiere sponsor with thousands of dollars in tackle and fishing gear for the prize drawings. AllTackle, Angler’s Sports Center, Clyde’s Sport Shop, Fishbone’s Bait and Tackle, Herb’s Tackle Shop, Marty’s Sporting Goods and Tochterman’s Fishing Tackle also donated gift cards and youth tackle packages. All contestants received commemorative shirts, courtesy of Under Armour.

Nine lucky anglers caught specially tagged rockfish this summer in the Diamond Jim component of the 2012 Fishing Challenge. After all corresponding envelopes were opened – and no authentic Diamond Jim was discovered – the anglers split the contest’s cash prize of $25,000 ─ taking home $2,778 each.

The youth component of the Maryland Fishing Challenge celebrated 19 lucky anglers who advanced from DNR-sponsored fishing rodeos this summer. These individuals were awarded fishing gear and trips from the event’s generous sponsors.

“Catch a fish” is one of the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O’Malley under the Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.

Three batches of specially tagged striped bass – three genuine Diamond Jims and 375 imposters – were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries this summer. Diamond Jim’s value increased each month: from $10,000 in June to $20,000 in July and $25,000 in August. The seven Diamond Jim imposters were worth at least $500 each for the duration of the contest.

Through the Angler Award component, 80 species of fish, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast, were eligible for the grand prizes.

This year’s challenge honors the life and times of world renowned fly-fishing legend Lefty Kreh. Over his remarkable 75-year career the Maryland native has shared his enthusiasm and skill for fishing through his columns, books and presentations. He is also known for his commitment to Maryland’s natural resources, promoting conservation and clean water, and giving back to the outdoors. Kreh was honored by Governor Martin O’Malley at the dedication of the Lefty Kreh Fishing Trail in the Hereford Area of Gunpowder Falls State Park on June 11.

More information on the Maryland Fishing Challenge including a list of winners is available at dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/challenge/index.asp.

Boom...Morgan

Livingsocial + Alltackle.com = One Heck of a Deal

Just got a new 10wt fly line for $1.20... How? Livingsocial had a deal with Alltackle the other day so of course I bought as many as I could! Got a new fly line today, getting a few pairings tomorrow. So pumped...

AllTackle.com-"Your Fishing Tackle Source"

So I just finished a big fly order for AllTackle and thought I'd tell you guys a little bit about them. They have two stores, one in Ocean City, MD and the other in Annapolis, MD. I haven't been to their OC store yet but regularly stop by the Annapolis store not only for the great prices but friendly atmosphere and nice staff. They are easy to get along with there and often will take time to tell you their stories and listen to yours. The Annapolis store just recently started to pick up fly fishing gear and after going in and showing them some of my stuff, they decided to place an order for some flies. They have a great selection of saltwater fishing gear both light tackle and deep sea. If your near one of the stores, feel free to stop in, check 'em out, and give them some business. Here's a little something something from the 'About Us' section of their website:

Our mission is to provide the recreational and professional fisherman a dependable source of high quality fishing tackle and related equipment at reasonable, affordable prices.  We strive to offer the best prices found on the web.  In addition, we provide our visitors with relevant fishing information that is timely, dependable, and accessible.   

Founded in 1999 as an e-commerce web site devoted to fishing enthusiasts, it provides a one-stop resource of gear and information for freshwater and saltwater fishing activities. Currently the site hosts over 2000 pages of content and delivers over 3,000,000 monthly page views to over 200,000 unique visitors. The company's e-commerce storefront offers a wide selection of nationally branded fishing products.

In 2005, alltackle expanded into a 3000 S.F. space which was the internet fulfillment HQ.  This space includes a 2000 S.F. retail showroom.  In 2007, alltackle added a second location in West Ocean City, MD to serve our off shore fishing customers.  Additional east coast locations are planned.

In 2009, Alltackle expanded once again into a 6000 S.F. space with a 4000SF showroom and internet fulfillment center.

Our U.S. and international visitors now have a one stop shop for all types of fishing equipment and information.  We are continuously adding more products to our site and we are on-call to special order any items requested by our users.  Our site is organized for ease of use.  We are able to offer you the best prices by keeping the site simple, without all the costly bells and whistles that can slow a site down.

Alltackle also operates a charter operation.

Here's some pictures of their order...if you want some flies for a good price email me at mkupfer32@gmail.com. 

Tight Lines...Morgan