Hearty anglers in search of a good striped bass bite should find that and more at this year’s 13th Annual Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout December 10-12 off the waters of Virginia Beach. You can leave from any inlet in Virginia and weigh-ins are at Rudee Inlet at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center or King’s Creek Marina in Cape Charles. If you’d rather try a charter, the folks at the fishing center (757-491-8000) will be glad to help.
The tournament began in 2004 sprouting from the fishing enthusiasm of tournament director Mike Standing. With Atlantic Coast rockfish congregating in the area during the winter, his efforts have developed into the richest striped bass tourney in the country. Last year’s winners aboard LeGrande Slam weighed in more than 125 pounds of fish and took home a check for $23,000 from a $111,000 total payout.
The tournament also gives back to the community with donated filets serving area food banks and monetary donations helping local causes. Striped bass movements change and with the tournament moving from late December to early December, I predict plenty of trophy-sized fish will be brought to the scales this month. midatlanticrockfishshootout.com
Island View now a Clean Marina
Island View Marina serving mariners and anglers of the middle Chesapeake Bay area has been certified as the latest Maryland Clean Marina.
Already recycling and providing a pump-out station, Island View owner George Ritter has also reached Clean Marina standards through his pollution prevention efforts by capturing all boat bottom wash water and improving storm water management.
The marina is a family owned-and-operated full-service facility founded in 1984. Located at the mouth of Crab Alley Creek leading into Eastern Bay, Island View offers services like bottom painting and mechanical troubleshooting and repairs. The site provides do-it-yourself and full-service options, with Ritter offering more than 35 years of mechanical and repair experience in both sail and powerboats.
The Island View Marina marks the 156th Maryland Clean Marina certified facility. islandviewmarinaoncraballeycreek.com
Bring a dish
Members of the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club meet the second Saturday of each month September through June in Buxton. Doors open at 6PM followed by a covered dish dinner at 6:30PM prior to the 7:30PM meeting. The club provides coffee, iced tea and soft drinks. There is a 50/50 drawing at each meeting along with door prizes usually consisting of a rod, a reel and gift certificates redeemable at Hatteras Island tackle shops. The club’s primary mission is to serve as a “Watch Dog” organization to help keep Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches free and open to the public. Of course, there’s plenty of piscatorial talk going on at the meetings, and it’s a great way to pick up pointers and new fishing friends. capehatterasanglersclub.org
By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating, November 2015