Fall fishing in Hatteras
The folks in Hatteras on North Carolina’s Outer Banks fish year-round. They keep an eye on the weather and take advantage of the good days to motor out to the warm Gulf Stream waters to see what’s biting. If you’re looking for some late-season fall fishing action and fine fall weather is in the forecast, the charter captains can put you on some fish, and you’ll learn how to catch them yourself if you don’t already know how. Anglers heading out from the Hatteras Harbor Marina this past November reeled in blackfin tuna, bluefish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, sea trout, red drum, triggerfish, sharks, blue marlin, amberjack, and king mackerel, including a 50-pounder.
The well-protected, full-service marina has a 20-boat charter fleet as well as deepwater transient slips to accommodate boats up to 60 feet. Slips offer 30-, 50- and 100-amp electrical service and water. Shower facilities, diesel fuel, oil disposal, fish cleaning service, and a laundromat are located on the premises, which also has a marina store and deli. It’s within walking distance of restaurants, shopping and grocery supplies. hatterasharbor.com
25 years of the Fall Fishing Classic
The 25th Annual Chesapeake Bay Fall Classic fishing tournament, hosted by the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association, is scheduled for November 17-19. The tournament coincides with the southerly migration of large striped bass from the Northeast. The winning striper last year was a whopping 52.5 inches—caught by John Weber—and checked in at the Calvert Marina. Captain’s meetings are scheduled from 6PM to 8PM weekdays leading up to the tournament at four locations in Kent Island, Essex, Solomons Island, and Annapolis. Anglers can register and pick up a tournament packet, enjoy some food and refreshments, and share game plans for catching the big one. Weigh stations
are located at Sandy Point State Park, Rod ‘N Reel, Breezy Point Marina, Calvert Marina, Point Lookout State Park, Kentmorr Marina, Knapps Narrows Marina, and Taylor’s Island Campground.
mssa.net
ASMFC TO DECIDE THE FATE OF ATLANTIC MENHADEN
Reedville is very much in the news these days as the Virginia coastal town is home to the only industrial menhaden reduction fishing operation on the Atlantic Coast, with half its quota taken inside the Chesapeake Bay. Unlike menacing Asian carp in the Mississippi, menhaden are a native fish that play animportant role in coastal ecology, providing nutrition for fish and birds and serving as filter feeders of pollutants in the water. Recreational anglers and conservationists have long lobbied for menhaden management based on ecological reference points (ERP). ERPs consider the multiple roles that species play, both in supporting fisheries for human use and the marine ecosystem. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board will meet November 13-14 to consider approval of Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden and to set specifications for the 2018 fishing season. The meeting will take place at the BWI Marriott in Linthicum, Maryland, with an anticipated large crowd representing commercial, recreational and environmental stakeholders. It will be live-streamed via webinar. asmfc.org/species/atlantic-menhaden
Story and Photos by Chris Knauss, Southern Boating November 2017