Offshore trip in the Chesapeake!
 

Not really an offshore trip, but it almost felt like it today. I ran from my slip in Bodkin Creek to Eastern Bay today. A one hour run at 25 mph to find spot and Rockfish. I kept thinking to myself, at least I'm closer than Jeff and Bruce:eek:

Spot were not difficult to find, some doubles:). The run to the rock was quick and they were thick. The fishfinder was lit up. All I kept thinking was my buddy Phil would be saying "we can jig these, we can jig these".

The spot were a bit big, but the rock had no problem taking them. Most fish were 24-26 inches, but one 22 inch fish came to the boat carrying a Diamond Jim tag:eek::eek:

Normally, he would have been pitched back, but I had to keep the whole fish with tag intact for DNR. Called their Hotline and they will call me tomorrow with instructions. What I want to win, is a prepaid gas card:D

Next two days look sweet for fishing. It was cloudy and overcast today. Not hot at all on the water. Back at the dock, it was pretty warm, but playing with the hose and cleaning the boat felt good. Go get 'em guys.

P.S. Bruce, thanks for the livewell:)

5th

Thanks for the report. No spot at all above the BB? Or is it a function of a better livelining bite down south? Planning my first livelining trip this year over the weekend and would prefer to stay closer to home (Magothy) if possible. Usually by this time one can catch bait and rockfish all within a few miles of the mouth of the river...

There may be some spot above the bridge, but I don't know where in good concentrations. Anglers on the Downs Park Pier catch some.

The spot and rock are so thick further south, I just wanted to experience it today. I haven't been out in a while and wanted to be successful.

If you find spot above the bridge, let me know:D
5th

Good luck with the DJ tag Marty

I guess maybe you would share that pre-paid gas card with Bruce and I since you're practically already there from your slip?? :D. I wonder if you have to use it on $4.30/gal gas or if you can get $4.10/gal diesel with it?? :D
Anyway, here's to hoping you win the $20K so you can buy both Bruce and I our own fuel card!! Good luck!!

Ps- thanks for the report

I gotta fix my livewell :rolleyes:

Marty,
Glad you got some bait and fish. Sorry I haven't been posting but I had my boat in for some R+R and then we have been visiting family in Utah. I will be out Friday in the upper bay looking for the elusive spot fish and some perch and if we get a chance we will look for some stripers. Glad the live well works for you. Plan on heading to several of the oyster bars and even way north of Pooles to survey things. By the way if you need help spending the Diamond Jim money, I am always looking for some relief:D

bhl (Bruce)

If that rock is "THE DIAMOND JIM", do I get a finder's fee or something similar? Congrats man. Hope its the big money fish!!! Will be on your ride for the rest of the year:D

I'm thinking of buying two of those "bean bag" chairs for the boat. The offshore guys use them for the long ride to the canyons:eek:

Bruce, if you find something further north, be sure to share with your upper bay buddies:D

Jeff, if it's your livewell pump, Tawn and I are experts now:)

You guys with the Judge 36's might have to spend a bit more in fuel and you might be just a bit slower than us 27 guys; but at least you don't have to replace Oxygen Sensors:rolleyes:

5th

Will do :) Going to try my usual spot and then LL haunts this weekend and will report back. Worst case can run south to join the fleet, but will scout it out closer first.

I have 2 bean bags on my boat just cause they don't scratch anything up on deck. They are nice a hell on the water period. Mine are medium sized wedges from e-sea rider at about $100.

Yes, pretty sure it is a bad pump but haven't really gotten in there to investigate. Think the same pump goes to my generator too :eek: I haven't used either one for awhile.

A bit slower?? Next time there is a 25kt N wind, let's race! :D

Talked with DNR today. I have to take the fish to Annapolis (Rowe Blvd). They have to inspect it and I have to sign a document. I answered a ton of questions today. They even asked what kind of reel, rod, and line I was using:eek:

They took the name of my buddy as a witness, and I may be asked to take a lie detector test. Also found out that if I was still working as a charter mate, I would have been ineligible:(

I'll let you know what happens in September:)

5th

FYI: Fair amount of Spot close to the bridge on south side - sorta Dolly's Lump in 12-17 feet.

Takes some looking with meter to find them - slow but steady pick at them.

Second hand - Spot just to north of bridge in same depth - due east of bath house at Sandy Point beach.

Fished Weds - no trouble with Spot but Rock proved tough to find. Not much current moved - that's my official excuse.

:eek::eek: Lets be honest, this is most likely an "impostor". Even the impostors are worth $500. But here's the "real" deal. The wife wants to go with me tomorrow to check in the fish:). Now she wants to go to the Chart House for lunch and the Waterman's museum in Eastport. Walking around Annapolis and doing some StoreFront shopping will probably cost me a few bucks as well.

Then comes the Seafood Festival in September. I get free admission to the Park, free parking, and a free ticket to get inside.:D. I can see us bringing the grandchildren (along with their parents) and buying crab soup, steamed crabs, oysters, and hot dogs (for the grand kids:eek:).



Here I was, thinking I could use the $500 for getting my boat trailer serviced for the fall run of rockfish:eek:

Maryland tourism sure has this figured out. My money is going to be spent way before I find out if I got the "real" Diamond Jim.

5th
P.S. If it's the real Diamond Jim, big party at my house!
After I get radar installed on the boat.

I think your odds of winning go up with the number of friends you bring with you in September (your dime of course). I will try to be sure and keep that date open just in case you are felling in need of some support! :D

Marty,
You just need to concentrate on winning the big bucks. Your friends will let you know how to spend it:rolleyes:. I am going today above bridge and will post, good or bad. Going to use some Bloodies and jigs, fishing for whatever moves.
Jeff- If you generator is like mine it has it's own raw water pump. My live well pump is seperate. Did you open the valve:D.
bhl (Bruce)

Thanks, Skip. Those were areas I was planning to check and it's encouraging to hear that the spot are where they're "supposed" to be by now. Looks like my livelining trip will get pushed out a week as I've got an invite to fish offshore out of OC this weekend, but I will report on my results when I do get out in the Bay.

Marty - Do not hold me to this but I think if no one catches the Diamond Jim tagged Rock - the $20,000.00 is divided equally among the anglers who caught impostors.

If 10 impostors are caught - it would be $ 2,000.00 each.

$25.00 cash - I won't tell your wife :D

Best of luck - congrats on getting a tagged one. Rare since we all know released fish die :rolleyes:

Skip, the wife already knows about the money split:eek: today was like the movie "Weekend at Bernie's".
We had to take the fish down to the DNR Tawes building in Annapolis for them to check out. I had to sign the paperwork documenting how and where it was caught while they cut the tag off the intact frozen fish. When the wife found out about the Tawes Gardens, we walked the 5 acre garden with ponds and flowing creeks;with the frozen fish in tow.
We left DNR and went to Eastport to view the Maritime museum. It is an old oyster packing plant and a great spot for holding a meeting:D. It told the history of oystering in the Chesapeake. The entrance is free, and it's a good place to check out.
From there, we went to Chesapeake Harbor and ate at Sam's Waterfront Cafe. Jason, Rockin Robin, lives in the community and we saw his boat in a lift slip. We had a great meal and walked the community.
As we left Chesapeake Harbor, I spotted Fawcetts Marine store. I knew they had left there original location next to Ego Alley, but didn't know their new location. Of course we had to stop in and buy a couple things.
I just got home a few minutes ago and put the fish back in the freezer. The wife wants to keep it frozen until September when I can take a photo of the fish and the check:D
So, Diamond Jim (or his imposter) got a trip around Annapolis today. The wife and I had a good time, him, probably not so much:rolleyes:
5th

Sounds like a fun day:rolleyes: All I did was catch a bunch of spot and rock:D