|
Sawyer Fishing Charters and Tours
Hoopers Island, Maryland
Enjoy the finest in Maryland fishing charters on the Chesapeake Bay from Maryland's Eastern Shore!
We are located on Hoopers Island, just 40 minutes south of Cambridge, MD!
|
(410) 397-3743
|
|
|
|
Striped Bass, also known as rockfish or stripers, are named for the long stripes down the length of the fish. For this reason, they are sometimes referred to as "linesiders." In Maryland, they are called rockfish because of their affinity for structure. They tend to frequent rock piles, pylons, buoys, and channel markers. Rockfish spawn in freshwater, but spend most of their adult lives in saltwater. Rockfish can be found all along the Atlantic coast from the Gulf of Mexico to as far north as Canada. Rockfish have also been introduced in other areas, such as Lake Powell in Utah, either for tourism and recreational fishing purposes, or to control the growth of other species in the area. |
|
The biggest rockfish ever caught on record was over six feet long, but in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, they typically range between 28 and 50 inches in length during the spring and fall months, while they generally range between 18 and 28 inches during the summer and early fall. During the spring and fall months, anglers are allowed one BIG rockfish each. During the summer and early fall, anglers are allowed two of the smaller rockfish each. |
|
In the spring and fall trophy rockfish seasons, we usually troll for these fish, using as many as 20 lines at one time, with bucktails, umbrella rigs, and other artificial baits serving as the primary lures. In the summer months and early fall, we switch over to light tackle, using spinning reels and a number of more hands-on fishing methods such as live-lining or chumming. Live-lining involves putting a small spot fish, about the size of your hand, on a hook, and letting the line free spool out. This is a very fun and challenging way to fish for rockfish. Sometimes, we will also use chum, which is a paste composed of ground menhaden, that is thrown into the water to help draw in the hungry rockfish. |
|
Rockfish are extremely vital to many livelihoods and local economies in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland is no different. The livelihoods of commercial fishermen and charter boat operators are directly impacted by the sustainability of the rockfish population. In addition, when you consider the money spent by those who travel to Maryland and stay at the hotels, and visit the restaurants, clubs, and stores just so they can catch some of these rockfish, it is easy to understand the importance of rockfish to the economy and why it is important to be responsible fishermen and environmental stewards so that a sustainable population of rockfish can be preserved. |
HOW OLD IS THAT MARYLAND ROCKFISH?
|
|
|
Sawyer Fishing Charters and Tours
Hoopers Island, Maryland
Enjoy the finest in Maryland fishing charters on the Chesapeake Bay from Maryland's Eastern Shore!
We are located on Hoopers Island, just 40 minutes south of Cambridge, MD!
|
(410) 397-3743
|