4/9/2008

CAPTAIN RON’S “Fish Tails”
Editor's Note: Welcome aboard to "Captain Ron" Fisher!

  
Captain Ron

Captain Ron will be making regular appearances in the pages of The Courier to keep anglers and would-be anglers informed about local happenings. His qualifications are impeccable…simply put he catches fish.

Now retired from his real job, Captain Ron is an avid fresh and saltwater fisherman, using both fly rod and conventional rod and reel in both fresh and saltwater. He has been fishing the Coastal Bays of Ocean City as well as inshore and offshore for the past 28 years and knows many of the local fisherman and charter captains through involvement in the Ocean Pines Angler's Club and the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association, Atlantic Coast Chapter in Ocean City.

Although he loves to make offshore trips with friends for the big fish, he admits that he loves bay fishing just as much stating, "Our bays offer great fishing for everyone including rock, flounder, tog, croaker, spot, blues and on occasion something totally unexpected."  According to Ron "every day is a new adventure on the water. You make great friends as well. We all like to keep in touch when we are fishing via VHF radio and take care of each other. You never know what tales you will come home with."

He says he loves to see kids fishing. "If they fish they are likely to learn about conservation and fish management as well as just plain having fun," says Captain Ron and he likes to think he had some influence on his grandson T.J. becoming a great fisherman. In closing he states. "There is nothing like seeing them smile when they have a fish on the end of line.  They seem to never forget."

Spring flounder
By Captain Ron

All it took was a few warm days in March to start thinking about flounder fishing. I usually begin fishing in mid April, mostly boat fishing since you need to be able to get to the areas flounder congregate prior to what I call "The Warming of the Water." It takes a minimum water temperature of 54 degrees to get them moving and they really become active at 65 degrees. This I learned from Captain Bob on one of the local flounder charters. In the spring I usually fish the first two hours of the outgoing tide when the warm waters of the marshes flow through the bay. If you want to quickly understand how cold the water can be in the spring do like my friend John and strip down to your shorts, get into the water and push the boat from a sand bar. 

However, I'm putting the proverbial cart before the horse. Don't forget to treat your reel to fresh line as this will help avoid many tangles and kinks. I normally use 15 lb. test monofilament on the spool. I personally prefer a conventional spooling reel rather than a spinning reel finding it easier to control. Some fishermen I know seem to buy only the most expensive equipment. Being frugal by nature I go for the cheaper brands. Honestly, I catch as many or possibly more fish on my inexpensive rig. If you are new to fishing visit any local tackle shop and they can fit you up with an inexpensive flounder outfit.

At the business end of my line I prefer a three way barrel swivel with either a two or three ounce bank sinker (depending on the tide drift), followed by a three to five foot 20 lb. test leader with a plain #1 or #2 wide gap hook without beads or flashy hardware. Keep the rig on the bottom close to the boat and drift with the tide. When you feel a bite avoid the temptation to set the hook immediately, but let out a little line and give the flounder time to eat the bait. Then slowly raise the tip of your rod and set the hook. If you pull early, I'll guarantee you will miss most fish.

For bait I like to use frozen shiners hooked through the eyes along with a narrow strip of squid as an attractor when the drift is good, then switch to live killie minnows without the squid to add a little action when the drift slows at the tide change. These may be purchased at local tackle shops. Again, being frugal, when I see frozen shiners or squid at a good price I'll buy several packs and put them in the freezer. However, I offer this bit of advice. If you want to avoid conflict at home consult your wife before placing any frozen bait in the freezer. Unfortunately, I did not and when they were discovered I received a lesson on proper wrapping techniques beginning with, "If it is totally necessary to put that in the freezer."

I would highly recommend you join one of the local fishing clubs such as The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association Inc. (MSSA) Atlantic Coast Chapter in Ocean City or the Ocean Pines Angler's Club as they are a great resource. They offer a wealth of information and if you don't have a boat it is likely someone will offer to take you fishing.

Where to fish? Most early season flounder fishermen can be found north of the Rte. 90 Bridge fishing at depths of five to six feet as the flounder seek the warmth of the shallower water.  Some also do well in the flats at the Thorofare and in the South Bay behind Assateague Island around the Airport. I suggest moving around. If the water is warmer you may even do well along the ledges at the inlet or in the deeper holes at the Rt. 50 Bridge.

Finally, you also need have a flounder flag. When I catch that keeper flounder I raise my flounder flag and I love to go by a friend's boat with my flag proudly flying. You become the envy of all other flounder fishermen when you return to port, knowing everyone is watching and will flock to the fish cleaning area to witness the weigh in.

Until the next Fish Tales, take a Kid Fishing.