Outdoors: Run of big stripers bound for bay | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

Meanwhile, impatient Izaak Waltons aren't waiting; they're on the hunt on a catch-and-release basis. Several charterboat skippers report they've taken some nice rockfish a the Bay Bridge - fish in the 30 and above inches class via trolling Not a lot, but enough to remind us they're in.

Roger Sweet of Glen Burnie reports he and sidekicks Dale Ewing and John Jacobs reeled in and released five stripers in one day trolling spoons and parachutes in the bridge area. They ranged from about 30 to 38 inches, were fat and full of spunk. That's the best catch I've heard of thus far.

A pocket of nice stripers has also turned up in the Susquehanna off the mouth of Deer Creek, I hear a few approached 40 inches and taken by anglers fishing cut alewives for catfish. That's off limits for the special catch-and-release Flats season, which incidentally seems to be picking up with a few biggies among the catches. Water conditions are improving.

Word from Calvert Cliffs is that there's a mix of big and small stripers for those who jig or troll, but the catching remains sporadic. BKDs and metal jigs appear to doing the best job. Warmer weather has brought more than a few boats on the middle and lower bay to sample the waters, and some are catching fish. Most are dragging umbrella rigs with parachutes attached. I'd favor tandem rigs with big spoons and bucktails added.

In the lower bay, early birds are concentrating on trolling the channel with umbrella a rigs, but Baltimorean Harry Hearst released a striper of close to 40 inches that struck a No. 21 Tony trolled far behind his boat with only two ounces of lead attached. At this time of year some fish find waters near the surface more to their liking.

Curiously, there seems to be more pre-season fishermen testing fish activity than in at least several years - probably due to recent accommodating weather. Winds have eased off and temperatures are more comfortable. Those fishing the Inner Harbor are taking some rockfish, but few seem to be big. Word is some netters have pulled their gear - too many big stripers clog their nets. Overall, it looks like there will be plenty of fish around when catch-and-keep fishing comes next month.

For smaller stuff, primarily perch, The Marshyhope over on the Shore is getting an awful lot of well deserved attention, but in recent days, Bud Hein of Fishbones said the good white perch fishing at the Beachwood sector of the Magothy has eased off - also the pickerel bite has done likewise (it's now catch-and-release for pickerel in tidal waters), but it's expected things will turn around if the weather doesn't turn sour.

With yellow perch it appears fishermen slept through the peak of the run says Charlie Ebersberger of Anglers Sports Center, "We had an ice storm and everyone figured the run would resume later, but the fish did their thing anyhow."

Most yellow perch are now smaller bucks, the white perch are of fairly good size.

If you're itching to try shad, maybe you should try the Susquehanna with your finger crossed. The late Susky guide Earl Ashenfelter and I made it a point to try for the first hickories on St. Patty's Day -and usually connected. Farm pond bass'n is getting good. Mike Popp took a 71/2 pounder from St. Mary's Lake, which he promptly released. Bass are also stirring in the reservoirs.

At the ocean, a few small stripers are turning up inside the inlet, tautog fishing is improving, use sand fleas. Headboaters are beginning to take some nice tautog, sea bass should soon come on. Haven't heard a thing about Boston mackerel - presumably another bust.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR

Today: Three Rivers Sportsmens Club's second annual trap shoot beginning at 9 at Prince Georges Trap & Skeet Center, 10400 Good Luck Road, Glen Dale. Call Curtis Cruise, 410-336-8448.

Monday: Glenbrook Rifle Association Hunter Safety Course begins at the club's facilities, two more sessions March 27 and 30. Sign up at Bart's Sport World, 6814 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie. Call 410-761-8686.

March 29/-0: Fifteenth annual MSSA Fishing Fair, 8 to 3, Solomons Fire Hall. Admission $2. Go to www.mssasmc.com

April 19: Glenbrook Rifle Association Muzzleloader Class begins. Call Phil Bozek at 410-437-4806 or Mike Murphy at 410-760-7669.

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Send outdoors news to Bill Burton, PO Box 430,Pasadena, MD 21123-0430; fax to410-360-2427, or e-mail burtonoutdoors@yahoo.com. Please include your phone number in all communications.