The MSSA is working to provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing.

 

NO UNITY - NO VOICE - NO FISH!

 

By the time you get this newsletter, the spring Rockfish season will be started.  The season opens April 15th and the size limit is 33 inches or bigger.  I personally disagree with this regulations, but we must all obey the rules.  I feel there will be a lot of fish caught under 33 inches that will have to be released back into the water that may not live because of deep hook damage.  However, we must follow the regulations. When bringing fish to the boat, decide if you are going to keep that fish or release it.  Release the fish in the water next to the boat if you can.  If you decide to net the fish and bring in into your boat and then decide to release it, try not to handle the fish anymore than possible and get the fish back into the water.  Also, try to keep the fish horizontally as much as you can.  Holding a large fish vertically out of the water damages the fish and its insides shift downward.  Just do the best you can and have a safe, fun spring season.

 

DNR SURVEYS

 

There are two surveys we should all participate in: The Rockfish and Summer Founder surveys.  If you fish for these two species of fish, try to get involved with these two surveys. The DNR website is: www.dnr.state.md.us.  You can get all of your information and forms on this website.  The Atlantic Coast Chapter of the MSSA has done an outstanding job over the years with their Flounder surveys. For Flounder survey information, check this website or call Angel Bolinger (410-643-4601) or email at abolinger@dnr.state.md.us.  The mailing address for both surveys is: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office Building, B-2, Attention: Eric Burnell, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21404.

 

MSSADORCHESTER.COM

 

Curt Brandt has been working overtime trying to update our website and getting your email addresses entered so most members can get the monthly newsletter.  W will still put the newsletter on our website.  We now have around 70-80 email addresses in which those members will get a newsletter by email. Also a lot of members still want their newsletter mailed and we will do so.  If, for some reason, you don’t get a newsletter, contact me (Clint).

 

Don’t forget that as a member of Dorchester County Chapter, you get free advertising on our website such as your business or if you have something to sell.  It’s your website.  Be sure to use it.

 

MSSA SPRING TOURNAMENT

 

The MSSA Spring Tournament will be held May 5-6-7th.  You still have time to enter.  Get an MSSA Tournament book for all the rules and regulations plus the captains’ meetings’ dates at Boater’s World are listed.  This is a fun, competitive tournament where a lot of big money can be won.  You must play to win.

 

FISHING COMBO RAFFLE

 

Our Chapter raffle to win a rod and reel fishing combo will run until our May meeting when a winner will be drawn.  If you haven’t bought any tickets, please do so. We are trying to make the Dorchester County Chapter the best in the MSSA. We are growing with new members  each month - 32 new members since the first of the year.  It takes money to handle this increase. We did a great job on the Flea Market.  Now we need help with this raffle.  Contact: Jim Kubista (410-228-4690), 100 Linthicum Drive, Cambridge, Maryland 21613 to mail your tickets or get more tickets.  Make checks out to: MSSA Dorchester.

 

GUEST SPEAKER

 

Our speaker this month is Dennis Suler from Fisherman Magazine.  Dennis was the main speaker at the MSSA Convention in Ocean City.  I was quite impressed with all the information he presented on fishing and I knew I had to have him for a speaker at our Chapter.  Well we have Dennis as our speaker and you don’t want to miss this presentation.