Mid-Atlantic Saltwater Fishing

The Mid-Atlantic region offers some of the best saltwater fishing on North America's Atlantic coast.

New York and New Jersey both offer a variety of saltwater fishing opportunities. Inshore fishing is the popular, with anglers catching scup (porgy) black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, fluke (summer flounder), winter flounder, and other species.

Anglers that venture into the open sea catch tuna, billfish, sharks, and other pelagic species. Groundfish are also caught off the coasts of New York and New Jersey, including cod, haddock, pollock, hake, and whiting. Along the edges of the canyons, bottom fishermen catch tilefish and other deepwater species.

Striped Bass

Separating New Jersey from Delaware is the Delaware River and Delaware Bay. From Philadelphia to Cape May New Jersey, this estuary is home to striped bass, weakfish, flounder, tautog, and other species. A few miles south is Indian River Inlet, which provides access for deep sea fishing.

In Maryland, an incredible variety of saltwater fishing occurs in Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. Popular fishing ports include Baltimore, Annapolis, Deale, Solomons Island, Cambridge, Tilghman Island, and Crisfield.

Along the Atlantic Coast, anglers fish out of Ocean City, Md. This famous resort town offers inshore fishing for flounder and other species as well as deep sea fishing charters for sharks, tuna, billfish, and other species.

Virginia offers some of the top saltwater fishing opportunities in the Mid Atlantic region. Along with Maryland, Virginia has scores of ports that provide access to the Chesapeake Bay. To the south, the Hampton Roads - Tidewater area is nationally recognized for its winter striped bass fishery, outstanding cobia fishing, and other local fisheries.

In North Carolina's Outer Banks region, inshore fishing occurs in the Pamlico Sound and other local estuaries. The area is also known for its surf fishing with its fall runs of red drum and monster bluefish.

Despite frequent hold ups due to horrific weather, offshore fishing off the North Carolina coast can be incredible.

In summer, offshore fishing often includes fishing for mahi mahi, wahoo, and billfish.

During the winter season, deep sea anglers catch yellowfin tuna and occasionally, giant bluefins. Closer to shore, anglers catch king mackerel, cobia, and bottom fish including snapper and grouper.

Scotton Landing Fishing Pier (Delaware - St. Jones River)

In Delaware, Scotton Landing Fishing Pier is now open to the public, according to DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. The recently renovated pier has a new wooden deck and handrails.

Located on the tidal St. Jones River in Delaware, the pier is a popular location for fishing, crabbing, birdwatching, and other activities.

Scotton Landing Fishing Pier is owned and maintained by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. For more information, please call the Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

source: DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife

Best Areas for Catching Croaker and Spot

croaker and spot

The Mid Atlantic region is known for its outstanding fishing for two similar species; croaker and spot.

One of the reasons that croaker and spot fishing is popular is that these species can be caught from shorelines, piers, inlets, and other areas that accessible to fishermen.

In most locations, both species are caught from spring thru late fall.

Both species spend most of their lives in saltwater. During the summer, they sometimes move up estuaries into rivers and creeks.

Croaker and spot can be caught using basic tackle and inexpensive baits, such as squid, bloodworms, clams, and crabs.

croaker fish

Croaker tend to prefer medium-sized baits, while spot often go for tiny morsels of bloodworms or other baits.

Both croaker and spot make good table fare, especially fresh.

In addition to croakers and spot, anglers may encounter kingfish, pigfish, perch, blue crabs, or other tasty seafood.

The following list includes popular fishing piers and other areas where anglers can target croaker and spot in the Mid Atlantic:

Fishing piers near Baltimore MD

Choptank River - Bill Burton Fishing Pier

Crisfield MD fishing pier

OC Fishing Pier (Ocean City MD)

Hampton Roads VA Fishing Piers

Mid Atlantic Recreational Saltwater Fish Landings 2012

Saltwater fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in the Mid Atlantic region. According to Fisheries of the United States 2012 (NOAA Fisheries), Mid Atlantic anglers caught and released considerable amounts of saltwater fish during the 2012 fishing season.

North Carolina was the top Mid Atlantic top state in terms of fish harvested while New Jersey anglers caught and released the most fish.

State        Harvested (thousands)        Released (thousands)
New York     3593                15138
New Jersey     6033                23749
Delaware     495                2059
Maryland     4052                11904
Virginia     7851                13695
North Carolina     8473                18536

source: NOAA Fisheries

Atlantic Coast Shark Regulations

Shark fishing remains popular along the Mid Atlantic Coast, despite a number of changes.

In the mid-1980s, sharks were considered an under-utilized resource by fisheries managers and increased fishing pressure was encouraged.

Over the next several years, fishing effort increased considerably and the impact of unregulated harvest was beginning to take its toll on some shark species.

In the early 1990s, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implemented a Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Sharks of the Atlantic Ocean.

In May 2008, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission adopted an Interstate FMP for Atlantic Coastal Sharks to complement federal management actions and increase protection of pregnant females and juveniles inshore in nursery areas.

The Shark Conservation Act of 2010 instituted additional measures to protect shark species from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, as well as allowed for the continued, regulated harvest of smooth dogfish within U.S. waters.

source: ASMFC

North Carolina To Consider Reorganization of its Fisheries Agencies

North Carolina officials are looking for ideas from the public on how three different agencies can cooperatively provide more efficient, productive and enjoyable uses of the state's fisheries resources.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will accept comments on this subject at its August meeting in Raleigh on behalf of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Legislation passed and signed into law this summer directs these agencies to study the current organization of the state’s fisheries management agencies and whether these agencies should be reorganized.

Currently, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries manages coastal fish species while the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission manages inland fish species.

The commission will take public comment at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 and 9 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Brownstone Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, 1707 Hillsborough St., Raleigh.

The chairman will allow each commenter to speak for five minutes during the Aug. 22 session and three minutes during the Aug. 23 session. Due to time constraints, those making comments will be asked to speak only once, either at the Aug. 22 or Aug. 23 sessions. Individuals will not be allowed to speak during both public comment periods.

The Wildlife Resources Commission will also receive public comment on these issues during its Aug. 29 committee meetings at the Wildlife Resources Commission Headquarters Conference Room, 1751 Varsity Drive, N.C. State University Centennial Campus, Raleigh.

Additionally, the agencies will hold two joint meetings in coastal areas for the sole purpose of taking comments on this issue.

The meetings are scheduled for:

6 p.m., Sept. 5
Craven County Cooperative Extension Office
300 Industrial Drive, New Bern

6 p.m., Sept 6
Dare County Administration Building
Commissioners Meeting Room
954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo

The public may comment in writing online at http://www.ncsenatebill821.org/default.htm or by mail to S821 Comments, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1701. Deadline for receipt of written comments is Sept. 7.

All comments offered on this issue will be presented for joint consideration by all three agencies.

source: N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission

Ocean City Maryland Saltwater Fishing

Ocean City is one of Maryland's top saltwater fishing spots. Its popularity as a vacation resort and fishing destination is due to its unique location. Ocean City has beaches, fishing piers, bridges, coastal bays, Atlantic Ocean access, fishing charters, and other resources for fishermen.

This incredible diversity of saltwater fishing allows anglers of all ages, skill levels and budgets to participate. Much of the fishing action can be combined with family vacations or weekend getaways.

For example, the Route 50 bridge, Ocean City Jetty, Oceanic Fishing Pier, OC Fishing Pier are all located within a few blocks of the beach. Fishermen can access these areas while family members enjoy the nearby boardwalk, beaches, amusements, or other attractions.

Northside Park is located where 125th Street meets Assawoman Bay, and features a fishing pier, concessions, playgrounds, a picnic area, walking paths, playing fields and a sports center. Northside Park is a designated free fishing area.

The Chicago Avenue Boardwalk, also known as the "2nd Street Bulkhead" is popular fishing spot. Located between 2nd and 4th streets, the park has metered parking, wheelchair access, and a fish cleaning station. The Chicago Avenue Boardwalk is a designated free fishing area.

Surf fishing is also popular along the less crowded stretches of Ocean City and nearby Assateague Island. Surf fishing is usually best in the fall, although good catches may last into December.

A small fishing and crabbing pier is located beside the Verrazano Bridge on Maryland Route 611, near Assateague State Park.

Ocean City has a number of headboats and fishing guides that offer inshore fishing. Most of the inshore boats fish for flounder, croaker, and bluefish. For anglers that want to go deeper, there are offshore fishing trips.

Ocean City is the home port for hundreds of charter boats that offer deep sea fishing trips. Most deep sea fishing trips leave around sunrise and fish until late in the day. Some captains even offer overnight fishing trips that last for 24 hours or more.

2012 Mid Atlantic Salt Water Fishing Expo

The Mid Atlantic Salt Water Fishing Expo will be held March 30-April 1, 2012 at The Show Place in Richmond Virginia.

The Expo showcases Mid Atlantic pier fishing, surf fishing, spear fishing, inshore, and offshore fishing.

According to organizers, The Mid Atlantic Salt Water Fishing Expo is the largest salt water fishing show in Virginia.

Admission is $10.00 for adults and free for children 15 and under when accompanied with a paying adult. Parking is Free.

Show Hours:

Friday, March 30 - 4:00pm-9:00pm

Saturday, March 31  - 9:00am-6:00pm

Sunday, April 1 - 10:00am-6:00pm

Mid Atlantic Fishing Website

Recreational anglers in the Mid Atlantic region will have access to a new online resource for 2012. Formerly known as "Maryland - Virginia Saltwater Fishing", the new fishing portal will be entitled "Mid Atlantic Fishing".

The site features a much expanded fishing articles section, with a wide range of regional information ranging from New Jersey southward into North Carolina.

Other new content will spotlight freshwater fishing and dozens of freshwater species overviews. An online store will supply Mid Atlantic anglers with apparel, books, calendars, collectibles, tackle, and other fishing-related gear.

Navy Destroyer Sunk off Mid Atlantic Coast as Reef

The U.S. Navy destroyer ex-USS Arthur W. Radford was recently scuttled off Delaware coast, approximately 26 miles southeast of Indian River Inlet (38* 30.750’N - 074* 30.700’W). The decommissioned warship will now serve as an artificial reef.

The Radford, her hull spanning 563 feet and the longest vessel ever reefed in the Atlantic, was sunk at the Del-Jersey-Land Inshore Reef site. The Del-Jersey-Land reef is a collaborative effort of the three states cited in its name - Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland – and lies equidistant from fishing ports in Indian River (Del.), Cape May (N.J.), and Ocean City (Md.).

After the Navy’s announcement of the Radford’s availability for reefing in January 2008 and a 2½ -year application process, the ship underwent 14 months of preparation by American Marine Group, a Virginia-based marine towing, salvage and reefing contractor.

The company, which has extensive experience reefing ships in the Atlantic, cleaned and prepared the Radford to EPA specifications. Much of her armored hull and other nautical equipment were recycled for reuse.

Funding for the ship’s transportation, cleanup, preparation, sinking and monitoring was shared among the three states and the Navy. Delaware’s portion came from the Sportfish Restoration Program that includes federal excise taxes on fishing and boating equipment in the state.

The destroyer, named for Navy admiral Arthur W. Radford who served as the commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Command and chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was commissioned in 1977 and decommissioned in 2003.

New Jersey Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament

The 2011 New Jersey Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament will be held on October 2 at Island Beach State Park.

A variety of fish species are eligible for entry in the tournament each year. Overall length determines the winner. All fish must meet minimum length tournament requirements.

The individual who catches the overall largest fish wins the "Governor's Award," and has his/her name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently displayed at the park.

Fishing equipment is awarded to winners who catch the largest fish in each species category. Winners from the early entry drawing and the tournament must be present during the afternoon awards ceremony to claim their prizes or they will be forfeited.

Anglers planning to participate in the tournament should register early: doing so entitles you to save on the adult registration fee, be eligible for special prizes and avoid delays when entering the park. The early entry incentive ends September 10, 2011. After this date, anglers will be required to register at the tournament. Questions can be directed to 609-748-4347.

The tournament is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Parks and Forestry, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

source: New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Listening Session

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be soliciting input from the public during a question and answer session from 5 pm - 6 pm on Wednesday April 13, 2011 in Annapolis, MD.

The session will be in the evening and is designed to allow stakeholders an opportunity outside of the normal Council agenda to ask questions or express concerns regarding Council management issues.

Topics to be discussed may include:

Ecosystem Management

Bycatch Reduction

Catch Shares

Recent Assessment Results

Recreational Data Collection

Research Set-Aside Program

Allocation Issues

Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning

Annual Catch Limits

Questions will be taken as time allows from both those attending in person and via webinar.

For online webinar access register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/963693944.  Once registered, users will receive an email confirming registration along with the instructions for joining the webinar.

source: MAFMC

Mid Atlantic Striped Bass Management

Management of striped bass is a hot issue along the Mid Atlantic Coast. On Wednesday March 23, 2011, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board will hold their winter/spring 2011 meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia.

According to Stripers Forever, a recreational fishing organization, a very important agenda item for this board meeting which is a proposal by the Maine Department of Natural Resources requesting that the board consider initiating an addendum to the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass to reduce coastwide mortality on striped bass.

Maine, Massachusetts, and possibly other New England states are said to be pushing this issue as is Stripers Forever.

Striped bass, also known as rockfish have become an icon of Mid Atlantic saltwater fishing since their incredible comeback in the 1990's.