THE ANGLER. Portsmouth Anglers Club Inc. April Speaker Club Officers. Up Coming Events. In This Issue of The Angler

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1 Portsmouth Anglers Club Inc. THE ANGLER Volume 282 April 2018 April Speaker PAC s guest speaker for the April 16th meeting will be Captain Brandon Cook of Reel Fish N Charters out of Virginia Beach. Brandon will speak on flounder fishing at the triangle wrecks. The meeting will be at the Simonsdale Civic Center, 5006 Vick Street, Portsmouth and will begin at 7pm. Please come to hear this informative speaker Club Officers Please welcome our new officers for The club is also in need of volunteers to help with various committees for the coming year. If you can help, please see Denny or one of the board members at the next meeting. President: Denny Dobbins Vice-President Steve York Secretary Denise Harrell Treasurer Mark Hartung Up Coming Events April 16, 7 pm... PAC Monthly Meeting, Simonsdale Civic Center May 7, 7 pm.. PAC Board Meeting, Simonsdale Civic Center May Hunt for Hardheads In This Issue of The Angler Fishing Report. Boaters Safety Classes. Membership Renewal Form. Banquet Pictures.. Page 3 Page 9 Page 10 Pages

2 The Angler A Publication of the Portsmouth Anglers Club, Inc. Editor Rob Jordan address rtjordan@verizon.net Webmaster Rob Jordan We encourage all members to submit articles and pictures for publication in the PAC Newsletter. Send your pictures and articles, your favorite recipes, or anything that may be newsworthy and informative to rtjordan@verizon.net. USCG Vessel Examination Even if you pay careful attention to safety, dangerous mechanical problems can crop up on the best-maintained boat. That s why the U.S Coast Guard recommends that all recreational boaters (including personal watercraft users) take advantage of the free Vessel Safety Check (VSC) program every year. VSCs are offered by experienced members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons, two of the nation s premier volunteer boating safety organizations. A VSC is your best way of learning about problems that might put you in violation of state or federal laws or, worse, create danger for you or your passengers on the water. Sarah Bremer, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 53 and PAC member, will be glad to provide you with a courtesy inspection. Call Sarah on , and she will set up an appointment to come to you and provide a free USCG Vessel Safety Check Club Officers President: Denny Dobbins Vice-President Steve York Secretary Denise Harrell Treasurer Mark Hartung Please visit the PAC website.. Please visit the PAC Facebook Page.. Anglers-Club / In Club Tournament Brian Hartung has offered to become PAC s Prize Fish Chairman for More information on in-club tournaments and prize fish to follow at the next meeting PAC Membership 2018 PAC Membership dues were due on January 1st. Remember, to participate in club tournaments and be eligible for club awards, your dues must be paid before you go fishing. The cost of a family membership is only $30 and includes all household members under 18. Single memberships are only $20. PAC Memberships also include The Angler, our monthly newsletter, and the free fish fry dinner held in October each year. Please either mail your dues to the PAC post office box or bring them to the next meeting. Also, include your address so The Angler can be ed to you. ing the newsletter saves PAC money and you will receive your newsletter several days sooner. See page 8 for membership form. 2

3 FISHING REPORT April, 2018 SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA There s not a ton of action to be found right now, but there are some offerings if the itch to fish gets to be too much. Speckled trout and puppy drum are providing some decent action in Rudee, Lynnhaven and Little Creek inlets. Look for a few specks to be found in areas of the Elizabeth River as well. The fact that some fish survived January s cold shock fish kills is very promising. Don t be surprised to see a few big red drum around the lower barrier islands of the Eastern Shore, since significant numbers of fish already are being taken just to the south of state waters. Anglers willing to spend time in coastal waters around Sandbridge and False Cape will find the first migrating schools of big channel bass. Tautog numbers have been decent around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel islands and pilings with structure. Also look for them around coastal wrecks, where some big flounder also could be taken. There likely are plenty of school-sized striped bass along the CBBT, but fish can t be kept until May 1. Offshore waters could still produce a few bluefin tuna, but make sure you are up to date on regulations which can change seemingly in mid-trip. Deep-droppers are finding lots of blueline tilefish and some big golden tiles. Big sea bass are showing in good numbers, but remember, the season doesn t open until May 15. Not much is going on at area piers, but the season s first croaker could show in the next week or two. NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA The big news comes from Carolina beaches, where anglers already are starting to find cooperative red drum. Surf casters and boaters alike from Ocracoke to points north are encountering better numbers of big channel bass and things are only going to get better as waters warm. That means the season s first cobia won t be too far behind. Bluewater trollers are finding decent numbers of yellowfin tuna, with some bluefin and bigeye in the mix. Remember to keep up with all bluefin regulations, because they change at the drop of a hat. A few stray billfish have shown in spreads and anglers can expect dolphin and wahoo to start showing in the coming weeks. Coastal wrecks likely are already starting to hold a few triggerfish and other bottom-dwellers such as sea bass. In the sounds, speckled trout and increasing numbers of small striped bass provide the best catches. At the mouths of many tidal rivers anglers should encounter white and yellow perch, along with some herring. +NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA The big news comes from Carolina beaches, where anglers already are starting to find cooperative red drum. Surf casters and boaters alike from Ocracoke to points north are encountering better numbers of big channel bass and things are only going to get better as waters warm. That means the season s first cobia won t be too far behind. Bluewater trollers are finding decent numbers of yellowfin tuna, with some bluefin and bigeye in the mix. Remember to keep up with all bluefin regulations, because they change at the drop of a hat. A few stray billfish have shown in spreads and anglers can expect dolphin and wahoo to start showing in the coming weeks. Coastal wrecks likely are already starting to hold a few triggerfish and other bottom-dwellers such as sea bass. In the sounds, speckled trout and increasing numbers of small striped bass provide the best catches. At the mouths of many tidal rivers anglers should encounter white and yellow perch, along with some herring. 3FRESHWATER Early spring means freshwater angling at its finest, as most area species enter the spawning phases of their lives. That translates into plenty of hungry fish working relatively shallow waters where they are much easier to target. Largemouth bass catches already have been pretty good and they ll really start to pop as the water warms. Big bass will be patrolling shoreline cover, so look for shoreline timber and other structures, where bass like to roam. Have a variety of lures at the ready. If you can t resist a bass dinner, only take the males. Let the big spawning females go with a kiss on the jaw after admiring them. Bass in small, private ponds and neighborhood water retention ponds will be the best waters to work. As with crappie, the yellow perch bite got a late start and these tasty panfish can be found in many of the areas where crappie might be staging meaning you are likely to catch both species in the same areas. The backs of creeks in tidal systems and the backs of coves in lakes likely will provide the best action. Herring are showing up in several tidal waters. Reported by Lee Tolliver in the Virginia-Pilot 04/12/18 Lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com 3

4 Portsmouth Anglers Club Memorial Scholarship Portsmouth Anglers Club is looking for a smart, young angler to be the recipient of the Portsmouth Anglers Club Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, worth up to $1,000, will be given to a graduating senior who is heading off to a recognized college, university, or trade school. All five of the following requirements must be met by the participant: 1. Recipient shall be under the age of 25 years old 2. Recipient must be an Anglers Club Member of a Tidewater Virginia Club or dependent of a current member in good standing and the recipient or the member upon whom he or she is the dependent, must have been with the club for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years 3. Recipient and sponsor (the member of which they are a dependent) must have participated in Anglers Club activities 4. Recipient must have angling achievements for which they have been recognized 5. Recipient must be academically proficient. Deadline for application submission is July 1, For more information and a scholarship application, visit Mail all applications to the Portsmouth Anglers Club Memorial Scholarship Committee, c/o Portsmouth Angler s Club, P. O. Box 7842, Portsmouth, VA Virginia Marine Resources Commission 2018 Recreational Fishing Regulations For Striped Bass in Virginia s Marine Waters Coastal Season January 1 - March 31 and May 16 - December 31 Possession Limit per person Minimum Size Limit inches Chesapeake Bay Area Season (Spring) May 16 - June 15 Possession Limit per person Minimum Size Limit inches Maximum Size Limit inches Virginia Trophy-Size Season Chesapeake Bay and Tributaries May 1 - June 15 Coastal Waters (Territorial Sea) May 1 - May 15 Possession Limit per person Minimum Size Limit* inches (special permit required) Regulations are subject to change. For the most up to date regulations, please go to.. Additional Trophy Season Regulations: A no-cost Trophy Season Permit is required to participate in the Spring Trophy Season. Additional Trophy Season Regulations: Catch Report Required; no possession of 36" or greater striped bass in the Spawning Reaches May 1 through June 15. Trophy Season regulations apply in Virginia's Territorial Sea and the Chesapeake Bay and its Virginia tributary rivers, except for the tributary rivers emptying into the Potomac River (see note below for more information on Potomac River striper regulations). Permit can be obtained online or at a MRC Licensing Agent. 4

5 GBFA / PAC / VBAC / NAC HUNT FOR THE HARDHEADS A croaker, bluefish, and flounder fishing challenge between the Great Bridge Fisherman s Association, Portsmouth Anglers Club, Virginia Beach Anglers Club and Norfolk Anglers Club Date: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Location: Portsmouth City Park Lines In: 7:00 AM Measure In: Starts at 12:30 ends at 1:30 PM Entry Fee: $30.00 / Boat (3 angler teams)..additional Anglers $10.00 Includes: Fishing, Picnic and Wish A Fish Donation! Picnic only $5.00 WINNING CLUB HAS THEIR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE COVETED HUNT FOR HARDHEADS TROPHY (AND BRAGGING RIGHTS!) RULES: 1. Clubs are limited to five boats per club. Team Captains must be club members. 2. Teams must register and pay in advance through their own club s tournament director. 3. Boats may depart from any VA port. 4. The eastern boundary will be 500 yards east of the HRBT. 5. Fish will be measured by length only, if the exact length tie is encountered a girth measurement will decide. 6. Points Structure...The longest legal fish of each species will earn 5 points, the 2nd longest legal fish earns 4 points, 3rd longest legal fish earns 3 points, 4th longest legal fish earns 2 points, and the 5th longest fish earns 1 point. 7. The Club with the Most Points Wins! PAC Annual Club Raffle This is our largest fund raiser of the year to support the Children s Sunshine Program. Each member is asked to purchase or sell at least 2 books of tickets. Winners will be drawn at the July meeting. Please see Rob Jordan at the next meeting to pick up your tickets and help PAC to continue its support of the Sunshine Program and other club projects. 5

6 Welcome New Member PAC would like to welcome the following new member who joined at our March meeting Myles Franklin - Portsmouth, VA 2018 FISHING REGULATION CHANGES NO CHANGE IN SPECKLED TROUT REGS OR SEASON In spite of a significant kill of adult speckled trout in last winter s severe cold weather, the Marine Resources Commission made no changes to the season or bag limit for speckled trout. Perhaps they felt that the resource would be able to sustain itself without a season closure. SUMMER FLOUNDER Due to determination that Virginia had not gone over its flounder total quota and that the resources was in pretty good shape, the Virginia flounder recreational length was decreased from 17 inches to 16 1/2 inches and no change in the four fish bag limit. TAUTOG The minimum length for tautog caught recreationally will be 16 inches and the bag limit four fish. The recreational season is open now but will be closed from May 16 through June 30. BLACK SEA BASS The recreational black sea bass season was open in February for the first time and will open again May 15 through September 21 as well as October 22 through December 31. The minimum size is 12 1/2 inches and possession limit is 15 fish. COBIA The MRC has issued regulations for recreational cobia fishing that will comply with the recently approved ASMFC management plan for cobia. The minimum length is 40 inches and the possession limit is one fish per person or 3 fish per boat whichever is more restrictive. One fish over 50 inches is allowed. The season will run June 1 through September 30. A Recreational Cobia Permit is required (obtained free from VMRC). To my surprise, gaffing cobia is now allowed. Regulations for other species may be obtained by going to the easy to use VMRC website 6

7 AD SPACE PRICES Business Card size is $110 1/3 page ad is $135 1/2 page ad is $150 Full page ad is $200 PAC membership is in addition to ads and will run January thru December. Please support our advertisers! BARTLEY F. TUTHILL., IV, LTD. ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW 464 DINWIDDIE STREET Portsmouth, VA (757) FAX (757) Bart Tuthill, P.A.C. Member President & PAC Member 7

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9 Boater s Safety Requirements Have you taken the boater s safety course? Do you have your boaters education card? Beginning July 1, 2016, All PWC operators, regardless of age, and All motorboat operators regardless of age must have completed the required safety education prior to operating a vessel. No person under the age of 14 may operate a PWC. Flotilla 53 is holding the classes below. For more information and to find additional classes near you go to.. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 53 is sponsoring Boating Safety (ABS) classes for The schedule is as follows. About Boating Safely (ABS) Class at Towne Bank Conference Room Saturday, April 28 About Boating Safely (ABS) Class at Towne Bank Conference Room Saturday, June 23 About Boating Safely (ABS) Class at Towne Bank Conference Room Saturday, August 25 About Boating Safely (ABS) Class at Towne Bank Conference Room Saturday, September 22 Time: Sign in begins at 7:30 AM. Class begins at 8:00 AM, Ending at approximately 5:00 PM Where: Towne Bank Conference Room 137 Mount Pleasant Road, Chesapeake, VA (Near corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Battlefield Blvd. South) Cost: $35 for course materials (or $50 for 2 family members sharing materials) Presented By: Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 53, Chesapeake, VA Sponsored By: U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries ( V/TDD Phone: For More Info & Registration: Contact Colleen O Neil at cattraighe63@gmail.com, or Ed Cart at

10 PAC Member TOMMY MILTEER E-TEC Ask for PAC Member Ron Pierce PAC Prize Fish Awards Did you know that PAC awards monthly certificates and yearly trophies to recognize members catches each year? All you need to do is be a PAC member in good standing (dues paid before the date of the catch), and catch an eligible fish. Qualifying catches must meet or exceed 1/2 of citation weight recognized by both North Carolina and Virginia Recreational Fishing Regulations. Once you catch a qualifying fish it must be weighed on a registered scale at an approved State weighing station in either North Carolina or Virginia, fill out the entry form (found at portsmouthanglersclub.net/forms/ ) and send it in by the fifth (5th) day of the month following your catch to PAC, P.O. Box 7842, Portsmouth, VA 23707, or turn it in to any member of the Prize Fish Committee. We have release certificates too! So, next fish you catch, remember, it could earn you recognition at the next meeting and annual awards banquet...turn it in! Complete prize fish rules can be found at PAC Application For Membership or Renewal Name Address City State Zip Code Phone Address Signature Dues: $30 for family membership Boat Name (optional) $20 for an individual membership Mail to PAC, P.O. Box 7842, Portsmouth, VA

11 53rd Annual Banquet Pictures PAC s 2018 Banquet was held on March 24, 2018 at the Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club in Portsmouth. The banquet was attended by over 70 members and guests who enjoyed great food and prizes. Pictures of the event can be seen here and on pages Thanks to all who made this years banquet a great success. A special thanks to Denise Harrell and Linda Baker who co-chaired the banquet committee. Congratulations to Rob Jordan, PAC s 2017 Member of the Year 11

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16 First Class Mail Freshwater & Saltwater Tackle & Accessories Live Bait - Fresh Bait - Frozen Bait Official Weigh Station Price Match Guarantee Rod Repairs Live Eels Fresh Menhaden Gudgens Shinners Bloodworms Peeler Crabs Night Crawlers Super Reds Mullet Filet Fiddler Crabs Clams Finger Mullet Shrimp Squid Ballyhoo Chicken Necks PAC Members - Show Membership Card to Receive Discount 2560 Airline Blvd. Portsmouth, VA - greg@gregsbaitshack.com - Call