Portsmouth Anglers Club Inc. THE ANGLER Volume 257 March 2016 March Speaker PAC s guest speakers for the March 21st meeting will be Bob Hartsell and Carl Herring. They will be speaking on Spring Freshwater Fishing. The meeting will be at the Simonsdale Civic Center, 5006 Vick Street, Portsmouth and will begin at 7pm. 2016 PAC Membership 2016 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 includes all household members under 18. PAC Membership also includes 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 email address so The Angler can be emailed to you. Emailing the newsletter saves PAC money and you will receive your newsletter several days sooner. See page 11 for membership form. PAC 2016 AWARDS BANQUET PAC s 51st annual awards banquet will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club. Although the deadline for registration has passed, there may still be last minute openings. Please go to the PAC website for more information or call Denise Harrell, 488-9039. Up Coming Events March 19,. March 21, 7pm.. April 5, 7pm.. May 14.. PAC Awards Banquet PAC Monthly Meeting, Simonsdale Civic Center PAC Board Meeting, Simonsdale Civic Center Hunt for Hardheads Tournament In This Issue of The Angler Fishing Report. Pictures of Recent Catches.. NPS Proposed Off Road Vehicle Changes Boaters Safety Classes. Membership Renewal Form Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 9 Page 11 1
The Angler A Publication of the Portsmouth Anglers Club, Inc. Editor Rob Jordan 757-488-9305 E-Mail address rtjordan@verizon.net Webmaster Rob Jordan 757-488-9305 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 397-3659, and she will set up an appointment to come to you and provide a free USCG Vessel Safety Check. 2015 Club Officers President: Denny Dobbins 477-9156 Vice-President Charlie Cutchin 483-1643 Secretary Denise Harrell 488-9039 Treasurer Dot Oberlander 484-6564 Please visit the PAC website.. www.portsmouthanglersclub.net Please visit the PAC Facebook Page.. https://www.facebook.com/portsmouth- Anglers-Club-191636390871969/ JORDAN S TAX SERVICE Individual and Small Business Tax Prep Personal and Confidential Fast and Accurate Electronic Filing Reasonable Rates Robert T. Jordan, Jr., PAC Member Tax Preparer Since 1990 Call for an Appointment 757-488-9305 Election of 2016 Officers The Nominating Committee will present PAC s proposed slate of officers for 2016 at the March meeting. Please attend the March meeting to help elect your officers for the coming year. 2
FISHING REPORT By: Dr. Julie Ball Anglers are facing slim fishing prospects right now. With seasonal closures, less that optimal availability of fishing opportunities, and even more fisheries management regulations up for consideration, folks are becoming disheartened. Hopes are high that the spring fishing season will bring better days. With a limited selection of species to target inshore, most anglers will head to offshore wrecks in search of tautog during weather windows. Most boats are targeting mid-range wrecks, such as the Triangle Wreck area. Some decent fish weighing to over 20-pounds were boated from these areas lately. Be prepared to weed through tons of big seabass to obtain your limit of three tog per person at 16-inches, but be sure to release the seabass since they are out of season. With tog bait hard to come by, plan ahead to secure your bait. Clams, mussels, blue crabs, peelers, hermit crabs, green crabs, Jonah crabs, or stone crabs will work. Schools of big rockfish continue to roam 15 to 20 miles off the coast, well out of reach of boats. As these fish begin to head back into the Bay to spawn, anglers may intercept them for catch and release activity in the Bay for now, but most folks will not be interested. With the poor speckled trout showing this winter, most folks are not trying anymore. Although the bluefin tuna passed us by, a few boats are still getting in on the action by making the long run to North Carolina. Captain Jake Hiles, Skipper of the Matador out of Rudee Inlet, had a good day with two nice bluefin tuna a few weeks ago. Deep dropping is always a good this time of year when the weather allows boats to get to deeper water. Nice blueline tilefish are still the staple species along the 50-fathom curve, with plenty of fish available weighing in over the 10-pound minimum for a state citation. Deeper areas along the Canyon edges are showing more activity with blackbellied rosefish and scattered golden tilefish. A variety of grouper and barrelfish are also a possibility, but dog fish are making fishing for these deep water species a challenge. A by-catch of black seabass is almost a given in these areas, but they are illegal to keep. Both metal jigs and squid or cut bait is working well. PAC Member TOMMY MILTEER 3
Pictures of Recent Catches Each month I will try to publish pictures from PAC members of recent catches. Please email pictures to rtjordan@verizon.net, with a brief description of who, where, what and when, and I will try to include it in the next issue of The Angler. The pictures will also be posted on our new website gallery. Jack Austin and specs from Laguna Madre Eagle on Denise Harrell s pier - (taken by her neighbor) Prize Fish Awards to be Presented at March 19th PAC Banquet PAC members receiving awards for their 2015 angler achievements are listed below. We hope each of you will be present for acceptance in recognition of your 2015 angling accomplishments. Thank you for your participation. Adults Debbie Tyree Mark Hartung Michael Howard Jerald George Revis Napier Steven Parrish Jack Austin Robert Jordan Guppy/Junior Aidan Gregoire Jacob Bagley Camryn Collier Makenzie Bagley Mira Barnes Sky Ann Barnes 4
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 Tentative Date: Saturday, May 14, 2015 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. Please see Denny at the March meeting to pick up your raffle tickets and help PAC to continue its support of the Sunshine Program and other club projects. 5
Merchandise Hi Guys & Gals I ve had 3 or 4 inquiries about ordering the full-zip hoodies. I need about 7 or 8 more interested folks willing to put a down payment of $20 before I can turn in an order. The total price of hoodies is $35.00. I don t carry them in the inventory. While our supplier does not have a definite minimum order, I won t order merchandise with less than 10 items, preferably 12. I have a lot of sweat shirts, short sleeve T-shirts, and long sleeve T-shirts available in a variety of colors and sizes. I have been asked to order some other colors, which I ll be glad to do, but again I won t order just a few items. It needs to be a substantial order which could be combined with a hoodie order. Please see me at the banquet on Mar 19 th or at the next meeting on Mar 21 st so I can get your orders. Looking forward to seeing you. And thanks for your support. Dot Oberlander National Park Service Proposed Off Road Vehicle Changes The 30-day period for submitting Public Comments on the proposed modifications to the Off Road Vehicle Rules currently in effect at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area ends this Friday, March 18th. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 requires a public process to consider changes to the ORV rule as it relates to the morning opening of beaches, extending the length of seasonal ORV routes in the fall and/or spring, and modifying the size and location of Vehicle Free Areas (VFA). CCA NC encourages it members to review the alternatives and provide public comment. CCA NC has submitted our support for: Morning openings for the primary / preferred routes should open at 6:00 AM throughout the year and remain open until 10:00 PM. Other routes should open at 7:00 AM. These hours would extend the ability of all users to enjoy sunrise and sunset times as well as evening picnics. The spring and fall ORV routes should open October 1 and remain open until May 1. This would allow maximum access to the most desirable areas for the greatest period of time including the best fishing on the Atlantic coast. While the Alternative 3 makes some progress in opening more areas to ORV access, it ignores Bodie Island Spit, Hatteras Island Spit, the North end of Ocracoke and Ocracoke Island Spit. These are very popular areas for swimming, shelling and fishing throughout the year. It is very difficult to access these areas without an ORV so why close the areas and cause a logjam at the parking to access these inlets? In addition, while the alternatives make modest progress they ignore the 13 miles of Pea Island which is totally vehicle free as is nearly 100% of the sound side of Bodie Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. This amounts to nearly 75 miles of additional vehicle free areas within CHNSRA. The National Park Service has merely paid lip service to the intent of legislation that was passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2015 (in 2014). The intent was to significantly increase ORV access to provide for all including families with young children, the aged and disabled citizens. The permit improvements are a welcome change with particular ability to purchase permits via the Internet. We trust these fees will be used for ORV access improvements and not used for other purposes. Your comments can be submitted via email through this NPS link: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ document.cfm?parkid=358&projectid=59571&documentid=70928 6
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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 out advertisers! Ask for PAC member Mr. Robert Salas Email: bayprop@baypropeller.com www.baypropeller.com Max Allen HOURS: MON.-FRI. 8:00-5:00 SAT. 8:00-12:00 BARTLEY F. TUTHILL., IV, LTD. ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW 464 DINWIDDIE STREET Portsmouth, VA 23704 (757) 393-6544 E-MAIL FAX (757) 393-1916 barttuthill@hotmail.com Bart Tuthill, P.A.C. Member President & PAC Member e-mail: sturtevant@sfhva.com www.sturtevantfuneralhome.com 8
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.. http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/education/requirement/ 9
E-TEC www.ptrailerusa.com ron@ronsmarine.hrcoxmail.com Ask for PAC Member Ron Pierce June Fish Fry Canceled The PAC board has decided to cancel the June fish fry this year due to the lack of fish donations and the expense of purchasing fish and other food items. Please save your catches this summer and donate them for the October fish fry so we can continue this long time tradition of good food and fellowship. Mike D Livesay, Agent and PAC Member 4355 Portsmouth Blvd. Portsmouth, VA 23701 Bus: 757-673-0150 www.mikeinsuresva.com 10
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, 2016. For more information and a scholarship application, visit www.portsmouthanglersclub.net Mail all applications to the Portsmouth Anglers Club Memorial Scholarship Committee, c/o Portsmouth Angler s Club, P. O. Box 7842, Portsmouth, VA 23707. PAC Application For Membership or Renewal Name Address City State Zip Code Phone E-Mail Address Signature Dues: $30 for family membership Boat Name (optional) $20 for an individual membership Mail to PAC, P.O. Box 7842, Portsmouth, VA 23707 11
First Class Mail www.gregsbaitshack.com 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 - Email greg@gregsbaitshack.com - Call 757-465-9020 12