When someone says they want to go fishing, are they referring to the act of fishing or do they really mean they want to do catching? Is there a difference? You bet there is!
After exploring this disputation at length, I have come to realize that there are benefits to both.
Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby sang the tune “Gone Fishin’.” The classic song frames the spirit of the act without a mention of catchin’. So why would anyone want to go fishing and not catching?
My job as a seasoned charter captain relies on “Catching” for repeat business, but for most folks, the experience far outweighs the results. Some might say that fishing can be good, even if the catching is bad. The bottom line: The journey is just as important as the destination.
Henry David Thoreau famously shared, “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.”
Herbert Hoover shared his thoughts on fishing as well. “Fishing is much more than fish,” he said. “It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.”
I remember a discussion aboard a charter where a gentleman was trying to explain to his wife why catching is better than just fishing. Her response a decade ago still makes me laugh today. She said, “Fishing may be boring, but catching is messy!”
I think we can all agree that a balance between the two is ideal.
Fish to Catch
June provides vast opportunities for the avid fisherman.
As we enter June, bluefish up to four pounds have already begun to enter the region. They can be caught along channel edges and structure by chumming and while trolling spoons or artificial eels. Individuals may keep three per person on a private boat and five per person on a charter boat.
Spanish mackerel send scouts through the middle bay area in late May and early June. These are typically larger samples leading the pack on their northbound travels. July and August is when the large numbers of mackerel show up, but don’t be surprised if you catch one while trolling for bluefish this month. Mackerel have a minimum size limit of 14 inches and a bag limit of 15 per person.
Cobia are a popular species among anglers that like to chum and cast for large fish. These big brown fish grow to lengths well north of 40 inches and offer a great fight, as well as excellent table fare. They can be found in near shore waters of 15-20 feet. The western shores of the bay from Windmill Point up to Smith Point have been holding big numbers of these fish over the past few years. During the summer months, cobia venture up the bay into Maryland waters and into the Potomac River. The season opens on June 15 and continues until Sept.15. Anglers are limited to one fish per person more than 40 inches with a max of two per boat per day. Only one of the two fish may exceed 50 inches in length.
Croaker and spot have already begun to filter into the region.
Speckled trout have been moving into the rivers and grass beds outside of creeks for the past few weeks. They will be plentiful as the summer matures. The trout average from 1-5 pounds. Limits are five per person with a minimum of 14 inches with only one fish more than 24 inches.
Black drum blasted through our area late May and the red drum should be piling on this month. They all like peeler and soft crab as bait, but the reds are also attracted to small spoons being trolled slowly. Most of the red drum are more than the 18- to 26-inch slot, but are a blast to catch and release.
Flounder, also scarcely located, will introduce themselves this month. Bag limits are four per person, more than 16.5 inches in length.
Last year we were having conversations about how to distance ourselves from one another. Now that we are past the COVID-19 hysteria, it’s time to bring friends together and share the experience.
It’s time to go catching, but don’t forget to enjoy the fishing time that precedes it.
Until next time, fair winds.
Capt. Billy Pipkin owns and operates Ingram Bay Marina and Capt. Billy’s Charter Service located in Wicomico Church. Visit his website at ingrambaymarina.com. His phone number is 580-7292.
