Maryland fishing 101

Greetings fellow Patriots!

A buddy of mine tells me fishing in Maryland is great, and I've agreed to join him on a few outings to learn the ropes and see how it goes.

Other than a little fishing with family when I was a kid, I'm a total novice.

So the main purpose of this thread is to ask you, the MDShooters member to provide me and other novice anglers like me some very basic advice.

I've read the DNR website, and found it to be very confusing, it assumed people already knew a lot of definitions and had a background in fishing. In all fairness, this FAQ page would have answered most of my questions right away, had I read it first. Instead, I fumbled through the DNR fishing site and links, and I found the term 'angler' used at points where they simply meant people who fish. But mostly were only referring to those 16 years old or younger, or to people who fish in salt water; which they also refer to as tidal fishing. This apparently is important because if you are 16 or younger, no license is required; and there are two different licenses for tidal (saltwater) fishing, and non-tidal (freshwater) fishing; which they don't simply call tidal fishing, they call it coastal fishing. Once you understand these basic definitions, its much easier to read the DNR website. I might still have some of this wrong, hence my asking the question.

There are quite a few fishing regulations to be concerned with.

Then there is the issue of contaminates. Maryland publishes guidelines on fish contaminates, and recommendations on how much to eat, as well as how to filet the fish to minimize contaminates. Here's an excellent video, and how I will be filleting Maryland fish:




I tried to use the DNR's COMPASS engine to purchase licenses, but it never sent me an email to confirm (yes I checked my junk email), so I called (at least they have people to answer questions, and issue licenses over the phone (have a credit card handy). I ended up buying both types of licenses (non-tidal and costal) and the 'extra' crabbing and trout additions. Total cost was around $50, but it's good for 365 days. Very nice people there selling licenses and answering questions.


I live in AACo, my buddy said the first place he was going to take us is behind a mil/gov fence called Possum Point? He also mentioned Annapolis, and another place I can't recall at the moment. I think he fishes all over, and most often takes his teen daughter, who will be joining my better half and I on these few first trips out. So I guess my first questions are:

- what kind of rod/reel, bait is recommended?
- where are some of the better places to go?
- can you fish year around?
- where do we gut the fish, and put the guts/scraps?
- just bring a cooler to keep the fish alive till ready to go?
- what other gear will I need?
- any cool gadgets/tools I can now justify buying?
- do we check in (like hunting in some places), or have limits, carry license displayed?
- are there specific 'too small' sizes to catch and release only fish? I've read some anglers use small fish as bait to catch bigger fish, any rules on this?

I have too many novice questions, I don't even know where to start.
- can you fish at night?
- can we just go to any public (park) pond/lake, river, stream and fish now?
- any private property with permission from the land owner? Hunting required written permission, fishing easier?
- any hazards to be watchful for?

Popular fish in Maryland:

Collapsible rods ok?






Micro rod/reel, is this a real thing?

Minuteman said:

So I guess my first questions are:

- what kind of rod/reel, bait is recommended?
- where are some of the better places to go?
- can you fish year around?
- where do we gut the fish, and put the guts/scraps?
- just bring a cooler to keep the fish alive till ready to go?
- what other gear will I need?
- any cool gadgets/tools I can now justify buying?
- do we check in (like hunting in some places), or have limits, carry license displayed?
- are there specific 'too small' sizes to catch and release only fish? I've read some anglers use small fish as bait to catch bigger fish, any rules on this?

I have too many novice questions, I don't even know where to start.
- can you fish at night?
- can we just go to any public (park) pond/lake, river, stream and fish now?
- any private property with permission from the land owner? Hunting required written permission, fishing easier?
- any hazards to be watchful for?

Click to expand...

tons of questions
answer to most is "it depends"
i change rod/reel depending on where im fishing, what im targeting, and what im likely to catch

year round? sure thing depeninding on place
night fishing - depends on location

sizes are in the reg book

gear? tackle box(or 5) variety of hooks, lures, sinkers, leaders, ect ect

fish die in a cooler, and shrink when you ice them down ( up to 1/2"!)

There are an incredible number of answers to your questions that depend on what kind of fish you intend to pursue. I think the best starting place for you would be to ask your buddy what kind of fish he plans to chase with you and what kind of tackle he recommends. Bring that info back here, and we can probably give you some additional information.

As far as when you can fish and what fish you can keep, that is all laid out in the regulations and depends on the type of fish. You should get a reg book with your license, but if not, Walmart or Dick's will have them (free).

Also, you asked a few questions about keeping/cleaning/eating fish. I'm mostly a trout fisherman and I've been on a few rockfish charters, so I'll vouch for both as delicious fish. I'm no expert, but I would say that trout, perch, rockfish (striped bass), catfish, and panfish (bluegill, sunfish, etc.) are probably the most common fish that people keep and eat in this area, though that's certainly not an exhaustive list.

I'm sure someone can recommend a pretty generic spinning setup that will be serviceable for many situations. I'm mostly a fly-fisherman though, so I'll let someone who's more versed in spinning gear weigh in on that.

It's all about the bait, baby.

cpc1027 said:

There are an incredible number of answers to your questions that depend on what kind of fish you intend to pursue. I think the best starting place for you would be to ask your buddy what kind of fish he plans to chase with you and what kind of tackle he recommends. Bring that info back here, and we can probably give you some additional information.

As far as when you can fish and what fish you can keep, that is all laid out in the regulations and depends on the type of fish. You should get a reg book with your license, but if not, Walmart or Dick's will have them (free).

Click to expand...

I agree with this.. ^^^

A medium weight spinning rod strung with 10lb test will catch the majority of fish around here, though for little fish it may be a bit heavy. I have several rods and reels and fish with others on their boats, but much of the time it is a spinning rod with about 10lb test. I use an ultralight spun with 4lb test if I'm fishing trout or panfish (perch sized fish).

There are a zillion and a half options out there, but a couple of rods and reels will handle most anything but ocean fish.

We almost always take the fish from the water and straight to ice in a cooler (except in Canada, we keep em on a stringer til we are ready to run back and clean them). Many regs (like rockfish) require you to bring the fish back to short intact. We ice em down to cool them off as quickly as possible, don't give a damn about shrinkage and I can tell you from rechecking a few rockfish this year, they really don't shrink (at least stripers). We clean them as soon as we return to the dock and get the fillets back on ice. Keeps em tasting mighty good!!

Ooh thanks for this thread, I need to learn all this stuff. I've been hunting for many years but never got into fishing despite the desire. I've evwn bought a license and trout stamps multiple times without ever using them. It's high time I figure out what's what.

When people refer to "bait", that doesn't always mean real(edible) food. There are real(live bait, cut bait) baits, and there are artificial(flies and lures) baits. The word has many meanings in the fishing world.

You're in for some fun! Spent hours as a kid hitting targets with my first Daisy BB gun, and more hours hitting targets with my first Zebco 202 fishing rod and a casting plug. Standard kid's equipment. Both shooting and casting are about "putting it where you want it." Casting is a learned skill that becomes more or less important, depending upon what kind of fishing you'll be doing. Good luck and enjoy!

I would start with a decent fishing manual / guide book for information on the basics (different rod/reel combos, knot tying, bait/lure info, casting basics, terminal tackle, fishing diff settings) . Most states offer free pdf downloads or you can buy one such as the https://www.amazon.com/Total-Fishing-Manual-Field-Stream/dp/1616284870.

Try out different rod and reel combos before you buy. A decent quality, medium-light action spinning rod/reel combo, 10-12 lb line and a medium gear ratio (6:1) will cover most freshwater species in Maryland. For the Bay or large catfish, you could also buy a heavier rod/ reel/ line combo such as the PENN Fierce II spinning combo from Bass Pro for $99 (SKU 2245079). You will also need a basic tackle box, starter tackle kit (hooks, sinkers, swivels, etc) and a basic lure kit to get you started. Where you go from there will depend upon where and what you are fishing for.

Once you get the basics knocked out, then it's on to the fun stuff such as learning how water clarity, weather patterns, underwater structure, time of the day or season impact where the fish are located and which lure/pattern/color work the best. Once the addiction kicks in there is no turning back!

outrider58 said:

When people refer to "bait", that doesn't always mean real(edible) food. There are real(live bait, cut bait) baits, and there are artificial(flies and lures) baits. The word has many meanings in the fishing world.

Click to expand...

Very true... we have been doing a lot of striper fishing this year and we start with trolling artificials, then we move to chumming, which uses cut bait (dead frozen fish we cut into chunks), we have been jigging for them (again artificial) and we will soon be live-lining them with live spot swimming around on a hook.
You can start as simply as getting a basic rod and reel, find a local that has a pond, rig a line with a hook, bobber and a nightcrawler on the hook and you'll learn quickly.

Go to walmart and buy a rod and reel combo. Since you don't know the difference, buy a spinner reel attached to a rod that is 6' to 7' and says that it is medium with fast action and a lure size between 3/8 and 1 oz. This information is written on the on the rod down near the cork or foam handle. The reel diameter should be about two inches.

This is about the best way to explain it to you since you know little about fishing. Don't spend more than $39 for the setup. A spinning set up is easy to learn and can be used in fresh and salt water.

As for bait, for freshwater, take plain old worms. For the bay, use bloodworms. You can buy both in Walmart. Don't buy them until a day before you go fishing and keep them in the crisper of the refrigerator. DON'T put them in the freezer!

Don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the outdoors. That is what it is really all about.

Regards,

John

I have fished all of my life. Having said that, I'm still learning. Where you fish will determine what you catch (if anything). 95% of the water does not contain fish. You need to find where the fish are, and what they want to eat.

Minuteman said:

Popular fish in Maryland:

Click to expand...

I thought Shad was off limits ?

Melnic said:

I thought Shad was off limits ?

Click to expand...

No. C&R. At least in DC

Bass Pro and Dicks usually have some nice rod and reel combos for under $50. If you get a chance check out Tochtermans on Eastern Ave near Fells Point. They also have some old copies of Fishing in MD for sale. I find them interesting and helpful.

John from MD said:

Go to walmart and buy a rod and reel combo. Since you don't know the difference, buy a spinner reel attached to a rod that is 6' to 7' and says that it is medium with fast action and a lure size between 3/8 and 1 oz. This information is written on the on the rod down near the cork or foam handle. The reel diameter should be about two inches.

This is about the best way to explain it to you since you know little about fishing. Don't spend more than $39 for the setup. A spinning set up is easy to learn and can be used in fresh and salt water.

As for bait, for freshwater, take plain old worms. For the bay, use bloodworms. You can buy both in Walmart. Don't buy them until a day before you go fishing and keep them in the crisper of the refrigerator. DON'T put them in the freezer!

Don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the outdoors. That is what it is really all about.

Regards,

John

Click to expand...

This simple, buy this and that, was what I was most in need of. My buddy said I could use his gear, just told me to get a license.

But all this advice from everyone greatly appreciated.

Melnic said:

I thought Shad was off limits ?

Click to expand...

Probably. Where I found that image it said popular fish in the North East.

rico903 said:

Bass Pro and Dicks usually have some nice rod and reel combos for under $50. If you get a chance check out Tochtermans on Eastern Ave near Fells Point. They also have some old copies of Fishing in MD for sale. I find them interesting and helpful.

Click to expand...

Excellent suggestions. I was thinking to either buy a beginner rod/reel, or even something cheap/used from Goodwill or thrift/yard sale, to get started.

*edit* I ended up buying a decent rod/reel combo at Dicks Sporting Goods, and I also purchased a nice compact rod at my local Goodwill. Here's a good video for us beginners to learn about the basics of rods: