Hey everyone. Done Pretty well so far this year fishing the beaches off of Nanticoke for the cows, but I'm looking forward to the MSSA Tourney coming up.

Anyone have any tips for trolling rigs that have been working so far this year? I know its a little early and cold.

I'm thinking white tandem rigs, any other suggestions?

Will be staying in Tilgman and most likely fishing the western shore by chesapeake beach or calvert cliffs.

I appreciate any suggestions you guys may have for that area. My team will be fishing out of a rebuilt 20 Mako (On the Rocks) and a rebuilt 23 Mako (Makover).

Cheers,

Chris

There's been a great bite in all the pre-fishing reports I've heard. Most of the guys I know have been fishing from Poplar Island to the Bay Bridge, but I'm in Annapolis, so that's where most of the locals fish anyway. Umbrellas and tandems are always a good bet. Concentrate on the top half of the water column. A lot of the bigger fish are right near the thermocline. If you want a couple secret techniques for the tourney, I would say that 2 good ones are adding glass rattles to your shads and add 2 or 3 black shads to your umbrella rigs. The rattles work cuz fish can hear better than they can see through bay water, so it attracts them from farther away. Once they get close they feel the vibration of the shads and when they get real close they can see them. The black shads work because they add a little contrast to the white or chartreuse ones. Rockfish have almost all rods and few cones in their eyes. When a black shad passes overhead the more defined silhouette makes it easier to pick out. Other than that, it's always a good idea to pay attention what direction you're going when you hook up. Sometimes you'll be in the right spot but won't catch unless you're trolling the right way. I think it mostly has to to with the current and how it effects the presentation.

Good Luck,
Bill