Posted April 30, 2009 A bunch of friends and I are heading down to Assateague March 13th through the end of the weekend. I an experienced fisherman but I've never been to the island. I've been doing research and was wondering is someone could tell me what I could expect to catch that time of year down there. I've seen a lot of the shark pictures and have the kayaks to bring bait far out but wanted to know if they'll even be active in-shore that early. Also I know most guys are tight lipped when it comes to spots but if someone could point me in the right direction as far as location it would be much appreciated although I'm not sure that that is really possible when it comes to surf fishing. Thanks for any help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 30, 2009 March? or did you mean another month? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 30, 2009 Haha. Yeah I meant May. Sorry about that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 30, 2009 Your going at a great time of the year. As long and the weather holds and the beach structure isnt affected. I think you and your friends have a shot at catching big stripers. Bunker would be the choice of bait for a majority of the fishermen on the board. If you are on the MD side of AI, just head south as possible. Thats where it seems like a big number of fishermen go. Best thing to do is find a thread about reading beach structure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 30, 2009 Sounds awesome!! Thanks a lot for the tip. Yeah I read this link which helped....Reading the water, again... - SurfTalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 30, 2009 This thread, post #5: http://www.atlanticanglers.com/maryland/943-reading-surf.html Coop, I looked for your informative post about reading the beach, the one with pictures. I couldn't find it. If you can find it, would you start it in a new thread and make it a stickey please? Sure would help a lot of folks here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 30, 2009 really the only time when its really productive to head south down to the VA line is during drum season in the fall. Other than that just find some good structure and current and you'll find fish. Personally for stripers I have had the best of luck fishing almost right next to south beach walkon at the top of the OSV enterance. No one can give you any specific spots on AI because the beach changes from day to day and can completly change after a storm. There are some places that historically produce but they are absolutely last resort crap shoot when you can't any structure to fish around. Mid May is the absolute best time on AI to get into some HUGE stripers. Choice of bait would be bunker and clam. You might also catch black drum,bluefish with those baits. You can also try for kingfish using bloodworms on small hooks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 5, 2009 Hi, Guys: A noob here - not to fishing in general (love it), but to surf fishing. Most of my fishing is off piers in NY Harbor, with an occassional off-shore trip. Most of my catches there have been blues and a few stripers. Using almost exclusively fresh bunker or mackerel on a fishfinder-type rig. The reason I joined this board is that a bunch of friends with families are going camping to Assateague at the end of May and I thought I might give surf fishing a shot. But I would like to know whether I stand any chance of landing anything using a couple of my my existing 7-foot rods and spinning reels which are more suited to pier fishing than surf fishing. I already read up on a lot of surf-fishing on this board and it sounds awesome. Questions to you guys: 1. At Assateague, how far do you typically have to cast to have any chance? With my gear, I probably won't be able to cast farther than 40-50 yards. 2. When there are other anglers on the beach, how far from them should I set up to maintain good etiquette? Are there any "unwritten" rules? In pier fishing 10-20 yards away is okay, but surf fishing is a different animal. 3. I know I will need some sand spikes for my rods. What other essential gear should I get that is specific to surf fishing? For now I would like to avoid buying specialized rods and reels due to this crazy economy. Thanks a lot for any tips. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 5, 2009 1.You can catch fish with that equipment from the suds...some stripers can be in close and a long cast isn't always needed. The only problem you may run into is holding bottom. You may need a stiffer rod that can cast a heavy payload. 2.you are going to get different answers. For me, I don't care if someone pulls right up next to me, as long they are a reasonable distance from an errant cast crossing my lines. Others would be fuming if you got that close...for me, I don't care. I guess to be on the safe side...75 yards, IMO, is a reasonable distance...but even that, some may squak...not sure why. If you are just doing the walkover, then I would say fishing closer to someone is fine, especially when there may be a few in a general area. If you are driving on the beach, you should be able to keep a fair distance from others. 3. sandspikes, cutting board, knife for cutting bait and a cooler for your bait...tackle - standard fish finder rig for stripers and blues (blues-mullet rigs work good)...just do a search on fish finder rigs. Some tackle shops sell them all made up...I know harbor tackle has a mess of the rigs. You can also buy spot rigs already made up for kingfish (whiting). Bring some ptramid weights of varying sizes, you never know what you may need to hold bottom. Iam sure Iam missing something. Good luck and catchem up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted November 28, 2011 I do have a question about March or early april, what can you catch on the Island then ? is it worth the trip Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted November 28, 2011 I cant get to the island till march is it worth fishing then, I usually go June and september Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted November 29, 2011 March or early April you can get some good black drum and maybe a few big blues. There is a chance at some stripers during that time but its usually a short window. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 5, 2011 good to hear there are some fish still around, I made a bait launcher and cant wait to try it out. another question is there any place that will ship bait. I have to make these ice bait bullets to work in the launcher but i cant freeze stuff at the beach so i have to make them here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 12, 2011 this is the bait launcher i made Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 14, 2011 good to hear there are some fish still around, I made a bait launcher and cant wait to try it out. another question is there any place that will ship bait. I have to make these ice bait bullets to work in the launcher but i cant freeze stuff at the beach so i have to make them here What do you plan on using for bait? Frozen bunker is gonna be mush when it thaws.....Try looking around at an international market, they tend to have pretty good seafood sections, I can usually pick up bait there before my trips to the beach.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 14, 2011 Yes! International market ( Asian ) is a good choice for me too. Luncher is looking good, never see one in action on the sand just on video. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 14, 2011 I'm digging the reflective safety tape on the muzzle. Would love to try one of those. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 15, 2011 my only question is if your using this launcher in cold water how long does it take your bait to thaw out? and i second the statement about bunker and being mush after it thaws. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 18, 2011 good tip on the bait, i will def hit the asian store. I have been shooting the launcher alot and seems to be working great, with 75lb of air i hooked it up to my rig and ran out all but one wrap of line. can i get more line on if i use a braided line? have never used braided any pros or cons on it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 18, 2011 the water temp doesnt seem to mater its the salt water that really thaws it. it takes about 30sec to thaw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 18, 2011 I wonder if creek chubs would work for bait, they sorta look like mullet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted December 28, 2011 Fished A.I. Mon.& Tue the 26th and 27th water looked good had decent bunker 1 spiny dog no other pull downs got chased off Tue. afternoon by rain and heavy wind.Guess i'll hang up the rods till spring.All in all had a pretty good year no Red Drum but pretty good on Rock. Had a ball with the Sharks this summer.Good Luck to anyone still chasing them!!! See you on the beach in the Spring!!!! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
