2012 Predictions?

[Skip]

I bet a few of those big Catfish will turn up as a surprise catch in the Magothy and Severn rivers.

Stands to reason some moved into the rivers rather then return back up the bay.

One thing that might have huge impact on waters north of the bridge is the oysters that died off over summer / fall due to freshwater coming down the bay.

Most areas saw 90-100% die off. The live oysters support all types of tiny critters that start the food chain and draw in bait - which in turn draws in Perch / Rock.

[reds]

Originally Posted by Skip

I bet a few of those big Catfish will turn up as a surprise catch in the Magothy and Severn rivers.

Stands to reason some moved into the rivers rather then return back up the bay.

One thing that might have huge impact on waters north of the bridge is the oysters that died off over summer / fall due to freshwater coming down the bay.

Most areas saw 90-100% die off. The live oysters support all types of tiny critters that start the food chain and draw in bait - which in turn draws in Perch / Rock.

Salinity works both ways on the oyster and clams. To much salt and diseases MSX and Dermo are a problem.

[Skip]

Reds - There seems to be some hope with Dermo and MSX as oysters appear to be gaining resistance to these diseases.

Each year - less are found dead on lower bay bars.

Let's just hope no new oyster diseases get released into our bay waters.

[Southerly]

i think the weatherman standard is to play 'the long game', ie predict next year to be 'normal' and/or to help avg out unusual features of this year. that would mean at least normal salinity and normal distribution of spot i suppose.

didn't del have to increase their striped bass citation size fr 37 to 40" last year?

and there a new pending VA state record rock? why not another NC record, assuming it gets cold enough to push them on down there in the regular numbers. md? - that's a tough call. i can't even guess if our weather pattern is favoring that being possible but it seems like there's better than fair percentage of big ones out there.

i expect this year's baby rock to have surface-feeding frenzies next fall, the way they should, all over the place.

hopefully snakeheads didn't spread but i expect that's likely happened. but it will probly take a couple years to see if they reproduce in new areas.

[Southerly]

ps - i have no historical or scientific data. sorry. i sped read and missed that part before posting.

[reds]

Originally Posted by Skip

Reds - There seems to be some hope with Dermo and MSX as oysters appear to be gaining resistance to these diseases.

Each year - less are found dead on lower bay bars.

Let's just hope no new oyster diseases get released into our bay waters.

Virginia has had some success in rivers with low salinity, especially with MSX.

Most of Maryland's oysters last about three to four years and then die from the diseases.

[Rivercat09]

Last year kind of sucked, but it wasn't for the fishing. The fishing was fairly good, but we has easily as many blowouts and bumped up weather as we did chances to fish. I just drew the short straw last year weather-wise, but my luck with the wind did start to change towards the tail end of the season. As for the fishing, I'm hoping for a good 2012

Originally Posted by Skip

I bet a few of those big Catfish will turn up as a surprise catch in the Magothy and Severn rivers.

I still want to bring some chicken livers with me one of these times and target some cats.

[reds]

Originally Posted by Rivercat09

Last year kind of sucked, but it wasn't for the fishing. The fishing was fairly good, but we has easily as many blowouts and bumped up weather as we did chances to fish. I just drew the short straw last year weather-wise, but my luck with the wind did start to change towards the tail end of the season. As for the fishing, I'm hoping for a good 2012



I still want to bring some chicken livers with me one of these times and target some cats.

Chicken livers are also good for Stripers while using LY's for chumming.

[Bend-Lure]

I predict an increase in the number of fishing trips with my older son who turns 4 in June. I also predict we will have a lot of fun.

The fishing - who knows?

[Rivercat09]

Originally Posted by reds

Chicken livers are also good for Stripers while using LY's for chumming.

...As a matter of fact, this Potomac river schoolie fell to a piece of chicken liver: