Mssa Rockfish Tournament
2011 MSSA
The Hunting and Fishing Maryland Team headed out aboard the “Last Cast” Captained by Keith Zolman of Pasadena, MD. The crew consisted of Co-Captain George Zolman (Boat Owner), “Uncle” Bob Shreve, “Uncle” Jess Sirkel, “Pop” Charlie Schline and yours truly, Jay Schline “Outdoorguru”, all of Pasadena, MD. The vessel is a well equipped 25 foot Parker with all the bells and whistles. Power is supplied by the consistently reliable 225 4stroke Yamaha.
This is the second year the team has assemble with good reason. Our first season was with
out flaw, aside from not catching the winning fish. We had a blast together last year and despite several requests from the “outside” to add some anglers we did not want to change something that work so well. We have all been fishing together for many years…My Uncle Jessy and “Pop” Schline (My Dad) all my life and the Zolmans for just about the same, since about 10 years old anyway.
We opted to enter just about all the calcutas this year, just in case 
we “lucked” into Mr. Big or should I say Mrs. Big. The Weather Forecast was looking great for this year and we were pumped because the fish should have been falling right into form with the mild winter and cool start. We suspected the fish were going to be in the beginning phases of the great migration.
On 4-29-11 0500 hrs we departed dock and off to the fishing ground we went. Our trip was an estimated hour and 20 minutes. It was smooth sailing and we made it just south of Chesapeake Beach on the Western Shore side of the Chesapeake Bay. It is a familiar spot that year after year has produced well for us. We were greeted to an armada of boats, both private and charter boats. We were surrounded by about 30-40 boats, but everyone seemed to be working the area with respect and appreciation to fellow angler. Everyone navigated the area with out any exchange of unpleasantness, at least none I saw or heard over the air.
As we deployed our planer boards we saw several boats hooked up and fighting fish. We took our time and out went the 16 rod spread. Panic started setting in when our morning was not interrupted from the sounds of snapping rubber bands. About an hour passed and still silence, then PINGGG…Fish On!!! Welcome to 2011 trophy season. Waiting for that first fish to pull was little tense, especially when you hear captains calling out success over the radio and seeing other boats around you catching fish.
We were now in the groove picking at fish with singles about every hour or so, and one double. Our biggest fish of the first day measured 39 inches. We ended the day with a 6 fish limit, then back to the barn.
Day Two was without incident other than NOAA forecasting a nice 5-10 mph hour winds
that turned out to be a steady 15 to 20 MPH that equated into some slop on the big creek. Although it was a little bumpy we were still able run our boards and all of our rods. We struggle the second day catching only two fish at 35 and 36 inches and hearing reports from other boats we seemed to be somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as success because many boats went fishless and others bested us but it seemed the numbers were expectantly lower due to seas. We still had a great day and looked forward to day three, because the weather forecast was calling for those “5-10mph” winds diminishing.
Day Three we all arrived at the boat with great excitement because there was not so much as a breath across the water, it looked like a sheet of glass. As the sun rose so did our hopes and at fish time lines were sent out. Capt. Keith got word from a friend he had found a hot bite and had already boated his limit and was heading in. Luckily we were already with in striking distance and trolled over to the little honey hole that had just a few boats working. All was going well and we quickly had three fish in the box but nothing of scalable weight then it happened….ZZZZZZZZZZ……FishOn.
This was a big fish for sure. I was watching the rod just as the fish hit and it took some great effort to pull it from the holder. No other fish pulled out the 12 lbs of drag from the reels and this slob was heading for the ocean. Uncle Jessy was carefully pulling the bruiser towards our possible payday. This fish was definitely going to put us into the money and by the looks of things, this could be the tournament winner. I was already spending the $60000. Jess was commenting on the sweet burn on his forearms but maintained a slow and steady pace on the fish gently dragging the monster home. After about 15 minutes of struggle the line went limp…emptiness filled the face of Uncle Jess, and he begged the fish just be running towards the boat but he knew in his heart we had just lost our game
changer, the fish of a lifetime. He pulled the fishless lure to the surface to find a straightened hook and surprisingly everyone handled the disappointment well. Everyone played their part well, we had no one to blame but the hook and misfortune. What we did have was the story of “The One That Got Away”
We got back to fishing after the mishap but spirits were minimized but no where near shattered because we had a great tournament and you can be assured we’ll be assembling again for 2012. We finished day three catching 8 or 9 nice fish, releasing all but three for the table.
We Had a Blast and we’ll look for you all out there!
Outdoorguru
Jay Schline
Day One Video
Day Two Video
Day Three “A Real Slap in the Face “
MSSA RESULTS
| LEADERBOARD (pending) |
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PRELIMINARY RESULTS Standings are preliminary until May 12 and are subject to change pending polygraph testing.
The MSSA Thanked all who participated in this year’s tournament. “It is your participation that allows the MSSA to continue fighting for your rights as anglers and for the future of recreational fishing.”…MSSA
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| Overall Largest Fish |
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| Friday’s Largest Fish |
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| Saturday’s Largest Fish |
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| Sunday’s Largest Fish |
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| Kids Division |
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| Sea Tow Award |
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| Taylors Island Prize |
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| Boat Prize – Hydra-Sport |
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| Boat Prize – Grady White |
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| Boat Prize – Judge Yachts |
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| Boat Prize – MayCraft |
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| Boat Prize – Carolina Skiff |
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| Boat Prize – Parker |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Breezy Point |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Calvert Marina |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Chesapeake Beach |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Herrington Harbour |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Kentmorr Marina |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Knapps Narrows |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Point Lookout |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Rippons Harbor |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Sandy Point |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Bay Bridge |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Taylors Island |
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| Largest Fish Weighed in at Chapel Cove |
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| $25 Rockfish |
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| $50 Rockfish |
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| $50 Scholarship Foundation |
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| $75 Rockfish |
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| $100 Rockfish |
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| $200 Rockfish |
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| $250 Two Heaviest Fish (Weighed in on two separate days) |
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| $300 Rockfish |
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| $500 Rockfish |
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The Hunting and Fishing Maryland Team headed out aboard the “Last Cast” Captained by Keith Zolman of Pasadena, MD. The crew consisted of Co-Captain George Zolman (Boat Owner), “Uncle” Bob Shreve, “Uncle” Jess Sirkel, “Pop” Charlie Schline and yours truly, Jay Schline “Outdoorguru”, all of Pasadena, MD. The vessel is a well equipped 25 foot Parker with all the bells and whistles. Power is supplied by the consistently reliable 225 4stroke Yamaha.
out flaw, aside from not catching the winning fish. We had a blast together last year and despite several requests from the “outside” to add some anglers we did not want to change something that work so well. We have all been fishing together for many years…My Uncle Jessy and “Pop” Schline (My Dad) all my life and the Zolmans for just about the same, since about 10 years old anyway.
We opted to enter just about all the calcutas this year, just in case 
we “lucked” into Mr. Big or should I say Mrs. Big. The Weather Forecast was looking great for this year and we were pumped because the fish should have been falling right into form with the mild winter and cool start. We suspected the fish were going to be in the beginning phases of the great migration.
On 4-29-11 0500 hrs we departed dock and off to the fishing ground we went. Our trip was an estimated hour and 20 minutes. It was smooth sailing and we made it just south of Chesapeake Beach on the Western Shore side of the Chesapeake Bay. It is a familiar spot that year after year has produced well for us. We were greeted to an armada of boats, both private and charter boats. We were surrounded by about 30-40 boats, but everyone seemed to be working the area with respect and appreciation to fellow angler. Everyone navigated the area with out any exchange of unpleasantness, at least none I saw or heard over the air.
As we deployed our planer boards we saw several boats hooked up and fighting fish. We took our time and out went the 16 rod spread. Panic started setting in when our morning was not interrupted from the sounds of snapping rubber bands. About an hour passed and still silence, then PINGGG…Fish On!!! Welcome to 2011 trophy season. Waiting for that first fish to pull was little tense, especially when you hear captains calling out success over the radio and seeing other boats around you catching fish.
that turned out to be a steady 15 to 20 MPH that equated into some slop on the big creek. Although it was a little bumpy we were still able run our boards and all of our rods. We struggle the second day catching only two fish at 35 and 36 inches and hearing reports from other boats we seemed to be somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as success because many boats went fishless and others bested us but it seemed the numbers were expectantly lower due to seas. We still had a great day and looked forward to day three, because the weather forecast was calling for those “5-10mph” winds diminishing.
Day Three we all arrived at the boat with great excitement because there was not so much as a breath across the water, it looked like a sheet of glass. As the sun rose so did our hopes and at fish time lines were sent out. Capt. Keith got word from a friend he had found a hot bite and had already boated his limit and was heading in. Luckily we were already with in striking distance and trolled over to the little honey hole that had just a few boats working. All was going well and we quickly had three fish in the box but nothing of scalable weight then it happened….ZZZZZZZZZZ……FishOn.
changer, the fish of a lifetime. He pulled the fishless lure to the surface to find a straightened hook and surprisingly everyone handled the disappointment well. Everyone played their part well, we had no one to blame but the hook and misfortune. What we did have was the story of “The One That Got Away”
Great stuff…Would like to take my dad rock fishing. Need some help. Jay call me if you get a chance. Thanks Bunky
will do Bunky
Cool Video, congrats on tournament
Great video. who needs $60 g anyway? get em next time