From the DNR Anglers Log Post:

Seth McCauley, Recreational Angler


North East, Md


Total Reports: 3


View all reports by Seth McCauley →

Posted on October 20, 2011
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NEW REPORT


Trolling Success


Type: Chesapeake


Region: North Central


Location: Mouth of Patapsco River


While I normally fish the Susquehanna flats with my uncle, I was invited to fish with my friends Greg and Matt Ferenschak on Wednesday evening - 10/19/11. While we have all fished together before, we have not had much success, this all changed last night. Matt and Greg had been experimenting with trolling and I was there to learn. Using a lead head with a sassy shad and a husky jerk as well as rattle traps, we started off trolling 4 then 6 lines, but with no luck. We then moved around the Key Bridge and had two rock strike at the same time. Greg was able to reel in a 22 inch while Matt brought in a nice 19 inch. A while passed and I was able to bring in a 24 inch. We had a few smalls as well. You could not have asked for a nicer evening on the water and each of us catching a keeper was icing on the cake.

Rockin' Summer into Fall

Here are some pictures of some of the Rockfish caught on the Why Knot? in the Patapsco River.  Greg and Mike limited out on topwater action at dusk while once October hit light tackle trolling was the ticket to some keepers.  Noah had fun too helping bring in a 15 inch "Sam" the Rockfish.

Deep Sea Mahi

It all started with an email from the Captain two days prior to our embarking into the Ocean, "it might be a little sporty...you might want to see how tough your guys are." We met Captain Dan of the Fin Chaser at 4 AM 8/5 and decided to give it a go despite the small craft warning. It was a rough ride out in the dark but it was all worth it when the lines hit the water an less than five minutes later Greg was reeling in a big Mahi. After that we seemed to have one on every 15 to 20 minutes for the rest of the day. The Dolphin were absolutely beautiful fish and had a good fight to them as they jumped into the air. We ended the day with 15 Mahi in the box and the first Barracuda caught in OC this year. What a great trip that ended with some amazing fillets and Mahi sushi.

For more pictures and video click here.

Fishing in SC

It was a great time in South Carolina on the beach surf fishing. Using mostly squid and fishbites bloodworms combination we caught about 7 small sharks and a whiting. Cut bunker and Gulp shrimp were in the mix as well as bait on two hook rigs. Next time I'd like to try a fish finder rig was some fresh shrimp threaded onto the hook.

We also decided to rent a small Carolina Skiff in the marshy tidal waters of Cherry Grove. The river was gorgeous with oyster bars growing like shell metropolis's. As the run was coming up we noticed the wakes of fish right off of the oyster bars. It was redfish and we were excited to catch them. Unfortunately, we didn't have our tackle ready and by the time we had jigs to throw to them the fish were gone. Glenn had some luck with a flounder and a lizardfish but all and all it was a slow day.

Hanging on the Tube

One of the most enjoyable afternoons on the water was spent with our friends and kids just playing around. We had the kids with Chris, Claire and Cailee and Paul and Sara aboard as we headed for our favorite cove to meet up with Tony and Diana and their family. Tony waved us in like a air traffic control man. We beached the boat and we all got out while the kids splashed around on the tube and played in the sand. We decided to make it a picnic with some grilled dogs and sausage. Then it was out on the tube as Claire and Noah and Sara and Cailee took turns hanging on. Chris even took a spin as I tried to shake him off into the water. We even took some time to just jump in and swim around in the refreshing water. What a wonderful afternoon to be surrounded by such good friends!

Rock Pile

The MSSA Perry Hall Chapter took off for a charter down to the Bay Bridge piers.
Here are some pictures of our bounty.

July 4th week

July 4th week in OC was a fun one. Fishing was pretty good as we got into many flounder during the week. Sharon and Gary had to fight over this one as they both pulled this fat 16 1/2 incher in with both of their baits and lines it it's mouth. Can't say that I have ever seen it before. Both of Sharon's baits were in the fish's mouth along with one of Gary's. It seemed that Pink Gulp was pretty hot along with the white.

Noah's Half Dozen

Noah's dad never worked so hard to see him and his buddy catch sunnies. These fish were the finickiest tiny fish that wouldn't even take a bloodworm with a weight or bobber attached to it. Using Noah's 2 and a half foot cars rod Noah and his buddy Ethan were able to each reel in a sunny. Then later in the day Noah and his dad chummed and tricked a half dozen onto Noah's line. He had a blast bringing them in but wasn't too keen on throwing them back instead asking if we could cook them and eat them for dinner! It was a great day with Noah, Ethan and the two dads.

Memorial Day

On the Happy Ours with Amy, her mom Sharon and Noah I heard the drag being pulled. I quickly grabbed the rod, set the hook and started reeling. I knew this was a big fish and yelled "grab the net." Amy held the net and nervously netted the fat fish. "Chomper," as he was named by Noah and Amy, weighed in at 3.5 pounds, just under 20 inches. This was my heaviest flounder yet. Noah had a great time fishing and playing with the bait can't wait for more trips with him in the future.

Bushels O'Crabs

For fathers day weekend Greg and I took our Dad out crabbing on bear creek. We had some hints as to where the crabs where and it sure paid off. We were at Merritt Point in line to hit the water before the sun came up and then once we were out laid our 30 already baited traps (first time crabbing with 30 traps). From 6 to 9 AM we had a bushel of crabs and keep going. We took a break to fish a little north east of Fort Carroll and ended up with 30 white perch and a few small stripers in about 45 minutes of slack tide. We ended up with between a bushel and a half and a bushel and 3/4. It was a great day and made for a wonderful Fathers Day crab feast.