CaptMikeStarrett

So catching four slots and a lunker will not work for the Elite series.. It has worked for the REDFISH Series for many years and they have a two fish limit in the slot for the entire boat. They just need to adapt. Capt Mike

So if you want fish these areas in a tourny you will need to not use livewells. Photo measure and release. Longest total wins. Or go to the MLF style. No more teams that way.. unless an official is on board. Since the back seat or front seat will need to stop fishing and verify weights. I do not see that working. But it takes change sometimes to get a resolve. Capt Mike

The Potomac was 3 feet over the banks this morning in DC, Muddy with lots of logs floating about. No ice but may have some by Monday. I drive up the river every day so if you need to know... just ask. Capt Mike

Dave from this forum.. and not in separate boats. Capt Mike

Well our guide business is almost booked up for the spring and fall. So by necessity I have to plan vacations, fishing trips and even weddings a year or two in advance. Summer is booking up quickly too. So is this a Lake that requires many deep diving cranks or can I get by with my swamp fishing tackle and lures? Capt Mike

What, is October bad??? It is fantastic for many types of fishing here in MD, VA.. is Guntersville covered over with a tarp so you can't fish.? Capt Mike

Potty trained?? I will share tales of mighty feats of fishing and even have a great stogie for our host to enjoy. Or not depending on host request. I have had all my shots and have not bitten anyone since the 70"s. Capt Mike

I am the guy Dave is talking about. When I started 24 plus years ago I had to develop a written plan or prospectus and present it to my Dad who would lend me the money for a first guide boat. I had to pass my USCG exam before he would even consider a loan. Started with three us sitting on my front porch three times a week studying and practicing the exam. Two of us passed and the third just faded away. A very nice boat was selected that we would share. Gambler GT 186 with a great white hope 175 on the back. Fast forward and four boats later and 6 engines and countless trolling motors I have managed to get a bit of money now and then in my pocket. Nothing like my written plan was..but I love taking people fishing.. My first client rods where push button Zebco matched with Rhino rods. The most important part of guiding is to have fun and laugh a lot. Oh and catch some fish now and then. Capt Mike

This fish is a true dinosaur with DNA that proves it. It is one of misfit species I love to guide for.. As a super thug fish it can destroy lures and make you think you just hooked Godzilla. It it not spooky like snakehead and can be caught sight fishing really well. It is not edible (at least for me) and can endure being caught and released several times in even the hottest of waters. It grows slow but reproduces rather well. If you target them like we do prepare to lose lures and a bunch of fish. Spinnerbaits are quickly destroyed by the alligator like rolling fight they have. Just a word on the lowly bowfin.. Capt Mike

Following up Capt Dave's last post 2016 is looking good with a greater appreciation of this fine game fish and with a lot of catch and release. 2015 saw a much better catch rate that 2014 and from the huge clouds of fry we have seen in 2015 and the numbers of smaller "AKA Potomac Pike" in 2015 the year 2016 looks to be even better. The number of spot light boats has dwindled since the black market for the meat has dried up and Restaurants are refusing to buy the fish back door any more. This has many positive effects as the pads and grasses are not mowed down every night. Also LGMouth have adapted to the new food source "baby snakeheads" and the ones caught over the last year are fat and full. We have many evenings open and would be glad to show you all our tricks and will work hard to get that bite for you. We will be booked up by March however. Both boats.. This Potomac Pike is our target fish on summer evenings. June-July and August. In Sept we chase another fish people love or hate..A real THUG of a fish. Capt Mike

Charles Chips / BBQ Capt Mike

In Maryland a group of DNR and others refer to it as stockpiling. Some of the solutions are listed in the document. http://dnr2.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Stockpiling_Meeting_10272015.pdf'>http://dnr2.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Stockpiling_Meeting_10272015.pdf 3 fish limit or a large fee for a tourniment. A fish stamp to offset costs. I think with all the resources here you guys could solve this issue for the Potomac. As far as the restocking comment .. last August MD DNR stocked 18,000 fingerlings in the Mattawomen. A catch measure photo release format will work. Use snapchat or some other media format. Capt Mike

You can tell by the cloaca. Capt Mike

For turning big bugs an 8 is best.. In the pads and heavy grass 8 is best ... short precise cast to small 6 inch plate targets 8 is best... providing you can cast all day with an 8 it is a good choice. A 7 will feel so light after several hours with an 8. If you wade fish rivers for those brown bass a 7 is a better choice. But from a boat in heavy cover an 8 with short leader and maybe the tip of the line cutback will out perform a 7 and turn fish out of heavy cover. Capt Mike

I love the format and the no live well rule.. It really shows who can adapt and who does not. Get Mike a binkie for that engine cutoff lanyard. Capt Mike

I have seen a 10 foot section of chain link fence with three cinder blocks tied to the end of it clear an area across a pond really quick. Tie a rope to the fence and hook to a truck on the other side and drag across it. It creates a channel that can be fishing. This has worked in tidal creeks dragged behind the boat to deepen it. At my house we have a float tied to it and we drag it out and back each time we leave and return to the creek. Works on ponds too. Capt Mike

I find when the cacophony of singing gets very loud the bite really turns on. But this also when the humidity is at it's highest. So it may be double factor. Bass will move 20 feet to clobber a frog when it gets really loud. Capt Mike

President George Bush Sr. Casper Winnberger Jr Many congressman and a few Senators too. Capt Mike

My wife seldom fishes with me but on this day I forced her too. And she had a blast. here is her 51 lb blue. Now she wants to go again.. :-/ Capt Mike

Fishing an area called CBBT I set the depth finder in DEMO mode. 125 ft of water and fish everywhere I watched my fishing buddy scramble for a stingsilver and tie it on. He dropped it down and it was really only 9 ft of water. I watched him repeat the drop and check the depth finder four times before I burst out laughing. Capt Mike

2009 saw lots of great pics from all walks of life on my boat. But this one really hits home with the ribs and chicken still on his face.. Capt Mike

As a guide of 19 years plus I hire guides alot on my adventures. Things I look for are: 1. Is tackle provided? 2. Is there a plan in place for the day? 3. Can I call him and ask more questions before the trip? 4. The old weather question? What if a hurricane hits... 5. Do I need a license? 6. Do I need to bring my lunch? 7. Can I bring a tackle bag and a rod or two? And generally try to find some customers that have fished with the guide before..and ask them was it worth the money. BTW the old rule of you get what you pay for is not so in guides. I have seen guides that cost 495.00 a day front end and outfish customers all day. I have seen guides that cost a lot less be personable and better at taking care of there most precious of resources. THE CUSTOMER.. Just my spin from the inside looking out.. Capt Mike

Try the new bait and give it a good testing in whatever conditions available. Then hand it another fisherman on the boat and have them test it. If they hate it you have an answer. Capt Mike

The oddest place I have seen is inside an old sunken washing machine. Capt Mike

So you got a baitcaster to get more distance or cast bigger baits? OK maybe both then. But let me state that the hunt to get within 20 yards is intense. Do not use your trolling motor as it will spook the big bass. Instead use a push pole to get that last 10 yards.. If you want to know how make a 1 dollar push pole just ask. Capt Mike