ARE YOU READY?

By : Frank Tuma (Downtime)

  Most of us spend numerous hours getting ready to fish only to find out the weather is bad or no fish are being caught in the area we wanted to fish. Now we have a new media to help us get ready for fishing...the Internet. In today's world its easy to check out the up-to-date and accurate information on What, Where, When, and How to catch fish!! Good Luck...

What's being caught?

  This is easy.. Fisherman love to talk and in the "Virtual World" that means fishing reports and "Chat Rooms!" The Internet is loaded with fishing reports. Some accurate - most not! Chat rooms let the anglers brag and ask questions.

• "HeyFish - Fish Tales" - Local fishing reports from Members.
• Maryland DNR - Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
• Ocean City - At The Beach - Ocean City Fishing Reports.
• Ocean City - Beach Net - Ocean City Fishing & Information.
• Chesapeake Angler - Online Fishing Magazine with a chat room.

Where to fish?

  Once you have determined what's being caught, locating those secret spots can be hard.
Most fisherman love to brag, but generally do not give out exact locations. If you know the general area you want to fish, try some of the sites noted and you will have some very good ideas of where to fish.

• "Mariner's Waypoints" - Local fishing locations with TD's
• Heyfish - Pasadena Sportfishing Group, Inc.
• Chesapeake Angler - Online Fishing Magazine

When to fish?

  This is easy...anytime! But if you need the best times with the weather and tides being the number one factor. Check out some the the latest weather sites now on the internet. Many sites now give live coverage of the weather on the bay or in the ocean from automated weather stations.

  Weather predictions are now very accurate. Doppler radar is now live on the Net! No need to wait till the weather face on TV give you an outdated report. Check these conditions live on the net before going to your boat 24 hours a day.. Maybe even at 4am before leaving the house!

Check out the latest in Tide predictions for the area you plan to fish. Don't forget to print out your tide tables to take along with you on your fishing trip!

• Current Weather:
  - @ Naval Academy
  - @ Rock Creek
  - @ Horn Point
• Weather at Buoys:
  - @ Thomas Pt.
  - @ Delaware Bay
• Satellite weather:
  - @ East Coast
  - Doppler Radar @ BWI
  - Sea Surface Temps - Rutgers Univ.
• Tide predictions:
  - @ Baltimore
  - Interactive Tide Charts

How to get there?

  Now on the internet many charter boats are listed on several web sites. Be sure to check out the major search engines by searching keywords "sportfishing" or "Charter Boats".

• Upper Bay Charter Captains Assoc. - Listing of Chesapeake Bay charter boats
• Maryland Waypoint - Charter Boats - Searchable database of Charter Boats
• Charter Net  - National Listing of Charter Boats

  Many of us do not have easy access to a boat. Many times local fishing clubs have members that offer "fishing buddy" trips. Be sure to check out some your local fishing clubs. If you are new to an area, this will be your best bet for getting the inside fishing scoop!

• Heyfish - Pasadena Sportfishing Group, Inc.
• MSSA - Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association

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