Live menhaden in MD - The Hull Truth

Theultangler · 03-10-2003, 07:59 AM

Can anyone come up with live menhaden in the Maryland area for the trophy striper season? No one sells them live, at least nowhere near Annapolis, and I've tried just about everything (legal) to catch them live with very little success. If anyone could come up with a supply of them and keep them kicking, they could make a bundle...

davidd · 03-10-2003, 10:10 AM

I use a cast net for the small peanut bunker and gill net for the adults. We can get a personal bait gillnet license here. Is something like that availible in MD?
Dave

ALBEMARLE 28

Theultangler · 03-11-2003, 08:00 AM

Nope, gillnets are taboo for recreationals on the Chesapeake. We do the same for the peanuts, but in April and May they aren't around yet, and they're usually too small for the spring stripers, anyway. (Average fish run 30" - 40" and are feeding on big 1/2 to one-pound scattered menhaden that are getting ready for or have just gotten finished spawning. That's one reason they're so hard to come up with around here at this time; they aren't usually schooled up or are in small pods.)

BBunker · 03-11-2003, 05:17 PM

Any comm. boys working on them that time of year down your area? I have bartered a few $ & some beers for them FRESH off the boat. This was in Del. bay in the fall though. Just a thought.