Via email to: fisheriespubliccomment.dnr@maryland.gov
RE: Support for baseline season adjustment for striped bass.
To Whom it May Concern,
We, the undersigned businesses, charter operators, guides, and recreational-fishing and boating organizations, respectfully express our SUPPORT for the new baseline approach for striped bass seasons in Maryland as proposed by DNR. This action would reset Maryland’s striped-bass fishing seasons to balance conservation and long-standing public access for anglers statewide.
This proposal would directly benefit Maryland’s sportfishing and boating economy, by increasing the number of days that anglers may go fishing for striped bass from 83% to 92% of calendar days, without impacting the overall population of this important fish.
Predictable access to our waters provides critical revenue for marinas, charter operations, tackle shops, and tourism partners, while maintaining Maryland’s leadership in responsible fisheries management. Specifically, a return of catch-and-release fishing in April, when post-release survival is very high, allows access during a time of year that provides vital revenue for businesses who serve the recreational fishing and boating public in Maryland.
While opinions on striped-bass management may vary, our shared commitment remains the same: protecting the resource and ensuring that the communities built around it remain strong. We believe the proposed framework achieves both goals — using sound science to sustain the fishery and fair access for Marylanders who depend on it.
We urge DNR to approve and move forward with implementing this balanced, science-based approach that provides important and timely access to our fisheries and maintains Maryland’s protection of striped bass on their vital spawning grounds.
Thank you for your thoughtful attention and for your continued dedication to Maryland’s natural resources, working families, and our cultural heritage.
Respectfully submitted,
Glenn Hughes, President & CEO
American Sportfishing Association
David Sikorski, Executive Director
Coastal Conservation Association Maryland
Jeff Crane, President & CEO
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Chad Tocowicz, Govt. Relations Manager
Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
John Stefancik, Executive Director
Marine Trades Assoc. Maryland
Sam Romano, Manager. NE Region GR
National Marine Manufacturers Association
Capt. Keith Fraser
Alltackle.com – Ocean City, Md & Annapolis,MD
Mike Ebersberger
Angler’s Sport Center
Mark Kurth, President
Northwest Fishing Club
Chris Linetty, President
Frederick Saltwater Anglers Club
Phil Zalesak, President
Southern MD Rec. Fishing Org.
Dave Stith, President
Kent Island Fishermen
Lenny Rudow
Fish Talk Magazine
Capt. Tom Weaver
Weaver’s Guide Service & Eastport Yacht Co.
Co-founder, MD Light Tackle Guides Association
Capt. Steve Griffin
Griffin’s Guide Service
Co-founder, MD Light Tackle Guides Association
Capt. Jacob Beltz
Hookset Guide Service LLC.
Chesapeake Beach
Capt. Jonathan Bland
Bay Bound Guide Service
Capt. Frank Bonnano
Il Pescatore Guide Service
Brian Buckland
Chessie Marine Sales
Elkton, MD
Capt. Ron Buffington
JLS Light Tackle Charters & JLS Rods
Capt. James Clough
Eastern Shore Light Tackle Charters LLC
Michael & Brian Conner
Rhode River Marina Inc.
Capt. Pete Dahlberg
Four Season’s Guide Service
Capt. Dennis Fleming
Chaptico, Maryland
Capt. Brad Foxwell
Chesapeake Fishing Adventures
Capt. Michael Gardner
Sandbar Light Tackle Fishing
Stevensville, MD
Capt. Gio Gargano
Griffin’s Guide Service
Capt. Jeff Geary
Sick Day Charters
Salisbury, MD
Capt. Lawrence Geipe
Chasing Light Charters LLC
Captain Eric Goodrich
Stella Charters
Pasadena, MD
Capt. Drew Grahame
Griffin’s Guide Service
Capt. Kayla Haile
River Queen Guide Service
TFL #2149
Capt. Lee Haile
TFL 100191
Capt. David Heath
C&S Sportfishing
Annapolis, MD
Captain Charles Hill
Chill’s Light Tackle Guide Service
Baltimore
Capt. Matt Huss
East Wind Fishing
Capt. Chuck Jones
Salty Siren Fishing
Bill Judge
Judge Yachts
Capt. Travis Long
Schooled Up Fishing Charters
Chesapeake Beach, MD
Capt. Pat Love
Backcreek Charters
Capt. CL Marshall
Tangier Sound Charters
Travis McCann
Silver Tree Marine
Capt. Brian McCormick
Southern Girl Sportfishing
Annapolis & Deale, MD
Capt. Josh Pasquariello
Good Fish Outdoors
Annapolis, MD
Alan Ring
Reel Faith Fishing Charters
Salisbury, MD
Capt. John Rogers
Elkton, MD
TFL 4847
Capt. Brian Sabo
Old Line Charters
Capt. Brennan Shute
iFishMD.com Charters
Capt. Greg Shute
iFishMD.com Charters & Judge Yachts
Capt. Ethan Sommer
Sommertime Outdoors
Capt. Pedro Sousa-Paz
Vasco da Gama Charters
Edgewater
Capt. Jackson Talbott
Lite.Tackle MD
Capt. Brian Thomason
Thomason Tradition Sportfishing
Sam Weaver, President
Weaver’s Marine Service
Capt. Brandon Wingate
Salt Tale Charters
