White Perch

Birmingham boundThe BASS Masters Classic will not make a repeat performance in Baltimore this summer, officials of the Bass Anglers Sportsman's Society said earlier this week. Instead, it will be held in Birmingham, Ala., from July 26 to Aug. 1."It is not that we felt anything bad about Baltimore," said Helen Sevier, CEO of B.A.S.S. "We loved Baltimore."But we felt that our 25th anniversary should be held closer to home for the benefit of our organization, our staff."B.A.S.S. is headquartered in Montgomery, Ala.Sevier did not rule out the possibility of a return engagement for Baltimore in the future, saying that the fishing was good, the crowds were good and the support by local and state government agencies was excellent.

The locations Piney Run: Fair catches of largemouth bass using plastic worms, nightcrawlers, and large minnows are reported. Deep edges of the hydrilla beds in the early morning have been productive for 1 1/2 -3-pound bass. Slab bluegills and an occasional yellow perch are in 18 to 24 feet of water hitting nightcrawlers and redworms. Night fishing, Aug. 16,17. Prettyboy Reservoir: Guide Duke Nohe advises launching from the old road because of low water. Small- and large-mouth bass are biting, especially the former.

Rockfish season has been open for 11 days, and according to Department of Natural Resources catch reports, "there is no shortage of big, bruiser stripers in the middle and upper bay.""Stripers of this size class have not been encountered at this time of year in the sheer numbers we have been seeing over the past several days," said Martin L. Gary, DNR Fisheries Service biologist who tracks sport fishing across the state."RJ's Bait and Tackle in Breezy Point alone reported over 20 citation stripers checked in over the weekend."

WEEKEND FISHINGAlthough area rivers remain high and muddy and lakes and reservoirs are full, the warming weather and longer days have turned on fishing -- especially on the Eastern Shore.Red Bridges, at the head of the Choptank River, and Millington, at the head of the Chester River, have been producing white perch on grass shrimp or shad darts and small artificial grubs.In the Hillsboro section of the Tuckahoe, some yellow perch are mixed with white perch, as they are in the Choptank near Martinak State Park.

The Pasadena community of Long Point will sponsor its annual fishing fair Saturday beginning with a coffee and doughnut check-in from 5:30 a.m. until 8 a.m.Entrance fee will be $15 in advance and $18 at the door. The fee will cover registration, breakfast, 5 p.m. dinner, the awards ceremony and launching facilities.Due to limited seating capacity, only 200 dinners will be served. Early reservations are recommended.Prizes will be awarded in these categories: largest fish caught by adult or child, and by children age 13 and under, and by adults 14 and over for bluefish, sea trout, flounder, catfish, white perch, croakers or hard head and spot.

Upper Chesapeake Bay: Rockfish action has been very good, with fish to 37 inches taken by chummers at Swann Point Bar and Love Point. Chummers working the deeper areas between the mouth of the Magothy and Baltimore Light also have done well, with catches ranging to 32 inches, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Worton Point and Pooles Island areas have been less productive, but drifted eels still are accounting for stripers over the 18-inch minimum. Trolling has been less effective, but medium-size spoons, parachutes and hose should take fish from channel edges and over bottom humps.

SHARPTOWN -- No angler can argue that minnows are not the best bait for crappies. But, sometimes it's more fun to catch them with artificials. At least it's different -- and the results can mean bigger calicos. Or, at least, fewer smaller ones.Now that crocuses are in bloom and the first of the robins have arrived, crappies have two things on their mind; spawning and eating -- and not necessarily in that order.Time was when in mid-March everyone headed to the nearby Choptank for spring crappies, but now the Nanticoke is the tidal kingpin for these scrappy panfish, some of which also are biting in the reservoirs of the Baltimore area.

THE FISHING REPORT**** EXCELLENT*** GOOD** FAIR* POOR .. .. .. .. .. SALT WATER .. .. .. .. .. .. .. OceanInshore *** 1/2 In Ocean City, the route 50 bridge, the flats behind the Thoroughfare and the Throughfare have been very good for flounder three to five pounds. Live minnows and squid have been best baits. Surf action has been off somewhat with lesser numbers of bluefish from two to five pounds being taken on cut mullet or mackerel at Assateague and North Ocean City.Offshore *** The Southeast Lumps have been producing bluefish up to 10 pounds and the Jackspot has turned up a few bonito.