Opening Day of Spring Trophy Season in Maryland kicks off on April 16 so we asked some of our charter captains for the skinny on where to find the bite and what gear to take with you. Mike Hillegas from Severna Park, MD, with a 49", 46 pound rock. After almost calling it quits for the day, they snagged this fish while trolling near Parkers Creek with a white umbrella rig with a 9" white shad. Submitted by David Mogel, Mary Lou Too Charters 1. Capt. Dave Mogel: Mary Lou Too Charters maryloutoocharters.com Where will you be fishing this spring? We will be fishing the mid-Bay area out of Chesapeake Beach, anywhere from Bloody Point Light to the Cove Point LNG Gas Docks. What will you be using? We will be trolling with an 18-24 rod spread with planer boards. For most of the spring season we will have a spread of umbrellas, Tony Spoons, single and double parachute lures, and large bucktails. When’s the best time to find trophy rockfish? To be honest it depends on the weather. I have been fishing and the morning trip was awesome and then we go out in the afternoon and the rockfish have lock-jaw. Other days I can’t pay for a bite and other days I guess the fish want to go for a fun boat ride. Anything new with your crew or set up this year? Fresh coat of paint on the decks. We also had an upgrade in the motor a season ago and we are happy with the performance. Where will you be after trophy season wraps up? Running charter trips out of Chesapeake Beach, now through the end of December, if I am not at my regular job in Annapolis. What were some of 2015’s highlights? My father passed away on March 21, 2015, and he would be so proud of me and my brother. We are keeping his legacy alive. Through everything we had a great season. We had customers return to fish with us even though Dad was no longer here. A few more highlights are going to Tilghman Island for dinner, lighthouse cruises, having a charter guest come back for the 24th season, and just watching people catch their fish of a lifetime here on my boat. What’s your best piece of advice for novice anglers wanting to step up their game? Don’t overthink things. Go to your local bait shop or the internet fishing sites and just ask. Also, if you see a bunch of charter boats in one area you may want to stop. Just remember we are trying to make a living so work with us and we will work with you. [gallery type="square" link="file" ids="13505,13498,13506" orderby="rand"] 2. Capt. "Walleye" Pete Dahlberg: Four Seasons Guide Service and Light Tackle Charter walleyepete.com Where will you be fishing this spring? This spring I will be fishing out of Solomons, shooting for big fish in the early AM then hitting the islands across the Bay. What’s your go-to gear? All light tackle, all the time. I use custom rods from Shore Tackle and Custom Rods. The lures I use are mostly Bass Kandy Delights plastics on Hard Head Custom Baits jigheads. Where will you be after trophy season wraps up? I will be fishing the eastern shore islands of Hoopers, Bloodsworth, Holland, Adams, Spring, South Marsh, and Smith Islands. What’s your best advice for novice anglers? My best advice for novice anglers attempting to catch fish via light tackle is to fish water with current and structure and to jig with a good sharp twitch! Michelle Lawrence from Wilmington, DE, snagged this beauty on a tandem parachute rig in 65 feet of water near Solomons. Photo by Mark Hoos, Marli Sportfishing 3. Capt. Mark Hoos: Marli Sportfishing marlisportfishing.com Where will you be fishing this spring? Out of Solomons Island, The Lighthouse Restaurant and Dockbar. What gear will you be using? The standard trolling gear with parachutes and planer boards and lures in white and chartreuse. Anything new with your crew or set up this year? We have a new Eskimo ice maker, new eisen glass, and all new touch screen Furuno electronics. When’s the best time to find trophy rockfish? We leave the docks at 6 a.m. Normally the morning bite is real good right off the bat; always seems to be the most productive to get out there early. Some clients like to go out in the afternoon but that early bite is where it’s at. The early bird gets the worm, especially with less pressure on the fish at that hour. What’s your best piece of advice for novice anglers wanting to step up their game? Just be thorough. Dot the I’s and cross the T’s with your tackle, retie and check your knots and gear, control your mechanics and keep everything bullet proof. [gallery type="square" link="file" ids="13519,13518,13515" orderby="rand"] 4. Capt. George Bentz: Drizzle Bar Charters drizzlebarcharters.com Where will you be fishing this spring? My home port is Bodkin Creek in Pasadena and we’ll be staying close to home, fishing north of the Bay Bridge for spring trophy season. What’s your go-to gear? I love a tandem set of parachutes and I use only white and green lures on my boat to keep it simple. When’s the best time to find trophy rockfish? Most of the time we’re leaving the dock by 6 a.m., one and done. Sometimes I run two charters a day but I like to get my fishing in early and have a beer when I’m done. Do you have a favorite trip or favorite catch? No one trip really sticks out because they’re all exciting. It’s just really exciting every time one gets hooked up, especially for the people I take out experiencing that thrill. Any advice for a novice angler wanting to catch a trophy striper? Don’t get too stressed out about it. Fishing is supposed to be fun and too many people let the stress get to them. Don’t be scared to ask questions. You don’t learn unless you ask. Run your lures a little higher than you normally would run them and pay attention to your speed. Presentation is everything. Photo courtesy of Capt. Billy Gee (left) of Ebb Tide Charters 5. Capt. Billy Gee: Ebb Tide Charters fishebbtidecharters.com Where will you be fishing this spring? We are located at the Happy Harbor Inn in Deale MD. Most of our fishing this time of year is in the middle bay from the West River south as far as the power plant. But if the fish are on the move we are going to make the run. What gear will you be using? The tackle bag for spring fishing is a mix – tandem and single parachute rigs with an umbrella rig or two thrown in. Planer boards are a must this time of year. Anything new with your crew or set up this year? This year we have a new mate and relief captain. Capt. Kenny Boswell will be our full time mate and relief captain when owner and Capt. Billy Gee has other obligations. We are also in the process of Coast Guard certification and will be certified by summer to take up to 15 passengers up from our current six. Where will you be after trophy season wraps up? We will remain at the Happy Harbor Inn in the middle bay and continue with live lining for rockfish, trolling for blues and mackerel, and bottom fishing for spot and perch. If you’re looking for a dinner or lighthouse cruise give us a call – we can accommodate most needs. What were some of 2015’s highlights? It was our first full year with the new boat and it was a huge success. We worked out a lot of the kinks a new boat can bring and can't wait to get back on the water April 16. What’s your best piece of advice for novice anglers wanting to step up their game? Don't be afraid to ask fellow captains for advice; they’re all good questions. Grind it out. Don't leave fish to find fish. And don’t chase the radio – those fish have already been caught. [gallery type="square" link="file" ids="13500,13509,13523"] Well there you have it. Trophy Season is almost here! Click to proptalk.com/charter-fishing to book your charter today! April 16 kicks off the Maryland Spring Trophy Season for rockfish. The season lasts until May 15 and this year there's a new slot: anglers will be able to keep one rockfish per day, minimum size of 35 inches. The slot for the summer/fall season will remain the same as last year: anglers can keep two fish per day, 20 inches or longer with only one being equal to or greater than 28 inches, May 16-December 20. Click to eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/striped-bass for more info.