Now that winter is upon us and the boat is on the hard, think about joining a boating or fishing club or attend one of their free monthly meetings to meet some great, like-minded individuals and to start prepping for spring. Here are some upcoming club events to keep in mind:
1. Pasadena Sportfishing Group Annual Holiday Meeting: Dec. 14
7:30 p.m. Earleigh Heights Fire Hall, Severna Park, MD
Captain Wayne Morgan of "Frayed Knot Fishing" will present his Chesapeake Bay rockfishing techniques that has proven to catch the big ones. And because this is the holiday meeting, there will be free coffee and cake for all. Children will receive a free ice cream as well as a coupon for a free appetizer at Two Rivers Steakhouse. There will be an extended prize table containing fishing equipment and jewelry for the first mates, door prizes, and a winner take all drawing. The drawing for the 2016 fishing trip on the
Drizzle Bar with Captain George Bentz will take place at this meeting too! You must be present to win. There will be four different winners for this charter trip and each winner may bring a guest. Doors open at 6 p.m. - meetings are free and open to the public.
Next meeting: Jan. 12, free and open to the public.
2. MSSA Annapolis Holiday Party: Dec. 16
7 p.m. American Legion Post 7, Crownsville, MD
Open to MSSA Annapolis members, family, and significant others. The club will provide a spread of cold salads, deserts, and Adams Ribs BBQ, as well as soft drinks and an open bar. Santa Clause will make an appearance and there will be gifts for kids. Also be sure to bring a non-perishable food item that the chapter will then donate to the Light House Shelter in Annapolis. There will be fishing gifts and the potential for door prizes for all who attend.
Next meeting: Jan. 21, free and open to the public! Meetings include a guest speaker, a free fishing tackling prize table, and a 50/50 raffle. Food and drinks are available.
There are MSSA Chapters all over Maryland, from the Susquehanna to the Atlantic Coast. For more info on other chapter meetings, click to
mssa.net/chapters
3. Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar Series: Jan. 9
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, VA
The Seminar Series “no holds barred” format requires these experts to reveal their prime fishing spots, the best times to fish them, and the best baits and lures to use; featuring fishing expert George Poveromo, host of World of Saltwater Fishing on NBC Sports. $55 per person includes five hours of fishing instruction from leading national and regional angling authorities, one year subscription or extension to Salt Water Sportsman, Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecast Analysis, bottle of OrPine Wash & Wax, and more! Some of the seminar topics include: Live-Baiting for Trophy Striped Bass, Cutting-Edge Striper Trolling, Secrets of Fishing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and more. The full list of topics can be found online at
nationalseminarseries.com/courses.php
4. MSSA Saltwater Fishing Expo: Jan. 16
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Frederick County Fairgrounds, MD
Sponsored by PropTalk! Hosted by the MSSA Frederick chapter. Featuring charter captains, fishing supplies, custom rod builders, rod/reel repair, used fishing and boating supplies, tackle suppliers, boating/fishing licenses, kayak fishing seminars, and more.
5. Kent Island Fishermen's Fishing Flea Market: Jan. 23-24
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Kent Island American Legion Post #278, Stevensville, MD
Fishing rods, reels, and lures, boating accessories, crabbing supplies, fishing charters, marine electronics, publications, and more, plus food and beverages.
6. Anglers Night at the Boatyard Bar & Grill, Annapolis: Jan. 26
Happy hour food and drink specials, followed by a fishing film and talk.