There’s a move afoot to eliminate the need for fuel and power when fishing for rockfish this opening day, April 19.
The Southern Maryland Kayak Fishing Club, started only a couple of weeks ago on a whim at the Solomon’s Fishing Fair, is already 13 members strong and counting. TheBayNet.com talked with Dan Sweeney of BluHaven Piers in Ridge about the movement.
“We were talking about kayak fishing and how much fun it was while manning a booth at the Solomons’ Fishing Fair and someone said, ‘why not see how many people we can get to sign up and start something’,” Sweeney said, adding that after putting up a sign, 13 people jumped at the idea.
Sweeney and BluHaven Piers are part of a movement toward better ecological treatment of the bay by becoming a designated Clean Marina – a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) program designed to eliminate pollution from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries by certifying marinas such as BluHaven Piers to have the necessary tools to contain fuel spills and other contaminants.
“We have taken the first step toward that certification,” said Sweeney. “We purchased a fuel spill kit, but there are six or more steps we need to complete the process.”
Sweeney went on to tell The Bay Net that kayak fishing started in California and in Florida where the ecological movement is very strong. “The sport is becoming popular here and in Virginia,” said Sweeney. The kayaks are powered by an innovative propulsion system that duplicates the swimming motion of penguins.
“You can go pretty fast, almost enough to troll for Mackerel, but you’d be working pretty hard,” reported Sweeney smiling. He said that kayakers have to work to maintain a level speed for trolling the slower speeds required by rockfish. When asked how much effort it takes to pedal a kayak at trolling speeds, Sweeney said that it is fairly easy to go fast enough to generate a wake. “The great thing is that the kayak is powered with your feet leaving your hands free for fishing.”
For those interested in learning more about kayak fishing and The Southern Maryland Kayak Fishing Club, Sweeny invites everyone to call him at BluHaven Piers – 301-872-5838, surf to www.BluHaven.net or come visit the marina and discover all the possibilities. Interested kayakers may also email Sweeney kayakfishingsomd@gmail.com.
“We have miles of protected waters that are perfect for kayakers,” said Sweeney. He assured the BayNet.com that fuel costs will be only for the car coming to the marina and not the kayak while hauling in a trophy rockfish!