Jim Gronaw

Outdoor columnist Jim Gronaw details why early May typically lends itself to good fishing for bass in shallow waters.

In an era of high-tech ways to catch fish, using earthworms still remains a valuable method.

Trout season is upon us in Maryland, and starting soon in neighboring Pennsylvania waters.

Early-season bass fishing can often be a mixed bag, but weathering the elements can bring great rewards.

Outdoor columnist Jim Gronaw contemplates his fishing wish list for the 2022 season.

Commentary of ice fishing options in Western Maryland

Some of the biggest bass each year are those taken in the winter under less than ideal conditions.

Whether it’s fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, bird watching or whatever else, take the time to give the younger generation the time they deserve to learn, enjoy and respect the numerous outdoor activities that can be shared by all ages.

There are many species of fish out there that anglers just won’t admit are fun to catch, almost like they are embarrassed to enjoy them. But there's something to be said for embracing the less popular catches every once in awhile.

The common fallfish is actually the largest of the minnows found in the Appalachians and Eastern slope of the Atlantic states that inhabit free flowing streams.

Summer bass fishing might not be for everyone. But if it’s for you, then set your alarm.

Summer crappie fishing can be tough or amazingly productive. Depending on the water and the conditions, it can be outstanding.

Channel catfish are overlooked and underrated when it comes to providing a fun fishing experience.

Two kids went fishing the other week, one was 5 and the other was 68. In the bluegill world, some kids never grow up.

We focused on a couple of tributaries that were close by and picked out a stretch of another tidal flow for our two-day effort to catch one of these guys.

For sure, fishing with common garden worms is considered a “thing of the past” by most of today’s up-tempo, well-equipped anglers.

As we enter the spring season, we will see a variety of fish species overlap in various stages of their spawning cycles. Crappies are still shallow and even “backing off” of bedding sites when cold fronts come roaring through.

Over the past several years, I have enjoyed using a 10-foot, sit-on-top kayak to put in places where I had previously not gone.

Sometimes, prime native brown trout water is locked up in private land and thus inaccessible. Yet other quality streams are listed as approved trout water and routinely stocked for springtime trout fishing.

One of my initial goals for 2020 was to pursue and catch a new personal-best crappie. I had my eye on three places where I was pretty sure a 17-inch crappie lived, and that was my initial goal.

Water temperatures remain in the mid- to upper-30s and finding open, fishable water can be challenging. To the bass fisherman, this can be “no-man’s land,” a time when fish are lethargic and difficult to catch.

To the devoted crappie fisherman, March, April and May is one of the premier times to enjoy crappie fishing in our local lakes, ponds and river systems throughout much of the Mid Atlantic region.

I managed to hook up with longtime angling friend Lee Lustig, who is a year-round resident in south Florida and was more than happy to put me on the local population of Mayan cichlids and Oscars.

This year we have had an extremely mild winter and many media outlets are showing selfies of locals, Eastern Shore and Mid Atlantic anglers with some impressive bass. Yes, we’re in for some cold days and some beefy snowfalls.

Even when we know we have enough, it seems we can always make an excuse for “one more rod.”

All and all, 2019 was a very special year for us as we saw a variety of highs and lows along with some notable catches and a few laughs along the way.

Since I have been a very good boy throughout the entire year, I am banking on high-level items that will streamline my fishing adventures and help me catch more and bigger fish in 2020.

I can safely say that 70% of my largest fish, year after year, are caught when it’s cold and dreary and few venture out.

Our most recent efforts for these delicious fish turned out to be really crappie, er, I mean good fishing trips. On some occasions we had high numbers of medium sized fish and other jaunts yielded fewer, yet bigger fish.

That smile is a sight I have come to know and love over the years and even decades that we have enjoyed the outdoors together. Like the smell of bacon or the handshake from an old friend, it never grows old.

Having fished much of Old Muddy over the past 40 years I was aware of the carp and catfish picture in the river. I had heard rumors of giant channel cats with the largest being 17 to 18 pounds — trophy cats in just about any ones book.

When I see kids squeal and jump for joy over a flopping bluegill or gyrating catfish, I know those kids are hooked. When I see them notice wildlife, insects or frogs I realize that they are intrigued as to what God made more than what man made. Let’s face it, fishing is fun.

The people are scarce, fishing is good, and the surroundings are tranquil. Now, to me, that’s kayaking!

These men and women are known as “Certified Sunfish Freaks,” and are telling their stories on various outlets of social media and other web options.

It is literally every bass fisherman’s dream — to one day catch a state record largemouth bass.

You can fish the hydrilla and milfoil in tidal rivers throughout the Mid Atlantic slope rivers, you can ply the swift waters of Piedmont rivers and streams.

To the devoted crappie fisherman, April and May is one of the premier times to enjoy crappie fishing in our local lakes, ponds and river systems throughout much of the Mid Atlantic region. To normal folks, have fun with the yard work.

Most anglers today view the classic float and fly presentation as a very basic, elementary method of catching panfish off the docks, kids’ stuff, beginners tactics. It is simply simplistic and as easy as it gets.

Although I am a catch-and-release angler for even panfish species, I did succumb to the keeping of a couple dozen bluegills and crappies over the winter to help fortify the meals when my son and his girls come over for a fish fry.

Reeves makes his lures out of either white pine or fir. He cuts out the original shape on a bandsaw, gets it close to the desired form and dimensions, then does much of the rest by hand, which takes time.

Yes, the outdoor show season is in full swing, so let’s pick a couple activities to pursue until the song birds of spring arrive.

All of my “stuff” has led me to the conclusion that if I want to fish in the winter, I will have to pursue it on warmer days.

Over the years, and decades, the goldens have become very popular and they have a strong following in many California trout and pay lakes where they are called “lightning trout.”

To this day, I have yet to “officially” crack the 20-inch benchmark on stream caught brown trout with an 18-inch fish from Opossum Run in Adams County.

With fall stockings close to being finished in many of our regional waters there are numerous ways to catch them. Here are some of my favorite tactics.

Bluegills, crappies, perch and other critters can not only provide action but tasty fillets as well.

Our family vacation this past August at DCL had that exact script for fishing success.

Thin, blue lines (TBLs) can lead to outstanding catches or dead pools, banner days or dried up creek beds, fish-filled streams or polluted run-offs.

Almost immediately a huge surface boil and splash disrupted the water, and I knew immediately that this was a fish of far greater dimensions than what I had previously caught in this creek.

No, trout fishing does not have to be exclusively a spring time gig, but be prepared for typical summer concerns with sunscreen, insect repellent, cold water and polarized glasses to make the day easier.