Joe Evans studied the image of a rockfish's tail on the monitor of a computer system set up for the fifth annual Boatyard Bar & Grill's Opening Day Tournament at Eastport. Beneath the fish was a yardstick of more than 48 inches and Evans eyed the mark of the tip of the tail on the rule.

Via computer wizardry the eighth-inch marks on the measuring stick were magnified several fold and he was able to figure the length of the fish to a sixteenth of an inch or even more precise if need be. Joe checked off the measurement, and the figure was entered on the scorecard. Then came another fish photo after another as the deadline for entries approached.

Below Evans on what is on other days the parking lot of the Boatyard, the rites of spring - opening day of the Maryland trophy rockfish season - were being celebrated by a big crowd awaiting results. This time around, unlike the previous four tournaments, they saw only pictures and measurements of the top fish. They'd have to await until the official announcement by Boatyard proprietor Dick Franyo.

In previous years, actual fish were checked in and the audience had an idea of whom the winners would be, but a newly implemented Department of Natural Resources ban on fishing tournaments before May 1 brought change. Franyo could postpone his tournament like those who run other rockfish competitions did, which would have meant no celebration of the season's opener - or he could have a catch-and-release tournament, which DNR ruled would be legal.

Despite claims the latter wouldn't work, that's what Franyo opted for - a fishing tournament with no fish at the check-in station only a photo of a fish spread out atop the rule, its snout on the zero inch end with the tip of the tail giving the exact measure at the other end. The digital age for tournaments had arrived, the photos taken by lucky anglers were of wide angle and the whole fish could be judged. No trick photography could work. It was a legitimate photo finish.

Jim Brown of Centreville not only won for the first fish checked in (1.20 p.m.), his 44-incher caught near Breezy Point held up to win the first place. He took the striper on an umbrella rig with parachute and Sassy Shad added at 9:15 a.m.

Second was Glenn Bogarde of Annapolis with a fish of 433/4 inches; third, Mike Finkel, 431/4 inches; fourth was Dennis Miles of Stevensville, a fish 421/2 inches caught on a white umbrella rig near Bloody Point. Fifth was Freddy Potts of Pasadena who also used an umbrella rig off the LNG plant. Youth winner was Michael Vito of Lothian whose 37-incher was taken on a parachute off Solomons.

All won generous selections of fishing tackle; this is not a big money affair. Proceeds go to Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Associaton-MD and the Annapolis Police Department's youth fishing program. This year's pot totaled $23,000 - it's $83,000 since the first affair in '02.

Competition based on photos is viable, said Evans. "It works," he said.

Franyo talked about the fish that were saved for another day via their release, and he's already planning a re-run for '07. Perhaps others who schedule catch-and-keep tournaments during the spawning run should take a gander at this concept, which drew 132 boats and more than 600 fishermen. The rockfish would appreciate it.

FISHING FORECAST: The trophy season is off to a great start, the fish are scattered throughout the bay though things north of the Bay Bridge aren't as good as south of the span. Most anglers are catching fish and the new 33-inch minimum size limit is keeping boats trolling longer. White and yellow/green colors seem to work best, most boats troll umbrella rigs though there are scattered reports of chummers taking stripers of nice size.

It's virtually impossible to pinpoint hot spots as post span fish have no pattern when they leave the bay - the same with fish still moving up the bay to spawning tributaries. Suggestions would be off the Kent Island Shore, Bloody and Thomas Points, waters off Deale, Chesapeake Beach, Buoys 80 and 82, the CP Buoy, Breezy Point, Parkers Creek, waters off the LNG plant, Point Lookout area, and everywhere it's along the channel edges and the past couple days it seems the best catches are coming in waters of 50 feet or less, though some huge fish have been taken in 70-foot depths. Baits should be worked in the top 20 to 25 feet.

In the upper bay, Love Point, Sandy Point the eastern side of the Dumping Grounds, mouth of the Chester, Brewerton Channel are some suggestions. Roy Brand of Baltimore took a 46-incher on a mini umbrella of white at the Bay Bridge. At Anglers Sporting Goods, Julius Barth checked in a 481/2-incher of 47 pounds taken at Bloody Point, and Tammy Rayner of Garrett County got a 46-incher of 45 pounds on a spoon at Bloody Point.

Bud Hein of Fishbones, Pasadena, reports Curtis Smith of Pasadena, used a green Tony Accetta spoon to take a 48-incher at Bloody Point. Indications are the run won't last long, more fish taken have already spawned - and smaller stripers are showing up, both ominous signs. There's probably 10 days of real good fishing left.

NOTES: There are scattered reports of hardheads making their move, they're showing in increasing numbers in nets and down Point Lookout way a few rod 'reelers have scored... The Assateague and Ocean City surf are turning up stripers, also the Harry Kelley Bridge - and bluefish are moving into the offshore area... Tautog are hungry at the Ocean City inlet, but it's pick, pick, pick for flounder. The Susquehanna Flats still turns out big catch-and-release stripers, and the shad run continues to improve in the river.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR

Tomorrow: Opening of the popular Capt. Zed's 16th annual Spring Flounder Tournament at Wachapreague, continues through April 30. Top prize, $1,200.. Call 757-789-3222. On the web: www.wachapreague.com

Saturday: Coast Guard Auxiliary GPS course at Edgewater Library, 25 Stepney Lane Edgewater. Pre-register by tomorrow by calling Michael Prokopchak at 410-798-5952.

April 27: Baltimore Waterfowl Festival, Inner Harbor, Baltimore. Free. On the web it's www.baltimorewaterfowlfestival.com

April 27-30: Bay Bridge Boat Show underway, Bay Bridge Marina, Kent Island. Call 410-268-8828. On the web it's www.usboat,com

April 29: Kids fishing tournament sponsored by Pasadena Sportfishing Group, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Lake Waterford, Pasadena. Call 410-439-3474. On the web it's www.heyfish.com

May 1: First night of three part Maryland Safe Boating course sponsored by Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails, Earleigh Heights Fire Hall, Severna Park. Another course starts June 5. Call ahead to reserve a slot: 410-222-6244.

May 4-7: Upper Bay Boat Show, Anchor Marina, North East. Call 410-287-8840.

May 5-7: Rod 'n Reel Captains Association Pro-Am, weigh stations at Solomons, Stevensville and headquarters at the Rod 'n Reel, Chesapeake Beach. Call 800-233--2080.

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Published April 20, 2006, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2006 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.