When Mark Malbon goes fishing, it’s a safe bet that he’s going to be targeting speckled trout. So this is his time of the year to hit the water as often as possible – right?

Well, there’s a problem with that mentality.

Like so many other anglers, the 62-year-old owner of Malbon Brothers Corner Mart BBQ and Catering in Virginia is also an avid hunter. And the end of the year is just about the only time he has to pursue deer on and around his Eastern Shore farm. He loves turkey hunting in the spring as well.

We’ve talked about the problems of too many options at certain times of the year, but hunting tosses another wrench into the spokes. According to several outdoors associations, as many as 70 percent of anglers also like to hunt. So unless you are retired with lots of time on your hands, tough choices need to be made.

Some outdoorsmen and women prefer one over the other and the good thing is that the region offers year-round fishing opportunities while hunt seasons typically are very short and spread throughout the year. Malbon manages at least one day and week to hit the water: “When I head up on Wednesday to check on the Pungoteague Farm, I go out with a friend of mine up there at least for a few hours.”

For other chances to sneak in some time on the water, Malbon sits in a perfect situation – living on a creek that spills into Back Bay, where he can catch bass, crappie, bluegill, perch, and catfish. So even with the pressures of running a successful business, he manages to pursue the things he grew up loving. Which is a big reason why this region is perfect for the all-around outdoors enthusiast.

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