Greetings catman!
I've "heard" that trout are kind of scarce around the Chesapeake this year (at least so far.) Looks like NJ is in for another lean year, too, although some true "tiderunners" have been caught. Hopefully the fisheries people will come up with a plan to better protect this impotant species.
We'll put those "peelers" to the test on the Choptank this Fall (if the weakies show up!) I've seen a lot of nice weaks caught on fresh cut spot there, but if the "peelers" work, great! I've found the "perdue peelers" to work better in the Spring. I took some out on a charter June 2002 and Capt Dave wouldn't go near them. The croakers loved them, but we didn't get a chance to try them for trout. Maybe this August (if they're not "banned"...)