Article by Julie Ball
As summer presses on, many favorite species are available within Mid-Atlantic waters. The biggest news is the jump-start of the flounder action this week. Anglers are making up for lost time, filling coolers with plenty of keeper sized flatties and heading to the scales with dozens of trophy sized doormats. Big flatfish are coming from all four islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel using both live bait, and jigs donned with plastics or stripped bait. Drifters are also finding good luck along lower bay channels, deep water drop-offs, and near Buoys 36A, 42, and the Cell. Ken Bartow of Virginia Beach had a good day this week when a 10.5-pound doormat inhaled his live spot while fishing at the CBBT.
The rest of the inshore scene is dominated by cobia. These stealthy fish are making a strong showing for both chummers and top water casters, with several fish pushing over 70-pounds hitting the docks this week. Many cobia are beginning their late summer trend of favoring buoys and bridge pilings, and cruising on the surface. Aubrey Williams of Chesapeake and his crew boated several large cobia ranging from 61 to 77-pounds while sight casting in the lower Bay. As for chumming, the largest fish of the year was boated by Wes Blow of Newport News, when a monster 105.5-pound cobia bypassed his live bait, and hit his offering of frozen bunker.
Red drum are still roaming the 9-foot Shoals and the barrier islands of the Eastern Shore. Black drum are circling the artificial islands, but expect these fish to begin moving out soon.
“Oceans East 2” reports that puppy drum are still a sure thing within most all lower Bay back waters, with Lynnhaven Inlet and Little Creek Inlet producing lately. Cut mullet is working well as bait.
Croaker are everywhere from the HRBT to the CBBT. The big bite out of Oyster continues to yield coolers full of medium-sized hardheads from the deeper part of the channel. Medium sized spot are still hitting near Ocean View and off the Concrete Ships. Reports of large spot are coming from further up the Bay, which could be a good sign for our fall spot run.
A few sheepshead were hooked along the CBBT this week, but expect to work for your catch. David Arnold of Suffolk found a cooperative sheepshead, when the 10-pound, 14-ounce fish took his crab at the 1st island of the CBBT. Triggerfish and tautog are mixed in with sheepshead and spadefish along the Bridge Tunnel. Spades, triggers, and tautog are also feeding on inshore and near shore wrecks, along with some decent seabass. The larger spades are located near the high rise section of the CBBT and Plantation Light.
Trollers are finding some accommodating Spanish mackerel along the oceanfront, the CB Buoy line, and near the Chesapeake Light Tower and reef area. Small gold and silver spoons are the best lures for these fish. Die hard king mackerel anglers are still waiting for the king bite to materialize, with no positive signs as of yet. The king action off the Carolina coastline is good right now, with several large smokers landed recently.
An exceptional showing of sharks along Virginia’s coastal waters is attracting a lot of attention. Although most of these toothy critters are too small to keep, several fish are stretching past the 54-inch minimum fork length. Be sure to review the regulations before targeting these gluttonous hunters.
Chris at Chris’ Bait and Tackle had good news on the tarpon front. Although sightings are still low, a hand full of hook-ups and landings this week gave silver king enthusiasts new hope for a reemerging bite.
Deep dropping action is still good. The headboats running out of the Fishing Center in Rudee Inlet are still cleaning up with big blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, grouper, and blackbellied rosefish.
Amberjack are still available on several wrecks and navigational towers. Plan an early morning trip to avoid the heat. Be prepared, anglers are sorting through dozens of smaller fish to find larger fish.
Bluewater anglers are experiencing a scattered billfish action, but this should improve over the next few weeks. The 1st blue marlin “grander” ever caught off of Maryland was boated out of Ocean City during the White Marlin Open this week. It weighed 1,062-pounds. The tuna action is something to be desired, but nice gaffer dolphin and a few wahoo and mako sharks are available to take up the slack.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. Representative for Virginia Beach, VA. You can find Dr. Julie’s reports at www.drjball.com.