Article by Julie Ball
A persistent northerly wind direction this time of year can provoke changes in the fishing scene, so anglers are watching the upcoming forecast with predicted northerly gusts with interest.
The cobia bite has been good this season, and last week was no different. More fish are gliding along the surface in small pods in lower Bay waters and along the Virginia Beach oceanfront, making favorable targets for sightcasters. Casters are also finding agreeable fish hanging along tide lines and under turtles, with some big fish available right now. The typical trend of the fish favoring buoys and bridge pilings also continues to gain momentum as the summer draws to a close. Chummers are still luring cobia to the shoal areas in the lower Bay, with some decent fish showing up lately. Big red drum are also a welcome by-catch for cobia hunters as they also roam about much of the lower Bay and ocean shorelines.
Flounder action is still waning on some days, but for those putting in the time, nice flatfish are responding from many areas in the lower Bay. Most of the lower Bay structures can produce fish for anglers working live bait or jigs and Gulp baits. Most flatties have been decent sized lately, averaging to around 21-inches, with a few trophies available also. The bite within local inlets slowed up some last week. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, decent flatfish are also available on most inshore and offshore wrecks. Nice keeper sized sea bass are also providing some good action on many offshore structures.
Spanish mackerel are still providing action from mid-Bay on out to the Chesapeake Light Tower, where anglers are also encountering some stray bailer mahi. King mackerel are also a possibility in these same areas.
Triggerfish are everywhere near structure in lower Bay waters, with a few fish pushing to over four-pounds caught near the 3rd and 4th Islands of the CBBT recently.
Sheepshead anglers continue to find good catches on the bridge pilings of the CBBT as well as over the tubes of the artificial islands. Spadefish are also still lingering in these same areas and near the Tower Reef, but not for long.
Northerly winds can jump-start the spot run this time of year. Spot are available in the usual hot spots on the southern end of the Bay, inlets and along the Beach oceanfront. Local piers are reporting good spot action on a moving tide, along with a smattering of decent croaker.
On the Eastern Shore, the croaker run in Oyster lagged last week, and if water temperatures drop too quickly, the tarpon will begin moving out.
Big amberjack are lurking among the legs of the Southern Towers as well as on several offshore wrecks, and jack crevelle are still a possibility at the Chesapeake Light Tower.
Deep dropping is good when boats can get out to target the deeper water off Virginia. Nice blueline tilefish, blackbellied rosefish and a good number of barrelfish continue to keep anglers happy. Tinker mackerel are also making a good showing in these same areas this year.
Bluewater anglers are encountering decent numbers of billfish, but a northeasterly blow could escalate the bite. Boats fishing in the popular ‘Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament last week experienced good results with a mixture of white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish and some spearfish. A few grand slams have been reported and some nice wahoo are also stripping rigs. Although tuna action is slow, a flurry of yellowfin tuna along with some bigeye tuna are showing promise lately. Bailer and gaffer dolphin are plentiful, often filling the void for other offshore species.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A Representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For more information, go to drjball.com.
