Article by Julie Ball
Decent weather lately is making anglers and local tackle shops owners happy, with the spring fishing scene improving each day.
According to the folks at Chris’ Bait and Tackle, the big black drum are beginning to show activity in their usual haunts along the bayside of the Eastern Shore. A few fish over 46-inches are taking both chowder and sea clams, especially between Buoys 13 and 16 in about 25-feet of water. This action should heat up over the next few weeks, hopefully in time for the Eastern Shore’s annual Black Drum World Championship beginning on May 20th.
Big red drum are still patrolling the breakers off Smith and Fisherman’s Island, with the incoming tide providing the best results, especially at night. Some days are producing multiple hook-ups, while other days are spotty. Crabs, peelers, and bunker are enticing bites. Be prepared for some super-sized dog sharks to keep you busy, so take plenty of bait. Surf anglers are still faring well on the reds from Smith and Myrtle Islands, with nice striped bass also taking offerings.
Flatfish are still not at the top of the list, but some new activity this week is showing promise. The folks at The Fishing Center report that anglers working Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets are finding keepers up to 24-inches among dozens of shorts. Drifting with strip baits, minnows, and Gulp! shads is working well. Respectable bluefish, weighing up to around 4 to 5 lbs. are also still available within Rudee. Scattered, keeper flounder are also coming from the backwaters of Oyster and Magothy Bay, where folks experimenting with frozen silversides are scoring lately.
A few speckled trout are hitting within the backwaters of Oyster, with most of the action near the mouth of Hungars Creek, while decent fish ranging to 27-inches are still coming from the discharge area at the Hot Ditch.
Nice rockfish are exciting anglers looking for a good fight. Striped bass measuring up to 47-inches are hitting near the 3rd and 4th Islands on a variety of artificial lures. According to the folks at Ocean’s East 2, top water lures are working best in the mornings around the artificial islands at the CBBT, while bucktails, Storm shads and other jigs are working best in the evenings and after dark along the tubes. The Third Island has been the most popular area lately.
The lower bay rivers are still holding nice croaker, while the Little Creek jetties and Ocean View are hosting medium-sized hardheads, which are hitting bloodworms, shrimp and squid. The folks at the Ocean View Fishing Pier report small spot, respectable round head, and small-to-medium sized croaker. Some tailor and snapper bluefish also showed up last week along with some keeper flounder up to 22-inches.
If blueline tilefish are your desire, these fish are available in deeper water over 300-feet, along with a variety of grouper and other deep water species. On May 22nd, seabass will also be back in season, which may make the long run worthwhile.
Offshore spring action should begin heating up soon. Right now, a few scattered smaller bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and dolphin can be had by boats willing to make the long run to warmer water. Most are still watching for closer opportunities. For more information, go to www.drjball.com.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For more information, go to www.drjball.com.