Article by Julie Ball
The Independence Day weekend offered some decent opportunities as fishing trends continue to transition into their mid-summer patterns.
Flounder action was good last week, with respectable catches coming from most of the usual flounder spots around the lower Chesapeake Bay. A nice class of flatfish is filling limits, with many fish ranging to over 22-inches. A good number of trophy doormats are also making a good showing this season, as larger fish respond well to live-baiting and jigging techniques with Gulp! artificial baits around the pilings of the CBBT. Strip baits are producing some decent catches while drifting on the outgoing tide, especially near the 1st Island of the CBBT lately. Good hauls of keepers are also responding within both the Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets and the Eastern Shore flounder trend is still going strong in the seaside inlets and near Buoy 36A and the Cell areas.
The cobia scene is still worthwhile, but plenty of smaller fish competed for offerings last week. Sight casters are working harder for their catches, while chummers are having better luck, with some fish pushing to over 50-pounds. Boats offering chum slicks across the Inner Middle grounds and Latimer Shoal areas are finding the best results on cut bait. Those working the Nine-Foot and Nautilus shoals are also finding a mix of red drum and sharks among the cobia. Schools of red drum are also spreading out into the lower Bay as well as along the oceanfront.
The Spanish mackerel bite is hot right now, with reports of nice fish coming from all over the lower Bay. Folks trolling off Virginia Beach are still finding limits of big Spanish and a smattering of tailor bluefish. King mackerel sightings and catches are also on the rise off Sandbridge. This trend should continue to evolve as long as the bait and the clear water remain consistent. A variety of sharks ranging from 2 to 6-feet long are also providing some good action for anglers chumming around 2-miles off the oceanfront area.
Spadefish are pretty much everywhere right now. The Chesapeake Light Tower and Reef and the CBBT are giving up good numbers of decent fish, with a few fish exceeding 6-pounds. Sheepshead anglers are finding takers along the entire span of the CBBT using crab and fiddlers, with some big fish around this year. A good display of triggerfish in the same areas and on many inshore wrecks will keep things interesting.
Lower Bay and Virginia Beach pier anglers continue to enjoy a good summer run, with an assortment of sea mullet, flounder, spot, bluefish and croaker. Spot are available in both the Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets, and croaker are an easy target throughout the lower Bay. Some hardheads are pushing to 1.5-pounds near the Bay Bridge Tunnel and the Cell. The flurry of anglers rushing into Oyster is an indication that hardheads made their debut in their back waters. A few rumored tarpon sightings and hook-ups have also encouraged anglers to frequent their secret tarpon holes in Oyster last week.
Amberjack are a good bet at the Southern Towers, as well as some offshore wrecks. Deep droppers are still finding plenty of nice tilefish, blackbellied rosefish and some big grouper in deeper water near the Norfolk Canyon. Nice sea bass are available on many wrecks as well as scattered among the catches of blueline tilefish in deeper water.
The offshore season is offering great options right now, with mostly a mixed bag to choose from. Billfish are making a good early season showing, with a good introduction of blue marlin over the past few weeks, and now good numbers of white marlin are responding for boats offering live bait. Yellowfin tuna are a possibility, along with some tackle-busting bigeye tuna. Bluefin tuna also added to the menu last week. Some nice gaffer dolphin and wahoo are also around.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A Representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For more information, go to drjball.com.
