Article by Capt. Matt Abell
Anytime you can experience environmental influences like the sweltering sun, driving rain, gusting gales along side of serene swells, beautiful blue water, and a sea breeze that whisks away all memories of negativity, you know that you are in a diverse place that has a lot to offer. Anytime you experience all those factors in one day, you know you are on the great Eastern Shore of Virginia!
As folks from all over respool their reels and tie on new leaders in hopes of contending for the crown of the WMO, the weather has allowed for a snapshot of what is to come. The Washington has continued to house most of the activity with good numbers of mahi and a decent yellowfin bite. We have had several good reports from anglers using the Tormentor side-winder planing spreader bars. These lures track out to the side into clean water and can be very effective on all targeted trophies of the troll. The prized white marlin have made an appearance and promise to make this week’s tournament interesting so long as the wind and seas allow.
The deep blue has more to offer than the prestige of pelagic’s. Myself and good friend Jacob snuck out this past Wednesday in search of tasty sustenance. On structure about 100’ we found a nice grade of sea bass taking jigs to fulfill our quest. There we also found some nice triggers to add an exotic flare to our already fun outing. In shallower depths the flounder are still taking Gulp grubs jigged directly over the twisted metal structures that make up an oasis of life just off our coast.
The seaside inlets continue to surprise elated anglers with superb late summer flat fishing. The flood tide is responsible for cleaning and cooling these coastal estuaries which has elongated our inshore season and put smiles on folks holding up supersized stringers of delicious flounder. Minnows or silversides matched with Gulp swimming mullet (particularly the pink shine color) have tempted these flaky fillets to come aboard, and in some case’s, to stay for dinner!
The Chesapeake has conjured up the beginnings of the red drum spawning run. Captain C.L. of “Tangier Sound Charters” witnessed the sights and sounds of drags screaming and his clients whooping and hollering as they boated 6 big bulls just last night. Captain Chad of “Earning Stripes Sportfishing” is still cranking on a few cobia. However, the Spanish mackerel bite has taken the spotlight. Briskly trolled Clarkspoons have lured these treasured but toothy trophies into the cooler. While anglers are tussling with macks they have also come across a bycatch of scary looking ribbonfish that add some excitement to the day. What young anglers wouldn’t enjoy cranking up what appears to be a monster from the deep laden with big eyes and even bigger teeth!
Tarpon have made their annual appearance of the lower barrier islands. While many fish have been observed rolling on the flats, bites have been hard to come by.
Fishing the Eastern Shore is just like the weather. Sometimes it’s awesome and productive beyond expectations and other times it is as unpredictable as a thunder head rolling across the sound. The fact is, things will change in an instant and a new opportunity with arrive with a tide. So if things aren’t going as planned, just wait a few minutes and change will reveal itself as we try to figure out this awesome place we call home. §
