Article by Julie Ball
A predominant north-easterly wind direction over the past week has prompted some changes in the fishing scene along the Mid-Atlantic coast. And as kids prepare to head back to school, the overall fishing pressure is starting to back off.
Most are not sure what to think about the cobia trend right now. While the decent sized fish finally made their long awaited showing around three weeks ago, now the bite seems to be touch and go, depending on who you ask. According to World Record cobia guide, Captain Ben Shepherd of “Above Average Sportfishing”, choppy sea conditions, overcast skies and waves of rain make targeting fish less than optimal for sightcasters lately. Several folks are also expressing concern over the massive catches by the Omega menhaden boats working at the mouth of the Bay and along the coast over the last month. Hopefully better cobia catches will resume once the weather clears.
Flounder action was still good last week. Nice flatfish came from most anywhere in the lower Bay, but deeper areas such as channel edges, ledges and drop-offs are becoming more predictable for nicer fish. Most any lower Bay structure is still producing for anglers working live bait or jigs with Gulp baits. Most fish are decent sized; averaging to around 5-pounds, but the number of big doormats remains way behind this year. The flounder bite within the local inlets slowed up last week. The folks at Ocean’s East 2 explain that the flatfish within Lynnhaven Inlet have hardly had a chance with the swarms of juvenile puppy drum competing for your bait right now. Reports of fishing grounds overrun by undersized pups are becoming a common theme along the southernmost Bay shorelines and shallows.
A dominant northerly wind flow usually jump-starts the spot run this time of year, and yes, the spot bite is on. Folks are partaking in nearly non-stop action at the usual hot spots on the south end of the Bay and along the oceanfront. Both the Ocean View and Little Island Fishing Piers are reporting coolers full of ¾-pound sized spot, along with a smattering of nice croaker. Little Creek, Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets are also experiencing similar action with good sized spot over the past week. The speckled trout bite is transitioning into the more shallow areas of the inlets lately.
This wind direction is also causing a drop in water temperatures, especially on the Eastern Shore, slowing the big croaker run in Oyster to a crawl. The folks at Chris’ Bait and Tackle are hopeful that the bite will rebound when the waters warm. If the water temperatures drop too quickly, the tarpon are likely to begin moving out.
Triggerfish are still everywhere near structure in the lower Bay, with the folks at Atlantic Bait and Tackle reporting catches of 20 to 30 fish per trip near the rocks along the 3rd and 4th Islands. Big triggers, along with some nice flounder, are also available on several nearshore wrecks.
Sheepshead anglers continue to find good catches of fish on the bridge pilings of the CBBT and over the tubes of the artificial islands, along with good numbers of keeper sized tautog.
Spadefish are also still lingering in these same areas, with the biggest spades still circling the 3rd and 4th Islands, but not for long.
Nice sized Spanish mackerel are providing action from the middle Bay on out to the Chesapeake Light Tower, with the best action happening around the spines of the islands of the CBBT.
Big amberjack are still lurking among the legs of the Southern Towers as well as on several offshore wrecks. Deep dropping is still 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. If you haven’t tried eating barrelfish, you are missing out.
Bluewater anglers are finding billfish encounters on the rise. According to Captain Russ Kostinas, skipper of the “Top Notch” out of the Fishing Center in Rudee Inlet, the billfish action is happening from around the 050 down to the 900-lines, in anywhere from 40 to 100-fathoms. A few grand slams have been reported, and some nice wahoo are also stripping rigs. Although tuna action is slow, a few yellowfin have been scattered about, along with some bailer and gaffer dolphin.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For information, go to www.drjball.com.