Article by Sue Foster
Yet another tropical disturbance threatens fishing continuity along the Mid-Atlantic coast. Danny could make this weekend a wash for anglers, but the late summer fishing trend should pick up again after the weather clears. Right now, many summer species are preparing to migrate out of the area, while the fall residents are making their debut. This can make it tough to choose which fish to target. Most are choosing cobia and flounder as they both group in the lower bay, making easy targets.
Cobia is a sure deal as they crowd along bridge pilings and lower bay buoys, with more fish now reported in open water. Pods of fish are appearing on the surface as they prepare to exit bay waters. Reports indicate good numbers of cruising fish outside Little Creek Inlet, along the entire Baltimore Channel, and near York Spit. Chummers and bottom anglers are still catching decent fish in the usual hot spots with cut bunker. John Wandrick of Cape Charles scored with a 63-pounder on cut bait while fishing near Buoy 16 last week.
Flounder action is up and down lately, but any rain and wind from Danny could push the action to the downside. On good days, anglers are finding enough keepers to hold their interest. Nice flatfish are coming from deeper channels and lower bay structures. The High Rise, the bend at the 3rd Island, the 1st Island, and Back River Reef are the popular flounder spots lately. Both live bait and stripped bait are working well. Craig Miller of Norfolk weighed in a 7-pound, 4-ounce doormat he tricked at the CBBT on a live croaker. The lower bay inlets are also giving up some keeper fish, with many ranging up to 22-inches in both the Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets. If you prefer not to fight the crowds, decent flatfish will begin showing on inshore and offshore wrecks soon. Nice keeper sized seabass are also providing good action on many offshore structures.
Bull reds are still roaming the lower bay shoals, as well as the 3rd and 4th Islands of the Bridge Tunnel. Surf anglers are also pulling big bulls out of the surf along Smith Island, where Henry S. Jones, Jr. of Cape Charles landed and released a pair of reds stretching to 48 and 49-inches.
Decent spot are showing in Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets, and scattered around the lower Bay. This action should only improve over the next few weeks. Croaker weighing up to 2-pounds are hitting near the four islands of the CBBT, off the Concrete Ships, and the near the Cell.
Puppy drum are still active in the shallows. The best locations are the Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets, with speckled trout also showing promise on the Poquoson flats and Hungar’s Creek. Backwater casters are reporting nice sized pups on live bait, Gulp! Swimming Mullets, and cut bait.
Trigger fish are gaining even more momentum, while diehard sheepshead anglers sneaked by with scattered catches up to 12-pounds last week. Both triggers and sheepshead are hitting fiddlers dangled along the structure of the CBBT. Spadefish are also lingering in these same areas.
The king mackerel bite is still not what it has been over the last few years, but September and October are often good months for kings, so anglers are still hopeful. Nice sized Spanish mackerel are providing good action from the middle Bay on out to the Chesapeake Light Tower. A few anglers are encountering gaffer mahi pushing to 20-pounds along the CB Buoy line and the Tower Reef areas lately.
According to Chris’ Bait and Tackle, tarpon action is still non-existent this week. Tarpon experts fear that more bad weather could mark the end of this year’s already bleak sliver king run.
Deep droppers are still faring very well off Virginia. The Rudee Inlet headboats continue to bring home content anglers toting limits of big tilefish, rosefish, and grouper. Several citation bluelines over 10-pounds are in the mix.
Amberjack are still available at the South Tower and offshore wrecks. Jack Crevelle’s will show on the Light Tower within the next few weeks.
Offshore, billfish are still at the top of the list, with scattered wahoo, and bailer and gaffer dolphin being good consolation prizes. Sailfish in particular have been congregating from southeast of the Cigar to the 800 line in around 20 to 100 fathoms. Swordfish will become more common as waters cool. An angler fishing aboard the “Rudee Angler” skippered by Captain Mark Sterling lost a 250-pound sword alongside the headboat this week.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. Representative for Virginia Beach, VA. You can find Dr. Julie’s reports at www.drjball.com.
