Article by Julie Ball
As summer presses on, many favorite species are available along the Mid-Atlantic coast, with notable catches coming mostly from the inshore fishing scene. As for the weather, we continue to watch to our South for tropical developments as the hurricane season runs its course.
Cobia jumped to the top of the inshore fishing list, with some really big fish cruising local waters lately. The oceanfront got the nod last week, as sightcasters scored with plenty of fish as they group into pods. Many of these cobia were pushing to well over 50-pounds. Choose your bait carefully, as these fish are often finicky this time of year due to the high fishing pressure. A few die-hard chummers are also still finding some decent fish along the lower Chesapeake Bay shoals.
Big red drum continue to provide late summer topwater opportunities, as schools of drum continue to roam near the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay and near the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT). Scattered sightings of jack crevalle also came from these same areas last week. Red drum are also a common by-catch for anglers targeting other species such as cobia and flounder, from the Bluefish Rock area out to the Virginia Beach oceanfront.
Interest in black drum is still low as the fish circle the islands of the CBBT, and they will be moving out soon.
The summer flounder bite is pretty much as good as it gets right now. Solid flatfish action is providing limits for anglers, with many fish measuring in the 20 to 23-inch range or larger. Several doormats are also responding, with 7 to 10-pounders not uncommon. The best catches continue to come from the 3rd and 4th Island areas of the CBBT, with live baiting and jigging working well for anglers along structure and over inshore wrecks and reefs. Some drifters are also having luck with keepers found along lower Bay channels, drop-offs, and near Buoys 36A, 42, and the Cell, as well as the seaside inlets along the Eastern Shore. Both the Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets continued to provide decent catches of keeper fish last week. Offshore wrecks are also starting to become more productive.
Sheepshead anglers are still enjoying good catches of big fish on fiddlers, with some fish ranging up to around 13-pounds. More sheepshead are beginning to move onto the tubes of the CBBT, along with lots of big triggerfish. Spadefish are still around, but they are preparing to leave the area soon.
Along oceanfront waters, trollers are still enticing large Spanish mackerel from Cape Henry to Sandbridge, with catches also coming from throughout the lower Bay. Small gold and silver spoons are the best lures for these fish. Scattered king mackerel sightings, along with a few hook-ups, confirm that these fish have arrived. The large abundance of ribbonfish showing along the coastlines lately could make for a good king season.
Shark fishing is still good in these same areas, but check the regulations. A few encounters with bailer mahi within a few miles of shore are surprising anglers targeting inshore species lately.
Croaker are still keeping pace within lower Bay waters and inlets, with some decent-sized fish to be found. The bite out of Oyster is also filling coolers of nice hardheads from the deeper parts of the channel.
Nice spot moved into lower Bay waters recently, with anglers intercepting yellow-bellied spot off Ocean View and from Lynnhaven, Rudee and Little Creek Inlets.
The puppy drum action is still going strong within most shallow water locations, with solid action happening within Lynnhaven, Little Creek, and Rudee Inlets.
Speckled trout action is starting to pick up in many of the same locations, with the nicer trout found on the Poquoson Flats, Back River, and the Bayside and seaside creeks and inlets on the Eastern Shore. A few nice grey trout along with some sea mullet are also responding near the High-Rise of the CBBT, as well as off the Bayside areas of the Eastern Shore.
Tarpon are still active in the backwaters of Oyster, but not for much longer. Amberjack are available at the South Tower and some of the offshore wrecks, and jack crevalle will likely make a brief showing at the Chesapeake Light Tower soon. Deep droppers are still faring well as boats continue to find a variety of nice tilefish, rosefish, barrelfish, and grouper along the edges of the Canyon.
As the billfish population builds offshore, boats are returning with varied catches. Several white marlin, along with scattered sailfish, spearfish, and blue marlin were released recently. The best catches of billfish continue to occur with live baiting techniques. Nice gaffer dolphin and wahoo are also adding some variety, along with scattered big yellowfin tuna and an occasional big eye tuna.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For more information, go to www.drjball.com
