Article by Julie Ball
The fall fishing season is shaping up, but sporadic windy days can make getting out a challenge this time of year. Most inshore boats are targeting flounder and cobia, while the offshore boats are getting in on the outstanding white marlin bite.
Flounder action is still not up to where it was a few weeks ago, but some folks are finding some decent fish. Representatives at Ocean’s East 2 report that anglers drifting with strip baits are experiencing the best results, while those using jigs and live bait are working harder for their catches lately. Solid keepers, measuring up to 24-inches, are taking strips of squid, and fresh cut bait offered along lower Bay drop-offs and deep channel edges. Some keepers are also available within Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets, but the action should improve as the dirty water clears up. Offshore wrecks are also a good bet, where keeper sea bass and gray triggerfish will also compete for your bait.
Cobia are lingering on the pilings of the CBBT as well as the buoys near the mouth of the Bay. Schools of cobia are also cruising on the surface as they gather to exit the area. Some of these fish are exceeding 50-pounds, with tossed jigs and live bait working well. Spanish mackerel activity has slowed up, but a few are still around. Scattered king mackerel are also striking at trolled baits in these same areas, along with scattered false albacore. Many boats are also enjoying the abundance of sharks meandering about the oceanfront waters. Some of these toothy critters are exceeding 48-inches.
This is the time of year speckled trout begin to earn more attention. Specks are already showing promise for a good fall season with decent numbers of fish coming from most of the usual haunts. Rudee, Lynnhaven, and Little Creek Inlets, the Elizabeth River, Hungar’s Creek, the Poquoson Flats and Mobjack Bay are becoming more predictable, with some specks pushing to over 21-inches. Look for this to continue to heat up over the next month.
Big red drum are starting to make a comeback for their end of season show. When folks locate these fish, they are fat from indulging over the summer. Look for the bull reds to become active in the surf off of Sandbridge soon. Puppy drum of all sizes are also coming from the surf lines, as well as Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets and the Elizabeth River.
Decent sized spot are still hitting in the lower Bay and oceanfront areas, with the local piers experiencing good action. Both bloodworms and Fishbites are working well.
Croaker are still in the mix near the MMBT, along the deeper channels in the lower Bay, off Little Creek and off Kiptopeake. Sheepshead action is still steady along the CBBT, with triggerfish and some tautog also responding in the same areas.
Amberjack are still available on some local wrecks, the Chesapeake Light Tower and the South Tower. Jack Crevelle are also a possibility, but this action is usually hit or miss.
Deep droppers are still having good luck near the Canyon edges, with nice blueline tilefish, blackbellied rosefish and scattered jumbo sea bass hitting the decks.
The blazing billfish bite is still on, with multiple releases reported from most boats making the run offshore. Exceptional numbers of white marlin, with good numbers of blue marlin and sailfish, are blossoming into grand slams most every week now. The best marlin action is coming from the Canyon to the Triple 0’s area in anywhere from 45 to 140 fathoms lately.
Scattered yellowfin and even bigeye tuna are also surprising a few boats. Some wahoo are more prevalent a little further south, while dolphin are still a good backup. Overnight trips will resume with calmer waters, with good chances of catching swordfish.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For information, go to www.drjball.com.
