Article by Julie Ball
On the fishing front, the Memorial Day weekend was a success along Mid-Atlantic waters. Although not outstanding as it was mid-month, the drum action has returned to a more normal pattern, which is still good. Regardless of the state of the bite, anglers are roosting on the Eastern Shore shoals hoping for a chance to tangle with a big drum.
Black drum are still biting off Cape Charles near buoys 10, 13, and 16 where fish to over 80 lbs. were boated lately. Chowder clams and sea clams are still the top baits. We are on the downward trend for catching these brutes from these areas; they will soon disperse to the four artificial islands and the 9-foot shoal area of the CBBT. Big red drum are still roaming the shoals and breakers off Fisherman’s Island and within the Inlet, especially at night. Blue crab has worked well all season.
The prelude to the summer fishing pattern is right on target with the arrival of one of the most anticipated warm water residents, the cobia. Scattered hookups and confirmed sightings around the lower bay are just the beginning as these covert hunters quietly glide into local waters. Sheepshead are also making a low-key debut, as scattered reports trickle in of incidental catches mostly by drum and surf anglers.
Spadefish are appearing at the Chesapeake Light Tower, inshore wrecks, and lower bay structures, with a few fish already boated. Water temperatures need to inch up a few more degrees for the action to really take off. The best is yet to come with the spadefish.
Flounder action is still frustrating anglers. Folks are catching flatfish, but finding fish that meet the 19-inch minimum is a challenge. The best catches of keepers are coming from near the small boat channel area of the CBBT and the Cell, where one boat caught five fish ranging from 7 to 8 lbs. this week.
Striped bass are still making up for the flounder shortage, with catches of rockfish to 44-inches coming from the HRBT and the islands of the CBBT. Snapper bluefish in the 5 to 8 lb. range are everywhere in local waters, which can make catching anything else a challenge.
As for bottom fishing, croaker are active throughout the lower Bay. Medium-sized hard heads are available off Little Creek, along the CBBT and the along the HRBT. Larger fish are available near the Cell. Pier anglers are also catching good numbers of hardheads weighing up to a pound off the Sea Gull Fishing Pier at the First Island. A few keeper sized speckled trout and snapper bluefish are still biting within Rudee Inlet. Puppy drum are a sure thing within both Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets, as well as along the lower Bay surf lines, where most any lure is working. Boats are finding very good round head action off the Concrete Ships lately, with most fish pushing to just under a pound.
The deep dropping scene is still good if you want to make the run out to 50-fathoms or more. Boats making a go are rewarded with excellent catches of big blueline and golden tilefish, grouper, and blackbelly rosefish. Captain Skip Feller expertly guided his crew out of the Fishing Center on a recent recreational trip, and loaded up with super-sized grouper, blueline tilefish, and golden tiles weighing up to 50 lbs.
The offshore trolling scene is just getting rolling, with gaffer-sized dolphin stealing the glory. Boats are also finding a smattering of yellowfin tuna, mako sharks, blue marlin, and wahoo in the mix. Captain Mike Standing had a good week aboard the “Waterman”, running out of the Fishing Center. Captain Mike returned to the dock each day with yellowfin tuna, mako sharks, wahoo, and up to 50 mahi-mahi, weighing to over 25-pounds. Roark Linn of Gloucester had the biggest fish of the week with his 31-pound gaffer. This trend will only improve, as long as the warm water stays around.
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.
