Article by Julie Ball
While keeping a watchful eye on hurricane threats to the southeast, anglers are enjoying the more moderate temperatures as we transition into a more fall-like fishing pattern along the Mid-Atlantic coast.
The cobia bite was still good last week with fish cruising along the surface in pods in lower Bay waters as well as along the oceanfront, making promising targets for sightcasters. Anglers are finding fish cruising along tide lines, under schools of rays and near pods of bait, but the trick is getting them to respond to offerings this time of year. It is a good time to target the really big fish, as a few are exceeding 80-pounds lately. The late summer trend of favoring buoys and bridge pilings is still gaining momentum, and this pattern will only improve over the next several weeks as fall approaches.
Flounder action is hit and miss this year, but lately the bite is on an upward trend. There is hope that the fish will become even more active as they begin grouping up in the lower Bay to leave the area. Nicer fish are still filling limits, with many ranging to around 4 lbs. Both live baiters and drifters are finding good luck along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, in the lower Bay inlets, near the Small Boat Channel south of the 1st Island, the Baltimore Channel, the area around Buoy 42 and off the Concrete Ships. Fresh strip bait is working well right now for drifters.
Sheepshead are beginning to spend more time on the tubes as they transition into their fall patterns, with some nice fish boated this past week. Triggerfish are still very active all along the CBBT, with some of the biggest fish seen over the past several years making these a worthwhile target. Several triggers weighed in at over 4 lbs. this season from Bay waters, while nearshore wrecks are also holding nice triggerfish.
Spadefish are hanging around the 3rd and 4th Island, and various spots along the CBBT, but these fish are winding down as they prepare to depart the area. Several boats are also taking advantage of some decent sized sea bass responding at several deeper water wrecks, especially near the Triangle wrecks area.
Bull reds continue to roam the lower Bay shoals, as well as the 3rd and 4th Islands of the Bridge Tunnel and the oceanfront area. Jack crevelle catches are still happening inshore as these fish school up bait near the entrance of the Bay.
Spanish mackerel are available off Cape Henry, over the tubes of the CBBT and along tide rips in the lower and middle Bay areas. Spanish are located anywhere from 2 to 5 miles off the Virginia Beach coastline, with many fish ranging to near 3 lbs. King mackerel are also still a possibility in these same areas.
Puppy drum are still active in the shallows. The best locations are Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets, with speckled trout also showing promise on the Poquoson flats and in Hungar’s creek.
Decent spot are showing in Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlet, and scattered around the lower Bay. This action should only improve over the next few weeks. Croaker ranging up to 2 lbs. are hitting near the four islands of the CBBT, the MMBT, off the Concrete Ships and near the cell.
Virginia’s tarpon action is down, most likely due to the windy conditions the week before last, with the cool-down dropping the water temperatures on the seaside of Oyster. Tarpon thrive in tropical waters, so a few hot days could rekindle the bite.
Big amberjack will take most any offering at the South tower and Jack Crevelle are also a possibility at the Chesapeake Light Tower, especially later this month. A variety of nice tilefish, grouper, blackbellied rosefish, black sea bass, and barrelfish are on the deep dropping menu lately for those who are interested.
Offshore, the billfish bite is still on the upswing, and should continue to improve through the month. Boats are beginning to release multiple whites, with a smattering of blue marlin, sailfish and spearfish. A few grand slams are making for some proud captains lately. Bigeye tuna and some nice yellowfin tuna are still around, but most boats are concentrating on the marlin scene. Wahoo and plenty of dolphin are also available for those trolling for meat fish.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For information, go to www.drjball.com.
