Article by Julie Ball
The mid-summer fishing is going strong. With good weather paired with a little luck, the week looked promising for anglers hitting the water. The main interest still centers around cobia, and the old standby, flounder. Cobia hunters are finding steady action in the lower Bay. Although plenty of keeper fish are around, several fish are pushing to over 60-pounds. Latimer Shoal and the Nine Foot Shoal are producing well for those dumping chum and bottom fishing with both cut and live bait. The Baltimore Channel area is producing for top water casters. In a few weeks, these fish will begin gathering on bridge pilings and buoys.
Flounder, which are often out of season right now are up for grabs, and are happy to oblige. Most folks are reporting modest catches, but quality fish. Although the number of trophy doormats is down this week, decent fish ranging from 3 to 7-pounds are making the trip worthwhile. Best results are coming from those offering live bait near bridge pilings and the tubes of the CBBT, lower bay wrecks, Back River Reef, and near the Cell in around 40 to 50 feet of water. Peanut bunker are working better than spot right now, although both baits are good choices.
The folks at Chris’ Bait and Tackle report that tarpon anglers are still awaiting the reemergence of the silver king. According to the experts, the cooler water temperatures are taking the brunt of the blame for absent sightings, rollings, and hookups. In the meantime, anglers are heading to Oyster to partake in the excellent croaker run, with the “Chimney” and Buoy 7 areas providing the best action. Within lower bay waters, croaker are everywhere from the HRBT to the CBBT. The area off Kiptopeke State Park is also a favorite location lately.
Spadefish are still available at the Chesapeake Light Tower, the Tower Reef, nearshore and inshore wrecks, the CBBT, and the Cell. Plantation Light is also producing quality fish this week.
Sheepshead peaked some interest this week, with big fish coming from the Bay Bridge-Tunnel structure. Jeffery Parks of Virginia Beach prevailed in a tug-of-war with a huge 13 lb., 7 oz. sheepshead that fell to crab near the First Island.
Triggerfish are also swarming around the CBBT, as well as on several inshore wrecks. Another great run of these aggressive fish is making anglers take notice. Triggers are easy to catch, and can save the day when the spades and sheepshead are not cooperating. Triggerfish will hit squid, clams, live bait, cut bait, or anything that is within easy reach.
Spanish mackerel are still dominating the trolling scene along the oceanfront. The bigger fish are coming from shallower water on small spoons trolled at a quick clip. Most of the fish are ranging from 16 to 21-inches, but a few 3-pounders are also mixed in. The king mackerel scene is still slow, but a few reports of landed fish are trickling in. Expect this fishery to pick up later this summer and into the fall.
Drum are still on the loose in the lower bay, with red drum enthusiasts chasing large schools swimming on the surface along the Eastern Shore shoals lately. Anglers are also picking away at unassuming pods of black drum roaming the islands of the CBBT. Storm lures and bucktails are working well.
Deep dropping is still an excellent choice, with quality blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, blackbellied rosefish, and nice grouper on the menu. A massive 20 lb. 10 oz. blueline tilefish caught by Kenneth Bowe of Chester, Virginia became the new Virginia state record this week.
Black sea bass are available on inshore wrecks and deepwater structures. Amberjack are still taking most any live bait offered on several offshore wrecks and at the South Tower. Take plenty of bait, and plan for an eventful day if you make the run south.
Offshore, the billfish bite is improving daily with good numbers of white marlin and a smattering of blues crashing spreads this week. Further south, Carolina crews are finding a few sailfish. Nice yellowfin tuna are scattered in the same areas, and wahoo are becoming more common. School-sized bluefin tuna are still hitting on the inshore lumps, with the Fingers being a favorite area lately. Some big dolphin are showing here and there, along with a few surprise mako sharks.
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.
