Article by Julie Ball
With stiff breezes coming from the south last week, the spring Mid-Atlantic fishing scene has taken a slight detour from the usual trend. The biggest interest is still in the the emerging drum scene, which is motivating many anglers to gather crabs and head for the Eastern Shore shoals during calm spells.
Red drum are still providing some decent action among the shoals and sloughs near Smith and Fisherman’s Islands, and the activity should pick up as we approach the full moon. The best action is still happening among the surf and breakers, where kayak anglers and surf anglers are taking advantage of this trend right now. Kevin Whitley (Kayak Kevin) of Norfolk released a nice 48-inch bull while casting among the breakers from his kayak, while Brandon Poulter of Virginia Beach also released two reds up to 46-inches from his kayak last week.
According to the folks at Chris’ Bait and Tackle, smallish black drum up to about 35 lbs. are becoming more active along the Eastern Shore seaside inlets, surf and near Buoys 13 and 16 on the bayside. The larger fish are still coming from the Quinby areas further north. This trend will also continue to heat up over the next few weeks and larger fish will become more common.
Many are taking advantage of the Bay’s Spring Trophy Striped Bass season. Stripers are providing a good alternative for those looking for some variety. Anglers working top water lures along the rocks at the islands of the CBBT are content with hits from fish exceeding the 32-inch minimum size requirement. Storm Lures cast around the pilings of the CBBT are also working well. Reports of schools of rockfish ranging to about 40 lbs. are active within Magothy Bay lately.
Anglers fishing from the Ocean View Fishing Pier are still filling coolers with medium sized croaker and small spot. Sea mullet ranging to near a pound are also providing some diversity, where bloodworms are working best for everything right now. The folks at Ocean’s East 2 report that surf anglers are also finding good luck with spot and croaker from the shorelines off Ocean View and Little Creek.
The flounder scene is still slow within Bay waters and around the CBBT. The best numbers of keeper fish are coming from the Eastern Shore seaside inlets and back waters of Oyster. A few keeper flatfish are also coming from within both Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets, but be prepared to put in your time. According to The Fishing Center, anglers are also finding bluefish up to around 5 lbs. within Rudee Inlet and along the ocean front. Blues also showed up in Lynnhaven Inlet last week.
Scattered speckled trout are showing some activity within the Eastern Shore seaside inlets and the back waters of Oyster, with some topping 5 lbs. lately. Peeler crabs, live bait and Mirrolures are a good choice for the specks right now. Folks working the Elizabeth River are also still finding a few keeper specks along with healthy puppy drum.
Tautog are still very active on lower Bay and inshore structures, but these fish are only available for catch and release until late June.
Blueline tilefish ranging up to 18 lbs., wreckfish and other deep water species are still available in deeper water over 50 fathoms when the weather allows boats to reach them.
The upcoming opening of seabass season on May 22nd has many anglers excited about making the run, but the outrageous gas prices are making many of them think twice.
The Virginia fleet is anxiously awaiting the development of the spring offshore run. Right now they are still waiting.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For more information, go to www.drjball.com.