Article by Julie Ball
There should be no problem finding a species to target right now. Both inshore and offshore varieties are available. Inshore, cobia action continues to lure anglers to the lower Bay shoals. Chummers are scoring with a nicer class of fish using chunks of bunker, live eels, and live croaker fished on the bottom. The best locations for chummers lately are the seaside areas of Fisherman’s Island, the Nine Foot Shoal, and Latimer Shoal. Sight-casters are lagging behind, mostly because of frequent cloudy and windy conditions. Pier anglers were thrilled this week when 3 big cobia hit baits off the Seagull Fishing Pier located at the 1st Island. Red drum are also taking cut bunker in these same areas. Black drum are still circling the islands of the CBBT, where a smartly placed shad or bucktail is the lure of choice.
Flounder action is hit-and-miss again this week, but anglers who put in their time are finding a few keepers. Most keepers are coming from drifting with strip baits and minnows. The Hampton Bar, Buoy 36, Back River Reef, and the Thimble Shoal Channel are proving the most action for drifters. Those dropping live bait and jigs on lower bay structures are also finding a few nice fish along the HRBT and the CBBT. Within Lynnhaven Inlet, Rudee Inlet, and Wachapreague, flounder enthusiasts are finding a few fish, but the action is generally slow.
The hunt for king mackerel is on. Unfortunately, the kings are not cooperating. A few small kings ranging from 10 to 15 pounds are coming from the CB line of buoys near the entrance to the Bay. Spanish mackerel action has also slowed up. Captain Steve Wray, skipper of the “Ocean Pearl” out of Lynnhaven, reports that the best Spanish bite is occurring off the Virginia Beach oceanfront, where the fish are hitting in 10 to 30-feet of water.
Some spadefish are schooling around near shore wrecks, the span of the CBBT, and the 3rd and 4th Islands. Most of these fish are weighing around 4-pounds. Plantation Light and the Cell are holding some larger fish, but getting them to bite is another story. Triggerfish are being caught on clams offered to spades near the islands. Triggers are fun to catch, and a good consolation prize.
Sheepshead action is good lately, with fish weighing up to 14-pounds taking fiddler crabs dangled along the Bridge Tunnel complex. Noel Dennis of Carrollton, scored with a trophy 10-pound sheepsead while offering a fiddler crab at the CBBT.
Decent tautog are also coming from the same areas, with some fish tipping the scales at 9.5-pounds this week.
Plenty of medium-sized croaker and nice spot are scattered around the lower Bay. The lower Bay inlets, the Concrete Ships, and the small boat channel south of the First Island are providing good numbers right now. Squid, shrimp, and Fishbites are all working well.
The folks at “Ocean’s East 2” report that speckled trout made a modest showing within Lynnhaven, Rudee, and Little Creek Inlets lately. Most fish are just keeper sized, but a few 4-pounders are also in the mix. Puppy drum are going strong, with fish active in all the lower Bay shallows and Inlets, with the Elizabeth River, and Lynnhaven Inlet favorite hot spots this week. A few pups are pushing up to over 30-inches.
The folks at Chris’ Bait and Tackle report that other than a few sightings, the tarpon action is still basically non-existent. Tarpon experts are speculating that the Virginia tarpon run may not materialize this season if it does not jump-start within the next week or so.
Amberjack are a no-brainer at the South Tower, where anglers are finding good numbers of nice fish. Spot and croaker make the best live bait, but take plenty.
Offshore, white marlin are available, with a few blue marlin and wahoo scattered in. Gaffer and bailer dolphin are also a good bet. Tuna is not the main item on the menu, but a few are coming in here and there.
The 13th Annual Virginia Beach Invitational Marlin Tournament hosted out of Fisherman’s Wharf Marina was a big success. Boats released a total of 46 marlin, and boated several gaffer dolphin. The "Tippecanoe", skippered by Ernie Baily out of Fisherman’s Wharf, took 1st place with 7 white marlin and a blue marlin, as well as 1st place in the Meatfish Division. Second place went to the “Gee Daddy’, while the “Wahoo” secured 3rd place.
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.
