Article by Julie Ball
Many favorite species are available on the Mid Atlantic coast, and as long as the weather holds, things continue to look good for the remaining summer fishing season.
Cobia is at the top of the inshore list, with some big fish cruising local waters last week. Sightcasters are scoring with plenty of fish as they group into pods, with some boats reporting double-digit catches in lower Bay waters and along the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Several of these fish are pushing to over 50-pounds, while the average size is around 30-pounds. Get out on the water soon if you plan to get in on the cobia action, as the local season closes at the end of the month. Red drum are also providing good late summer top-water opportunities, as schools of drum roam near the entrance of the Bay.
Along oceanfront waters, trollers are still enticing lots of large Spanish mackerel, with several fish qualifying for state citations already caught this season. Small gold and silver spoons are the best lures for these fish.
King mackerel action is heating up, with some serious smoker kings boated recently. The biggest kings are responding for those slow-trolling with live bait and kite fishing, with a few fish weighing in at nearly 40-pounds.
Shark fishing is still good in these same areas, but check the regulations.
The summer flounder action was a little better last week, with anglers finding some solid flatfish ranging in the 20 to 22-inch range, or larger. The best Bay catches continue to come from the 3rd and 4th Island areas of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge?Tunnel (CBBT), with live baiting and jigging working well for anglers along structure. The most consistent action is still happening on inshore and offshore wrecks and reefs, where black sea bass are still a possibility. Both Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlet continue to provide some decent catches of keeper flounder.
Sheepshead anglers are enjoying a great season, with good numbers of big fish caught on fiddlers. Some fish ranging up to around 13-pounds were caught last week. Triggerfish are also available in these same areas. Spadefish are still around, but this action is winding down, as they prepare to leave the area soon.
Croaker are still a staple in lower Bay waters and inlets, with some decent-sized fish to be found. The bite out of Oyster is on, with coolers of nice hardheads coming from the deeper parts of the channel. Nice spot have moved into lower Bay waters and inlets recently, with anglers intercepting yellow-bellied spot off Ocean View and from Lynnhaven, Rudee and Little Creek Inlets.
Speckled trout action is starting to pick up in many backwater locations, with the nicer trout found on the Bayside and seaside creeks and inlets on the Eastern Shore. A few nice grey trout are also responding near the High-Rise of the CBBT, as well as off the Bayside areas of the Eastern Shore, along with some sea mullet.
Tarpon are still active in the backwaters of Oyster, but not for much longer. Amberjack are available at the South Tower and some of the offshore wrecks and jack crevalle will likely make a showing at the Chesapeake Light Tower soon. Deep droppers are still faring well as boats continue to find a variety of nice tilefish, rosefish, barrelfish and grouper along the edges of the Canyon.
As the billfish population builds offshore, boats are returning with varied catches. Several white marlin, along with scattered sailfish, spearfish and blue marlin were released recently. The best catches of billfish continue to occur with live baiting techniques. Nice gaffer dolphin and wahoo are also adding some variety, along with scattered big yellowfin tuna and an occasional bigeye tuna.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. Representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For more information, go to drjball.com.
