Unbelievable! A kayaker in North Carolina caught a 136-pound bluefin tuna. I once caught a 5-pound smallmouth while in a float tube and the bass pulled me all over the river. I can’t imagine catching a fish that huge from a 12-foot kayak. Stefan Turko was in Kitty Hawk and could see tuna boiling in the water just offshore. Several anglers had lost tuna while fishing on Jennette’s Pier, so Turko … [Read more...]

There are reports of black drum caught from the Eastern Shore. Blacks typically show before the reds, but some big red drum are also starting to tug on lines. The trout bite has not yet fully kicked in because of cold water, but togs are biting hard on most any structure. Flounder are starting to show up in the inlets and coastal bays on the Eastern Shore. Some anglers have already caught … [Read more...]

Tautogs are still biting Saltwater fishermen are in a wait and see mode. Waiting for warmer water to see much results. The sea bass just closed, but the tautogs remain active near structure. The bluefin tuna season also closed, but some huge fish were decked in the blue waters. Some puppy drum are biting here and there, but it’s mostly wait and see. … [Read more...]

  The recent drop in water temperatures, now low 40s, has created tough conditions for speckled trout and puppy drum, which typically winter in local waters. Anglers are still catching a few puppy drum inside Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets.  But currently, one of the few areas where these fish can be caught consistently is near the hot ditch, in the Elizabeth River. The hot ditch … [Read more...]

Things are pretty quiet on the fishing scene. Bass are biting at Anna and the trout streams are gushing with water after the snow melt off. Some monster blue cats are tugging on lines in the Hopewell stretch of the James. The heartiest of saltwater fishermen are dropping baits over the wrecks hoping for sea bass and tautog anglers are catching a few when they can find bait. On the OBX, puppy … [Read more...]

The speckled trout bite is as hot as it gets right now. The best action is concentrated inside the rivers and inlets of the bay, with hotspots including the Lynnhaven River, Rudee Inlet, Little Creek Inlet, the Elizabeth, Piankatank, and Rappahannock rivers. Anglers are having success with live mullet, shrimp, paddle tail swim baits, and popping corks. Rockfish activity is increasing around the … [Read more...]

A few years ago, I packed my surf rod, some heavy casting rods and reels, and a tackle box for a getaway to Nags Head and a little saltwater fishing. Unfortunately, I picked up the wrong tackle box. It was my freshwater box with nary a sinker or double drop rig in the whole box. I had to buy new stuff at the Beach. Last weekend, I did even worse. I brought my rods, a crab net and big bucket for … [Read more...]

  Say it ain’t so, Spanish mackerel. Tell us you’ll stay a little longer! What a great season it’s been for Spanish mackerel. They came early and in good numbers, then the big boys moved in - 4 and 5 pounders. But now, it’s almost time to say goodbye as the sleek fish begin to move out to sea. They were caught in huge numbers this week off the coast of Virginia Beach. Clark spoons did the … [Read more...]

A "Smoker" King Mackerel   The only problem now when fishing saltwater is deciding what to go after. Cobia, drum, Spanish macs, King macs, flounder, spadefish, sheepshead, togs, speckled trout, stripers, croakers, and spot – they are all biting and the next few days look even better with light winds, mild temperatures and clear skies. We can start with king mackerel since that bite … [Read more...]