The next time I get married, it won’t be in early March. The fishing sucks that time of year.
When Nancy and I head out to celebrate our anniversary each year on March 3, the trout streams are too cold, the smallmouth are still wearing mittens, and the only thing biting in the Outer Banks surf are skates and dogfish.
Or so I thought.
This year, we went to Nags Head and rented an ocean front condo. It was magnificent, but it was so windy and cold outside, I never fished. Didn’t think it would be worth the effort. I didn’t bring my surf fishing stuff – which would have required chest waders and thermal outerwear. I did bring my spinning rod to maybe try for a speck or a puppy drum in the sound, but it was blowing 20 knots when we went to check it out, so I didn’t fish.
On, Sunday, our last night, I saw a pile of birds offshore, dipping into the froth, but they were about 5 times further out than I could throw a bait with my surf rod with a gale force wind at my back. I figured they were bluefish out there, or maybe a big school of stripers.
The next morning, however, small pods of birds were gathering closer to shore, just behind the first set of breakers. Then suddenly, birds appeared from every direction, dancing along the top of the water, picking up bits of food. Finally, I saw what the gulls were after. Schools of mullet were racing across the top of the ways trying to avoid something, and I don’t blame them. I saw a monster bluefish crash through the surface. He was in the 12 to 15-pound range. A real stud. Wow! If I had brought my surf rod, as Marlon Brando said, “I could have been a contender. I could have hooked into a giant.”
Now, it will all begin. If the bait is there, and it is, the fish will be there – the flounder, the sea mullet, the trout and drum, and the season will begin.
Still, if I had to do it again, I’d wait till the first of April to get married.
Hatteras
Nice drum were beaching bait at Buxton and sand fleas have appeared along the beaches, meaning sea mullet will be biting soon.
Virginia Saltwater
In Virginia, it’s the same-old, same-old. Specks are biting in the Elizabeth River and all the inlets, while tautogs are the offshore stars.
Freshwater
There are reports of shad showing up in the James, Rapp, and Potomac rivers. That means bigger things soon to come
The crappie bite at Buggs Island is excellent and big bass are moving around in all the lakes, seeking spawning grounds. White perch and yellow perch are making major runs in the tidal rivers.
The James is clearing and at a good level. Smallmouth action is heating up.