Drum fishing in the Chesapeake is at its peak. Both red and black drum are biting – some big ones at that. Both red and black drum are abundant on Bay shoals near the eastern shore such as the Nautilus area.
Puppy drum are also available in Rudee, Little Creek and Lynnhaven inlets and are hitting cut bait, shrimp, and artificial lures such as jigs, spoons, soft plastics.
Another fish just arriving in Virginia saltwater is the cobia, which can be caught in the bay and along the oceanfront. The capture season for cobia begins on June 15th, until then, it’s catch and release, so bring a big net. When the season opens there is a 1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel possession limit.
The flounder fishing is improving around coastal wrecks and along the CBBT. Sheepshead are another tasty fish that can be caught at the CBBT pilings and other structure in the lower bay.
Striped bass and bluefish are all around the CBBT islands, where they can be caught with cut bait or artificial lures The Chesapeake Bay spring striper season is May 16 through June 15. Minimum Size Limit: 20 inches. Maximum Size Limit: 28 inches. Possession Limit: 1 per person.
Spadefish are beginning to show up at the Chesapeake Light Tower.
Spanish mackerel have entered Virginia waters, and they will become more active and abundant as the water temperature reaches 70 degrees.
The black sea bass season is open until July 6th, and then again from August 9th to December 31st. These fish are plentiful and delicious and can be found over wrecks and reefs in ocean waters. The Triangle Reef is a good spot to try for sea bass. They will bite squid, crab, cut fish, clam strips, shrimp, or diamond jigs.
Tuna fishing has been good offshore to our south. Closer to home, tilefish and grouper are available for deep-droppers.
OBX
The fishing action on OBX is heating with the approach of the summer season.
On the sound side, drum and speckled trout are biting near the inlet, hitting live shrimp and soft plastics. Sheepshead are also showing up around the Bonner Bridge.
On the ocean side, bluefish and Spanish mackerel are hitting metal lures and spoons along the beach and from the piers. Some big cobia up to 95 pounds are just offshore. Pompano, sea mullet, and black drum are also available for surf anglers using fresh shrimp or sand fleas.
Offshore, the bite has been excellent for dolphin, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo. Some bigeye tuna and blue marlin have also been landed by lucky anglers. Trolling with ballyhoo or artificial lures is the best tactic.