I was headed to the Rappahannock River last September hoping to get into the spot – those big yellow bellies that show up each fall. For this, I needed bloodworms. As soon as I saw the first bait shop in West Point, I stopped. No bloodworms, they said. Nobody’s got them. Again and again, I stopped and there were indeed no bloodworms to be had. But on my last stop, a lady said she did have a couple of bags of Fishbites in the bloodworm formula. I bought the last two bags she had, not expecting much. Boy was I wrong. Not only did I catch spot, I caught flounder, croakers, whiting, ribbonfish, hog fish, white perch, speckled trout, puppy drum and stripers – all on the that one bait. I have a beach trip scheduled in late September, and I stocked up again. I now have 6 bags in the refrigerator. I keep them there to better hold their scent.
Fishbites use a concentrated formula that replicates the natural chemicals fish use to detect and track their prey. Fishbites gradually dissolve in water, releasing a trail of feeding stimulants. When fish bite, they hold on because the flavor and texture is similar to their natural prey, offering anglers more chances to set the hook. Fishbites are known to catch all kinds of fish and I can vouch for that.
I have tried other Fishbite scents such as shrimp and clam, but none of them work like the blood worm scent.
Spot are now showing up all over the bay. If you go, make sure to have several packs of Fishbites in the bloodworm scent. Don’t leave home without them.
In Virginia saltwater, Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets are producing nice catches of pups and specks. Cobia are leaving the bay, but many boats are still catching a few by sight casting. Big red drum are schooling near the CBBT, where spade fish and sheepshead continue to bite. Boats patrolling the coastline at Virginia Beach are loading up on Spanish with a few big king mackerel in the mix.
Fishing is good most everywhere.
OBX
Swells from Hurricane Larry put a damper on things, but fishing earlier this week was good.
The piers produced catches of spot, pompano, blues, Spanish and sea mullet. Surf fishermen drug in blues, drum and sea mullet. The boats back in the sound had great catches of drum, flounder and specks. Nearshore boats caught Spanish and blues when conditions allowed. Offshore trips garnered Mahi and yellowfin. sJames Friend Dickerson and party aboard the Dog House, had a nice catch of yellowfins,
Freshwater
Bait is on the move and so are the bass and crappie. At Lake Orange, fish on the move heading to shallows to feed up for the winter. Bass fishing has picked up for anglers using moving baits. Crappie are feeding heavily on small minnows in 6 to 10 ft of water. Catfishing has remained strong with chicken livers and live bait. The walleye bite has picked up with harness rigs and live bait.
The tidal rivers – the Rapp, Potomac, James and Chick – are all producing great bass action. Crappie are moving off deep pilings at Buggs and are ganging up on brush in 12 to 18 feet.
The trout streams are now in excellent condition.