On the OBX, fishing has not slowed with the late winter weather. Lawrence Benner can vouch for that as he weighed in a 29-inch plus speckled trout that tipped the TW’s Tackle scales at 7.12 pounds. Wow! Striper s and drum continue to bite in the Carolina sounds. Offshore, lots of giant bluefins are being caught and released, along with yellowfins, and blackfins.
Virginia March Saltwater Outlook
As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, the fishing action will also heat up. Here’s what anglers can expect.
Puppy drum are becoming more active inside the inlets. These fish are responding to the increasing daylight hours and the warmer water temperatures. Anglers should start finding them in depths less than 10 feet. Keep an eye out for these feisty fighters as they move shallower in search of prey.
As spring progresses, expect an uptick in trout catches in the same areas. The spots that are producing puppy drum will likely soon yield trout. Whether you’re casting from shore or a boat, Trout fishing should be rewarding.
As water temperatures climb toward the 50-degree mark, Tautog catches will increase. These hard-fighting fish are known for their tasty white meat. Look for them around rocky structures, bridge tunnels, wrecks, and artificial reefs.
Freshwater
It’s slab time at Buggs Island. Slab-sized crappie are biting now, and it should only get better as numerous two-pound fish and some exceeding three-pounds aare being pulled in. Crappie are also biting well on the Tidal Rapp along with yellow perch. The Chick and Mattaponi rivers are also perch hotspots.
The striper bite is picking up on Buggs and at Anna. Saugeye catches are also being reported at Anna where largemouth are moving shallow as the spawning season nears.