The Rockfish Season for saltwater is now open. Starting on Oct. 4 and running through Dec. 31, anglers will be allowed to keep 1 fish per day between 20 and 31-inches. Larger fish must be released, which bodes well for the future of these hard fighting and popular gamefish. The big 50- and 60-pound fish are largely females and the quality and the quantity of their eggs far surpass that of smaller fish. In past seasons, anglers deliberately sought out the big fish, especially as they entered bay waters near Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore.
Currently, the big fish are still in Maryland waters or on the Atlantic Coast to our north. Lots of smaller fish, and many keepers, are being caught now on the lower Rappahannock. There is also some good fishing for them on the upper James and in the Chickahominy River. Scads of undersized rocks (below 20-inches) are biting in the tidal rivers.
In the Bay, red drum have largely moved out as have cobia. The spot bite is in full swing, and some big yellow bellies are tugging lines in the Bay off Gwynn’s Island.
Big sheepshead continue to bite near the CBBT. Flounder to 7-pounds are also biting.
OBX
The current was so strong off the OBX over the weekend that a 4-oz. sinker wouldn’t hold the bottom. It has eased during midweek. Small sharks, however, are everywhere and anglers are catching lots of them up and down the beaches. Charters are bringing in blues, Spanish and drum on half day trips. Lots of big drum are being caught after dark by surf and pier fishermen. The piers are reporting blues, Spanish, drum, croakers, and spot. In the sound, it’s bluefish, specks and pups. Gulfstream boats are returning with Mahi, tuna, and sailfish when the fleet can sail.