Fishing is great now on the Outer Banks, where the big news are the big blues. Bluefish being caught both in the surf and back in the sounds. Many fish caught by surf fishermen are exceeding 12 pounds and some nice blues up to 6-pounds are biting in the sounds.
In addition to bluefish, puppy drum, sea mullet, black drum, speckled trout, and a few big stripers are also coming to net. There are even reports of some Spanish Mackerel and cobia caught from the beach on Ocracoke.
The piers are reporting puppy drum, bluefish, and lots of sea mullet. Jennette’s Pier recorded water temps near 60 degrees.
On the sound side, the drum fishing near the inlet has been excellent with a few schools of over-the-slot sized fish. We have also received reports of decent numbers of speckled trout.
Offshore has been beautiful the last couple of days, and boats have reported yellowfin tuna, dolphin, Wahoo, king mackerel, and a few billfish.
Virginia Saltwater
If you are looking for some fishing action in Virginia Beach, you have plenty of options to choose from in May. Whether you fish in the Bay, the inlets, the oceanfront, or offshore, you can find a variety of fish to catch and enjoy.
Puppy drum are being caught inside Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets. These spots are also holding a few speckled trout. Look for the fish in shallow water near grass beds, oyster bars, or docks.
Virginia Beach Pier anglers are bringing in drum, small trout, round head, skates, and small croaker. Cut bait, shrimp, squid, and bloodworms are catching fish.
Sheepshead and tautog are at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT). Crab fished tight against structure is the bait and method of choice.
Black and red drum are in the Bay at their usual locations. Crab and clam are the best bait for these fish. You can find at Kiptopeake, the Cabbage Patch, the Concrete Ships, or Fisherman’s Island. You can also spot them by looking for their tails sticking out of the water when they feed in shallow water near Latimer Shoal.
Flounder fishing is picking up in the lower Bay inside inlets, in shallow water near grass beds or drop-offs, or deep near the CBBT.
Rockfish season for the Bay and its tributaries opens May 16 thru June 15. The minimum size is 20 inches, and the maximum size is 28 inches. The daily limit is one per person. The ocean season also opens on May 16 and is open through Dec 31. The minimum size is 28 inches, and the maximum size is 36 inches. The daily limit is also one per person.
Black sea bass season opens May 15th. You can catch them on ocean wrecks with squid, cut bait, jigs, or artificial lures.
Tilefish are being caught offshore at the canyons on squid or cut bait from deep drop rigs. Boats trolling the edge are finding some tuna and dolphin as well.
Freshwater
Buggs Island has been giving up some nice bass with spinnerbaits the favorite lures followed by flukes, Senkos, and topwater baits. The shad spawn is now underway and some big crappie are chasing after the baitfish. Buggs Island stripers are now making their way upriver and the peak fishing in the Staunton will take place in the next few weeks. Bluegills throughout the state have moved into shallow water to spawn.