The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has certified a new state record bluefin tuna. Retired Army General Scott Chambers of Townsend, Delaware, reeled in the 877-pound fish on March 17 after fighting with the fish for 2 ½ hours off Oregon Inlet. The big bluefin measured 113 inches curved fork length (tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail) and had a girth of 79 inches.
Chambers caught the fish using trolling dead bait on 130-pound test line test on a 130 Shimano rod and reel. The General was aboard the charter boat A-Salt Weapon fishing out of Pirates Cove Marina in Manteo.
Chambers’ fish broke the former state record bluefin tuna by 72 pounds. That fish was caught off Oregon Inlet, as well, in 2011. The world all-tackle record bluefin tuna was 1,496 pounds and was caught off Nova Scotia in 1979.
Virginia Saltwater
The togs are still biting when boats can get to them and croakers have moved up into the bay, but are not yet hitting hook and lines. Soon, fellow fishermen, soon!
Outer Banks
Nothing to report in the surf or sound – foul weather has not helped matters. Offshore, they are catching tuna when the elements allow. At Hatteras, a few pups, some puffers and whiting have been reported. Winds kept boats tied up last weekend, but inshore fishermen reported a few flounder last Friday.
Potomac Report
Capt. Steve Chaconas
Up and Down Weather
Longer days, grass growth and shallow fish make this a great time of year. But April weather makes it tough to get out.
The 50-55 degree water temps will have fish biting pretty much about anything. Fish the moment. Pay attention to water clarity, skies and water temp to decide on depth and speed.
Red lipless crankbaits are a good start with shallow diving Mann’s Baby X crankbaits on 12-pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line. Cover water on flats with emerging grass. Slowly winding or gentle lifting with controlled drops will get bites. Fast reels catch up to fish once they take baits. Upgrading to MUSTAD Short Shank Triple Grip trebles allows for a size increase and better hook ups. Slightly heavier medium action KVD Quantum cranking rods allow fish to take the bait with power for hooksets.
Braid comes into play with Carolina rigs with 14-inch Gamma Edge leaders. Use Mizmo Quiver Stix on 3/0 MUSTAD Mega Bite hooks. Slowly drag a few inches and stop. Keep in touch with the weight. Tungsten weights enhance bottom feel to find the right terrain. 10 foot Power Poles make it easier to stay in one spot to hit the grass or bottom fish prefer.
Finesse with split shot and drop shot rigs. Spinning reels with 20 Gamma Torque braid and 10-pound Edge leader is the perfect set up. Mizmo 5” Doodle worms on 2/0 Mega Bite hooks do the job. A 3/16 or 1/4 ounce BullShot bullet-shaped split shot will anchor both rigs, allowing you to slow down for fronts passing through. This worm works well for shaky head fishing.
The Major Lakes
Reports from Anna, Buggs, Gaston and Smith Mountain are about the same. Big bass are biting and crappies are making their first serious moves to the spawning grounds. Stripers are active at all the lakes, going for topwater offerings during the early morning hours before dropping deeper to feed throughout the day. The warm weather scheduled for this weekend should kick-start all the species into biting – and great fishing to follow.
The Rivers
As the James, Shenandoah, and New Rivers stabilize in depth and clarity, the smallmouth action has really picked up. The smallies will be spawning soon and the big females are putting on the feed sack. The problem with good weather on a smallmouth stream is that the “dinks”, dormant till now, will often outrace a quality fish to your bait. But there are worse things that can happen to a fisherman – like no bites whatsoever. Currently, grubs and jigs are most productive on the rivers but the topwater bites is close at hand.
Trout Streams
Super conditions on both the stocked and mountain streams. The South River has been on fire and some nice fish are coming to net on the Jackson below Gathright. Time to dust off your fly rod or ultra light outfit and go trout fishing.