Back in the late 1970’s, one of the most targeted of all the saltwater gamefish in Virginia was the grey trout, or weakfish as they are sometimes called. Anglers dropping rigs around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel regularly pulled in ten to twelve-pound fish. In 1982, the state record, a 19-pounder, was boated. Then, the big greys largely disappeared. The head boats were lucky to put a few 12-inch fish on ice. But now, with tighter regulations on both recreational and commercial fishing, the big greys are making a comeback. Some 8- and 10-pounders are now being caught, again near the CBBT.
Weakfish are largely shallow water fish, found at depths of 18 feet or less, sometimes in the flats. They average between 12- and 18-inches, but can and do grow much larger. The silvery trout are in the drum family – cousins of red and black drum, spot, speckled trout and croaker. One of the primary predators of grey trout is a shark and there are now so many sharks in the Chesapeake Bay, it’s hard to believe there are any trout left. Perhaps the powers-that-be should consider liberalizing the limits on shark fishing, then maybe we would have even more big greys in Virginia waters.
Virginia Saltwater
Stan Cobb at Greentop reports that the best action in the bay is still the cobia bite. Stan says that the majority of anglers are sight casting, so the level of success depends on the conditions. The warm weather we are having seems to be prolonging the bite in the upper portions of the bay. Drum are being found by the cobia anglers more frequently, since they too are starting to exit the bay. The drum should bite well into October. There has been an increase in sheepshead catches, some dandy fish at that. The bridge tunnel seems to be the place to hook up with the big sheepshead. Flounder catches were down a little over the last week, so hopefully this will change soon. The tunnel is a good spot for flounder inside the bay, but ocean wrecks will often provide the most consistent action. Anglers are seeing a spike in the speckled trout bite. Most of the action is coming from the inlets on the western side from the York River to the mouth of the Potomac River. Topwater baits, curly tail grubs, paddle tail grubs, and Gulp! baits, like shrimp and swimming mullets are working. There are some nice spot being caught inside the Rappahannock River. Spanish mackerel are still available throughout the lower bay. Good reports are coming from areas near the Potomac River, to the Bridge Tunnel. Gold spoons, and the silver with green, have been best so far. Fishing inside the Potomac has been good for rockfish up to 35-inches. These fall under Maryland regulations. Ocean charters are having a blast with the white and blue marlin. They are also reporting good catches of wahoo, mahi, and blackfin tuna. There is usually a spike in large fish after a hurricane or tropical storm.
The Outer Banks
TW’s Bait and Tackle reports that there are bluefish are being caught north of Buxton as Hatteras Island tries to rebound from Dorian. Blues and specks are plentiful now at and around Oregon Inlet. Surf fishermen are also beaching some nice trout.
On Wednesday, the piers reported trout, blues, red rum, black drum, croakers and pompano.
Nearshore boats are decking Spanish, blues, mahi and red drum. Limits of trout are being caught by inshore parties along with Spanish, blues and drum.
Bluewater boats took mid-week limits of mahi, yellowfin and blackfin along with wahoo, blue and white marlin.
Virginia Freshwater
Stan Cobb of Greentop says the crappie fishing has been solid at Anna, as anglers are finding them schooled around the bridges. Live bait in slip floats have worked best. The topwater bite is emerging at Anna, along with other area lakes and ponds. Deep crankbaits may be the best tactic going on now. The Kerr Lake elevation is at 298′, almost 2 feet below normal pool. Deep cranks have been good here also. Ten-inch Texas rigged worms are also working. The lower James has been a bit tough this week, but should bounce back shortly. Crankbaits have been productive. The upper James is low and clear, but the fish are starting to bite, especially on topwater baits. Small poppers, flukes, and buzzbait fishing will only get better. Some rain would improve things just about everywhere.
Lake Orange
Darrell Kennedy of Angler’s Landing (540-672-3997) at Lake Orange says that water temperatures are in the low 80s and cooling. The fish are on the move to shallow water in their transition from summer to fall patterns. Bass are feeding up on small minnows and bait fish. Crappie are also starting to move shallow, being caught on small minnows and jigs. Catfishing remains strong throughout the lake for anglers using chicken livers, live bait and cut bait. A few walleye have been caught down lake in the rocky areas on nightcrawlers and minnows.