It ain’t over till it’s over, but it’s just about over – rockfish season, that is. The season officially ends on Saturday, Dec. 31.
Says Dr. Julie Ball:
When anglers are able to get out on the water, some very large rockfish await within Chesapeake Bay waters. Although the bite for these super-sized fish is rarely off the charts, consistent action with fish pushing to over 45 and 50-pounds caught this week, anglers are putting in their time hoping to land the big one.
These larger rockfish continue to come from the Eastern Shore side of the Bay, but boats do not need to travel quite as far to reach the fish this week. Boats are using eels drifted or slow-trolled on large bobbers and planers in anywhere from 25 to 40 feet of water near buoys 38 and 40A north of Plantation Light. But remember that the Bay striped bass season closes at the end of the month.
Tautog are still hitting well on most lower Bay wrecks and along the structure of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, where anglers are catching fish ranging to around 3 to 6-pounds. Nice tog are also beginning to respond on more coastal and offshore wrecks when boats can venture out to reach them. A few boats are making the run to these deeper wrecks in order to get in on the sea bass action before the season closes at the end of the year. Folks are finding plenty of takers, with some sea bass averaging to over four pounds. Flounder, trigger fish, and chopper bluefish are also a possibility on or near some of these same structures.
Speckled trout enthusiasts continue to find good action in most backwater locations, with Rudee, Lynnhaven, and Little Creek Inlets hosting catches of trout ranging mostly to around 18 to 21-inches. Casters are finding good luck using a variety of top water artificial lures, Mirro-lures, and Gulp baits. Puppy drum are also a possibility in these same areas.
When anglers find a break in the weather, boats heading for the edge of the Norfolk Canyon are finding good hauls of blueline and golden tilefish, and grouper. Big bluefish and jumbo sea bass are also a by-catch in these same deep areas, but dog fish will soon begin to overshadow most fishing efforts for deep droppers.
Nags Head
TW’s Tackle reported that anglers fishing Jennette’s Pier caught Skates, Dogfish and a Trout on Wednesday. There was also some whale-watching action. A few Whales were in the Nags Head area. Surf fishing was great at Oregon Inlet yesterday with plenty of Puppy Drum caught and also Black Drum. A few Boats fished out of Oregon inlet Wednesday and returned with some nice Yellowfin. Also, Striper fishing picked up in the Mann’s Harbor area.
Hatteras Surf
Red Drum & Tackle noted that Wednesday was a pretty good day for fishing. Ramp 38 anglers beached Sea Mullet. Ramp 43 produced Blue Fish, Croakers and Sea Mullet. The Jetties had Puppy Drum, Black Drum, small trout and Blue Fish. Ramp 55 had Puppy Drum and Black Drum and 1 keeper Flounder. South of Avon Pier had Black Drum and Puppy Drum. Ramp 49 had Sea Mullet.
Hatteras Offshore
Hatteras Harbor said that inshore fishing was excellent on Wednesday with Puppy Drum, Speckled Trout and Bluefish coming to net. No offshore boats fished.
On Monday, one charter boat fished and returned with good numbers of Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo and King Mackerel.
Freshwater Overview
Anna continues to produce nice largemouth as well as stripers. Buggs Island anglers are also catching stripers. The rivers are in excellent shape, but cold weather and cold water has slowed that action. Some die-hard muskie fishermen are busy on the New and James rivers with good results.
The trout water are full of fish and stocking will continue in January.
Potomac River
Great Week to Fish
Fish are on drops in 6 to 8 feet of water and weather is favorable for fishermen. Water will range from 38-45 depending on the sun, time of day and tide.
Find the warmest water. In the Spoils Cove area, the outgoing tide can be up to 5 degrees warmer. Incoming tides can drop water temps the same. Other spots warm with sun. When the water is close to 45 degrees, crankbaits like Lucky Craft Bevy Shad, gold under cloudy skies and shad patterns when skies are clear, can be dragged across the bottom. Pause and lift, drag. Keep presentations horizontal along the bottom. Using 10-pound Edge on a medium cranking rod will do.
For the coldest water, Silver Buddy lures on 10 pound test GAMMA Edge line can be bumped down drops with gentle lifts and controlled drops. A braid and fluorocarbon leader will provide more sensitivity, but might pull baits from fish. A medium heavy cranking rod will be enough to set the hook and not too much to pull baits from fish once hooked.
Once the depth is located, Mann’s Stingray grubs on 6-pound test Edge and ¼ ounce ball head jigs, and Punisher Hair jigs can be worked along the bottom. Also try curl tail grubs. A soaking in Jack’s Juice Bait Spray helps! Drop shot with 4-inch leaders is also a good bet. Slow down and work areas where fish are being caught for a while with slower and smaller techniques.
Chickahominy Lake
Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service (804-746-2475) out of Ed Allen’s reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water temperatures have fluctuated extensively over the last few weeks and were back up in the mid 40’s in the lower main lake on Wednesday. The lake level was about even with the top of the dam
Fishing with Capt. Conway, Tom Porter had 15 crappie, 3 pickerel, and 2 bass.