Speckled trout anglers have been doing quite well. Even very young and very cute speckled trout anglers. Lynnhaven Inlet has been especially good. Over the recent Thanksgiving break David Dick registered a 24 ½ inch trout release, Jerry Snyder weighed a 5 lb. 9 oz fish, James Robinson a 5 lb. 4 oz. fish, Tony Masciangelo released a 24 ¾ inch fish, Richard Parmelee a 24 incher, Todd Sturtevant weighted a 5 pounder, Ryan Gingrich released a 24 inch fish and Conor McManus released a 24 ½ inch fish. Depending on how cold it gets the bite can last throughout the winter. Try using Mirr-o-lures and jerk baits.
Tautog anglers are enjoying a good bite both inside the Chesapeake Bay and on the nearby ocean wrecks. Craig Irwin’s son picked up his first ever tog over the holiday while fishing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel area.
Dr Ken Neill slipped out in the fog a couple of times last week and caught limits of tog and sea bass. One trip he collected 10 triggerfish and tagged smaller trigger and sheepshead. Two of the triggers weighed over 4 pounds.
The Rudee Tours head boats are running trips out to the ocean wrecks and enjoying some excellent catches of black sea bass, triggerfish with a few flounder mixed in.
Soon most anglers will turn their attentions to rockfish. This week one boat stumbled on some larger winter fish that are moving to the lower Bay. But most fish are medium in size and still up the rivers, the Elizabeth, James, Rappahannock and Potomac. Most anglers are trolling Umbrella rigs and if they spot feeding birds, they switch up and cast buck tails, rattletraps, swim baits, and spoons into the frenzy.
OBX
In the Hatteras surf, there was a good run of specks and gray trout. Puppy drum and puffers were also dragged up on the beaches. In the Nags Head area, great fishing continues for specks, pups and stripers in the sound and at the Inlet. Offshore, the Fishin’ Fanatic loaded. Up on fat yellowfins and some heavy big-eye tuna.
Freshwater
The freshwater bite is tapering off as the temperature drops. Some. Big blue cats are taking cut shad. Near Hopewell. Anna continues to give up some decent bass, plus stripers and crappie near the bridge pilings. Rivers are beginning to recede, but the water is cold.