Note: Computer problems have resulted in a more abbreviated outdoor report this week.
With decent weather, it’s been a couple of busy weeks on the South River in Waynesboro. The South River Fly Shop says there have been great hatches of caddis flies on most mornings and lots of trout feeding in the surface. The “Missing Link” caddis pattern has been very effective as are attractor patterns, such as the Appalachian Hopper and the Mr. Rapidan.
Water levels are low on both the South and the area’s mountain streams. A few smallmouth and muskies are showing on the Shenandoah River but water levels are low there as well.
Virginia Saltwater
By Dr. Julie Ball
The rare treat of mild temperatures in February has prompted a flurry of activity on the fishing front this week. Some backwater and open water opportunities are rewarding anglers with good results, but this could be short-lived with a more winter weather headed this way.
Most interest is centered around the tautog fishery. Even with a reduced bag limit of three fish per person at a minimum of 16-inches, a few boats are making the run to both deep water and mid-range wrecks off our coast. Anglers are reporting good catches, with some togs over 10-pounds. Be prepared to weed through a good share of nice sea bass, but you must toss them back since they are out of season. But with water temperatures getting a nudge into a more optimal range for inshore activity, folks may not have to travel so far to get in on a tog bite. Many are heading into Bay waters, hoping for an early spring tog surge on the Bay Bridge Tunnel.
A phenomenon that I do not even recall, since the last good run of Boston mackerel off our coast was over 20 years ago, is inspiring some anglers to give it a try. I asked Captain Steve Wray at Long Bay Bait and Tackle for some advice (since he does remember when this fishery once thrived). Boats are marking large schools of Boston Mackerel from Cape Henry, out to the Light Tower and often near schools of whales or beneath working birds. Dropping a mackerel rig into the school will quickly verify your hunch. These fish are caught by anglers using a jigging action, and multiple hook-ups are common. Boston Mackerel fish are quite edible. Try them in a smoker.
On the backwater scene, anglers continue to enjoy steady speckled trout action in both Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets, with fish averaging 18-inches. Puppy drum are also biting in these same locations.
Although the bluefin tuna passed us by for the winter, a few boats are still getting in on that action by making the long run to North Carolina, where some nice catches have been reported.
Deep dropping is always a good tactic this time of year when the weather allows. Nice blueline tilefish are the staple species along the 50-fathom curve, with plenty of fish weighing in at over the 10-pound minimum for a state citation. Deeper areas along the Canyon edges are showing more activity with black-bellied rosefish and scattered golden tilefish, but dogfish are making fishing for these deep-water species a challenge. A by-catch of black sea bass is a given in these areas.
Outer Banks
It was predicted there would be Drum at the point on Wednesday with the SW winds and it happened. A few 40-inch and a couple of 42-inchers were beached. A good number of big sharks are caught everyday at the Point. Thursday was windy ad NW, gusting at 30 mph.
A boat from Pirates Cove Marina caught Yellowfin Tuna on the 28th.
Hatteras, one boat sailed Monday and reported good catches of Albacore and Blackfin Tuna. It won’t be long!