In Virginia saltwater, the rockfish season is in the rearview window, but there are still plenty of tautogs willing to bite. Sometimes called blackfish, ‘togs are scattered all along the East Coast. They are strange looking fish that average 2 or 3 pounds. Their claim to fame comes on the dinner table – they are delicious. There is even a restaurant called Tautog’s on 23rd St. in Virginia Beach.
Tautogs are a tricky fish to catch. First, they hang around rocks and reefs where a fisherman is most likely to get hung up. And they bite slowly. Lots of times, fisherman snatch the bait out of their mouths because the fish haven’t swallowed it yet. They eat crabs, fiddlers, shrimp, mussels and clams, and they have vise-like jaws. There are a bunch of togs now at the Bridge Tunnel for those willing to bundle up and cast a line.
Speckled trout are still hitting at Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets. Virginia’s February 2021 Recreational Black Sea Bass fishing season will start February 1st and end on February 28th, 2021. VMRC has provided the link below to learn more about the required permit, information, and reporting requirements, that are critical for Virginia to continue participating in this special recreational season!
(https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/mpermits/index.php)
OBX
There are still stripers and speckled trout biting back in the sounds behind Nags Head, but surf fishing has been brutally slow, even at Hatteras. Few boats have sailed out of Oregon Inlet, but the handful of charter boys out of Hatteras are catching some big blue fin tuna when they can find a window of opportunity.
Freshwater
Freshwater fishing has nearly ground to a halt. Hardy bass anglers are catching a few on the Chickahominy River and on the lower James when they can find clear water. Some bass and stripers are hitting at Anna. Buggs Island is finally receding and should turn on for crappie fishing in the weeks ahead. Also on tap is the run of yellow perch on the Chick, Rapp and other rivers.
Blue cats don’t mind the cold. Throw them a chunk of cut shad and they’ll bite down near Hopewell: 0n the Rapp, too.