Saltwater fishing opportunities are limited in January and February. Only the most hardcore anglers can deal with the weather. Water temperatures are now in the mid-40’s.
The Virginia Bay rockfish season closed January 31st. Before it ended, anglers took advantage and caught lots of large fish. In the winter, big ocean rockfish begin to school up in the Chesapeake Bay as they stage for spring breeding. Trolling live eels was the best way to target those 40-50 pounders. The larger fish were usually in the main channels of the Bay, while the smaller ones are found further up into the rivers and tidal creeks.
The recent Christmas cold spell slowed speckled trout fishing some. But with the New Year warm up, anglers should be rewarded once again.
Tautog are available on inshore and near shore structures.
The black sea bass season is closed until February 1st. Reports have it tentatively reopening on the 1st and running through February 28th.
Freshwater
The recent warm spell has anglers out and about, but the fishing is slow. A few bass are being caught in the tidal rivers. Some smallmouth are being caught in the Rapp and the upper James is in good shape, but cold – as in 46 degrees. Lake Anna seems to fish well even in the winter months. Stripers, bass, and crappie are active there. Some nice crappie are biting at Buggs Island, but they are deep.
Trout fishing conditions are ideal, though the streams are in the upper 30-degree range, so fish slow.