The speckled trout bite is on fire. The sleek fish are shallow and they’re hungry. Some huge fish are being caught in Little Creek, the Elizabeth River, the Piankatank River, the Rappahannock River, and many of the shallow creeks feeding these waters. Puppy drum are coming from the same spots. Nighttime has been the right time for rockfish. They love to snuggle up to bridges and structures with overhead lights, which draw baitfish. Keeper stripers are being caught in the Rapp, Potomac River, Yeocomico, and Wicomico Rivers. Flounder catches are coming at the CBBT and offshore. Tautog and sheepshead are biting well and prefer crabs.
On the Outer Banks, red and black drum, bluefish, blow toads, spot, and sea mullet are biting for both surf and pier fishermen. In the sound, it’s puppy drum specks and some nice bluefish. Offshore, boats are returning with wahoo, blackfin tuna, and king mackerel. Bottom fishing offshore for snapper and triggerfish has also been good.
In Freshwater, the striper bite is picking up in the major lakes as water temps drop. Keeper stripers are biting well on the Chickahominy. Crappie are still relatively shallow and are feeding heavily. Buggs, as usual, is a hotspot. Nice smallies are being caught on the James, Shenandoah, and New rivers, but the water is awfully low.