Thanks to a couple of warm water eddies that have spun off the Gulfstream, Virginia has enjoyed some outstanding late season blue water action. The headliner is the large number of wahoo, very large wahoo, with several fish topping the 100 pound mark. In addition to the Wahoo, lots yellowfin tuna, some albacore tuna, dolphin and a few billfish are being caught.
Speckled trout fishing has been and continues to be super. Anglers are having success inside all the local inlets and on tidal rivers near the bay. Fishing on the Eastern Shore bay-side has been especially good. The trout season should be peaking now.
There are plenty of school-sized striped bass available, especially around bridges and docks with lights. Anglers are casting light tackle such as swim baits and bucktails.
Tautog catches at the CBBT are on the rise. The bay water temperature is now in the low 60’s. Tautog action should continue as water temps drop into the upper 50’s. Ocean wrecks often hold the larger fish and crabs are always the best bait.
According to Dr Ken Neill, the bite was around the 850 line. He said there was some 73 degree water in 40 fathoms holding wahoo and tuna and some 76 degree water in 100 fathoms holding more tuna and wahoo. There was a finger of 67 degree water between the warm water areas.
Some have successfully targeted swordfish. Deep droppers are catching golden tile, rosefish and sea bass. The blueline tilefish season is closed right now.
Inshore wrecks are holding plenty of sea bass and some tautog and flounder.
Outer Banks
Surf and pier anglers are catching a few large red drum, but mostly roundheads, croaker, spot, specks and pups.
Stripers are inside the inlet around bridges. There has been some good action near the bridges on the west side of Manteo.
Speckled trout catches in the sound near marshy grass shorelines and near oyster beds has been very good.
The offshore fleet has been targeting the same warm eddies as the Virginia boats. Boats are returning with tuna, dolphin, wahoo and with a few marlin release flags flying.
Freshwater Report
By Stan Cobb at Greentop
Many winter tournaments are starting now, so expect good reports from local bass fisheries in the area. We have many great options for destinations to target those bass. The lower James and Chickahominy Rivers provide excellent action throughout the winter for those willing to brave the elements. Lipless crankbaits, silver buddies, jerk baits, and jigs are some of the more popular lures that commonly thrown with success. Swimbaits are another presentation that should not be overlooked. Trophy sized fish can be encountered just about any day. The upper James is in fine shape for the cooler weather smallmouth bite. These fish will also continue to bite throughout the winter. Ramp conditions will vary greatly, as the river levels can be unstable at any time. Often, big piles of mud will accumulate at the ramp areas, due to flooding. The lakes are more consistent, and predictable, as they are often regulated.
Lake Anna bass tend to bite very well throughout the cold season. Crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs, and swimbaits are solid choices. Rock structures, brush, docks, and channel drops are the areas to be explored. Bass can be found from 2 to 30-feet during this time. Crappie are on the move also. Shallow docks, brush, and stumps are attractive ambush areas for crappie. The bridges will continue to improve as hotspots for crappie as we approach winter. Stripers are on the move, too. The mid to up lake region are turning on now, as they often do. 4 inch swim baits on 1/2 oz, and 3/8 oz jig heads may be the best search baits for the stripers right now. The up lake flats can be especially productive when the water temps hit the 53 degree mark. Topwater baits will also draw strikes from stripers now. This is the case wherever landlocked Stripers reside. Do not overlook area ponds, for great action with the crappie and bass during the month of November.