If you are a kite flyer, this has been a great spring. If you like to fish, not so much.
But as the winds finally begin to calm, fishing is starting to take off. Big tautogs are all over the CBBT and blue crabs (their favorite meal) are now available in bait shops and fish markets
The speckled trout have made appearances in various inlets, including Rudee Inlet, Little Creek Inlet near Pretty Lake, and
Puppy Drum are making their presence known in Lynnhaven Inlet, particularly around docks. Rudee Inlet is also seeing action with medium-sized bluefish and an occasional, big striped bass. The water temperature in the inlet is now in the mid-50s. When it hits 60, look out!
Night fishing is proving to be fruitful for those targeting stripers in the rivers, with the best success reported beneath lights on docks and bridges.
Flounder enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as these flatfish begin to show up inshore. The Eastern Shore of Virginia is currently the hotspot for early-season flounder fishing.
OBX
Over the past few days, the sounds have been productive for trout. Anglers also reported good trout action on the Avalon Pier.
Surf fishing has been good, with stripers being landed up north. Moving south, from Frisco onward, puppy drum are active. The southern beaches have plenty of blow toads and sea mullet.
The weather hasn’t been cooperating with the offshore guys. But better conditions are in the forecast.
Freshwater
In many lakes, crappie are on the move to the shoreline, where they spawn. At Lake Orange, for example, water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s and the crappie spawn should be in full swing by this weekend. Bass are moving shallow as well, hitting soft plastics. Catfishing has picked up on the upper end of the lake. Chicken livers are the best baits.