Dr. Ken Neill, III
Cobia is the hot topic right now. They won’t be here for a couple of months but they are on every saltwater angler’s mind. Federal fishery managers have declared that the cobia season will close just about the time our season takes off, June 20. Other states are expected to follow suit, but Virginia anglers cannot see how closing the season after states to our south get in almost all of their cobia catches while requiring Virginia to take most of the reduction for the entire coast can be remotely fair. The public has the chance to comment before the Virginia Marine Resources Commission decides this issue at a public hearing during its April 26 meeting. There will be a meeting of the Finfish Management Advisory Committee at 6 p.m. April 18, at which the public may attend and comment on this issue. Comments can also be emailed to VMRC Fisheries Chief Rob O’Reilly at: rob.o’reilly@mrc.virginia.gov.
What is biting right now are tautog. They have been active on ocean wrecks all winter. They are now active on structures within the bay. The CBBT has been the best location. The bay striped bass season is closed but there has been some good catch and release action in the rivers. The Ware River has been full of rockfish. It is time to start looking for flounder and croaker. There have been a few of each caught already and the bite should really pick up over the next couple of weeks. Shallow waters warm first and are more productive for early croaker and flounder. The dogwoods are starting to bloom, which is an indicator of drum arriving. The seaside of the eastern shore will be producing red and black drum soon.
Offshore, both bluefin and yellowfin tuna are being caught out of Oregon Inlet. They are in range of Virginia boats, but it is a run. Tilefish action is good near the Norfolk Canyon. Sea bass remains closed even though their population seems to be very abundant.
Nags Head
TW’s in Nags head says there are plenty of Blowtoads everywhere. The Piers are catching a large amount of Puffers, some Sea Mullet, and a few Sand Perch. The Little Bridge to Manteo is crowded with anglers. They are decking small Stripers
Orgeon Inlet
The offshore boats caught nice Yellowfin and Dolphin early this week, ahead of the winds. There was also a Bluefin which weighed 144-pounds.
An inshore boat caught nice Puffers and had plenty of action catching and releasing Stripers.
Hatteras Surf
Lots of Blow Toads and nice Sea Mullet on Wednesday along with some nice size Sea Mullet. Ramp 43 and 49 had plenty of Blow toads and some Sea Mullet. Some blues were caught at the Point. Ocracoke had some good Drum this morning.
On Tuesday, the wind went to the north but the fish were still biting. The Point had Blue Fish, Skates and Sharks. Between Ramp 44 to the narrows had Blue Fish, Blow Toads and Sea Mullet. Ramp 49 had Sea Mullet and Blow Toads. Behind the motels to the Jetties had Sea Mullet and Blow toads. The Jetties also had a few Puppy Drum.
Most everyone caught fish on Monday. The Point had nice Blue Fish, Blow toads, Big Sharks, and Rays. Eight-year old Noel Rilee caught her first Blue Fish at 1-12. Ramp 43 and 44 to the narrows had Blow Toads, Blue Fish, and Sea Mullet. South of the Jetties, there were some keeper Puppy Drum and Blow Toads.
Hatteras Offshore
Quite a few boats fished offshore on Wednesday and reported a good variety of fish caught. Yellowfin Tuna and Blackfin Tuna fishing was good. Dolphin fishing was scattered, as well as the Amberjack bite. Wahoo fishing was good. Inshore captains reported locating some Red Drum, but they were not biting. One boat went near shore and caught 2-3 lb. Bluefish and some Sea Bass.
It was nice day offshore last Sunday. Charters did not see any rain until their run home and some nice catches on the dock. Lot of Bluefin Tuna action, four caught, three released! The Blackfin Tuna fishing was excellent with a few King Mackerel and Wahoo mixed in. Boats that bottom fished had nice catches of Amberjack and Triggerfish.