Dr. Ken Neill, III
This is the time of year when we should be catching all the rockfish we can handle all along the oceanfront. That fishery has not happened the past few years and it has not happened yet this year. We have some hope for this winter as there was a good coastal fishery to our north and there has been a good rockfish bite in the mid-bay area. So far, those mid-bay fish have remained there, providing for some good catch and release action in the Cut Channel/Range Tower area this week. So far, anglers trying along the Virginia Beach oceanfront have not had any luck. There have been some fish caught by boats out of Wachapreague and there have been some rumors of anglers getting spooled up there.
There should be bluefin tuna out there somewhere. There have not been any catches yet, but there have been only a few boats out there looking. We need more boats to get out there and troll for bluefish and bluefin to find the tuna. The first confirmed catch will get a fleet out there.
The most consistent fishery has been tautog. The bay waters are still warm enough for tautog to be active. All of the coastal wrecks are producing with sea bass being more of a nuisance the further off the coast you go. Good catches have been made at the Cape Henry Wreck, Tower Reef and Triangle Wrecks. There should be flounder holding around these wrecks but spiny dogfish have moved in – and they like flounder baits.
Offshore bottom fishing is producing good catches of blueline tilefish as well as some golden tiles and the occasional grouper in the Norfolk Canyon area. Any sea bass that you catch will have to be thrown back.
Nags Head
TW’s reports that there was little action on Tuesday and Wednesday. Early this week, Jennette’s Pier reported a dogfish, so there is someone fishing. Boats at Oregon Inlet are waiting for a break in the weather before chasing bluefin tuna offshore.
Hatteras Surf
Red Drum reports: Not much to report on Wednesday, but cold and windy. There have been a few that have tried it, but not a lot of feedback. Tomorrow should be a better day.
On Tuesday, the ocean was rough and the winds were blowing hard. A few puppy drum here and there,. At 49, the Point and around the jetty area. Small blues and a few flounder have been reported as well, along with the dogfish and skates, of course. Bass fishing has been good in the ponds due to the mild weather, boats in the sound are doing well on puppies, when it’s nice.
Hatteras Offshore
It’s been a no-go with rough seas. Some boats went water fowling in Pamlico Sound with good results for Brant, Redhead, Bufflehead, and Common Merganser.