Dr. Julie Ball reports:
With the New Year upon us, many anglers are reflecting on the previous year with fond memories. Rockfish anglers in particular have little to complain about, especially since the 2015 Chesapeake Bay rockfish season went out with a bang.
2015 turned out to be a very good striper year with lots of big fish making dreams come true throughout December. With daily limits of big fish exceeding 40-pounds, and multiple slabs tipping the scales to over 50 and 60-pounds, folks were tempted from all over the region to head for the Bay for a chance at tangling with a big rockfish.
It’s no surprise the season’s largest fish came from the popular, effective method of suspending live eels at varying depths in deeper water using large bobbers and planer boards. In past years, these larger rockfish have generally found their way to lower Bay waters towards the end of the year, where anglers would target the fish off Cape Charles. But this year, the pattern was a little different, as moderate water temperatures seem to be holding these bigger fish in the middle Bay area, closer to Exmore. How long the rockfish will remain in this area is anyone’s guess. But you can still enjoy targeting these massive sportfish into the New Year, as long as you don’t mind releasing your catch. The Bay season is now closed. Boats will begin turning to coastal ocean waters to search for keeper fish off Virginia. This year, the coastal limit for striped bass is one fish per person at 28-inches or larger. Remember to stay within the 3-mile demarcation for legal fish.
Boats are still finding some good catches of tautog on lower Bay structures and along the Bridge Tunnel proper. Tog fishing is also heating up on many offshore locations, but water temperatures should drop more before this becomes angler’s primary choice. With the season now closed, anglers need to throw back any by-catches of sea bass. Some nice triggerfish and chopper bluefish, along with scattered flounder, can also round out catches in these same areas.
Speckled trout are still around, just not in the size and numbers of seasons past. Reports indicate that day trips are resulting in sparse catches, but some night time trips seem more productive lately in the Elizabeth River. Rudee, Little Creek and Lynnhaven Inlets are hosting some fish to around 24-inches, but most are smaller. Some puppy drum are also around, mostly in Rudee Inlet, and are taking baits intended for trout.
Deep dropping species are a good bet when the weather allows. Blueline tilefish, black-bellied rosefish, and a variety of grouper are available along the edges of the Norfolk Canyon. Big sea bass will certainly provide a by catch here, but remember to release these fish since the season is closed. Big bluefish can also surprise anglers in this same area.
Hopes are high for encounters with a big bluefin tuna. Although no catches have been confirmed, have your Highly Migratory Species permit and review the guidelines for these highly regulated fish before you go. The penalties for breaking Bluefin tuna rules are no joke. Yellowfin tuna are also a possibility once boats can get out.
Outer Banks
Little to report on the Outer Banks with frigid weather and choppy seas. Warming weather should iprive the odds for trout and puppy drum. A few stripers are stoill being caught in the sound.
________________________
Oregon Inlet
The Oregon Inlet Fishing center had little to report with most boats staying at port.
Anglers on the Rock Solid brought in some good-looking catches of stripers on a weekend trip..
Hatteras Surf
Red Drum reported that there were not a whole lot of folks around Wednesday – but lots of bluefish from everybody who fished. Small trout and nice sea mullet were also reported. All reports camw from Ramps 43, 49, and 55. Hopefully the sound water will cool down this week and push a lot of those puppy drum and trout that are hanging out.
Hatteras Offshore
Hatteras Harbor reports that no boats have sailed due to cold weather and whitecaps. The fish are out there if and when the boats can reach them.