The Spaniards have invaded the Chesapeake Bay. Spanish mackerel, that is. They are stretched out from the Virginia Beach shoreline well up into the bay and the Rappahannock River. A huge 30-incher was reported at the Virgnia Beach Fishing Pier. Clark spoons and Drone spoons are catching fish while trolled behind an in-line weight or a planer board. Surface birds are tell-tale signs of feeding mackerel and bluefish.
Cobia are cruising hot spots including Latimer Shoals, Bluefish Rock, and the Windmill Bar. Be sure and check around each buoy you pass.
Sheepshead are on structure where crabs are the best baits.
Spadefish are at the Chesapeake Light Tower and are now showing around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel no.
Flounder are hanging around the CBBT, Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and the Monitor Merrimack Bridge Tunnel.
Big red drum are still available throughout the lower bay. Latimer Shoal and the shallow water near the northern section of the CBBT are where most of the fish are caught.
Nice size Bluefish are being caught around the islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Big Speckled Trout are being caught in the Elizabeth, the Piankatank, the Rappahannock rivers and the Mobjack Bay area. Popping corks, topwater baits, and soft plastics on ¼-ounce jig heads have been effective. Spot and Croaker fishing is picking up in the rivers. Black seabass are available on the near-shore ocean wrecks and reefs.
Offshore crews are finding some very nice Big Eye Tuna and Wahoo. Yellowfin Tuna and Dolphin are also available. Deep droppers are catching nice Tilefish. Amberjack are around the towers.
OBX
Local piers are reporting King Mackerel and Cobia catches, along with Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish. Bottom fishing on the piers has yielded Sea Mullet, Spot, Croaker, Sand Perch, and Skates.
On the sound side, there continue to be nice catches of large, Speckled Trout, the best quality in a long time. There have also been Drum near Oregon Inlet.
The surf fishing has produced Flounder, Sea Mullet, Pompano, Bluefish, Croaker, Stingrays, and some big Red Drum.
The offshore fishing has been good for Yellowfin and Big Eye Tuna. However, the sharks have been a problem and have taken many of the fish before they reach the boat. There have also been Dolphin and a few large Wahoo.