The sound side is now offering a variety of fish to catch – Big Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Bluefish, and slot sized Red Drum.
Spanish Mackerel are appearing in the Surf, along with Bluefish, Sea Mullet, Spot, and some Pompano. The piers have been productive with different species. Jennette’s Pier reported Sea Mullet, Spot, Flounder, Croaker, Pigfish, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Sea Bass, and a few King Mackerel. Nags Head Pier has also had a nice keeper Cobia.
Offshore Billfish are showing up in good numbers. Besides Billfish, the offshore fleet is also landing lots of Dolphin and a few Yellowfin Tuna. Tilefish are being caught by deep droppers.
Lake Orange
Contributed by Darrell Kennedy of Angler’s Landing (540-672-3997) Water temperatures are in the upper 70s to lower 80s and stained. Bass and crappie are feeding on baitfish. Crappie can be caught on live minnows in 8 to 10 ft around brush and the fishing pier. Bass can be caught using topwater baits and soft plastics. Walleye fishing with harness rigs fished on main lake points.
Tidal Rivers
According to the Greentop Fishing Pros in Ashland, tidal rivers are a hot spot now for freshwater anglers where fish can remain shallow in the preferred current. Deep water has more current, causing the fish to expend more energy. Besides, shallow water provides more ambush opportunities for the game fish.
Summertime Bass in tidal water will attack almost anything on some days, but good standbys are shallow crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, creature baits, and shaky head lures. Topwater baits are an excellent choice anytime, but especially on overcast days. Poppers and buzz baits may be the most popular for this area, as are grass frogs. Anglers are still hauling in Bass with chatterbaits, and jigs, however. Many of the rivers here have aquatic vegetation, that should not be overlooked, particularly on the Chick, and Potomac.