Flathead catfish are on the prowl in the upper James and many other rivers and lakes in Virginia, and they’re hungry. Unlike blue or channel catfish, flatheads are as advertised with very wide, flat heads and a lower jaw the extends past the upper jaw. They also grow big. The Virginia state record stands at 68 pounds. Unlike other catfish species, flatheads want fresh bait. They are very … [Read more...]

It’s September. It’s spot time – time to catch a cooler full of these tasty saltwater panfish. In September, spot put on the feed bag and can grow quickly and impressively. By mid- and late- September fishermen begin to catch the “yellowbellies” – spot up to a pound and more. Spot are bottom feeders and like hard bottoms where they find shrimp and crustaceans. The best bait is always a bloodworm, … [Read more...]

If you like to dig your toes in the sand and heave a line out into the crashing waves, you’re in luck. Now is the best time of all to surf fish. Why? Because the list of available fish to catch is longer than at any other time of year. Pompano are running, plus there are blues and Spanish Macs prowling the surf. All the bottom fish – croakers, sea mullet, spot and flounder - are available, and you … [Read more...]

Calm seas and mild weather this week have combined to produce some great fishing in Virginia salt waters. Along the Virginia Beach oceanfront, some nice pompano have been biting sand fleas. Pompanos are more of a warm water, tropical fish and relish the waters off Florida, but in late summer they will venture as far north as Virginia. They are one of the finest eating fish that swims. Their mouths … [Read more...]

One of the best eating fish in freshwater is a nice, fat catfish. The lady in the picture who fished in Lake Orange last week will soon be enjoying a catfish dinner. Lake Orange is one of Viginia’s most productive impoundments – with scores of nice crappie, bluegills, shellcrackers, walleye, snakeheads, yellow perch, lunker bass, pickerel and – yes – catfish. The best catfish tactic is to use a … [Read more...]

Last week produced difficult fishing conditions with passing storms and rough seas offshore. Water temperatures cooled slightly which should improve this week’s catch. Cobia are now in their spawning mode, but anglers having success setting up chum lines and fishing deeper waters. Some big boys came in over the rails last week. As for other species, red drum are starting to show … [Read more...]

Fishermen, we have a problem. Blue catfish. They are taking over the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Ironically, it was the Game Department’s idea to bring blue catfish to our area, thinking that because of their ability to grow to huge sizes (over 100 pounds), they would be a welcomed addition to our gamefish  menu. Little did they know that this now invasive species would take to saltwater like a … [Read more...]

My Grandson James and I went fishing last week, in search of the Snakeheads in Lake Orange. We didn’t hook up with any, but they’re in there. Every week Darrell Kennedy of Angler’s Landing posts pictures (like the one above) of lucky(?) anglers who brought one to the scales. In fact, Snakeheads have become so popular that lots of bass guides, particularly on the Potomac River, are booking guided … [Read more...]

There has been a surge of nice flounder catches in the lower Bay, especially at the CBBT. Lots of fish in the 5–6-pound class are being caught on live spot, jigs and GULP baits. The flatties are also biting on Virginia piers along with croakers, spot and a few rockfish. Surfcasters at Sandbridge are beaching spot, croaker, and Spanish mackerel. The lower bay and Va. Beach oceanfront has been … [Read more...]

A strong bite of triggerfish is now happening at the CBBT. Triggerfish are largely a tropical species but have been showing up increasingly in Virginia waters on offshore reefs and at the mouth of the bay. Triggers have very small mouths, so small hooks are required. The fish hang in large schools and relate to cover. The average fish runs around 17-inches and weighs 5 pounds. They are strong … [Read more...]