The inshore trout bite has been pretty “speck’tacular”, says TW’s Tackle in Nags Head. Lots of trout - and nice fish at that - are smashing baits back in the sounds along with stripers and puppy drum. As the water begins to warm, it’s about 50 now, there should be no lull in the action if you’re heading that way. Boats nudging up to the Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet are finding some black drum and … [Read more...]

We still have a few more weeks before things start to happen on the fishing scene. In the meantime, there are Sport Shows to whet out outdoor appetites. One of the best is the Western Virginia Sport Show in Fishersville on Feb. 23-25. It’s hard to believe, but this will be the 36th Annual Show. Wow, I remember going to the first one at the Augusta Expo. They always have lots of fun and … [Read more...]

There is not a lot happening on the fishing scene this time of year – too cold! But there are a few decent opportunities available, such as bass and pickerel fishing on the Chickahominy Lake and giant blue catfish action on the lower James. Another possibility that’s a little closer to home for Central Virginians is walleye fishing at Lake Orange. Walleye bite throughout the winter months. … [Read more...]

    Memphis is known for their Blues, but so is the James River, but it’s blues as in catfish, not music. Hauling in a monster blue cat on a cold winter day and hearing the reel scream as the line peels off is music to a sportsman’s ears. Blue catfish, immigrants from the Mississippi are now well established in Virginia. They are in all our major rivers and most lakes, and … [Read more...]

January and February—easily the two worst months of the year, particularly for those of us who like to get outdoors and maybe wet a line. Yes, fishing is generally poor in these months, except on the Chickahominy Lake in Prince Edward County. The Chickahominy Lake is my favorite fishing lake in winter. It’s a very shallow lake, meaning the water is comparatively warmer, with lots of bait … [Read more...]

This is the time of year outdoor writers despise. That’s because not much is happening out there but icicles clinging to the bridge pilings. And what is happening is the same-old, same-old. Skates and sharks in the Outer Banks surf, a few speckled trout caught in the Elizabeth River and a big bass or two landed at Lake Anna. Crappie are deeper than a western Pennsylvania coal mine, and though … [Read more...]

      The 2023 fishing season certainly closed out with a bang. As the season ended on Dec. 31, huge rockfish were plentiful at the High Rise and off Cape Charles. Luke Mooney (pictured above) landed one of the big “rocks”. Notice the large fish in its mouth – looks like a small Wahoo to me. Any ideas? The rockfish are still around but must be released. Giant bluefins … [Read more...]

  Often colder water heats up freshwater fishing, especially at Lake Anna, when the big bass bite begins as the water temperature goes south of 50. The striper bite is better, as well. Jerkbaits, spoons and vibrating baits are productive when it gets chilly. Crappie are biting as well, but they are deep, clinging to bridges and deep structure. The lower ends of Lake Gaston and Buggs Island … [Read more...]

From the Potomac River to Oregon Inlet, the word on the saltwater streets is “stripers”. The Virginia season is winding down (ends on Dec. 31), but some big stripers from the ocean have moved within the bay. Umbrella rigs have been effective weapons. The rivers are also giving up nice fish to 10 pounds. In North Carolina, there are scads of stripers back in the sounds, mostly hanging near … [Read more...]

  Giant bluefin tuna have shown up in numbers off Virginia Beach. The fish are strung out from Morehead City, NC to Maryland. Slot size fish have been caught in 50 to 60 feet of water off Smith Island, where there are a lot of Omega Menhaden boats competing for their food source. Oversized fish have been released to the south, near the Chesapeake Light tower. Catches have come from as … [Read more...]