Flounder action has really picked up in Virginia waters. The big flatties are being caught along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and on rough bottoms. Many of the larger fish are being taken around near-shore wrecks and artificial reefs. Drifting flounder rigs and jigging have both been effective. Remember, large baits catch big flounder.  Rudee, Lynnhaven, Little Creek and … [Read more...]

As I recall, it was about 30 years ago that Spanish mackerel first started entering the Chesapeake Bay. Considered strictly an ocean fish, the Spanish macs quietly began poking their noses past the Bay Bridge Tunnel and moved up as far as Windmill Point of the western side of the bay. It was big news at the time, and some thought it was a freak event. But now, the Spaniards enter the bay in June … [Read more...]

Not everyone has the time or the money for an all-day charter fishing trip in the Gulf Stream, but lots of folks would enjoy spending a half-day fishing out of Virginia Beach without paying a king’s ransom. For them, it’s the Rudee Angler, a head boat out of Rudee Inlet on the southern end of Virginia Beach. Some head boats take trips and return with barely legal trout or small croakers, but … [Read more...]

The ribbonfish are back. Boats trolling for Spanish mackerel off Virginia’s coast are catching them with regularity. But what’s a ribbonfish? Also known as cutlassfish, ribbonfish look exactly as described – long, sleek and an iridescent blue with a mouth full of teeth. The “ribbons’ mostly hang on the ocean’s bottom, until they get hungry and swarm to the surface to intercept menhaden or … [Read more...]

Last week started off badly, with everyone stuck at the dock in Virginia’s saltwaters. But after the wind died down, the good fishing continued. Spadefish are abundant and are congregated around buoys, pylons of the CBBT and the Chesapeake Light Tower. Anglers fishing with Aquaman Charters did well with the spades last week and Captain Craig Paige, Paige II Charters, also got in on the … [Read more...]

There are certainly plenty of options for Virginia saltwater anglers. Capt. Jake Beck from. Knot Wish'n Charters says, “Summer is here, water temps are cool in the morning and warm to 75 in the afternoon. The Spanish bite is in full effect and lots cobia and red drum are migrating north.” Both cobia and drum are available throughout the lower bay. The cobia action is outstanding. They are … [Read more...]

They are pouring into the Chesapeake Bay like an army of invading warriors. Cobia, cobia and more cobia, and most anglers who are trying for them are having success. Dr Ken Neill, for example, set up chum lines and caught six. Cobia now are spread from the mouth of the bay up to the Potomac. Live eels have been dynamite baits. Sight casters, too, are pulling in cobia to 70 pounds. Virginia … [Read more...]

  What a comeback. Three years ago, speckled trout were on the ropes, especially in Virginia, after a brutally cold winter. Last year, speck fishing was very good and this year appears even better, especially on the Outer Banks. Capt. Reese Stecher is once again guiding parties back in the Roanoke Sound and is catching some huge stripers (see above), plus puppy drum and…. the cobia … [Read more...]

  Good catches of spot continue to come from inside the Rappahannock. This is taking place much earlier than usual. Often, it’s September before the spot turn on. As usual, bloodworms are the ticket. Whiting are also moving up into the bay waters, concentrated especially at the mouth of the Rappahannock. White perch are there as well. Stan Cobb of Greentop notes that the first catches of … [Read more...]