It’s striper time at Lake Anna. The silversides are most active early and late, taking baits on the surface. During the day, jigging spoons and trolled, deep-diving crankbaits are good choices. Productive areas have been at the mouth of Contrary Creek, Rose Valley and the area around Jetts Island at the Splits. Largemouth bass are hanging on steep banks and points, but early and late they will … [Read more...]

It’s prime time for king mackerel fishing in Virginia and offshore boats are putting fish in their live wells. This week, lots of 40 and 50 pound mackerel were gaffed off of Virginia Beach. Also, the ocean wrecks are producing sea bass, triggerfish and a few flounder. Large red and black drum are beginning to leave their summer hangouts in the Chesapeake Bay. Reds are still being landed on the … [Read more...]

Last fall Capt. Reese Stecher and I had about two hours to fish at Nags Head. Reese said he had found a hot spot, a honey hole that he didn’t know existed and he’s been doing charters for 20 years. Reese cranked up his motor and we sped back up into the sound after launching at Oregon Inlet. Reese described the spot as a slight drop-off in the sound bottom over a huge grass bed. “Get ready,” he … [Read more...]

On Thursday, there were sea mullet and bluefish scattered along the beaches. Pompano were beached at Ramp 48 and a couple of nice drum were caught in Buxton. Frisco anglers put trout in their coolers. Sea mullet were scattered on the beaches from Kitty Hawk to the Inlet. Rough seas have made surf fishing challenging the last few days. The Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway reported … [Read more...]

Hurricane Florence Surely has stirred up our local salt waters, but now that things have settled down – it’s spot time. A local favorite, the Norfolk spot are located throughout the bay and its tributaries now. Yellowbellies are beginning to show in the lower parts of the rivers, and are moving to ocean side locations. By late September, these hefty spot become very numerous as they pack into … [Read more...]

We were in the midst of some super saltwater action all the way from Chincoteague to Hatteras when Miss Florence decided to visit. Now, anglers along the Carolina coasts are just praying they’ll still have boats and cottages when the dust settles. Sadly, the first major blow generally signals the end of the billfish season, and Florence was a major blow. Marlin and sailfish say “Enough of this … [Read more...]

Capt. Chaconas says that low tides around late morning into early afternoon will allow for a genuine topwater bite this week. Topwaters like poppers and walkers are all good bets. Fish over grass or along marsh or pad edges. Try them with 12-pound Gamma Copoly line. Vary retrieves from continuous movement to adding a few pauses. Hollow frogs on braid will work over thick grass at the lowest … [Read more...]

By TH Spangler /Connie Barbour September is just around the corner. And that means peak fishing in Virginia. The offshore waters are filling up with white marlin. The whites school off the Virginia coast until the first good autumn blow, or until a tropical storm stirs the cooler water to the surface, and off they go. But until then, the fishing will be outstanding. On many days, charter … [Read more...]

Early week rains have subsided and the James River should be both fishable and productive this weekend. The water level at Bent Creek was 4.17 on Thursday and dropping. The flow was 3.86 thousand cubic feet per second, a little rapid but fishable. With slightly stained water, crankbaits, buzz baits and spinnerbaits should be productive. Splashy topwater offerings should also trigger strikes. … [Read more...]

Chris Bait & Tackle at Kiptopeke notes that the cobia run is still strong from Buoy 16, 13 and 36. Anglers are having success with both live eels and bunker. The red drum bite has also been great, especially the evening bite. Fresh bunker, again, is doing the trick.  At the Lattimer Shoals and the Middle Grounds, the flounder bite is improving with some fish weighing over 4 lbs., Spanish … [Read more...]