Fishing in the Bay is out of sight and offshore excursions are getting better by the day. Along Virginia’s coast and well up into the Bay, Spanish mackerel are going after Clark and Drone spoons trolled slowly behind planers or in-line sinkers. The piers also report good Spanish action Sheepshead are also bending poles. In fact, a whopping 18-pounder was caught this week. Anglers are having the … [Read more...]
“Drumming” Up Business
It continues to be a spectacular season for catching drum in Virginia’s saltwater. The big fellows (to 50 pounds and more) are actively feeding throughout the bay. Large red drum travel in sizable schools and are often found near structured environments such as wrecks and reefs. They can also be observed moving along the surface in significant numbers. Anglers should keep a rod rigged with a … [Read more...]
Fishing on the Fourth
If you’re headed to the Outer Banks for the 4th of July, you’re in luck. The fish – lots of fish – are biting. At Nags Head, pier jockeys are hauling in blues, Spanish, sheepshead, spadefish and a few cobia. Surf fishermen are finding spot, sea mullet, blues, and sharks – like the dusky shark above. Swimming anyone? Soundside fishing has been good for trout, drum, sheepshead and bluefish. … [Read more...]
That First Big Bass
I caught my first fish when I was about 6, a small bluegill. I could only dream about catching a bass – any bass. When I was 8, I caught my first one, maybe 7-inches, but to me it was like a 12-foot blue marlin At 14, I caught my first decent bass, just shy of 16-inches and I was beyond excited. The youngster above caught his nice bass at Lake Orange this week, and it was significantly larger … [Read more...]
Lake Orange Walleye
Walleye is considered a northern gamefish, but our Game Department has successfully introduced them into Lake Orange, which has become one of the top walleye fisheries in the state. Lake Orange is a rich lake, teeming with shad and small food fish and – one of the walleye’s favorite meals – yellow perch. The picture above confirms the success of the Department Fisheries experts as … [Read more...]
Crappies: Catch a Bunch
There was once a theory at the Game Department that crappie populations and sizes were cyclical. One year, there would be a pond or lake with huge crappie, then gradually, the sizes would lessen and the numbers would increase as the fish became stunted. Then, the stunted fish would die out, and with fewer crappie, the sizes once again increased. If memory serves, it was about a 7-year cycle. I … [Read more...]
“Gill Time
At Lake Orange, the bluegills and shellcrackers are biting most anything put in front of them. Popping bugs have been especially effective. Elsewhere, recent rains have cooled Virginia waters, causing the fish to be on the move. Mid-depth docks have been hot spots for bass, crappie, and bluegills. Anna stripers are hitting live bait rigged on down lines. Trolling with deep plugs is also … [Read more...]
A Nice Bass
Lake Orange, owned and managed by the DWR, is one of the top trophy largemouth destinations in the state. The Game Department intensely manages the lake and has imposed a 16″ to 22″ protective slot limit. A large shad and sunfish population stimulates growth. The huge bass above was landed this week at Orange, plus lots of nice crappie, channel cats and bluegills. Water temps … [Read more...]
Snakeheads in Lake Orange
There were several Northern Snakeheads caught this week – in Lake Orange. The creepy looking fish were first found in Virginia in the Potomac River and the Game Department freaked out. They assumed that this invasive species would drastically affect the native bass populations, so they sent out shocking boats and patrols to eradicate the snakeheads, and that didn’t go well, The Snakes spread to … [Read more...]
Flounder Time
Flounder have started showing up with greater regularity in the Bay and tributaries. Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets have been particularly good, but the Eastern Shore is still tops. Some black drum weighing over 40 pounds were caught this week, and red drum catches improve daily. Puppy drum and bluefish are being caught from the piers and in the inlets. A huge 10-10 speckled trout was reported this … [Read more...]
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