If even a single smallmouth bass spawns this spring, it will be a miracle. Rivers have been high and out of their banks on a regular basis. Bass need a small window of opportunity to lay their eggs, have them fertilized and then guard the nest, but there hasn’t been that window. It is likely we will lose an entire class of fish, but I’ve read that if the smallmouth get just 2 or 3 good spawns in a … [Read more...]

All the rain has made for poor conditions recently, with many trout streams out of their banks, but prospects look good for June and July. Rivers like the Jackson, Bull Pasture and the Tye still have lots of holdover fish, they well dispersed and anglers will have summer opportunities where few usually exist.   The Rivers The upper James, Shenandoah and Rappahannock are currently … [Read more...]

Cobia. One of the most splendid game fish in all of saltwater. They winter as far south as Florida, then make their way up the coast in the spring, slamming baits off of Charleston and Myrtle Beach before reaching Hatteras waters and heading north. Last week, the cobia arrived en masse at Oregon Inlet and skipper Reese Stecher and clients were on hand to take advantage. “At first we could see … [Read more...]

Just as fishing was turning on, the heavens opened this week, turning rivers into chocolate. Before the rains, here’s what was happening.   Rappahannock River Like all rivers in Northern Virginia, high and muddy water is on the menu for the weekend. Big blue catfish have been taking cut shad fished on the bottom and the outside bends of the river. Creek channels are also holding lots … [Read more...]

By Capt. Steve Chaconas   Like clockwork, when my 60-year-old red azaleas bloom, it’s time for the bass spawn.The length of day and warm weather makes these events concurrent...almost. The water in the Potomac is holding around 60 and rising. Nice weather week ahead, 70s by the weekend. One issue: muddy water. Surprise torrential downpours in our area and especially in the West … [Read more...]

Shad fishermen! Now’s the time. The shad have arrived and fly anglers and spin fishermen are taking lots of hickory shad at the Route 1 Bridge. Herring and white perch are in the river in force. Catfish are taking cut bait, fished on the bottom, in the outside bends of the main river channel. Bass are taking shad-colored crankbaits along the South bank of the river and plastic worms and … [Read more...]

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has certified a new state record bluefin tuna. Retired Army General Scott Chambers of Townsend, Delaware, reeled in the 877-pound fish on March 17 after fighting with the fish for 2 ½ hours off Oregon Inlet. The big bluefin measured 113 inches curved fork length (tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail) and … [Read more...]

Lots of big bass are now coming to the scales at Lake Anna, including a 9-10 bucket mouth caught by James Maupin. Big bass are taking crankbaits, spinnerbaits, plastic worms and topwater baits. Secondary points in the creeks are still producing a few good fish, with the best areas being from the Route 208 Bridge down lake. Crappie are biting well around shallow beaver lodges, submerged brush and … [Read more...]