It’s officially rockfish or striper season, not only in Virginia, but North Carolina as well. This season should be much improved over the past few years in both states. Capt. Reese Stecher in Nags Head notes that the striper fishing in the sound kicks off on October 1 and there seems to be plenty of fish to be caught. In fish for fun trips, it’s been all you want and plenty fish between 18 and … [Read more...]

This will be a special edition of Cville Buzz, devoted to Beach Worshippers everywhere – those who like the feel of cool sand between their toes and those that recognize fall as an ideal time for an escape to the beach. Why fall? Because the crowds have dispersed, rates are lower, the weather is pleasant, the fishing is at its peak and – by damned – you deserve it. So pack your bags, take both … [Read more...]

Nags Head Two species of fish rule the saltwater shallows. Speckled trout and puppy drum. The specks are sleek assassins with a set of dentures designed to destroy their prey. They are the jaguars of the flats, striking without warning. They are silver and black beauties with touches of purple. The puppy drum, the redfish, are Brahman bulls with scales. The have the power of John Deere … [Read more...]

I have decided that there is no such thing as a bluegill too small to keep. If they are big enough to bite the hook, they are big enough to scale, gut and toss in a hot skillet. In fact, I believe the best tasting are the smaller bluegills. To prove my point, I stopped by Lake Orange last weekend with a fly rod and a cup of red wigglers. Unquestionably, fly rods are bluegill-catching machines. Not … [Read more...]

  Over the years as an outdoor writer, I have frequently been asked the best place to take children fishing. My answer is that if you can drive an hour from Charlottesville, the best place to take a kid fishing is Lake Orange. It’s also one of my favorite places to wet a line. Lake Orange now offers a handicapped accessible pier, which is perfect for kids. They needn’t cast far, and, in … [Read more...]

  Dr. Julie Ball Flounder action will remain steady though August, with nice fish being caught from all over the lower Bay waters. Live baiters are experiencing good results along the Bay Bridge Tunnel, especially near the tubes at the 1st, 3rd, and 4th islands. Jigging along the pilings and tubes near the islands is also productive. Keeper fish are being caught in both Lynnhaven and … [Read more...]

  Darrell Kennedy of Angler' s Landing (540.672.3997) says the water temperature at Lake Orange is in the mid 80s and the lake is stained. But the bass are biting. John Feldman recently landed a 6-2 beauty. Darrell says the largest bass brought to scales so far this year went 9-12. The bass are being caught mostly on soft plastics and live bait; the low light periods have … [Read more...]

  Thirty years ago, the Rappahannock River was noted as Virginia’s premiere catfish river. The Rapp drew wide numbers of tourists looking for that 30 or 40 pounder. But then, the James got hot with monster cats pulled in near Hopewell. Then it was Buggs Island producing fish in excess of 100 pounds. But throughout all that, the Chickahominy River remains a top spot for catfish large and … [Read more...]