Combine rockfish and October and you get Rock-tober, a perfect time to drag a bait or lure in the Bay or its tributaries. Rockfish season kicked in on October 4 and continues through December 31. Anglers can keep one rockfish per day that is at least 19-inches but not more than 24-inches. These regs protect the big females that lay more and higher quality eggs. Current reports … [Read more...]

Sailors take warning! As we crossed the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel, last Thursday, we saw a stream of blood red water entering the Bay. When we reached our rental cottage at Smith Beach, we saw not only the red water, but dead fish. We found ourselves in the middle of what’s called a Red Tide. Red tides, we came to find out, are caused by a rapid, dense population explosion of … [Read more...]

A new saltwater fishery is emerging, and charter boats are taking advantage. Many Chesapeake Bay captains are now doing exclusive trips for the prolific blue catfish which have become deeply embedded in many of the tidal rivers. One captain and crew returned with over 50 delicious cats on a morning trip. Blue catfish aren’t supposed to be in the lower tidal rivers, but they are and they are … [Read more...]

Virginians have been fishing for flounder all year, as have anglers in South Carolina with generous limits in each state. However, one of the Fisheries Pooh-Bahs in North Carolina effectively shut down the entire season – except for the next two weeks. As of September 1, fisherman have exactly 14 days to catch one flounder per day, at least 15-inches in length – mighty generous of those … [Read more...]

Fishing in the lower Chesapeake Bay is red hot, with strong catches of red drum, cobia, Spanish mackerel, and spadefish. Pier and surf anglers are pulling in steady numbers of spot, bluefish, and sea mullet. Offshore trollers are finding billfish, tuna, and mahi-mahi.  Inshore & Bay Catches Red Drum: Good numbers of slot and oversized red drum are being caught with both … [Read more...]

Bluefish continue to provide great action in our saltwater. At Nags Head on Wednesday, packs of bluefish were busting baits and lures and keeping the anglers busy. Blues are biting well in Virginia waters as well, especially in the lower Bay and off the Virginia Beach Coast. The Virginia Report Offshore & Deep-Water Report: … [Read more...]

This week has brought cooler temperatures and plenty of overcast skies. While the cloud cover hasn't been ideal for sight fishing, it's made for comfortable conditions to stay on the water all day. Water temperatures remain warm, with fewer windy days than in recent weeks, and overall, the fish are feeding well. What's Biting In the Bay/Ocean/Offshore The bay continues to produce some … [Read more...]

A Raleigh, NC angler caught a gigantic grouper from a private boat off of Ocracoke this week. The big grouper weighed in at 45lb, just 3-lbs. shy of the NC State record. It measured 47” in length with a 30” girth. On the northern beaches, things were slow – dead slow. A few skates. Oregon Inlet boats are catching yellowfin and blackfin tuna, mahi, tile fish, and black sea bass with white marlin … [Read more...]

The Chesapeake Bay Rockfish season is now open and runs through June 15. The minimum size is 19 inches, with a maximum size of 24 inches. The Virginia coastal season opens May 16 and continues through December 31. The minimum size is 28 inches, with a maximum length of 31 inches. Rockfish have been biting well inside the rivers and creeks and along the oceanfront. Also in the Bay, there are … [Read more...]

Most all the fish have returned to the Chesapeake Bay – spot, croakers, whiting, blues, Spanish Macs, flounder, spadefish and especially sheepshead. Monster sheepshead are now patrolling the pilings of the Bridge Tunnel and are fond of sand fleas and chunks of blue crab. Citation fish over 11 pounds were weighed this week. Water temperatures are now sitting in the high 60s to low 70s throughout … [Read more...]