By T.H. Spangler The weather hasn’t been exactly cooperative and rainy, breezy conditions continue to slow fishing activity. However, there are plenty of fish around. Boats trolling the oceanfront have been catching limits of Spanish mackerel. There are also plenty of cobia, but they have been hard to spot in choppy, overcast conditions. Chumming was the most effective method last week. A … [Read more...]

(By TH Spangler and Connie Barbour) Flounder catches are on the rise! They’re being boated along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and on rough bottoms throughout the Bay. Many of the larger fish are coming from near-shore wrecks and artificial reefs. Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets are also holding flounder, along with speckled trout and puppy drum. Captain Craig Paige, Paige II charters enjoyed … [Read more...]

Doormat flounder have arrived in the lower Bay. Large flounder are also being caught around seaside wrecks. Remember when fishing for flounder, the general rule is large baits attract large fish. The coastal wrecks are holding sea bass and triggerfish. Spadefish and sheepshead are holding on structure. The spadefish can be spotted around buoys, over wrecks or near the tower. They like fresh … [Read more...]

  Flounder activity in Virginia waters is improving, and some nice fish have been caught on inshore and ocean wrecks. There has also been an upswing in flounder catches at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, but the wrecks have been much more consistent. Sea bass are also on coastal wrecks. Sheepshead and spadefish are around structures like the CBBT, the tower and buoys. Fresh clams are … [Read more...]

Once on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the best thing to do is nothing. Just relax and enjoy the laid back atmosphere and scenery. Kicking back and relaxing is the number one activity for all us “shore-birds. The number two activity is best accomplished with a fishing rod and reel. There are lots and lots of great fishing opportunities. The best way to explore the fishing grounds along the … [Read more...]

Dr. Ken Neill   Some nice catches of spadefish have been made at the Chesapeake Light Tower and over some of the coastal wrecks. More are showing on structures inside the bay. “Nice” means by today’s standards, not the 9- and 10-pound spadefish we used to catch. Spanish Mackerel are being caught along the oceanfront and have begun to move on into the bay. Cobia have arrived in the … [Read more...]

  The cobia season is open in Virginia and anglers are catching. Both chumming and sight casting tactics are working. Anglers sight-fishing for cobia are also seeing large schools of red drum.  Even prior to the season opening, numerous trophy cobia release citations were registered. Remember all anglers, captains and guides fishing for cobia must obtain a Recreational Cobia Permit from … [Read more...]

Many of our spring species have found their way to the Chesapeake Bay and our coastal waters. The tautog action is still good and should remain so through the close of the season. The Tog season closes from May 16 thru June 30. Red and black drum are here in numbers and fishing for them should continue to improve over the next few weeks. Fishing fresh crabs, clams or live bait produces the best … [Read more...]

(Amberjacks must be at least 32-inches to keep)   You almost need a law degree to understand the nuances of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Regulations, and sometimes they change things in mid-season. Regardless, as many of us prepare our spring and summer vacations to the coast, the regs printed below might be of some help. Each species is listed with minimum size and the daily creel … [Read more...]