Stripers Forever recently sent an Action Alert to its members warning that Chesapeake Bay commercial interests are again demanding higher kill limits on striped bass. They want to roll back the modest conservations measures put in place during 2013 and return to the harvest levels that contributed to coast-wide recreational catch declines of up to 90%. According to Stripers Forever president, … [Read more...]

By Dr. Ken Neill, III The wind has been the most persistent fishing story. That and the return of winter-like temperatures have severely limited fishing activity. When boats can get out, Bluefin tuna have generated most of the excitement. Boats fishing out of Oregon Inlet are catching Bluefin tuna in the 250 to over 500 pound range. Yellowfin tuna are also available. Blackfin tuna can be … [Read more...]

Dr. Ken Neill, III   Cobia is closed for 2017. Well, the fishery is closed in federal waters and with a new administration settling in D.C., and we will see if it stays closed. But for now, it is closed for the year. Based on estimated catches greatly exceeding the allowable catch the previous two years, and the assumption that states will keep cobia open in state waters, federal waters … [Read more...]

From Stripers Forever   Striped bass anglers from North Carolina to Maine, responding to the 14th annual fishing survey from the national striped bass conservation organization Stripers Forever had mixed reactions to the fishing they experienced during 2016. Overall, there was some modest improvement in sentiment with only 66% reporting the fishing as worse or much worse than during the … [Read more...]

By Capt. Reese Stecher   There has not been much in the way of striper fishing in the sound for the past couple weeks. I did take two clients out for a couple of hours on New Year's Day afternoon. We hit a wreck for Tautog. The boys weeded through a couple of throwbacks and landed four fish for dinner. Henry did something that I haven't seen in 20 years of charter fishing. He landed a … [Read more...]

A program called the Virginia Saltwater Tournament has been in place since 1958. The program awards anglers who catch fish of a certain size and promotes the saltwater fishery in Virginia. It also generates vital fishing data and records catches of species not otherwise available. However, in the Governor’s proposed budget for fiscal 2018, the program would be cancelled. But wait a minute! … [Read more...]

By Dr. Julie Ball Ushered in by a sobering cold front, there is no denying that winter has arrived in Virginia. On gusty days paired with plummeting temperatures, it makes getting out on the water a challenge. Although the weather may be frightful some days, most anglers are not complaining since it seems their holiday wishes for a good rockfish season may become a reality this year and just … [Read more...]