Bluefish seem to be making a comeback. Some really nice fish have been caught this spring in both the Bay and in the surf and sounds off Virginia and Carolina. Blues were once the most popular gamefish in saltwater leading to big-dollar tournaments and mass migrations of fishermen to the Carolina Coast in November. Then they largely went away, the big ones anyway. This spring, though, lots of … [Read more...]
It’s May and the Fish are Biting.
It was an exciting weekend on the OBX. Cobia, Bluefish, Drum, Trout, you name it, and they were biting! The boats fishing nearshore this weekend caught Cobia, Red Drum, Black Drum and Spanish! There has been plenty of action inshore lately! Lots of Drum, Speckled Trout, and Bluefish. There have been a few Sheepshead caught around the bridges. Stripers have been biting further inland. … [Read more...]
The Shad Run Continues
Mark Scott, formerly from Charlottesville, returned to his home state from North Carolina and found lots of willing hickory shad biting in the Rappahannock. Mark was able to fish from the shore at the city park without having to wade and had nice catches, like the one above. Crappie and bass have mostly finished their spawn but are still cruising in shallow water. Stripers are on their way up … [Read more...]
A Kayak Tuna
Unbelievable! A kayaker in North Carolina caught a 136-pound bluefin tuna. I once caught a 5-pound smallmouth while in a float tube and the bass pulled me all over the river. I can’t imagine catching a fish that huge from a 12-foot kayak. Stefan Turko was in Kitty Hawk and could see tuna boiling in the water just offshore. Several anglers had lost tuna while fishing on Jennette’s Pier, so Turko … [Read more...]
Red and Black Drum
There are reports of black drum caught from the Eastern Shore. Blacks typically show before the reds, but some big red drum are also starting to tug on lines. The trout bite has not yet fully kicked in because of cold water, but togs are biting hard on most any structure. Flounder are starting to show up in the inlets and coastal bays on the Eastern Shore. Some anglers have already caught … [Read more...]
Saltwater Report
Saltwater fishermen are in a wait and see mode. Waiting for warmer water to see much results. The sea bass just closed, but the tautogs remain active near structure. The bluefin tuna season also closed, but some huge fish were decked in the blue waters. Some puppy drum are biting here and there, but it’s mostly wait and see. … [Read more...]
Saltwater Report
The recent drop in water temperatures, now low 40s, has created tough conditions for speckled trout and puppy drum, which typically winter in local waters. Anglers are still catching a few puppy drum inside Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets. But currently, one of the few areas where these fish can be caught consistently is near the hot ditch, in the Elizabeth River. The hot ditch is … [Read more...]
Fishermen Biding their Time
Things are pretty quiet on the fishing scene. Bass are biting at Anna and the trout streams are gushing with water after the snow melt off. Some monster blue cats are tugging on lines in the Hopewell stretch of the James. The heartiest of saltwater fishermen are dropping baits over the wrecks hoping for sea bass and tautog anglers are catching a few when they can find bait. On the OBX, puppy … [Read more...]
Specs, Rocks and Pups
The speckled trout bite is as hot as it gets right now. The best action is concentrated inside the rivers and inlets of the bay, with hotspots including the Lynnhaven River, Rudee Inlet, Little Creek Inlet, the Elizabeth, Piankatank, and Rappahannock rivers. Anglers are having success with live mullet, shrimp, paddle tail swim baits, and popping corks. Rockfish activity is increasing around the … [Read more...]
Saved By a Crappie Jig
A few years ago, I packed my surf rod, some heavy casting rods and reels, and a tackle box for a getaway to Nags Head and a little saltwater fishing. Unfortunately, I picked up the wrong tackle box. It was my freshwater box with nary a sinker or double drop rig in the whole box. I had to buy new stuff at the Beach. Last weekend, I did even worse. I brought my rods, a crab net and big bucket for … [Read more...]
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