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...]

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...]

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...]

  Say it ain’t so, Spanish mackerel. Tell us you’ll stay a little longer! What a great season it’s been for Spanish mackerel. They came early and in good numbers, then the big boys moved in - 4 and 5 pounders. But now, it’s almost time to say goodbye as the sleek fish begin to move out to sea. They were caught in huge numbers this week off the coast of Virginia Beach. Clark spoons did the … [Read more...]

A "Smoker" King Mackerel   The only problem now when fishing saltwater is deciding what to go after. Cobia, drum, Spanish macs, King macs, flounder, spadefish, sheepshead, togs, speckled trout, stripers, croakers, and spot – they are all biting and the next few days look even better with light winds, mild temperatures and clear skies. We can start with king mackerel since that bite … [Read more...]

Buckle up, Virginia anglers. Some huge Spanish mackerel are on the way from Carolina and those 6- and 7-pounders will be soon entering the Bay. There are tons of smaller Spanish Macs already here. Captain Todd Beck and the crew have been hammering them, catching limits each trip. Anglers are also experiencing some of the best spring red drum fishing in years. Large drum schools have been … [Read more...]

From yellowfins to blues, lots of colorful fish are being brought in at Oregon Inlet. The catch has been hot for yellowfin tuna on offshore charters. Boats have also been landing Mahi-Mahi, big eye tuna, wahoo, and blue marlin. Nearshore and Inshore charters have been catching drum, cobia, big bluefish, and speckled trout.   Virginia Saltwater Large bluefish have shown up just about … [Read more...]

The Dogwoods are blooming, the water temp is hitting 60, it’s time for a little drumming.  Black Drum are being caught along the shallow channel ledge running from Fisherman’s Island to north of Cape Charles. Good spots are Kiptopeake, the Cabbage Patch, the Concrete Ships, as well as the Highrise and 2nd & 3rd Islands of CBBT. Running tides, late afternoons and evenings and full moons are … [Read more...]

(Beaufort, NC) – At its annual meeting this week, the Striped Bass Management Board (Board) of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) approved for public comment Addendum II of the fishery management plan designed to control fishing mortality and begin to reverse the decline in the coastwide striper population. The addendum is an update to Amendment 7, the current version of the … [Read more...]