September is prime time for billfish action out of both Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. Bait is plentiful, the water is warm, and the marlin and sailfish are hungry. Virginia Beach Capt. Chris Raiford and his crew on the Sniper were flying 7 flags for with 3 blue marlin and 4 white marlin releases. The Wahoo bite is picking up steam and bluewater boats are still finding plenty of Mahi and other meat fish. Hurricane Helene is not likely to disrupt this action, but a strong storm from the Atlantic will likely end the red-hot billfish action. In the Bay, red drum are making their way out of the bay, opening up opportunities for both boat and surf fishermen. Craig Paige of Paige II Charters recently landed an impressive catch of 21 drum, ranging from 21 to 50 inches. This migration marks the start of surf anglers’ prime time, south of Rudee Inlet to Sandbridge. Flounder fishing has reached its peak, with some of the largest catches of the year being reported. Live spot, as bait, has proven to be particularly effective. Sheepshead fishing remains strong, with notable catches around Kiptopeke and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), indicating healthy populations and active feeding patterns. The oceanfront trollers are reporting encounters with Spanish mackerel and albacore with an occasional “smoker” king mackerel in the mix. Cobia are leaving Bay waters and the bite along the oceanfront is on fire. Cobia capture season, however, closed on September 15. Inside Lynnhaven and in the tidal rivers, drum, flounder, spot, croaker, trout, and rockfish are keeping anglers busy. With the rockfish season on the horizon, current catches must be released, but this doesn’t dampen the spirits of those pursuing specks and puppies, who are finding success with artificial lures, peeler crabs, and the ever-effective live shrimp. The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is producing spot, drum, small croakers, and roundheads. Those ve Billfish Action Peaking September is prime time for billfish action out of both Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. Bait is plentiful, the water is warm, and the marlin and sailfish are hungry. Virginia Beach Capt. Chris Raiford and his crew on the Sniper were flying 7 flags for with 3 blue marlin and 4 white marlin releases. The Wahoo bite is picking up steam and bluewater boats are still finding plenty of Mahi and other meat fish. Hurricane Helene is not likely to disrupt this action, but a strong storm from the Atlantic will likely end the red-hot billfish action. In the Bay, red drum are making their way out of the bay, opening up opportunities for both boat and surf fishermen. Craig Paige of Paige II Charters recently landed an impressive catch of 21 drum, ranging from 21 to 50 inches. This migration marks the start of surf anglers’ prime time, south of Rudee Inlet to Sandbridge. Flounder fishing has reached its peak, with some of the largest catches of the year being reported. Live spot, as bait, has proven to be particularly effective. Sheepshead fishing remains strong, with notable catches around Kiptopeke and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), indicating healthy populations and active feeding patterns. The oceanfront trollers are reporting encounters with Spanish mackerel and albacore with an occasional “smoker” king mackerel in the mix. Cobia are leaving Bay waters and the bite along the oceanfront is on fire. Cobia capture season, however, closed on September 15. Inside Lynnhaven and in the tidal rivers, drum, flounder, spot, croaker, trout, and rockfish are keeping anglers busy. With the rockfish season on the horizon, current catches must be released, but this doesn’t dampen the spirits of those pursuing specks and puppies, who are finding success with artificial lures, peeler crabs, and the ever-effective live shrimp. The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is producing spot, drum, small croakers, and roundheads. Those venturing out on head boats are returning with black sea bass, triggerfish, spadefish, amberjacks, and flounder.
OBX
When conditions permit, boats are enjoying spectacular billfish action, and the wahoo bite is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. There are good reports of drum and trout in the Sound along with some nice bluefish and flounder. Sheepshead have been biting around the bridges. The beaches report spot, croaker, and sea mullet. The same goes for the piers. Lots of anglers have been spending their time on the piers in hopes of a drum, but there are still blues and croakers around along with sharks. nturing out on head boats are returning with black sea bass, triggerfish, spadefish, amberjacks, and flounder. OBX When conditions permit, boats are enjoying spectacular billfish action, and the wahoo bite is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. There are good reports of drum and trout in the Sound along with some nice bluefish and flounder. Sheepshead have been biting around the bridges. The beaches report spot, croaker, and sea mullet. The same goes for the piers. Lots of anglers have been spending their time on the piers in hopes of a drum, but there are still blues and croakers around along with sharks.
