Rough weather early this week put a damper on saltwater fishing, but mild weather starting Wednesday has improved the catches. Particularly, Spanish Mackerel.
I remember about 30 years ago when Spanish Mackerel first began to enter the Bay. Previously they stayed offshore but gradually worked their way as far as Stingray Point. Currently, they are prolific both off the coast at Virginia Beach and well up on the Bay’s western shore. This week, the bite was red hot off Virginia Beach – along with some heavy bluefish. This year, in fact, is evolving into one of the best bluefish years in memory.
Cobia sightings and catches continue, but some are finding the cobia reluctant to feed, even when presented with live baits. Large drum and nice size bluefish are being landed along the CBBT.
Puppy drum are being caught in local tributaries, with fresh cut mullet as bait. Anglers are also finding these fish along the beaches and off piers. Bottom fishing is producing well, with croaker and spot being caught in both the Bay and the rivers. The rivers have been especially good for spot.
Trout have been active in the rivers and some of the Bay’s inlets, including Lynnhaven, Little Creek on the southside and Poquoson and Mobjack on the Peninsula.
The flounder bite is expected to improve as we move into September. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is often the most productive spot for flounder and is a great destination for targeting multiple species. The CBBT is also a hot spot for sheepshead and tautog. Using crab for bait can also attract a variety of other fish around the bridge structures, including sea bass, black drum, and redfish.
The Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament was held August 21-24 with many white marlin released along with 5 blue marlin. A 74.10 lb. tuna won that category.
OBX
On Thursday morning, the pier guys were hooking up with lots of bluefish and albacore. The ocean water temperature was a comfortable 77 degrees.
Bluefish were busting bait a little far out for surfcasters, but nearshore boats were hammering the Spanish, drum, and blues. White marlin and Mahi are keeping the charter boats busy.
