One of the best eating fish that swims in the ocean is a big, fat sea bass. Not one of those little runts that steals your bait in the summer, but a 14-or 16-inch sea bass hauled up from deep water wrecks. And they’re biting now in deep water out of Virginia Beach over most any structure. Bundle up and go catch a few. In fact, sea bass, tautogs and flounder are all available now around all the ocean wrecks. Togs are being caught inside the bay, on the Cape Henry wreck and at the CBBT islands.
The fall speckled trout bite continues big time. They are being caught throughout the lower Bay, in all three inlets and in the surf along the oceanfront. Anglers working similar locations are finding a few puppy drum. Most of the large red drum have moved south to OBX waters.
Striped bass are being caught throughout the lower bay and in the rivers around bridges and piers with lights. The Bay water temp is now 58 degrees. Striper fishing will only improve
When weather condition allow, offshore trollers are finding tuna and wahoo. Swordfish are also available to those targeting them. Tilefish are biting at the Norfolk Canyon.
OBX
The piers were busy on Tuesday as anglers reeled in sea mullet, blow toads, black drum, bluefish and some small, speckled trout.
The Bonner Bridge pier had reports of stripers, sea mullet, black drum, and puppy drum. Surf fishermen did well with drum, blow toads, blues specks, black drum and a few pups. The Little Bridge to Manteo produced some nice size specks and stripers. Boats in the sound landed stripers, trout and puppy drum.
Offshore, the wind died down enough on Wednesday that boats hitting the Gulf Stream returned with great catches of Yellowfin Tuna, Blackfin Tuna and Mahi Mahi. Sea bass were likewise reported on deep water trips.
Fresh Water
The crappie bite is on now, but it’s been particularly good in the tidal rivers – the Chick, James, and Rapp. The lakes are also productive – bridges and deep-water docks with brush are hot spots. As water temps drop, striper fishing only improves at lakes like Smith Mountain, Buggs and Anna. Bass are schooling in many areas and lipless crankbaits are very effective. Nice blue cats are reported daily from the lower James.
