The Virginia cobia season ended on Sept. 15, but it has been another good one. The past 4 years, in fact, have been very good. From now on, it’s catch and release and there are still plenty of nice fish around – from the mouth of the bay to the mouth of the Rappahannock. Big red drum are still pulling line off Penn reels, especially the lower Bay. Lots of puppy drum have been active at the inlets, as well as in the surf off Virginia Beach. Speckled trout are being caught in the same areas. Flounder up to 9-pounds were reported this week. The spot bite is taking off and the fish are getting bigger by the day.
Spanish mackerel action bite is beginning to slow as the sleek warriors will soon head back to the ocean. Some big King Mackerel off Virginia Beach are picking up the slack.
OBX
On the Outer Banks, it may not be safe to put your foot in the surf, lest it get bitten by a red drum – big and small. The drum bite has been phenomenal. Rough weather from the remnants of Hurricane Earl has kept most of the Gulf Stream fleet tied to the docks, but a few skippers made the run and caught some nice Wahoo. Pier fishing has been good for drum, spot, mackerel, and a few flounder. Inshore boats are catching Spanish, speckled trout, drum, and bluefish.
Freshwater
The Rappahannock River was a hotspot this week for both bass and snakeheads. More and more anglers are now targeting snakeheads because they put up quite a battle and they are delicious to eat. Crappie at both Anna and Buggs Island are moving shallow, and they are hungry. Fishing has been top notch. Striper action slowed at Anna. The Upper James is in ideal shape and giving up lots od smallmouth.
Lake Orange water temperatures are in the mid 80s. Bass can be caught on top waters as well as with soft plastics. Crappie fishing has picked up for anglers using small minnows in 8 to 10 ft. of water. Catfishing has remains strong throughout the lake. Walleye are biting if you know how it’s done. Not many do.
