That’s the Virginia rockfish season, and it’s almost gone. Virginia’s striper season ends next Friday, New Year’s Eve. December 31st. After that, it’s all catch and release.
The Bay water temp at the CBBT is now 50 degrees and most of the large rockfish are being caught on the east side of the Bay. Some are coming from areas near the mouths of the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, and there are still some keeper size fish around the CBBT and HRBT.
Trout, pups, and rockfish are still a possibility in local inlets and rivers. Depending on how harsh our winter gets, speckled trout will continue being a possibility. On warmer sunny days, they sometimes warm themselves in shallows. While they are still hungry, they move very slow in the cold water. So slow your retrieve to a crawl.
Tautog fishing is still good around the CBBT islands and on coastal wreck.
Perhaps the best fishing right now is the sea bass bite. Those targeting them are also catching a few triggerfish and flounder. The season for the sea bass also closes on Dec. 31.
Offshore, deep droppers will continue catching tilefish at the Norfolk Canyon. Swordfish are still available to those targeting them. Look for tuna in any warm eddies you run across. On the ride out watch for bird activity, this time of year giant bluefins can show up anywhere there are schools of bait fish.
OBX
The skates and dogfish are taking over in the Nags Head Surf, and who wants those? Boats in the sounds continue to catch nice stripers. The Bite Me charter boat sailed offshore this week and had a good catch of dolphin. At Hatteras, the puffer fish were keeping anglers busy. Also in the Buxton area, fishermen are having luck with specks, grey trout, blues and sea mullet.
Virginia Freshwater
Satan Cobb at Greentop says crappie are biting well in the lakes and should continue through the winter. Kerr Lake crappie are biting on the deeper brush. In the lower lake, where the water is clear, the 20-30′ range is good. The mid to upper sections, where the water is not as clear, they are relating to brush slightly shallower, in the 15-20′ range. Kerr lake elevation is currently 296.11 feet, slightly lower than the normal pool, which is 300 feet.
Lake Anna crappie are holding on deep brush and around bridge pilings. Stubbs Bridge is a popular hot spot, but most of the bridges have fish. Anna stripers are mostly found in the mid to upper sections. The areas from the Splits to the 2nd bridges are hotspots. Many of the Kerr Stripers are being caught from the mid to lower sections, especially the Mill Creek to Nutbush section. Bass are being caught by a variety of baits, and at various depths. The more popular offering are A-rigs, crankbaits, swim baits, and jerk baits. Some prefer to fish slower, and are doing well with jigs, particularly around rock structure.
The upper James River remains low and clear, as we have had little to no rain. The lack of current, low temps and clear water can make catching fish difficult right now.
The lower James and Chick are good options, as the tide offers greater current and easier to find current edges. Many of the same baits are working in the rivers, as they are in the lakes. Blade baits like the silver buddy are working well in the tidal rivers also.
