The water temp along the Virginia Beach ocean front is up to 62 degrees and things are starting to happen. Grey trout made a showing at Rudee Inlet this week. They should soon be biting along the CBBT.
Big black drum are now in the shallows of the Eastern Shore. Red drum are there as well. Fisherman’s Island is a hotspot.
The rockfish season kicks off on May 16, running until June 15. In the bay, there is a minimum size of 20 inches and a maximum size limit of 28 inches. The coastal regulations call for a 28 inch minimum and a 36 inch maximum. Both seasons have a 1 fish per day limit for recreational anglers. Some big rockfish were caught this week near Fort Monroe. Cobia are beginning to trickle into the bay but the recreational season does not start until June 15.
Sea bass season reopens May 15 and runs through May 31, opening again June 16 and through December 31.
On the OBX, pier fishermen are taking nice size specks and. lots of sea mullet. Puppy drum are biting in the surf. The Little Bridge at Manteo reported a good, speckled trout bite.
The wind has kept many bluewater boats tied up at the docks but a few made it out on Tuesday and had a good catch of yellowfin, blackfin, wahoo, some nice Mahi and a sailfish release. The inshore boats found some puppy drum, trout and Spanish.
Freshwater
Shad have vamoosed, but there are still some white perch being caught on the James. Some huge snakeheads showed up this week on the Rapp. Flathead fishing has been good on the upper James where smallmouth are also turning on.
Bass are shallow now at Buggs Island and crappie are clinging to docks. Buggs Island stripers have moved well up into the Staunton River. Live bait is producing for striper fishermen at Lake Anna. Sunfish have started hitting throughout the state.
Trout fishing is outstanding. Spring creeks in the valley have been especially good.
