The sea bass season in Virginia is back in and the action is outstanding! Look at the whopper above! Ocean wrecks are where it’s at. There are many charters available, that can put you on the fish. Other species that are biting in the ocean now are Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi, and the Blue Marlin bite has been very good. The charters out of Hatteras have been doing better for the Marlin. Folks surf fishing along the Eastern Shore are reeling in Rockfish, Black Drum, Red Drum, and a few Flounder. The Rockfish and Drum have been biting peeler crab. Some extra-large Sheepshead are being caught in the vicinity of the Eastern Shore right now also. The Sheepshead prefer hard structure, and crab. Flounder action is increasing at the bay bridge tunnel. They are also increasing at the concrete ships, and the Fisherman’s Island bridge. We haven’t heard much on the Cobia, but the Red Drum have been spotted more frequently, in large schools along the surface. The Cape Henry area has been good. They will be thick inside the bay shortly. As will the Cobia. Some are reporting Spot and Croaker from along the oceanfront, and from inside the Rapp, and York rivers. Devoted Speck anglers are catching plenty of solid fish, along with Puppy Drum, but they are mum about locations. Shallow flats with grass are where many target these fish. Along the Outer Banks surf and piers, folks are catching plenty of Specks, Puppy Drum, and Sea Mullet. The inshore boats are finding Cobia, and Spanish Mackerel, along with Pups, and Specks.
Freshwater
At Lake Orange, crappie and bass are finishing up with their spawn, but bream are still spawning. Crappie can be caught on live minnows fished around shoreline structure. Bass are being caught on top waters and hard baits in the shallows. Catfishing remains strong with baits like chicken livers and nightcrawlers. The bream are taking nightcrawlers and red wigglers. A few nice walleye have been caught on live bait.
Greentop reports that night fishing at Smith Mountain Lake is producing nice stripers and bass. Anna Stripers are hitting mostly s live bait, with the early mornings the best time. Anna bass are still being caught shallow to mid depths. Boat docks are a good bet. Crappie are moving now to deeper brush piles in some of the larger lakes. The grass frog bite is getting better and better on the Chick River and Chick Lake. More and more folks are targeting Snakeheads on the Rappahannock. They like shallow water, so some are bowfishing for them with great success.
