For the past several years, the Game Department has been stocking hybrid striper fingerlings at Lake Anna. Sometimes these experiments work and sometimes not, but in this case, it worked. Anglers are catching not only stripers, but the hybrids, even in this frigid weather. Hybrids to 14 pounds have come to the scales. Hybrid stripers are known for their fighting ability. They are aggressive feeders and form large schools. These strong, powerful fish, are a cross between striped bass and white bass. And they eat pretty well, too.
Also in Anna, cold weather has not slowed the bass bite in the least. A 31-pound bag (five fish) of bass won a recent tournament. That’s over 6 pounds per fish! The warming weather this week should get the crappie stirring at Anna and Buggs Island.
Saltwater
In saltwater, there is concern over the effects of frigid water on speckled trout. Fish have been seen swimming near the surface and NC has temporarily closed the season while Virginia biologists keep close watch. Trout have thinner skins and lack the heavy, protective scales of other species and are prone to exposure from extreme cold. Thankfully, warmer weather this week has helped immensely, and the trout should be up and at ‘em soon. Puppy drum don’t mind the cold and they are biting in the Virginia inlets, such as Lynnhaven and Rudee.
On Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, anglers caught and released several large slot puppy drum on Wednesday. Two large schools were hanging around early that morning. Giant bluefins continue to patrol the waters of the Gulf Stream out of Oregon Inlet. Skates and dogfish are biting in the surf.
