Early October is prime time for spot fishing, and anglers are reeling them in two-at a time in the lower tidal rivers. Spot prefer hard bottoms and deep holes, where anglers are focusing their efforts and finding success with standard two-wire bottom rigs, which prove effective for almost any species. Baiting these rigs with bloodworms, Fishbites, and shrimp is a popular strategy, but with the abundance of shrimp in the bay and its tributaries, fresh shrimp is currently the bait of choice.
Speckled trout are also biting with gusto. For those who prefer casting, jigs with paddle tails or popping corks with shrimp lures are excellent options. Targeting grass beds, rocks, and structures like piers or pilings is productive. When it comes to trout, jerkbaits and Mirr-o-lures often outperform other options, while topwater baits are a top pick for enticing Trout, Drum, and Rockfish.
The Bay Rockfish season kicked off on October 4th. The lower Rapp has been productive so far.
Along the Virginia Beach and Sandridge surf, the action is also exciting, with anglers reeling in Drum, Sea Mullet, Bluefish, and Sharks.
The offshore scene is bustling too, with boats limiting on Mahi Mahi, White Marlin releases, along with some small bluefin tuna.
OBX
A NE wind stirred things up at Nags Head, but the fishermen didn’t mind. The surf guys used mega-sinkers and fresh bait to land Bluefish, Spot, Sea Muller, and Puppy Drum. The piers had good luck as well, also bringing in Bluefish, Puppy Drum, Spot, and Sea Mullet, plus some Flounder and small Speckled Trout. With the wind continuing out the Northeast, there are still choppy, but fishable conditions.
The inshore fishing has been dynamite with some Bluefish, big Drum, Puppy Drum, and Flounder. The Speckled Trout has picked back up as well with anglers finding some good-sized fish in the honey holes. Sheepshead fishing is excellent. Fiddler Crabs are flying off the shelves at bait shops for the hungry Sheepsheads. Inshore fishing has been decent with catches of Speckled Trout, Puppy Drum, some big Drum, Sheepshead, and a few Flounder
Offshore fishing has also been especially good fishing for White Marlin and Mahi.
Freshwater
Low water is no longer a problem for freshwater anglers. Most rivers are still swollen and dirty, but as they clear, the smallmouth fishing should be first rate.
In the lakes, crappie have moved close to shore, clinging to docks and shallow structure. Bass are coming shallow as well and are looking for topwater baits as they chase shad.
The trout trucks are starting to roll as the mountain streams are in great shape. This is very good news for the native brook trout as they get ready to spawn.
