On the Virginia saltwater scene, there has been a strong nearshore run of False Albacore, also known as Little Tunnies. These fish are fierce fighters for their size and are a prized catch on a fly rod. Boats patrolling the oceanfront are also running into blues and Spanish mackerel. In the mix are some whopper red drum and cobia, but no king mackerel were reported.
In the Chesapeake Bay, red drum are schooling near the CBBT islands, where fresh spot or cut bait is proving deadly. Cobia are also on the move, with anglers finding success with live eels and bucktails on the surface fished around channel buoys.
Sheepshead continue to hang tight to hard structures and jumbo flounder are being hauled in. Spot catches improve daily, and the croakers are still around and still hungry.
Offshore, the white marlin and Mahi bite is red-hot. Captain David Wright and his crew aboard High Hopes had a stellar week, racking up numerous marlin releases and putting nice gaffer dolphin in the fish box.
Freshwater
If you are a crappie fisherman, it’s time to rig up and head out. Both Anna and Buggs Island have been giving up lots of nice sized “specks” which are flocking (along with bass) top boat docks and piers.
The upper James is very low, and in much need of rain, but there have been good catches of smallmouth made with Flukes, Senkos, in-line spinnerbaits and topwater offerings.
