The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has closed the recreational speckled trout harvesting season because of the heavy cold snap a few months back. Anglers will not be allowed to keep any specks from now until June 30, giving the population a chance to recover.
Black drum are creeping into the Eastern Shore waters and headed for the lower bay. Red drum should be close behind. There is excellent fishing now for sea bass just offshore. Lotts of tautogs are being caught on most any structure in the lower bat. Puppy drum are becoming more active in the tidal rivers. Some nice flounder are now being caught in the Wachapreague area, and a few small croakers are being caught from some of the Virginia Beach piers. That’s a good sign of things to come.
OBX
More of the same – some red drum are being dragged onto the Hatteras beaches, but little action in the Nags Head surf. Bluefin tuna are still patrolling the Gulf Stream waters off Oregon Inlet for boats that can reach them.
Freshwater
Shad, white perch, catfish and stripers have moved into the city waters at Richmond and Fredericksburg. The tidal rivers have been producing lots of nice bass and crappie catches. There is a strong pre-spawn smallmouth bite on the upper James, Shenandoah and New Rivers. Bluegills in ponds and lakes are moving shallow in advance of the May spawn
The water is warming and the fishing is good.
