The striped bass of Buggs Island Lake are now on the move up the Dan and Staunton rivers where they will spawn. The Staunton, in particular, is a great spot to intercept and catch nice fish to 15 pounds and more. Walleye are also available in the same spots.
Some huge blue catfish are now biting at Buggs Island. These fish can exceed 100 pounds.
Crappie throughout Virginia have largely spawned and are drifting out to open waters. The upper James is in good condition and the smallmouth bite is on.
Trout streams are low and clear, but the hatchery trucks are on the move and lots of fish are being stocked and caught. The Jackson and Bull Pasture are top choices.
Saltwater
Last week, Rudee Inlet’s water temperature held steady at a chilly 56 degrees, but that didn’t prevent anglers from picking up some big bluefish (some tipping the scales at an impressive 10 pounds), along with a few large speckled trout, puppy drum, and some keeper size flounder.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) and the shoals near Fisherman’s Island are drawing large drum, but weather conditions have not been cooperative on the surface due to chop and clouds. Black drum catches last week saw a slowdown due to less-than-ideal weather conditions.
On Virginia’s Eastern Shore around Chincoteague and Wachapreague, doormat flounder have been making a splash. Surf anglers there are also having success with black drum, bluefish, and stripers.
Tautog fishing remains rewarding on the bridge tunnel islands and coastal wrecks. That season closes on May.
The Peninsula is holding its own with anglers catching Speckled Trout and Puppy Drum in the shallow waters of Mobjack Bay and the Piankatank River. Boat docks and piers are fruitful spots.
OBX
At the Point in Buxton, the Red Drum are biting, providing anglers with steady action. These fish are a prized surf catch for their fight and size. Blow toads, trout, and bluefish are being reeled in on all the beaches. The Sound is producing sizable bluefish, trout, and puppy drum.
The offshore boats which braved choppy seas have been rewarded with bountiful catches of yellowfin tuna and dolphins.
