The 2024 striper season has largely been disappointing. The big fish are just not coming into the bay as they once did, and who can blame them? The shelves are empty. The once plentiful menhaden have been turned into fish oil and shipped off to Canada. The food simply isn’t there anymore.
Yet, some big stripers have been caught in their usual haunts off Cape Charles and live eels have been the bait of choice. That season ends on Dec. 31.
To make up for the poor rock fishing, big bluefin tuna have moved in close to the Virginia shores. Fifty-degree water is the secret. When it gets colder, the bait and big tuna move further offshore,
The ocean wrecks are producing great results, with limits of Sea Bass and an abundance of Triggerfish making for excellent trips. We still haven’t heard if there will be a special February Sea Bass season or not.
Inshore anglers can find Trout and Puppy Drum concentrated in deeper holes as the water cools. Be sure to adjust your tactics to the changing conditions for success.
OBX
Surf and pier fishing has slowed in recent days. A few sea mullet and the ever present dogfish are biting. Boats in the sound are finding a few nice specks and some pups.
Offshore, some stud blackfin tuna have kept the charter boats busy. Big bluefin from the north will show up soon.
