Fishing in the Chesapeake Bay and offshore remains strong through mid-July, with a variety of species providing exciting opportunities. Tuna, Cobia, Sheepshead, and Drum continue to be popular targets, while Spanish Mackerel and Speckled Trout offer fast-paced action.
The CBBT is a hotspot for large Flounder during the summer and into the fall. Live Spot fished around bridge pilings or over the tunnel tubes are a top choice for bigger fish. The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) has also been producing some keeper Flounder recently.
Cobia fishing is in full swing throughout the Chesapeake Bay, from its mouth up to the Potomac River. While some days offer plentiful sight-casting opportunities, others can be more challenging, with fish feeling increased pressure. Boats equipped with towers have a significant advantage for spotting these fish, particularly along the main shipping channel and shoals. Some larger cobia, exceeding 50 inches, have been reported. Anglers are having success sight-casting with 2 to 2.5-ounce bucktails or eel-type lures on similar weight jig heads. Many also prefer to have live bait like eels or 6-8 inch baitfish (Croaker, Spot) at the ready.
Sheepshead fishing is in prime summer form, particularly at the CBBT pilings. These hard-fighting fish are a favorite for their excellent table fare. Fiddler crabs are the top bait, but sand fleas and green crabs are good alternatives. Anglers are reporting catches of several keepers, with some impressive fish up to 22 inches and over 10 pounds, with some reaching 18 pounds. Tautog, Triggerfish, and Red Drum may also be caught when targeting Sheepshead.
Puppy Drum are active in the inlets and tributaries, including Lynnhaven Inlet, Rudee Inlet, and Fisherman’s Island. Shallow flats with grass and areas around docks and bridges (like those between Hampton and Newport News) are productive. Along the oceanfront and in the Bay, Bull Reds have been found schooling in the surface, creating impressive feeding frenzies.
Black Drum have been caught incidentally by Sheepshead anglers fishing the CBBT pilings. They will eat live or cut fish, crab, or fresh clam. Fishing at night is generally more productive for Drum, and while chum isn’t typically used, anglers targeting Drum often catch Cobia as well.
Spanish Mackerel fishing has been hit or miss inside the Bay, with better luck reported closer to the oceanfront, especially around the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. Bluefish have been abundant around the CBBT islands and other inshore bridges and are a reliable target throughout the day. Trollers are also catching Ribbonfish.
Spadefish continue to be available around the Chesapeake Light Tower, offering anglers a challenging and rewarding experience.
Speckled Trout are available in many rivers and inlets, where shallow flats with grass and piers provide excellent ambush points. Topwater lures, popping corks, swimming grubs on light jig heads, and chatterbaits are good bait choices. Targeting Trout frequently yields catches of Puppy Drum. Small weakfish have also been reported at Kiptopeke Pier.
Anglers are finding some Spot and Croaker inside rivers, inlets, and from lower bay piers. Kiptopeke Pier has been a good spot for croaker, with locals reporting large numbers moving in close to the lighted pier at night. Keeper Tautog up to 16 inches have been caught around bridge pilings, particularly at the HRBT.
Surf anglers from Sandbridge to the Outer Banks are landing Sea Mullet, Spot, Croaker, Redfish, and Sharks.
The Virginia offshore blue water is buzzing with Tuna, and boats out of Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets are returning with impressive hauls.
OBX
High winds created rough conditions early in the week, but things seem to be calming a bit, and the fishing is picking up. Despite the rough conditions, there are still croaker, mullet, and spot coming in mainly on Fish Bytes. A 26″ drum was reported. There are lots of Spanish jumping around offshore, but nothing confirmed as far as landing any. There have been many flounder caught recently, and they are finally going to open flounder season from September 1st through the 14th, so hopefully they’re still be around. The piers are reeling in sea bass, spadefish, pinfish, flounder, and spot. Nearshore charters are finding Spanish and blues with some drum still around. Offshore slowed somewhat, but boats still brought in yellowfin, blackfin, mahi, with sailfish releases.
