The commercial guys are like the canaries in goldmines. Their haul nets are the first signs of things to come. They are beginning to net spot and croakers, so they are on the way. It’ll be several more weeks before they bite on hook and lines, but it will happen soon. Flounder are also beginning to make their presence known off the Eastern Shore. The water temps are hovering around 50 degrees and that’s when it really starts to happen
Tautog fishing has been phenomenal all around the Islands of the Bridge Tunnel. Larger togs, however, are coming from the ocean reefs. Bait is hard to get, but blue crabs are killers if you can find them.
Puppy drum are biting in earnest in the creeks and tributaries. Lots of fish are in shallow water where it’s warmer. Anglers in the Elizabeth River are having good luck with pups and specks.
OBX
Some huge red drum are being caught in the surf at Ocracoke. That means soon they will be off the beaches at Nags Head and then enter the Chesapeake Bay. Big sharks are also being dragged on shore at Ocracoke.
Offshore fishing is consistent for bluefin tuna. Some giants to 900 pounds are still biting. Some yellowfins, blackfins and a few false albacore are also active. Striper fishing inshore has been fantastic at Nags Head. The pups are also biting back in the sounds.
Freshwater
Warmer weather has the shad and white perch on the move on the Rappahannock with striped bass close on their heels. Some big blue cats are being caught on the James with cut bait. Crappie are biting on the James and Chick as well as Buggs, Smith Mountain and Anna.
At Lake Orange, crappie are found on points and shoreline wood leading to spawning areas. A few nice bluegills are also beginning to bite. Catfishing is getting better by the day as the water temps move into the upper 50’s.
