My family spent 3 days fishing on the Eastern Shore and “variety” was the name of the game. We caught sea robins, hogfish, sea bass, spot, croaker, whiting, puppy drum, speckled trout, whiting, bluefish and flounder. Also on the Bay menu are bull drum, cobia, sheepshead, rockfish and Spanish. With cooling water on the horizon, anglers should enjoy these fisheries while they can. The fall migrations will start kicking in soon. It’s a good time to go fishing in the Bay or tributaries.
At Virginia Beach, the inshore bite has stayed strong with over-the-slot red drum, keeper flounder, and striped bass all making an appearance. The Speckled Trout bite is picking up in the inlets. Lots of smaller trout are being caught off the beaches.
OBX endured mid-week high winds from the nor’easter. Bluefish and drum, however, like choppy waters and a few were hauled up on the beaches. The blue water guys stayed in port. Early in the week, lots and lots of Mahi were stacked in charter boat live wells.
Freshwater
Steady rains this week helped water levels, but not all that much. Smith Mountain is still low as are the New and James rivers. The best bet now are ponds and small lakes with bass, crappie and bluegills all on the feed.
