The big bull reds are just starting to move into Virginia waters. Schools of redfish are starting to move into the Chesapeake Bay. There was a report from a boat fishing south of Poquoson that caught several this week. The fish were cruising along grass flats in around five feet of water. The larger schools of drum have yet to arrive to the Bay, but that will change over the coming weeks. In May, we should see an influx of bull reds and some cobia to areas throughout the southern region. Puppy drum will also be active in the various tidal tributaries, including the local inlets, rivers, and islands.
Some big bluefish are showing up in the lower Bay. The bite has been hot in the surf in North Carolina, so the action should soon rev up in Virginia. Tautogs are abundant around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. There are a lot of small fish around, but keepers, too. One boat reported catching half a dozen nice fish, included one over 19 inches. Fiddler crabs, and other varieties of crab baits are what it takes.
Good news on the bottom-fish front. Anglers on Virginia piers reported that croaker arrived in full force this week. They are still on the smaller side, but slightly better than last year. Some kingfish were also in the mix. Croakes have been running small in recent years, but there are tons of them. Wait till they grow up!
OBX
Fishing is starting to pick up on the northern beaches. There were reports of a good sea mullet bite from the piers over the weekend. Towards the south, there have been a lot of big drum caught at the Point. They are heading north with one caught off Rodanthe Pier. We should continue to hear reports of bluefish, sea mullet, blowtoads, red drum, black drum and sharks. Hopefully some Spanish will start to show up soon too. The inshore fishing is starting to improve as well. Catfish and bluefish are being caught along with reports of inland stripers as well. The offshore boats are starting back up for the season. There have been good reports of Mahi and yellowfin catches.
