A new saltwater fishery is emerging, and charter boats are taking advantage. Many Chesapeake Bay captains are now doing exclusive trips for the prolific blue catfish which have become deeply embedded in many of the tidal rivers. One captain and crew returned with over 50 delicious cats on a morning trip. Blue catfish aren’t supposed to be in the lower tidal rivers, but they are and they are delicious, easy to catch and they grow big.
Elsewhere in the lower Bay, a wide range of fish can be found as the summer and fall species mix and feed in a big way. The list includes bull reds, puppy drum, speckled trout—many more specks than usual, though mostly on the small side—bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and a few cobia. Bottom fishermen are picking up solid numbers of spot and croaker plus some kingfish and lots of small puffer fish.
Around the CBBT, trollers are finding plenty of mackerel with an uptick in the reports of ribbon fish as well. The flounder bite is picking up steam too, as some anglers are finding big fish over the Tunnel and surrounding areas.
From the Eastern Shore, bull red drum are spawning fish near bottom structure.
Spanish Mackerel and bluefish are prowling channel edges and shoals.
Late-season cobia are in the mix, and the rockfish bite is picking up as bait begins to concentrate near deeper current lines and river mouths. The Cape Charles area report puppy drum, speckled trout and bottom fish like spot, croaker, and kingfish.
OBX
The ocean waters were calm in the early part of this week and fishermen took advantage. Lots of red drum were caught on fresh cut bait. The piers had Spanish, blues and croakers while nearshore boats picked up Spanish and albacore. Offshore, it was Mahi and sailfish.
