By Dr. Julie Ball
Ushered in by a sobering cold front, there is no denying that winter has arrived in Virginia. On gusty days paired with plummeting temperatures, it makes getting out on the water a challenge.
Although the weather may be frightful some days, most anglers are not complaining since it seems their holiday wishes for a good rockfish season may become a reality this year and just in time for some of the biggest rockfish tournaments of the season. Supersized fish are tipping weighmaster’s scales in the 40- and 50-pound mark lately. Most of these larger fish are coming from the eastern side of the bay from Plantation Light and along Cape Charles, where boats are drifting and slow trolling with eels. School-sized rockfish are also still available for anglers casting along the pilings and artificial islands of all the lower Bay bridges, and in most inlets and shallows. Some larger stripers will also respond in tributary rivers.
The local speckled trout bite remains commendable, with experts hopeful for a come-back from the widespread kill resulting from the hard freeze of last year’s early season. The average speck is 22-inches, but a few gator-sized fish stretching from 27 to 30-inches are also in the mix. Most any backwater protected areas are giving up some respectable fish, with Lynnhaven, Rudee, and Little Creek Inlets leading the way. The Elizabeth River is also producing some trout, but the size and numbers are well behind the curve. Some nice puppy drum are also coming from these same areas.
Tautog, which have made a great showing this season in the Bay, are still going strong on lower Bay and coastal structures. Some limits of fish up to 6-pounds were reported from several inshore locations. Jumbo sea bass are available on many ocean wrecks, along with scattered catches of triggerfish. Sea bass become off limits at the end of the year. Some big bluefish could also still make a showing near these same structures. Flounder can be found on several offshore structures, with fresh strip bait the best bait. This is also the time of year boats are on the lookout for bluefin tuna.
When boats can make it out, deep droppers are finding good numbers of hefty blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, and a variety of grouper in various areas around the Norfolk Canyon. By-catches of big sea bass and bluefish are a good consolation prize, as these fish often compete in the same areas.
Nags Head
TW’s reports:
Jennette’s Pier anglers decked an 18- and a 27-inch Puppy Drum. Also, caught were small Sea Mullet and Dogfish.
The winds are NW at 14 and the water temp is 51 degrees. There were mall swells on Wednesday, the sun was bright – a nice day.
Hatteras Surf
Red Drum noted that it was a rainy Tuesday, but a little bit of everything was caught. There were Red Drum at the Point and Black and Red Drum as well as Speckled Trout and Sea Mullet at the Jetties. Black and Red Drum as well as Blow Toads were landed in Avon.
Fishing was also pretty good on Wednesday. The jetties produced some Black Drum, Speckle Trout, Puppy Drum and a few Sea Mullet. North of Avon, there were Puppy Drum and small Speckle Trout.
Hatteras Offshore
No reports since Sunday, when it was a slick, calm on the Gulfstream. One charter went out and returned with a limit of King Mackerel. No boats were scheduled to fish inshore.
