Virginia Saltwater
The croaker bite is on, all the way from the piers of Virginia Beach to the upper reaches of the tidal rivers. Flounder have been hit or miss with many fish below the 17-inch minimum. Cobia have moved in but are off limits until June. Spanish mackerel have made an early move into Commonwealth waters. Whiting have been hitting in the lower bay as have grey trout. Looks like an excellent year ahead for puppy drum, and the big drum are presently tearing up tackle in the lower bay. Black drum action has also picked up. Offshore, tuna are heading north from the Carolinas and will be close enough for Virginia excursions shortly.
Nags Head
TW’s Tackle reports that there were some fish caught in the surf on Wednesday. Small Puppy Drum were scattered, some Sea Mullet and small Bluefish were landed on the north beaches.
The winds are SW at 14 and the water temp is 64 degrees.
Sound Fishing Report:
The Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway reported Trout, striper and some bottom fish.
Pier Fishing Report:
Avalon: Small blues, small Spanish, Sea mullet and Striper. A few of each.
Nags Head: A few Bluefish.
Jennette’s: Bluefish, Skates and Rays.
Outer Banks: 14 inch Bluefish, some keeper Drum, one over the slot.
Inshore Boats/Nearshore Report:
Nearshore boats caught some Spanish, Inshore boats picked up Flounder, Stripers in the sound and Sea Mullet. The Miss Oregon Inlet anglers decked Puffers, Sea Mullet, a few keeper Flounder, Pigfish and Pinfish.
Offshore Boats Report:
There were more huge Big-eye catches for the fleet yesterday, some nice Yellowfin and plenty good size Dolphin.
Hatteras Surf
Fishing was great Thursday morning. One 27-inch puppy drum was caught at the Inlet, plus 2 citation sea mullet caught behind the motels (2.2lbs 1.75lbs) The Spanish bite was decent for about an hour.
On Wednesday, it was raining and blowing and nothing happening. Upcoming weekend weather looks good.
Hatteras Offshore
Rain squalls and big seas kept offshore boats at the dock on Wednesday. Several inshore boats fished the Pamlico Sound and caught some keeper Red Drum. One boat came back with a limit of clams.
