Weekly Sportfishing Rundown
By Dr. Julie Ball
IGFA Representative, Virginia Beach
www.drjball.com

May 30, 2008

The prelude to the summer fishing pattern is right on target with the arrival of one of the most anticipated warm water residents, the cobia. Scattered hookups and confirmed sightings around the lower bay are just the beginning as these covert hunters quietly glide into local waters. Sheepshead are also making a low-key debut, as occasional reports trickle in of incidental hook-ups by drum anglers, which is common for this time of year.

Although not off the charts as it was mid-month, the drum action has returned to a more normal pattern, which is still very good. Regardless of the state of the bite, anglers are out in droves hoping for a chance to tangle with a big drum. Black drum are still showing along the shoals near buoys 10, 13, and 16 where chowder clams and sea clams are the top baits. Although we are on the downward trend for these brutes from the shoals, they are still available in these areas for those willing to put in the time. Huge red drum are still scavenging the shoals off Fisherman's Island and Nautilus Shoal, but more fish are now showing on the nine foot shoal near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Blue crab has worked well all season.

Spadefish are appearing on inshore wrecks, as well inside the bay at York Spit Light, Wolftrap Light and the Cell, but we still need to inch up a few more degrees for the action to really take off. Some spades are also available at the Chesapeake Light Tower, but the fish are holding tight to the tower legs. A few boats worked hard to catch some respectable fish, but most are small, with the best yet to come with the spadefish.

Flounder action is still frustrating anglers, with muddy conditions keeping the water less than optimal for these aggressive sight feeders. Most angers who are catching decent fish are finding their keepers in protected waters such as the back waters of Wachapreague and Oyster, and within both Rudee and Lynnaven inlets. One angler found a 6-pound, 4-ounce flattie laying in waiting while casting from the shore within Long Creek recently. The best flounder bite is occurring on the flood tide this week.

Striped bass are making up for the flounder shortage, with catches of rockfish to 36-inches coming from the HRBT and the small boat channel and islands of the CBBT. Live baiting over the tubes is providing the best striper hauls, with both croaker and eels working well. Snapper bluefish are everywhere in local waters, which often makes catching anything else a challenge.

Croaker are active within the tributary rivers, with the York River the best location. Squid and shrimp get the nod this week. Bait-sized hard heads are also still available off Little Creek Inlet and along the CBBT and the HRBT. A few speckled trout and bluefish are biting within Rudee Inlet, where folks fishing from the jetties are scoring with smoke and green colored grubs. A few grey trout up to 3-pounds are lurking around the HRBT and the CBBT where catches are sporadic, but the grey action is still good around the Concrete ships and the docks at the Kiptopeke State Park ramp.

The deep dropping scene is on fire if you want to fit the fuel bill to make the long run out to 50 fathoms or more. Those boats making a go are rewarded with excellent catches of blueline and golden tilefish, grouper, blackbelly rosefish, and jumbo seabass. Sean Doran and Darren Foster expertly guided their crew to the deep aboard the Crystal Clear, and loaded up with super-sized grouper, blueline tilefish, and golden tiles weighing up to nearly 50-pounds! A nice 18-pound, 12-ounce blueline tilefish landed by Dr. Julie Ball while fishing squid near the Norfolk Canyon took the state lead this week.

The offshore trolling scene is just getting rolling, with gaffer-sized dolphin and nice yellowfin tuna stealing the glory. Boats are also finding a smattering of mako sharks and wahoo in the mix. This trend will only improve, as long as the warm water stays around. For more info, go to www.drjball.com.

-Julie

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