WHAT SHOULD I FISH FOR TODAY?
Fishing has been great for the past few days. The weather has been just about perfect with minimal winds, low temps and the tides falling at the right time of day. Visitors and regulars have been hitting the waters anxious to reel in some of the many diversified catches currently in our waters. True, the majority are seeking flounder, just as expected, the warmer waters are having an effect on the flounder fishery. More throw backs are being brought up now than keeper fish. Although yesterday the area in front of Tom's Cove Campground was really hot with many keepers being landed not only by boaters but anglers fishing the pier. Now most anglers are claiming they are having problems finding large numbers of flounder BUT three different boats were fishing Queen Sound last weekend and "quote" "were sitting on a huge school of flounder, there was one hit right after another - everyone on the boat maxed out within 30 minutes". However, when they returned the following day, there wasn't a flounder to be found! Finally after fishing the area for about 3 hours, they moved to Cockle Creek and WHOA!!! They were in it again! EVERYONE MAXING OUT!!! One of the old-timers said it was definitely the best fishing day he has had in the whole 55 years that he has been fishing Chincoteague!The charter boats and other boats, especially with smaller kids, have turned the waters between Marker Red 16 and Green 15 into an "inshore mini-Parking Lot"! By 8:15AM every morning you can basically walk from boat-to-boat. It is almost a guaranteed catch. No need to be "fish-u-cated" to have a cooler full of kingfish (aka whiting). The difference between the almost guaranteed catch of kingfish vs. croaker is - you need to know the size hook and bait to use to land the kingfish; with croaker - well, a piece of baloney, left over sandwich, last year's squid, your finger tip - ANYTHING!!! The croaker is a "food-whore"… YOU CAN CATCH A GREEDY CROAKER - OR EVEN TWO IF YOU ARE USING A TANDAM RIG USING ANYTHING!!! Sure will be nice when they arrive in the masses for which they are known. Right now, it's one here, two there - no numbers BUT any day now….

Small, undersize weakfish trout are being caught - now this is a wecolmed surprise! For so many years (I believe 2003 was the last big trout run)we have not had big trout; we use to reel in 9 pounders, most being caught across from Inlet View at Chincoteague Point (we would stand on the marsh & cast out) or at night under the bridges. Perhaps the arrival of the baby trout is a good indicator of what the future holds for us with that fishery! Also, small spot are being caught, some teaser black willies, oyster toads, sea robins, shark and skate. It's a great time to fish - especially if you are in it for fun, catch and release!

Offshore is hot as well. The 20 Fathom line (around the Lumpy Bottom and the Parking Lot) are producing NICE Bluefin tuna; trolling is the method to bring them up. Other catches include mahi-mahi, cobia, king mackerel and Spadefish, sheepshead & tautog at the wrecks.

Sorry for the time lapse in the report. When it's busy, it's difficult when you are basically a "one man show". Will have pictures in the next few days. Maybe nect year I'll get a laptop for the tackle shop - it would make it much easier, huh? Have a great 4th if I'm too busy to hit the computer.

Donna

Capt. Bob's Marina

Chincoteague Island, Virginia
www.captbobs-marina.com