Weekly Sportfishing Rundown
By Dr. Julie Ball
IGFA Representative, Virginia Beach
11 July 2008
It is difficult to decide what to fish for right now since so much is available. Inshore, the summer's sluggish flounder spell has turned around, with more and larger flatfish becoming the norm. Few boats are returning empty-handed. Big fish are resulting mostly from live bait offered along varying bottom structures toward the lower part of the bay. The Cell, Back River Reef, the CBBT structure, and inshore wrecks are just a few of the best flounder hot-spots lately. Drifters are also having good luck with strip baits near buoy 42 and the Thimble Shoal Channel near Cape Henry. David Bateman of Chesapeake scored with a nice 7-pound, 6-ounce flattie while working a live spot along the structure of the CBBT this week.
Although the run of large spadefish never really materialized this year, there are plenty of 2 to 5-pounders ganging up on suspended clam near the Bay Bridge Tunnel islands and the Cell. The Chesapeake Light Tower and the Tower Reef area are also providing similar action.
Sheepshead are lagging behind, with most fish successfully eluding anglers. A handful of these structure-oriented fish are coming from the Bay Bridge Tunnel structure, but most are on the smallish size. Trigger fish are numerous again this year, and some anglers are beginning to target these fish, which are normally a by catch. These aggressive little fish will hit most any bait.
Although there are scattered reports of cobia falling for bait fished on the shoals, the scene is still less than expected for most anglers, with many smaller fish in the mix. Latimer Shoal and the Nine-Foot Shoal area are decent locations lately. A few cobia are coming from the structure of the CBBT, with tossed live baits enticing some action with mostly 30 to 40-pound fish.
Reports of good catches of grey trout up to 4-pounds are placing these fish near the fourth island and the 12-mile marker along the Bay Bridge as well as the concrete ships. Nice spot are also available around the Concrete ships. Croaker are providing action around the CBBT, the HRBT, the Hampton Bar, and the Cell, where hardheads can range to over 2-pounds lately.
The excellent Spanish mackerel bite happening in lower bay waters and along the ocean front is still a crowd pleaser. Captain Jake Hiles aboard the Matador out of Rudee Inlet reports that he is getting limits of good sized Spanish averaging 21 to 22-inches and larger. The best luck is coming on small spoons trolled way far back. Many anglers are anxiously awaiting the first catches of king mackerel, which should happen soon.
The summer-time red drum action is changing shape as these scavengers form big schools just under the surface all around the lower bay. Most recent red catches are coming from casters following the schools. Black drum are continuing to offer results to casters targeting these massive fish around all four islands of the CBBT. A few fly anglers are also getting in on the action.
Amberjack are peaking some curiosity since they are readily available, but many folks don't want to pay the fuel bill to make the run. These brutes are ready for action at local wrecks, as well as the South Tower.
Tarpon have made their debut on the Eastern Shore, with sightings of silver kings motivating tarpon hunters to head for the shallows out of Oyster. Nice croaker are also providing hardhead hunters with good catches in the deeper holes and channels in the backwater areas of Oyster.
Speckled trout and puppy drum are taking baits within both Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets. Spot action is also on the upswing in these same areas, with the Fishing Center reporting that nicer fish are becoming more consistent.
Offshore, the billfish bite has cooled, but fish are still available between the 800 line and the Triple 0's. Gaffer dolphin are abundant, and a few nice wahoo have also hit the dock. Yellowfin tuna still remains almost non-existent, but the bluefin tuna are filling in. Good bluefin action is coming from the inshore lumps, with the Fingers, and 26 Mile Hill providing some of the best action with fish ranging to over 100-pounds. For more information, go to www.drjball.com.
Sponsors/Pro Staffs:
Shimano
Fishbites
Virginia Beach Boats
Old Point National Bank
Wynne Ford
Power Pro
Braid Products
Yo-Zuri
The Virginia Beach Fishing Center
Long Bay Pointe Bait & Tackle
Mountain Breeze Taxidermy
Aqua Skinz
J Kruz Eyewear
The Sportsman's Magazine
Ocean Pearl Charter Fishing
Chum Churn
Secret Spoons
