Captain Billy's Charters 8/6/08

Fishing action continues to be spread over many locations with no specific area dominating the scene.The bay water temperature has swallowed up 80 degrees in Virginia and is running a few more ticks of mercury in Maryland waters as well as upper river locations.

FLOUNDER fishing remains a highlight in the Buoy 42 area. Drifting over the hard rocky bottom will produce the most action. A steady drift is essential to a proper presentation. If tidal movement is not sufficient then a slow troll should work well. These fish have been abundant in the Buoy 42 and Cell area for nearly a month. Again, water salinity may be discouraging these fish from further migration and holding the masses below the Rappahannock.

TROLLING action has been offering great action throughout the lower rivers and bay waters. Schools of surface feeding BLUEFISH mixed with a heavy concentration of SPANISH MACKEREL have been located right out my back door in Ingram Bay. We have seen a big increase in folks using our deep water ramp to launch boats this week. The close proximity to the great fishing has been a boon for us. As one angler said, " It's a no brainer, I save gas and catch plenty of fish." Other locations yielding good trolling is near Buoy 62, on the flats below Tangier Island just south of the Davidson wreck , Smith Point bar, the mouth of the Rappahannock River near Windmill Point and at the GW "1" off the Great Wicomico River.

There are times when the fish are surface feeding with gulls circling and pointing to the action like a beacon in the night. Then again, some of the best action that I've realized is when I locate a school of fish feeding down 15-20 feet below the surface and troll with planers to the magic depth. The persistent angler can catch fish in these areas while "blind" trolling with a #1 or #2 planer in front of a 16 foot leader. The average size bluefish is one to two pounds while mackerel are averaging 16-24 inches.

BOTTOM FISHING is picking up nicely with spot coming on strong this week. Inshore oyster beds are producing spot up to three quarters of a pound. The mouth of Dividing Creek, Blackberry Hang and the Mud Leads are among the best producers this week. Anglers fishing the mouth of the Rappahannock river have had good success on these fish around Butlers Hole, The Spike and other locations off of Gwynn's Island. Croaker remain small at this time in most areas. Nightime fishing continues to provide the best results for the sizable specimens. The edges of the shipping channel are producing modestly large croaker during the morning hours.

COBIA have been slow in upper Virginia waters. Anglers chumming for them in the lower bay near the Back River reef and near the York Spit light have had mixed success this week. Remember, live bait is the preferred offering for the much sought after cobia.

SPECKLED TROUT continue to provide good light tackle action from the Piankatank up to the Great Wicomico River. Catches in those areas offer a diverse fishery including puppy drum, croakers, flounder and small bluefish. A few Crabbers out of Tangier Island told me that they were picking a few up in the crab pots. Now that's a real bonus when you can make a living and catch dinner at the same time.

Artificial lures are working well, yet with all of the snapper blues in the skinny water, the rubber worm bill becomes costly. It gets a bit frustrating when the baits return to the boat half their size with a smiley face in them. There's more than a few blues out there with indigestion. You can expect the same results when floating live minnows under a bobber. My advise is to take plenty of baits and an abundance of patience.

So many fish, so little time…keep those rods bending and until next time…Fair winds.

Captain Billy's Charters

Chesapeake Bay, VA

804-580-7292