Weekly Sportfishing Rundown
By Dr. Julie Ball
IGFA Representative, Virginia Beach
5 Sep 2008
Tropical storm conditions from Hanna are sure to shut down most saltwater activities for a least a few days. But once the waters settle, expect the prelude to the fall fishing trend to be back on track. Most anglers will pursue cobia and flounder. The cobia bite is taking on its typical early fall pattern, with many fish schooling on the surface in lower bay waters and along the formation of the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Both chumming and casting are proving effective for nice fish, with several fish between 60 to 90-pounds hitting the dock. Kayakers are also getting in on the cobia fun as they take nice fish from inshore waters along Sandbridge.
Late season flounder are not disappointing anglers, as fat fish stage in the lower bay for their exit to deeper water. Both drifters and live baiters are finding good success along lower bay channels and over structure. Inshore and offshore wrecks are also providing excellent flatfish action, with fresh strip baits working well.
Sea bass are becoming more active on inshore wrecks from the Light Tower Reef to the Triangle wrecks, along with hoards of aggressive trigger fish. Spadefish are also a possibility on the inshore structures.
Croaker are biting all over the lower bay. Many boats are also sitting on decent schools right off Cape Henry. The concrete ships, the 4th island, and the High Rise section of the CBBT are giving up nice hardheads, with some fish pushing 2-pounds. The croaker action off Oyster is decent this week, but the blow this weekend may finish that trend for good. Spot are gaining more attention with good hauls coming from the lower bay inlets, Willoughby Bay, and the lower bay fishing piers. One angler caught 168 keeper spot this week from the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier. Bloodworms and Fishbites are the top bait.
The Virginia Beach Fishing Center reports spot, a few speckled trout, and keeper flounder within Rudee Inlet. Specks are also making a showing within Lynnhaven River. In addition, Chris' Bait and Tackle weighed in a nice six pound, 14-ounce speck from Hungar's Creek for James Moncries of Machipongo this week. Tarpon are still at bay on the Eastern Shore due to muddy waters from the Easterly winds for the last two weeks. The upcoming blow is not encouraging.
According to Ocean's East 2, puppy drum are taking bait in most skinny waters and inlets, as well as the fishing piers. Pups ranging around 16-inches are active from the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier to the Little Island Fishing Pier. The Sandbridge pier crowd anxiously awaits the fall red drum bite off the pier. In the meantime, red drum action is still going strong along the barrier islands of the Eastern Shore, as well as the lower bay shoals and along inshore coastal waters. Black drum are tapering off at the four islands as they scatter to head south.
Sheepshead hunters are still crying the blues as these fish continue to elude most anglers, while trigger fish are still active in all the same locations, presenting an easy target.
The king mackerel action slowed this week, while the Spanish mackerel game is still on. Kings are a possibility from Cape Henry to False Cape, and around coastal wrecks while nice Spanish in the 20-inch range are swarming around the Chesapeake Light Tower, the CB line, and along inshore waters. Small Clark and Drone spoons trolled at a fast clip will provide great Spanish action, especially for kids. False albacore are also showing themselves in these same areas under working birds, while bailer mahi are also presenting in cleaner inshore and offshore waters, especially near the wrecks.
The Chesapeake Light Tower can offer a chance at an amberjack, jack cravelle, and a big barracuda. The southern towers and coastal wrecks are also still holding schools of amberjack.
Billfish action is at its peak right now, with some boats releasing a dozen or more whites in a day. The Sea Wolf out of Rudee Inlet flew 20 flags this week. The best marlin bite lately is north of the Canyon. Wahoo are prowling mostly inshore of the Canyon and near the Cigar. Dolphin are scattered about, with several citation fish in the mix. Yellowfin tuna are scarce, but some fish are raging up to 80-pounds if you can find them. For more information, go to www.drjball.com.
