Virginia State report 10-9

[Fishing Report]

The past few weeks have been very busy for the staff due to commitments with the State Fair of Virginia. We are proud to report that the VMRC display, featuring educational elements and representatives of both the Virginia Marine Police and the Fisheries Management Division, won an Award of Excellence Ribbon this year. We appreciate the numerous anglers that stopped by to discuss issues with the staff and enjoyed all of the school groups we were able to spend time with as we brought a part of the Chesapeake Bay to the fair.

Of large interest to anglers at this year’s state fair was the National Saltwater Angler Registry. DO NOT FORGET to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry before fishing for striped bass this fall (see page 8). For 2011, a new registry system will be in place that will automatically register those holding Virginia saltwater licenses and require only those covered by a license exemption, such as the boat-license or pier license exemption, to register for free. More information on Virginia 2011 registry program will be made available in the near future. However, you must register through the National Saltwater Angler Registry web-site or phone number (page 8) for the 2010 fishing year.

A reminder to our Marine Sportfish Collection Project anglers. We are still collecting flounder through the project at this time. And, please note that the freezer formerly located at Wallace’s Bait and Tackle has been replaced with a new freezer now located at Back River Outfitters, just up the road.

**PLEASE NOTE: The last issue of the Virginia Saltwater Review for 2010 will be published on October 22, 2010. The Review will be published again beginning in the spring of 2011. **


THE FISHING REPORT

Chincoteague -

Donna, at Captain Bob’s, reports that due to the inclement weather, action on the water was very slow last week. On the few calm days, anglers found numerous flounder throw-backs (over 20 for every keeper). Small bluefish and sea bass were still out there to provide some action. The most successful flounder areas were in the Assateague Channel, particularly between Memorial Park and Tom’s Cove Campground, the canal in front of Inlet View, and in the main Chincoteague Channel around the USCG Base and Daisey’s Dockside. Live minnows, silversides, and occasionally squid were the most popular baits. On the surf, weather permitting, huge red drum were caught, although the majority were too big to keep (ranging from 35 to 48 inches). Also, small bluefish, kingfish, and dogfish were available from the surf.

Cape Charles-

According to staff at Chris’ Bait and Tackle, a few red drum were caught in the Chesapeake Bay near Latimer Shoals this week. Flounder were found in the deepwater troughs out of Kiptopeke, and a few speckled trout have shown up in the creeks. Lately, the weather has kept anglers from getting out, but staff is expecting the tautog action to start up soon.

Captain Ray Cardone, charter boat captain from Cherrystone, reported a few flounder catches this weekend (the largest was 22 inches) from the Buoy 42 area. Several red drum were also caught (one earning a release citation) around Buoy 36A.

Lower Bay/Bridge Tunnel-

According to staff at the Sunset Boating Center, three striped bass were caught on October 5th at the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. Few anglers have been out due to lousy weather.

Spot were still biting in the York River, according to staff at the York River Fishing Center. There were also reports of croaker near Cheatham Annex.

Ken Neill, of the Peninsula Anglers Club and IGFA representative, contributed the following:

Windy and wet weather has really slowed down fishing activity in the area. When the weather allows it, there will be some good action to be had. The striped bass season is open. The best fishing early in the season is at night around any structure with lights. The area bridges and piers will be the hot spots. From somewhere, a decent number of grey trout have shown up. These fish are mostly small and are being caught by bottom fishermen looking for spot and anglers casting to light lines at night for striped bass. Spot are being caught in the York, Poquoson, and James rivers, but there have not been any real concentrations of large fish found yet. Speckled trout fishing is picking up on the flats and in the area’s inlets and creeks. Puppy drum (juvenile red drum) are available inside Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets. Large red drum are providing good action along the coast. If it is too rough to get out there in your boat, catch them from the beach or pier. Most action is coming from Sandbridge, but there are large reds along the coast and in the mouth of the Bay. Flounder will still be available in the Bay when the water clears up. It is the time of year when the flounder bite is really good around some of the coastal wrecks like the Brass Spike and those at the Triangle and Tower reefs. Mackerel and false albacore fishing should be good around the Tower Reef and other nearby wrecks. Sheepshead and tautog are being caught at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Small bluefish seem to be everywhere. This latest weather change should be the end of the great record setting) billfish action we have had this year. There will still be some billfish around this month, but it is time to see a shift to wahoo and tuna fishing. For those seeking a greater challenge, the fall is the best time to catch a swordfish off of Virginia.

Dr. Julie Ball, IGFA International Representative for Virginia Beach, contributed the following:

With a brief break in the weather this past week, many anglers took advantage of the window before the next front rolls through. Many were rewarded with worthwhile catches of mostly speckled trout, spot, and red drum.

Speckled trout action is really heating up lately. Anglers are hooking tons of small specks within most of the bayside creeks and inlets. A few fish weighing over five pounds are coming from both Lynnhaven and Little Creek inlets lately, where Mirrolures and grubs are the lures of choice. The Fishing Center reports that folks are catching lots of spot and speckled trout, with a few scattered puppy drum (juvenile red drum) over 32 inches in length in Rudee Inlet. A few smaller puppy drum are taking lures for shallow water anglers inside Lynnhaven this week.

As little as they are, spot are causing a ruckus. The lower Bay is still loaded with decent-sized spot, with many fish pushing to almost a pound. Lower Bay piers, Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel are productive areas for anglers using bloodworms and fishbites. Serious spot chasers are still awaiting an overdue run of citation yellowbellies. Big croaker are still available in the lower Bay. Some fish weighing around 2.5 pounds are coming from Lynnhaven Inlet, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and off of Fort Story.

It’s hard not to notice the incredible red drum bonanza taking place all over the lower Bay and along the shorelines. Surf and pier anglers are taking big bulls from the Little Island Fishing Pier and from the oceanfront beaches on cut bait. A few boats are also having luck with the reds while fishing close to the beach, casting to schools, and fishing on the bottom.

The Bay striped bass season is off to a good start this week. Although it is early in the season, anglers targeting striped bass are finding success casting to schoolies ranging up to 28 inches around the islands, tubes, and pilings of the lower Bay Bridge Tunnels, especially at night. Plenty of bluefish are also in the mix. Lower Bay inlets are also providing similar results. Those testing live bait over the tubes are finding a few rockfish (striped bass) to about 15 pounds. Anglers can keep two fish per person ranging from 18 inches to 28 inches, with no fish to be kept within the closed slot size from 28 to 34 inches. One of the two fish may exceed 34 inches.

Once the water clears, the flounder action should pick up where it left off before the weather. This is the best time of year for drifters, who are catching good numbers of nice flatfish while sweeping the edges of shoals and channels with strip bait. The Hampton Bar, the 1st Island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, the southern Small Boat Channel, and the Baltimore and Thimble Shoals channels are also producing decent hauls. Some nice flounder should be available on some inshore and nearshore wrecks, along with nice triggerfish and sea bass. Tautog are also available in the same areas, but the best taug hauls are coming from inside the Chesapeake Bay right now, where good numbers of fish (up to four pounds) are falling for crab and fiddlers along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Plenty of nice sheepshead are also taking these same baits.

Those trying their luck at the Chesapeake Light Tower are finding mostly small false albacore, snake kings, and some keeper Spanish mackerel. Cobia are making a final showing along the Virginia Beach oceanfront, where big fish are jumping on live bait before they head south.

Deep dropping will pick up when more interest stirs. Blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, and a variety of grouper and other deep bottom dwellers are available along the edges of the Norfolk Canyon.

When boats can get offshore, some white marlin are still around, and wahoo are on the upswing. Plenty of bailer and gaffer dolphin are still a sure bet, and a few yellowfin tuna are available but scattered. Swordfish will draw more interest as the waters begin to cool.

Virginia Middle Bay-

Dan, with Smith’s Point Marina, reports that striped bass fishing has been strong with many keepers caught around the light and jetties of the Potomac River. A few bait-sized spot have been caught along with the occasional croaker for bottom fishermen as well. It appears the dropping water temperatures have chased the flounder out of the area.

Butch, with Garretts’ Marina, reports that the catfish bite has improved since the heavy rains, and a few striped bass have entered the area as well. Spot and croaker fishing been slow, but there are plenty of white perch.

Jerry Thrash, of Queen’s Creek Outfitters, contributed the following:

Water temps are still near 75 degrees in the rivers and creeks (which are full of freshwater following the approximately 20 inches of rain we have had). There are still a lot of fish in these stained waters, but action won't pick up until the waters clear. Yellow-bellied spot were being caught in Butlers Hole, at the Spike, the Mudhole, and off of Gwynn’s Island right up to the storms arriving. Good-sized schools of grey trout continue to be found off of Gwynn’s Island and in the mouth of the Rappahannock River. Fair numbers of medium-sized speckled trout have shown up in the Ware Neck area this week, and a 48-inch citation red drum was released from the Piankatank River Bridge area last week.

Virginia Beach-

Staff at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center reported that numerous spot, along with croaker, speckled trout, puppy drum, and bluefish were available in the inlet this week. Inshore, triggerfish and black sea bass were hooked at the inshore wrecks.

Virginia Piers-

At the Virginia Beach Pier, large spot and croaker were caught over the last week; however, staff has not seen any yellow-bellies yet. Several nice-sized puppy drum were hooked over the weekend (44 inches and 26 inches). Good fishing over the past few days.

Spot, along with a few speckled trout, were reported from the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier this week.

At the Little Island Fishing Pier, at Sandbridge, small bluefish and roundheads were reported.

Nice-sized croaker (up to 2 pounds) were reported from the Buckroe Fishing Pier this week. Anglers also caught spot (up to 1 pound), a few flounder, and puffers. The first striped bass of the season was caught off of the pier last week (20 inches).

Outer Banks, NC -

Weather kept offshore fishing to a minimum the last week in the Outer Banks. When anglers were able to get out, tuna were available with yellowfin, blackfin, bigeye, skipjack, and bluefin tuna all being caught. Other species of note were dolphin, wahoo, and amberjack. Billfishing was very slow. Striped bass were caught around five miles offshore; however, since they were caught farther than the three mile limit, they had to be thrown back. Deepwater bottom fishing produced blueline tilefish in good numbers, with sea bass and assorted snappers in the mix. Artificial reefs closer to shore had good bites for tautog and triggerfish. Nearshore fishing was very limited with a few bluefish and Spanish mackerel reported. Pier and shore fishing had poor results as well, with a few croaker, spot, sea mullet, black drum, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish being caught. In the inlet and sounds, anglers saw large numbers of flounder but with a poor keeper to throw back ratio. Striped bass were caught in good numbers around the bridges. Large spot, croaker, and sea mullet were plentiful and widespread.

South of Oregon Inlet, the big red drum bite was excellent around Cape Hatteras Point, along with speckled trout running in the 2 ½ pound range. Bluefish were also being caught around the point, north beaches, and south beaches, but most people were targeting drum.

Offshore fishing out of Hatteras Harbor has been non-existent due to sea conditions, but the red drum bite has kept a lot of anglers happy in the sounds. A few speckled trout were reported by those fishing in shallow water.

If you have additional information or would like further details contact Joe Grist at (757) 247-2237.

Please credit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission's THE SALTWATER REVIEW as the source of the fishing information. Project is funded by NOAA and VMRC.

[Fishing Report]

Chris' Bait & Tackle
Tautog were caught around the cbbt peir along with some flounder off 36a. Some speckeled trout and some small rock were caught in some on the bayside creeks. Should be a great weekend!!
We have been having a great run of sheephead at the 2nd island. reports are in that it has been awesome there.

Chris' Bait & Tackle
Phone (757)331-3000
P.O. Box 165 Capeville VA. 23313
http://www.chrisbait.com