SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH VIRGINIA

[EriktheRed]

Inshore fishing is major disappointment in Virginia Beach(Rudy Inlet) and also Oceanview pier and nearby Jetty at Eastbeach. I am a seriously advanced angler, and maybe spoiled from Florida, but noticing that something is wrong in Virginia. My prize fish in the past 3 months is 0ne 20lb striper caught next to Rudy Inlet jetty in surf off a whole dead shrimp. Other than that the majority of fish that are caught are all potato chip flounders anywhere from 10 inches to 17inches with a 19inch limit that has me thinking something is being hidden from public view. Hardly any 19 inch flounder are being caught and there are no other fish being caught within a whole inlet and only rock jetty for miles except a few scattered spot and croaker. It is my belief that the big boats have raked the seas and possibly unseen gill netters bootlegging catch for their own greed. Its truly is sad when you have a very slight chance to catch a nice fish in present times when back in the day was flourishing. I wish it wasnt so....

[gottaflylee]

EriktheRed, frist welcome to SFC and to the "Shallow Water World" not being from that area, I can not help you out much but for what it is worth, I have heard some nice reports comming out of that area for Flounder and Black Drum both. I really do not feel that the "Big Boats have raked ths seas" as you put it, but it may be more whare you are looking right now. Keep plugging away, you will find them soon. Also look in the NE forums for reports there.
Again, welcome to SFC...

[Bird Dog]

What's your set up? I've heard of some big flounder coming out of Rudee recently. Try bigger baits - live spot, croaker, or bluefish. The creeks are also loaded with puppy drum right now.

[Jesse Lockowitz]

What's your set up? I've heard of some big flounder coming out of Rudee recently. Try bigger baits - live spot, croaker, or bluefish. The creeks are also loaded with puppy drum right now.

was going to say, i have a good number of friends in va, and they have been getting plenty of nice flounder/pups from kayaks lately..


Jesse

[EriktheRed]

EriktheRed, frist welcome to SFC and to the "Shallow Water World" not being from that area, I can not help you out much but for what it is worth, I have heard some nice reports comming out of that area for Flounder and Black Drum both. I really do not feel that the "Big Boats have raked ths seas" as you put it, but it may be more whare you are looking right now. Keep plugging away, you will find them soon. Also look in the NE forums for reports there.
Again, welcome to SFC...

Thanks, glad to be here.

[EriktheRed]

What's your set up? I've heard of some big flounder coming out of Rudee recently. Try bigger baits - live spot, croaker, or bluefish. The creeks are also loaded with puppy drum right now.

I hope you're right, i will be back at the inlet this week, but when i am there i catch maybe 40-60 flounder for the day but they are all potato chips. No doormats. I'm catching fish but nothing substantial. I notice people using mudminnows are catching bigger ones but 19inchers are scarce. I use very large croaker strips on a slow jig bounce from a long cast. It just seems to me that within using large strips like i do then i would be tagging some nice redfish, grey trout, stripers, and bigger bluefish on the side but not a one. Its strange. Also, i am wade fishing the beachside of the jetty on the sand bar using a flyrod with a nice spin reel (12lb test), long cast w/4" crystal minnow along the rocks. (((Nothing)))...Are you kidding ? I have literally tore up the Eastern seaboard with that set up. Its like there are no fish here that eat other fish except potato chips. Strange. I'm bummed out. I love fishing and without a chance of catching a monster then its just lame. I might as well apply at Ruffles.

[EriktheRed]

was going to say, i have a good number of friends in va, and they have been getting plenty of nice flounder/pups from kayaks lately..


Jesse

I wish i had a kayak, i see them paddling around. They can get to better spots than i can.

[Bird Dog]

The truth is catching big flounder from land is pretty tough to do, especially with a 19" minimum. Hell, it's hard for me even with a boat. There is the occasional keeper taken from those places but they're scarce. The bigger flounder are out on structure in the bay. The smaller fish use the creeks and inlets. I've heard of good puppy drum reports with gulps at high tide. Those are usually deeper down the creeks though. I've also heard of nice sized spot in the inlets.

[EriktheRed]

The truth is catching big flounder from land is pretty tough to do, especially with a 19" minimum. Hell, it's hard for me even with a boat. There is the occasional keeper taken from those places but they're scarce. The bigger flounder are out on structure in the bay. The smaller fish use the creeks and inlets. I've heard of good puppy drum reports with gulps at high tide. Those are usually deeper down the creeks though. I've also heard of nice sized spot in the inlets.

BEST FLOUNDER RIG I EVER INVENTED WAS CAROLINA RIGGING A 4" FLOATER CRYSTAL MINNOW WITH AN OUNCE EGG SINKER. DOARMAT HEAVEN.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I am not sure I understand what "seriously advanced" means...but if you think fishing is slow in VA right now...I think we use the words in different context. Welcome to SFC.
Holwachagot