Virginia Fishing Report: Covering the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Inshore and Virginia Offshore Fishing by Tidal Fish Correspondent Julie Ball
As we push toward the end of summer, anglers are finding a multitude of different fish to target. Flounder is still the main attraction inshore, with doormats lunging at live bait presented around structure in the lower bay. The Cell area, as well as the 1st and 4th islands of the Bay Bridge Tunnel are producing. Keeper flatties are also coming from offshore wrecks. Although each day is a gamble, whether you are drifting, live-baiting, or jigging, odds are good for landing keepers with a few trophies scattered in. On windy days, Lynnhaven Inlet is providing good catches of decent fish lately.(pictured: FellowTFer ClassicRockfish and family with  a nice catch from the other day. Check out the full report with pictures here. ) The next top species is cobia. The transition to their usual top-water rendezvous with structure is providing a new approach for cobia hunters. More fish are also beginning to cruise the surface. While most of cobia are still not huge, a few whoppers are taking offerings, especially along the coastal waters off Sandbridge and False Cape. This trend should continue to gain momentum.

The king mackerel bite continues at a steady pace. With cooler air temps this week, kings should become more active along the shoreline, especially if an easterly direction is mixed in. Trollers are reporting scattered catches of fish ranging to about 20-pounds by live baiting and fast trolling south of Rudee Inlet in about 20 to 60 feet of water.

According to local charter captains, the Spanish mackerel fishing along the coastal Virginia Beach is some of the best they have seen in years. Big fish, with many ranging from 22 to 24 inches, are keeping trollers content. A fast presentation of small Clark or Drone spoons on a planer will do the trick for some decent Spanish action.

Red drum are still schooling around the lower bay shoals and near the 3rd and 4th islands of the CBBT. Black drum are also still meandering around the four artificial islands of the Bridge Tunnel where folks are hooking and releasing fish on artificial lures.

The great puppy drum action is still going on within most any skinny water location in Tidewater, with steady action within Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets. These young reds will hit a variety of baits, with fresh cut mullet and Gulp mullets the top choices lately.

Most have lost interest in spadefish, but some decent sized fish are still available along the northern span of the CBBT, the four artificial islands, and many inshore structures. Folks are spotting numerous sheepshead along the pilings of the CBBT mixed in with the spades and triggerfish, but they are not taking baits easily for most. And what about those triggers? They are everywhere on lower bay structures and inshore wrecks. These little fish will take most any offering on most any type of rig. But be aware they can pack a nasty bite.

Croaker are everywhere. Bigger hardheads are coming from the deeper areas north of the 3rd island of the CBBT, Back River Reef, and the Cell. The folks at Ocean’s East 2 report that big fish to 2-pounds are coming from the West Norfolk Bridge area in the Elizabeth River. Anglers fishing Oyster are also still filling coolers in the back waters. Tarpon are also available in the deeper holes and along the cuts in Oyster.

Nice spot are hitting within Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets on bloodworms, with good numbers of smaller fish also available off Cape Henry. Pier catches are routine for this time of year with small croaker, spot, and bluefish the norm, with a shot at a king or Spanish mackerel from the beach piers. Small pompano are also showing off the Oceanview pier.

Amberjack are providing good opportunities on offshore wrecks and at the Southern Towers. Although most don’t consider jack crevelle to be an inshore species, often these fish are noted schooling around the bay late in the summer. Although catches are not common, trolling spoons and live bait in these areas may entice a lucky hit. Schools of jack crevelle were spotted at various locations near the 3rd and 4th islands of the CBBT lately.

Not many boats made it offshore this week, but Captain Steve Richardson skipper of the Backlash out of the Fishing Center predicts that the marlin bite should still be decent at the Canyon. He also had a few nice catch of 60-pound class yellowfin tuna and nice gaffer dolphin recently. Scattered citation dolphin and big wahoo are also still in the mix, mostly coming from the Cigar area.

Until next week, good luck fishing!

Julie
Dr. Julie Ball
IGFA Representative,

Luckily we have some reports from the Virginia Saltwater Review covering this region.
Chincoteague - Donna at Captain Bob’s reports that fishing in Chincoteague is excellent. Although many species had a slow start due to a late spring with high winds, once the flounder showed up, fishing took off like a NASA rocket! It hasn’t slowed up yet. Currently, the hot catch is croaker and kingfish, with some spot mixed in. The occasional flounder are also available. Offshore, anglers must venture to the 30 or 40 Fathom Line to hook up with some yellowfin tuna. Large dolphin were found beyond the Parking Lot area. Bluefin tuna fishing has died back considerably, but the wrecks are busy with spadefish, triggerfish, a few sea bass and tautog. Other offshore reports included whale sightings, hundred of various types of turtles, and schools of colorful fish.

Wachapreague - At the Wachapreague Marina, the weather kept many anglers home this weekend. Those that went out found really nice tautog and black sea bass at the offshore wrecks. Offshore, the tuna run has stopped, but anglers have caught plentiful dolphin. In the bay, coolers were filled with croaker, and flounder are plentiful. Sea mullet and spot are numerous as well. Citations for the week include sea mullet and croaker. Anglers are catching croaker and flounder at Captain Zed’s Marina. In fact, the large croaker finally seem to have arrived. Sea mullet were caught as well. Citations this week include a 10-pound flounder. Offshore, black sea bass were found at the wrecks. Tuna fishing was slow, but gaffer-sized dolphin were hooked. A few white marlin have been spotted in the Norfolk Canyon as well.

Virginia’s Middle Bay Fishing Report
by Jerry Thrash From Patriot Charters and Queens Creek Outfitters
Jerry writes: “Spanish in good numbers are still available  along the drop off at Windmill Bar and there have been  fish caught near R2 and southward towards Wolf Trap.   Spanish bite best at 6-8 knots as shown on the GPS.  Slower speeds produce bluefish. Small to medium croaker good size Spot continue to be caught at Cherry Point, off Gwynn Island in 25-30 feet of water and at  the Spike (#3 Rappahannock marker) and at Butlers Hole.  White perch are mixed in. Flounder have slowed.  We only registered one citation this week and it came from jigging rather than trolling or drifting. Red Drum continue to available almost anywhere there is grass or shell bottom.   They are  mixed in with croaker, spot and small stripers and are hitting Gulp baits.  The creeks are full of small menhaden and the drum are feeding on them as are speckled trout and bluefish. Blues caught trolling are pretty good size (1-3 lbs) and there are a lot of them around the Cell, Buoy 42 and Windmill Bar.Citations:
Flounder:
26.5″,7 lbs, 1 oz  caught 8/7 at the Cell on a jig by Eli Shirley of Ruther Glen.”

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