Nov 24 2008
Virginia Saltwater Fishing Reports Covering Chesapeake Bay and Offshore Virginia Coastal Reports – Updated November 24, 2008
The primary driving force on the fishing scene lately is the relentless weather. The fish seem ready and willing, but anglers are having a tough time reaching them. Therefore, many are resorting to an inshore fishing itinerary. And with the ongoing speckled trout run, not many are complaining. The fish are active in the shallows of the southern section of the lower Bay and rivers, as well as in the surf line. Surf anglers are pulling keeper fish from the wash near the Sandbridge pier on grubs and cut bait. Most of the larger fish are coming from the Elizabeth River and Rudee Inlet, but Lynnhaven is also giving up some respectable fish lately. Richard Stell of Virginia Beach lucked out when he hooked a hefty six-pound, 11-ounce speck fishing in the Broad Bay section of Lynnhaven, while Randy Price of Norfolk scored with a nice seven-pound, 13-ounce bruiser from the Elizabeth River on a Mirrolure. There are several fishing methods used for targeting speckled trout, and all techniques are producing lately. But many are finding especially good luck with trolling this week. Puppy drum are still active in these same areas, but the action slowed up this week. Surf anglers are reporting some quality fish coming from the surf along Cape Henry, and down to Sandbridge.
Everyone is watching the striper scene. Although the really big fish are still to the north, anglers are still enjoying some decent striped bass encounters, with the northern-most islands and the high rise segment of the Bay Bridge Tunnel giving up the biggest fish. Eeling is becoming more effective from the high rise to the Cape Charles areas. As the waters cool, this method will likely continue to produce the larger fish. Surf casters are enjoying great action from the shoreline near the Lesner Bridge in Lynnhaven Inlet, where 2-ounce jig heads adorned with bubblegum colored “Zoom Super Fluke grubs” are the ticket. Plenty of school sized fish are also available at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and the Monitor Merrimack Memorial Bridge Tunnel. Trollers are also scoring with fish to 42-inches fish near the mouth of the bay and Cape Henry.
Watch for the season’s first big striped bass tournament coming up on November 28th. The Kiptopeke Rockfish Riot is hosted by Chris’ Bait and Tackle, and benefits the Northampton County Toy Closet for children. For more information, call 757-331-3000.
The bay water tautog action continues to sizzle. Anglers are enticing limits of keeper fish from lower bay wrecks and bridge structures with blue crabs (if you can find them), clams, and mussels. One boat caught 25 fish up to 6-pounds in a little over an hour fishing along the CBBT recently, while another boat reported catching their limit of decent togs using quartered frozen crabs fished over a small “hang” at the mouth of the bay. Tautog on the offshore wrecks are also becoming more active.
Flounder action was good on the offshore wrecks when boats could reach them. This trend could heat back up once the winds subside. Nice seabass are also available on these same structures, along with a smattering of grey triggerfish. There is a good chance chopper bluefish are still circling the Triangle wrecks, but they are also moving into more inshore structures. Choppers were caught near the Chesapeake Light Tower recently. Although no word of any boated fish, bluefin tuna are a possibility from the Light Tower out to the inshore sea mounts. Deep droppers can also find good numbers of decent blueline tilefish and nice seabass in depths of 300 feet of water or more.
If a decent weather window presents, there is warm water within range, but few boats will make the run. There is a chance for yellowfin tuna, longfin tuna, and bluefin tuna. Swordfish are also a good possibility for those venturing to the deep for an overnight trip.
Until next week, good luck fishing!
Julie
Dr. Julie Ball
IGFA Representative,
Virginia’s Eastern Shore Fishing Report
Covering Inshore and Offshore Fishing out of Wachapreague, Chincoteague and Assateague
by Kevin of Lyn B Sportfishing - TidalFish.com Correspondent
Chincoteague – No report this week.
Wachapreague - At Captain Zeds, there was a nice run of small flounder in the area before the poor weather set in. The Bull’s Head area (at day markers 133 through 137), Green Channel, and the Hummock were all productive for flounder. A few sporadic striped bass and grey trout have been reported as well.
Virginia’s Middle Bay Fishing Report
by Jerry Thrash From Patriot Charters and Queens Creek Outfitters
Jerry writes: “This was another speckled trout week. We weighed FIVE citation-sized fish, all caught in the Ware/East River area. These fish are staying late. One angler, Keith Nuttall, had a whopping 7 lbs, 12 oz Speck and a 38” 20 lbs Striper, both in shallow waters and both on a Mirrolure. Water temps were about 56 degrees. Tautog are biting on structure and hard bottom. Striper anglers fishing for school-sized fish are having success casting bucktails and other lures from shorelines at narrow creek channels and working docks and structures. Best fishing is at first light and just before dark. Schooling stripers varying in size from 16-24” have been common this past week on moving tides at the Hole-in the Wall, Windmill Bar and in Fleets Bay above the bar. Activity dies with the tide. A few scattered big fish in the 40” range have been caught but these fish are isolated, not in schools yet. Chilly nights expected this week should bring great striper fishing in the next week or so with big fish to come by Thanksgiving. Storm-type lures fished on bottom bouncing rigs, small umbrella rigs and spoons fished deep and up high are working as are bucktails with grubs or shad.
CITATIONS:
SPECKLED TROUT
25.25″, 5 lbs, 4 oz caught 11/14 in the Ware River by Mark M. Ottarson of Bohannon on a Mirrolure.
26″, 6 lbs, 1 oz caught 11/14 in the Ware River by Lee R. Alto of Gloucester on a Mirrolure.
28.5″, 7 lbs, 12 oz caught 11/13 in the Ware River , by Keith Nuttall of Gloucester on a Mirrolure.“
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