Doormat Flounder Season

Nice flounder for Paige II Charters

By TH Spangler | Connie Barbour

Doormat flounder have arrived in the lower Bay. Large flounder are also being caught around seaside wrecks. Remember when fishing for flounder the general rule is large baits attract large fish.

The coastal wrecks are also holding sea bass and triggerfish.

Spadefish and sheepshead are holding on structure. The spadefish can be spotted around buoys, over wrecks or near the tower. They like fresh clam strips floated in front of them. Sheepshead hang around bridge pilings and jetties, they prefer small crabs.

Spanish mackerel are in the area. Look for them along the oceanfront and in the lower bay. Most are caught slow trolling small spoons behind a planer or inline sinker. Remember the clearer the water, the longer your leader should be and the larger your sinker or planer, the longer your leader.

Cobia and big red drum are available along the oceanfront and in the lower bay. A favorite place to look for drum is on the Eastern Shore shoals. Anglers are finding cobia throughout the lower bay. Check around all the buoys, cobia love to hang close by. Don’t forget the Monarch Cobia Classic is coming up July 19-21. In addition to being a fun tournament, fishery scientists will be gathering information to further increase our understanding of cobia and Virginia’s cobia fishery.

Offshore, tuna continue to be caught at the canyons but the hot bite is for mahi-mahi. Lots of mahi have made there way up from the south. Last week a potential new world record mahi-mahi weighing 72 pounds, 14 ounces was caught off Hatteras by angler Lucas Duke age 14. If approved his catch will qualify for the Male Junior world record and potentially a line class world record depending on the tackle used.

Deep dropping remains good for blueline tilefish, black bellied rosefish and golden tilefish. There should be good amberjack action around the south tower.