December, Striper Time In Virginia

VBSF, Long Bay Pointe Report – Next Report December 15

Aquaman Charters Photo

December … local tackle shops, marinas and boat ramps are buzzing with activity as anglers prepare to hit the water in search of giant stripers.

December is big rockfish season on the lower Chesapeake Bay and it’s off to a good start. Some monsters have already hit the scales over on the Eastern Shore. These big fish usually show first around Plantation Light and the area between the CBBT and Cape Charles. Anglers drifting live eels usually catch the larger fish. With each incoming and outgoing tide anglers should find fish all along the CBBT. A smaller class fish is usually encountered on the south side with the larger fish coming from the north end of the bridge. Dr Ken Neill says boats fishing up the bay, around the buoy 42 area have found lots of fish on the surface.

Several tournaments are planned during peak striper season. The Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout is December 6th thru the 8th. Teams can leave from any port in Virginia but must weigh fish in at King’s Creek Marina in Cape Charles. And the 10th Annual JMU Rockfish Duke Club Tournament is Thursday, December 13th through December 15th.

Jimmy Kolb

Speckled trout fishing has been outstanding inside Lynnhaven Inlet for a couple of weeks. Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle has weighed a number of citation fish. Most fish have been caught on Gulps or on Mirr-o-lures. As the weather continues to cool Mirr-o-lures retrieved very slowly will work best.

With striper season wide-open tautog fishing has temporarily taken a back seat, but the bite should continue to improve for anglers targeting them.

Healthy Grin Sportfishing

Fishing ocean structures has been excellent for sea bass, triggerfish and chopper bluefish. The tilefish have been cooperating for those running offshore to deep drop. The Rudee Inlet head boat will be running sea bass trips throughout December. Boats fishing in 500 fathoms  have found good numbers of bigeye tuna.

A giant bluefin tuna encounter this time of the year is always a possibility for anglers trolling the ocean for stripers or bluefish. Theses giants usually show somewhere between Virginia Beach and Morehead City NC each winter.

Outer Banks NC Rundown

Anglers fishing the Outer Banks of North Carolina are catching a few trout and bluefish. Hatteras Island anglers have been catching sea mullet, bluefish, some trout, blowfish and a few drum. Sound fishermen are catching stripers. Stripers usually hang around the bridges on the west side of Roanoke Island in December.

When the wind lets up the OBX offshore fleet is catching lots of meat fish, yellowfin, blackfin tuna, dolphin, swordfish and wahoo.