Good Tuna Bite Off Oregon Inlet

The Sea Breeze, with Captain Ned Ashby

It may be the slow saltwater season in Virginia … but it’s a great time to pull the cover off the boat and get things ready to go. Anglers have been hitting local flea markets and tackle shops for fresh line or a new reel or two.

It’s a different story in North Carolina. Things are really picking up offshore on the OBX’s …  March is tuna time! … There has been an outstanding blue fin tuna bit off Oregon Inlet. The commercial guys did well and now the charters are collecting their one per year limit. Anglers from around the world show up to charter and take advantage of the limit. The yellow fin and black fin tuna bite is also picking up, limits have been caught recently. Some large mako sharks (in the 300 lb class) have crashed baits as well.

The short Virginia black sea bass season has ended and lots of scientific data was collected. Don’t forget, if you were issues a special permit you must report even if you didn’t catch or fish. If you don’t you may not be eligible to participate next year. March 15th is the deadline for reporting your activities under this permit. Reports can be conveniently reported through the online Virginia Saltwater Journal (https://www.vasaltwaterjournal.com).

Virginia anglers have lots to look forward to over the coming weeks. By the end of March we should be enjoying some good tautog action. Atlantic mackerel will also be available. Local charter captains are taking advance booking for taugtog trips now, so if plan to go you should contact one asap.

As April rolls around the taug action will continue and flounder will become a possibility.

By mid April the big black drum roll in. Bluefish and gray trout will also be a possibility. The flounder bite should continue improving and speckled trout will become more numerous. By the end of May plenty of large red drum will have made their way into the lower bay.

In June everything starts to peak, inshore and off! Black drum, red drum, cobia, croaker, flounder, gray trout, round head, sheepshead, spadefish, spanish mackerel, speckled trout, small striped bass, mahi, yellow fin tuna and school size blue fin tuna.

Lots to look forward to!