Bluewater Action Picking Up

Virginia Beach’s offshore bluewater action is getting better by the day, it should peak in July and August. Boats are catching white marlin; yellowfin tuna, wahoo and gaffer dolphin. Blue marlin encounters will increase this month and peak … just in time for the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament August 21st-24th. White marlin action usually continues into September. Deep droppers are still catching plenty of tilefish and sea bass.

The best spanish mackerel fishing in years continues along the oceanfront and in the lower bay.

Cobia action remains excellent. Most are falling to live bait fished in chum slicks.

Spadefish are around buoys, pylons of the CBBT and the Chesapeake Light Tower.

Sheepsheads are hanging around structure.

Big red drum are still plentiful throughout the lower Bay.

Flounder catches are on the rise. Look for them along the CBBT, around inshore wrecks and artificial reefs throughout the lower bay and along the coast.

Coastal wrecks are holding bluefish, amberjacks and triggerfish.

Pier and surf anglers are finding bluefish, spanish, flounder, croaker, sea mullet and small spot.

OBX, NC

Surf anglers in Hatteras are catching pompano, sea mullet and spanish. Those fishing the Kitty Hawk, Nags Head area are catching a few croaker, spot and sea mullet.

The pier rundown is, Avalon: bluefish, small flounder, sea mullet, pompano and trout. Nags Head: mullet, spot, flounder, trout and blues. Jennette’s: sea mullet, spot, trigger fish, sheepshead, blues and pompano. Outer Banks: spot, sea mullet and blues. The Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway trout, spot and black drum.

Boats fishing near shore are picking up sea bass, triggers, kings, spanish and bluefish. Those fishing the sound are catching sea mullet, croaker, flounder, sheepshead and trout.

Offshore in the bluewater they’re finding yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dolphin. There are some bigeye tuna and blue and white marlin available.