Fishing Report and COVID-19 Restrictions

Kyle and Ethan with some rigging tips

Between windy weather and COVID-19 restrictions, there hasn’t been a lot of fishing to report on this week. There’s been some confusion over exactly what the current regulations are regarding who can and cannot fish. To the best of my knowledge there will be no chartering in Virginia until early June. June will be peak fishing on the lower Chesapeake Bay and along the ocean front for cobia, big red drum and spanish mackerel. By then everyone will be going nuts to get out on the water. I look for VBSF charters to be book rather heavy in June, July and August. So, if you plan to take the family out, you should book ahead.

But for now, all Virginians have been directed to stay at home except for allowable travel including: to seek medical attention, work, care for family or household members obtain goods and services like groceries, prescriptions, and others as outlined in Executive Order Fifty-Three, and engage in outdoor activity using strict social distancing practices.

https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus/

When and if you get to go, tautogs are around the reefs and wrecks, biting on fresh crabs. Flounder and speckled trout are starting to show up in the inlets and coastal bays.

The first black drum of the season showed up in the Eastern Shore surf last week.

Kyle and Ethan from VBSF sponsor Rudee Tours shared an old how-to rigging video for croaker, black sea bass, & tilefish. Looks like we’ll have plenty of time to work on tackle, so now’s a great time to share some tip. Thank you guys, great video!

https://www.facebook.com/rudeetours/videos/838567576657524