Virginia Beach Fishing Rundown

Here comes October …. a time of transition. Our summertime species start leaving, the waters are less crowded and fish are very active.

When weather cooperates it’s a great time of the year to be on the water. Lately large swells from offshore storms have made ocean inlets in Virginia and North Carolina challenging, but things are improving and those venturing out to the deep are catching sea bass, tilefish, swordfish, blue and white marlin, wahoo, dolphin and tuna. (Above) Captain David Wright, High Hopes Charters picked up dolphin and tuna on a recent outing. Boats fishing the triangle wrecks are limiting out in short order on the sea bass.

Dr. Ken Neill met Nicholas Kontodiakos at Rudee Inlet recently to certify a potentially new Virginia state record, 579 pound swordfish. Angler’s name  and details to follow from the VMRC.

The Rudee Tours head boats have offshore 17-hour fishing trips planned for October 6, 13, 20, 27 and 12-hour sea bass trips starting in November on Saturdays. They also have inshore ½ and full day trips.

Inshore, cobia are on the move. There’s only a couple of days left in the capture season; it closes September 30.

Captain Jake Beck, Knot Wish’n Charters took advantage of a weather window recently and was rewarded with some nice Spanish mackerel.

On a recent trip to the CBBT area Dr Ken Neill and crew caught sheepshead, tautog and several nice puppy drum.

There’s still large red drum around, but catches have slowed in the bay. Large drum should be feeding in surf along Sandbridge and along the wildlife refuge especially when its rough.

Speckled trout anglers are catching some quality fish. Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle reports speckled trout and puppy drum biting inside Lynnhaven Inlet, and Captain Jake Beck found a mix of specks and redfish inside Rudee Inlet as well.

Flounder fishing in the Bay has been slow.

Pier anglers on the Virginia Beach Pier are catching puppy drum, trout, some spots, pompano, small croakers and small flounder.