Virginia Beach Fishing Report

Black seabass fishing has been excellent, boats are catching limits of jumbos. The Triangle Reef is a popular spot. Connie played hooky, took a day off from Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle and got in on the action.

Black drum numbers are very good on the eastern shore both sea-side and bay-side.

Red drum numbers should increase dramatically on the shoals near Smith Island in the coming days. Another good location to look for them will be near the islands of the CBBT. Anglers fishing out of Oregon Inlet reported schools of drum on the surface this week.

Cobia have been cruising the surface along North Carolina beaches, anglers have been sight casting to them. Most likely they are available in local waters. Don’t forget the Virginia cobia season doesn’t open until June 15th. Each captain or vessel operator must have a Recreational Cobia Permit from the Marine Resources Commission. Management measures for the recreational cobia fishery were adjusted for the 2021-2023 seasons. The management measures are: a season of June 15-September 15; 1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel possession limit; and a prohibition on gaffing. If you plan to charter for a cobia trip … you better book a VBSF sponsor ASAP!

Water temperature along the oceanfront is 64 degrees. A few spanish mackerel have been caught. As the water temperature approaches 70 degrees look for numbers to increase from Cape Henry to Sandbridge. Boats looking for them this week picked up a lot of ribbonfish.

Some nice spanish should be available off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier soon. Puppy drum, roundhead and skates are being caught by pier anglers now.

Early season sheepshead numbers are excellent, they are feeding along the CBBT. Spadefish are usually at the Chesapeake Light Tower, on buoys and at the CBBT by Memorial Day weekend. They will become more numerous and aggressive as water continues warming.

Trout, flounder and puppy drum are scattered in our local inlets and tidal rivers.

Boats running to the canyon deep dropping are catching nice tilefish.

Boats running offshore to blue water should start picking up tuna and dolphin. Tuna fishing is very good off the OBX’s. Look for billfish to be hooked in Virginia waters any day.