Chesapeake Bay Water Nearing 60 Degrees!

Ken Neill, Red Drum

If you’re ready to do some fishing, you’ll be happy to hear the Bay water temperature at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is 59.5 F. Red drum usually show up by the time it hits 60, and big red drum reports are already coming in! Look for them around the CBBT islands or on the shoals at the mouth of the Bay, near the northern end of the CBBT. Their numbers will peak in May.

More exciting news is that black drum are being landed in the surf on Virginia’s eastern shore. Look for good catches to develop bayside near the Cabbage Patch, the Concrete Ships, near Buoy 13, the high rise of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, around 36A and off of Cape Charles. Best baits are clam and crab used separately or together. These big fish can weigh over 50 pounds and put up a great fight!

More good news, flounder are starting to show up inshore. The best early season action usually occurs over on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. A few short flatties have been caught inside Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets. They feed on minnows or squid. A minnow/squid combo on a bottom rig is a proven way to catch them. Remember larger baits usually produce larger flounder.

Tautog and sheepshead are biting on hard structure in the lower bay. Look for them around the CBBT, Back River Reef, the Cell, Tower Reef, the Concrete Ships, Cape Henry Wreck, the Santore, the Winthrop, and the Triangle Wrecks. Best baits are crab, clam or a combination. These fish have strong teeth and jaws, so you need a sturdy hook and leader. Crab is the preferred bait for both species. Use a dropper rig or a jig head to present your bait close to the structure.

Knot Wish’n Custom Charters

Speckled trout and puppy drum are active in the tributaries of the bay, such as Lynnhaven Inlet and the Elizabeth River. These fish are ambush predators that like to hide in grass beds, oyster bars, docks, and other cover. You can catch them with live bait such as shrimp, mullet, or croaker, or with artificial lures such as jigs, soft plastics, or topwater plugs. The best time to fish for them is in the afternoon when the water is warmer. Captain Todd and crew with Knot Wish’n Custom Charters landed a few puppy drum in Rudee Inlet this week.

These are some of the best fishing opportunities in Virginia right now. Don’t miss your chance to catch some trophy fish and have a blast on the water!

Outer Banks, North Carolina (OBX)

Reds In The OBX Surf

Ready for a road trip, head south to the OBX of North Carolina! Big red drum, large sharks, and nice trout are available now. Whether you fish in the surf, the sound, or offshore, you will find plenty of action and variety.

In the surf, some nice trout and puppy drum are around Oregon Inlet. These fish are great for light tackle. You can use soft plastics, jigs, or live bait to entice them. Down south, from the Point to Ocracoke, the big drum showed up in decent numbers over the weekend. These are the fish of a lifetime, reaching up to 50 inches or more. You will need heavy tackle and fresh cut bait to hook them. However, be prepared to deal with a lot of sharks as well. Sea mullet, puffers, bluefish, and small croaker were also reported on Hatteras Island beaches. These are fun fish to catch for kids and beginners. You can use bottom rigs with shrimp, squid, or bloodworms to catch them.

Sound side, anglers are finding puppy drum and speckled trout as well as a few decent black drum. These fish are also great for light tackle and fly fishing. You can use topwater plugs, jerkbaits, or live shrimp to catch them. The sound is also a beautiful place to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of OBX.

Offshore, the yellowfin tuna have been biting very good the last few days with multiple boats catching early limits! These are powerful fish that will test your endurance and skill. You will need trolling rigs with ballyhoo, cedar plugs, or skirted lures to catch them. Along with the yellowfin, we have heard reports of blackfin tuna, wahoo, and even a white marlin that was caught. These are all trophy fish that will make your trip unforgettable.

So what are you waiting for? Book your charter today!