Virginia Saltwater Fishing Report

Leaky Tiki Crew

The 2023 fishing season closed out  with a bang, when one of the most memorable events in years took place with the appearance of schools of giant bluefin tuna. They were between the Chesapeake Bay Buoy and the Chesapeake Light Tower. They were a challenge and a thrill for anglers. They should hang around into January and the giant season reopens January 1st. But look for it to be closed quickly if our seasonal quota is met.

Luke Mooney

Another December highlight was the abundance of big ocean rockfish at the High Rise and near Cape Charles.

The black seabass and the Bay rockfish season will close on December 31st. The next opportunity to catch seabass will be from May 15 to July 6, followed by another period from August 9 to December 31. Check the VMRC website for any changes. Some years there’s a special two-week season in February.

The Virginia Coastal Rockfish Season will start on January 1, 2024, and last until March 31. However, these fish are usually just out of reach during the winter, as they stay east of the Territorial Sea boundary.

Tautogs should be available in January, depending on the water temperature.

Speckled trout can also be caught in river and marsh shallows during warmer periods throughout the winter.

We will resume our fishing reports in March. Our fishing season usually picks up again in April, until then check back for periodic fishing news. Book your charters early!

Happy New Year. Tight Lines in 2024!

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