Virginia Saltwater Fishing Report, Memorial Day

AquaMan Sportfishing

The red drum season is active on the Eastern Shore shoals, with fish increasing in both size and abundance. VBSF charter sponsors are also targeting schools of new arrivals along the oceanfront. For anchored fishing on shoals, peeler crabs or blue crabs are the most effective baits. Surface schools can be targeted with lures or large bucktails. The slot limit for red drum is 18–26 inches, with a daily limit of three fish per person. Virginia Trophy Citations are issued for released fish measuring 46 inches or longer.

Black drum are also present in the Eastern Shore surf and shallows, feeding primarily on fresh clams fished on the bottom.

Cobia have been reported in limited numbers, with catch-and-release occurring. Recreational cobia regulations include a 43-inch minimum total length, a one-fish daily possession limit (or two-fish daily vessel limit, whichever is more restrictive), and an open season from June 15 to September 20. Gaffing is prohibited. The state record is monstor109 pounder, caught by Joseph F. Berberich in 2006.

AquaMan Sportfishing

Water temperature along the oceanfront is currently 67 degrees, supporting a few Spanish mackerel and bluefish. As water temperatures rise, catches are expected to become more consistent.

Sheepshead are holding near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) pilings and other structures in the lower Bay. Spadefish are expected to appear soon near the Chesapeake Light Tower.

In local inlets, anglers are catching speckled trout, rockfish, flounder, and puppy drum. Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle reports flounder, sheepshead and bluefish catches inside Lynnhaven Inlet. Puppy drum remaining active as well. At the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, anglers are landing nice puppy drum, some flounder and skates.

Offshore, deep-dropping for tilefish is productive, and inshore ocean wrecks are yielding significant seabass catches. The seabass season is open from May 15 to Jul15 and August 4 to December 31. The Capture Citation requires a minimum weight of 5 pounds, with the state record at 10 pounds, 4 ounces, set by Allen Paschall in 2000.

As June approaches, Virginia’s bluewater season heats up, look for an uptick in tuna, mahi, and wahoo catches.

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