The offshore scene is stealing the show right now! With both the recreational trophy fishery and the commercial General category for Bluefin Tuna officially open since January 1, the docks in Virginia Beach are absolutely buzzing with excitement. Anglers are hooking into some truly massive fish, and sightings of those 600-pound-plus giants are a clear sign that these impressive predators are trailing bait schools southward from northern waters. If you’re planning to head out, stay vigilant on the NOAA subquotas—the January–March period tends to fill up fast when the bite is this red hot!
Closer to home in the Chesapeake Bay, even though the “keep” season for Rockfish (Striped Bass) has wrapped up, the catch-and-release action remains fantastic. Those 40-inch-class winter giants are still around, offering thrilling fights for dedicated anglers. Live eels continue to be the gold standard for tempting these lethargic trophies, while trollers are finding success with heavy Mojos (24-32 oz) or umbrella rigs tipped with 9-inch shad to stay down deep where the bigger fish hold tight. Since it’s strictly catch-and-release at this point, handling is crucial—cold air can be tough on their gills, so keeping them in the water during unhooking is the best practice to help these important breeders survive and spawn successfully.
Backwater anglers are finding a reasons to brave the winter chill, with Rudee Inlet, the Lynnhaven River, the Elizabeth River, and the Yorktown area yielding a few Rockfish and Puppy Drum.
The York River and its surrounding creeks near Yorktown have joined the Elizabeth River in producing excellent catches of Speckled Trout. Despite the plummeting temperatures, these fish remain active in their wintering holes and around the warmer mud flats on sunny days. Success in these areas requires a slow, patient approach, with many locals turning to “dead-sticking” soft plastics or using suspending jerkbaits to entice bites from these cold-water specimens. Many anglers are suspending jerkbaits (such as the MirrOlure 17MR or 18MR) or by “dead sticking” soft plastics. The secret is minimal movement—just enough subtle action to imitate a dying minnow and trigger those lethargic strikes.
Looking ahead, February is shaping up to be incredible for Sea Bass! The reopening on offshore wrecks often delivers the year’s best “knucklehead” black sea bass fishing—it’s an exciting time you should definitely be pumped about. Just remember the key requirement: the VMRC mandates a special (free) permit for this February season, and you’ll need to report your catch (or even zero catch) within 15 days of the season closing to help with management.
It sounds like a seriously busy and productive month ahead if the weather cooperates!
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