Game On! The Inshore Bite Has Started!

Photo Captain Jake Hiles, Matador Charters

Virginia anglers have lots to look forward to in the coming weeks and the action might start early this year. We didn’t have much of a winter, which should be good news for species like speckled trout. And it could signal an early arrival for other species.

Tautog are already at the CBBT and on nearly all near-shore structures. VBSF charter captains are booking taugtog trips, so if plan to go you should contact one asap.

Speckled trout have been biting in the rivers for a couple of weeks. Connie Barbour at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle  says they’re available inside Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets now. Our sponsor Knot Wish’n Guide Service plans to look for them this weekend. Hopefully he’ll have some good news for us.

Red drum are making an early showing at the point in Buxton, I sure hope the Covid-19 emergency action doesn’t keep anglers away from the point the entire season. Currently only locals have access.

Anglers fishing the northern OBX are catching blow toads, trout, flounder, puppy drum and sea mullet.

Tuna action out of Oregon Inlet North Carolina has been fantastic all winter. Yellowfin, bluefin and blackfin. And of course, there are plenty of sharks available.

Here’s a look ahead!

Inshore fishing was off the charts last year and there’s a very good chance this year will be even better.

As April rolls in our tautog action will continue and flounder will become a possibility. Some good flounder reports are already coming from Wachapreague, Virginia.

Photo By Wachapreague Inn

By mid-April the big black drum will be here, in fact one has already been landed this year. Bluefish and gray trout will also be a possibility. The flounder bite should continue improving and speckled trout will become more numerous.

By the end of May plenty of large red drum will have made their way into the lower bay.

In June everything starts to peak, inshore and off! Black drum, red drum, cobia, croaker, flounder, gray trout, round head, sheepshead, spadefish, spanish mackerel, speckled trout, small striped bass, mahi, yellow fin tuna and school size blue fin tuna.

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