Virginia Beach Fishing Rundown

Happy New Year and tight lines from VBSF to all in 2021. (VBSF 2000-2021).  Time sure does fly, where did the past 21 years go!

The Chesapeake Bay striper season closed on December 31. The ocean season began January 1st, with a minimum keeper size of 28 inches and a maximum size of 36 inches.

MAP: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/striperregmap.shtm

Charles Southall, Gabe Sava, Lexi Sava and Danny Forehand decided to spend New Year’s eve ringing in 2021 with some catch and release Striper fishing on SpecialKate.

There’s still lots of large stripers in the Bay, some over 50 pounds were caught and released near Cape Charles this weekend. Most were landed while drifting live eels. If the fish are holding near the bottom, mojos might be a better option .

Speckled trout are still available inside Lynnhaven Inlet and Rudee Inlet.

Tautogs are being caught at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and on ocean wrecks and reefs. Fresh crab is the preferred bait for the Togs.

Some nice flounder have been caught near offshore structure.

Our excellent seabass season has come to a close, but a special permit season will open for the month of February. You can obtain a special season Recreational Black Sea Bass Permit from the Marine Resources Commission. They can be obtained online or from a VMRC Licensing Agent. Every trip must be reported online within 7 days of the trip through the Saltwater Journal or using forms provided by the VMRC. Lack of activity on the permit must be reported by March 15 through the Saltwater Journal or using the same VMRC form. You can find more information on their website.

VMRC released their last “2020 New Leader” update last week.

VA Saltwater Fishing Tournament
VA Game Fish Tagging Program