Virginia Saltwater Fishing Report

Saltwater fishing in Virginia is starting to peak! Just about every species is available now!

Flounder are being caught along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT), and their numbers should continue increasing. Keepers are also coming from inside local inlets and around the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. These flatfish are found around structures like bridges, tunnels, reefs, and piers. They feed on small fish and crustaceans, so using live bait like minnows, shrimp, or squid is a good choice. You can also use artificial lures like jigs, bucktails, or spoons.

Stripers are being caught at the CBBT and in local rivers, such as the Elizabeth, the James, the Rappahannock, and in Mobjack Bay. You can use live or cut bait, or artificial lures like plugs, spoons, or swimbaits. Speckled Trout are in the same areas.

Large Red Drum are being caught from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront to the CBBT area. They feed on crabs, shrimp, mullet, and other small fish. You can use live or cut bait, or artificial lures like jigs, spoons, or topwater plugs. The minimum size limit for red drum in Virginia is 18 inches and the maximum size limit is 26 inches.

Sheepeshead

Sheepshead fishing on lower bay structures/reefs continues to be excellent. Small Tautogs and Oyster Toads are a bycatch.

Cobia are arriving in numbers. Anglers are encountering them from the oceanfront well up into the bay. The season for cobia is from June 15 to September 15, with a limit of one fish per person and two fish per vessel. The minimum size is 40 inches total length, with one exception for a fish over 50 inches per vessel. Gaffing is prohibited for cobia fishing.

Spanish Mackerel

Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel are starting to make their presence known along the oceanfront.

Large Spadefish are being caught around a very crowded Chesapeake Light Tower. Soon they will be more plentiful in other locations, around buoys and at the CBBT. They feed on small crustaceans and jellyfish. You can use cut bait like clam strips, squid strips, or shrimp pieces. You can also use small hooks and light line to avoid spooking them.

Paige II Charters, Spadefish

Tuna, Wes Blow

Just in time for the upcoming Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament, bluewater anglers are starting to find some tuna at the Norfolk Canyon area. Dolphin, wahoo and billfish will follow closely.

Nice Tilefish catch on the High Hopes

After trolling for Tuna many are taking time out for some deep dropping. They are catching some really nice Tilefish. Amberjack have started showing up around the offshore towers.

Outer Banks Report

Nice Tuna / Seabreeze Charters

Inshore anglers have been catching some trophy-sized Trout, as well as Drum and Bluefish on the sound side. Topwater lures have been effective for the Blues.

Surf fishing has been productive, with a variety of species caught, including Sea Mullet, Bluefish, Spot, Puppy Drum, Flounder, and even a few Cobia. Big Drum and Pompano have also been reported from the southern beaches.

The piers have been hot spots for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish, especially at dawn and dusk with Got-cha plugs. A couple of Cobia were also landed from Jennettes Pier. Bottom fishing has yielded Sea Mullet, Spot, and Sand Perch. Sheepshead, Bluefish, Black Drum, and Striper have been biting at the Bonner Bridge Pier.

Offshore fishing has been excellent, with good catches of Dolphin and Tuna. Some Sailfish and Marlin have also been released.

It’s time to book your Virginia Beach fishing trip!