The water temperatures in the lower Chesapeake Bay range from 59.2°F at Sewells Point, 59.7° F at Thimble Shoal to 61.5°F at the Chesapeake Light Tower. The weather forecast this week looks good through Wednesday evening, when it is supposed to gust up.
The Speck bite is as hot as it gets right now! The action is concentrated inside the rivers and inlets of the bay, with hotspots including the Lynnhaven River (Linkhorn, Broad Bay and Western Branch), Rudee Inlet, Little Creek Inlet, the Elizabeth, Piankatank, and Rappahannock rivers. Anglers are having success using live Mullet, shrimp, paddle tail swim baits, and popping corks.
Conor McManus, Chris Madden and Brian Crocker jumped out to an early lead in the Lynnhaven Troutzilla Tournament, with 23, 21, and 19.25 inch fish respectively. In the youth division Sean Doherty, Charles Crocker, Trey Gallup, Sean Doherty, Trey McCarthy and Mason Bass are on the board. The Tournament continues through December 10th. It’s headquartered at Long Bay Pointe Marina and sponsored by Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle, The Aberdeen Barn, Q-Master Billiards, Lee Fisher Sports and Cobia Killer. Details: Lynnhaven Troutzilla Tournament.
Rockfish activity is increasing around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel pilings. The larger fish typically show up towards the end of November and in December. School-sized fish are being found in good numbers throughout the lower bay, especially at night around any bridges and piers with lights. Lipless crankbaits and jerk baits are proving effective. They are being caught in the Rappahannock and James rivers by trolling with swim shads, bucktails, and plugs.
Many anglers targeting Specks and Rockfish are also catching Puppy Drum.
Some anglers are still targeting Sheepshead with good success around vertical structures.
Those targeting Tautog are enjoying good catches. Crabs are still available but becoming harder to find as the weather cools.
Very nice Bluefish, some up to 28 inches, are being caught in various places inside the bay.
There’s an excellent black seabass bite on offshore structures now.
Virginia Deep-droppers can expect good catches of sea bass, tilefish and some snowy grouper. And there are good numbers of swordfish available.
VBSF reports brought to you by Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle. Long Bay Pointe Marina and Coastal Fiberglass.
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