Category: Angling News & Tips

Fishing News – Black Sea Bass Season

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has voted to open a special recreational black sea bass season from February 1-28, 2023. Interested in participating? You can read more about the permitting and reporting requirements by downloading VMRC’s pdf file and you can acquire your free permit here. Be sure and book a VBSF sponsor boat and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2023/01/25/black-seabass-season-feb-2023/

Recreational Blueline Tilefish News

Recreational Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters Will Open on May 1, 2022, and Close on July 26, 2022. What/When: The recreational sector for blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on May 1, 2022, and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 26, …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/03/29/recreational-blueline-tilefish-news/

Virginia State Record Atlantic Tripletail Certified

An 8-pound 9-ounce Atlantic tripletail caught on July 14, 2021 by Hayden Head of Yorktown; VA has been certified as the initial Virginia State Record for the species by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. The record-setting tripletail measured 23 inches (TL) and had an18.5-inch girth. Hayden, his dad and four other anglers were primarily searching …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2021/12/22/state-record-atlantic-tripletail-certified/

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Retention Limit Adjustment

NOAA Fisheries is adjusting Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits go into effect on May 2, 2021, and extend through December 31, 2021, unless modified by later action. NOAA LINK What is changing? The table below summarizes the changes to the bluefin tuna retention limits. Vessel/Permit Type Default Retention Limit …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2021/05/01/atlantic-bluefin-tuna-retention-limit-adjustment/

Bluefish fishing community, VMRC wants to hear from you

VMRC will host a public hearing on Thursday, March 25, from 6-8. The Council and Commission are seeking public comment on management options under consideration in the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. The amendment contains several alternatives including, modifying the bluefish allocations between commercial and recreational sectors; modifying commercial allocations to the states; initiating a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2021/03/22/bluefish-fishing-community-vmrc-wants-to-hear-from-you/

Existing VA State Record Swordfish Crushed!

swordfish

A 597-pound swordfish, caught September 25, 2020 by Nicholas Kontodiakos of Norfolk, VA, has been certified as the new Virginia State Record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Kontodiakos’ catch surpasses the existing record of 466-pounds, caught on August 16, 2019, by Tony Gower Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA. The record setting catch was made …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2021/01/20/virginia-state-record-swordfish-crushed/

Fishery News, Flounder, Black Sea Bass

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Input on Summer Flounder Recreational Management The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is collecting public comments and suggestions regarding current and future management of the recreational summer flounder fishery. Input provided through their scoping comment form will help inform the development of a management strategy evaluation which will evaluate different management strategies designed …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2021/01/12/fishery-news-flounder-black-sea-bass/

Virginia Beach Fishing Rundown

Speckled trout and puppy drum fishing is great just about everywhere. Some big reds continue to be caught in the Bay and along the coast. There have been good numbers of king mackerel along the Virginia Beach oceanfront the past few days. Large sheepshead continue to be caught on Bay structures. Tog fishing is picking …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2020/10/26/virginia-beach-fishing-rundown-21/

News: It’s time to report cobia info to VMRC

The recreational cobia season has ended. The VMRC reminds us that it’s time to take care of our required reports. They are due by October 21, 2020. If you have questions about how to meet your reporting requirements, you can visit the VMRC recreational cobia website at: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/VA-recreational-cobia-fishing.shtm

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2020/10/02/news-its-time-to-report-cobia-info-to-vmrc/

NOAA Fishery Bulletin – Billfish

Catch and Release Only For Blue Marlin, White Marlin, and Roundscale Spearfish for the Rest of 2020 in All Areas of the Atlantic Ocean Based on the best available landings information, NOAA Fisheries has determined that the Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish 250-landings limit has been met and exceeded for 2020. Under …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2020/10/01/noaa-fishery-bulletin-billfish/

South Atlantic Board Releases Atlantic Cobia Draft Addendum for Public Comment

Arlington, VA – The Commission’s South Atlantic States/Federal Fisheries Management Board has approved for public comment Draft Addendum I to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia. The Draft Addendum was initiated in response to the 2020 quota, which is based on the results of the 2020 Atlantic cobia …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2020/09/10/south-atlantic-board-releases-atlantic-cobia-draft-addendum-for-public-comment/

Mid-Atlantic Council Announces New Mobile App for Recreational Tilefish Reporting

August 24, 2020 Mid-Atlantic Council Announces New Mobile App for Recreational Tilefish Reporting eFin Logbook Provides Anglers a Simple and Convenient Reporting Tool NOAA Fisheries recently implemented new permitting and reporting requirements for recreational tilefish fishermen. All recreational vessel operators (including for-hire operators using their vessels on recreational trips) targeting or retaining golden or blueline tilefish from …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2020/08/25/mid-atlantic-council-announces-new-mobile-app-for-recreational-tilefish-reporting/

Tilefish News: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Recreational Tilefish Anglers: Learn How to Obtain a Permit and Report Your Catch Recreational tilefish anglers may soon be subject to new permitting and reporting requirements. Under  proposed regulations published by NOAA Fisheries, private recreational vessels (including for-hire operators using their vessels for non-charter, recreational trips) would be required to obtain a federal vessel permit …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2020/04/15/tilefish-news-mid-atlantic-fishery-management-council/

NOAA Closes the Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Southern Area Trophy Fishery for 2020

NOAA News Release The Angling category fishery for trophy bluefin tuna in the southern area will close effective 11:30 p.m., February 20, 2020. The fishery will remain closed through December 31, 2020. The southern area is the area south of 39°18’N lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ), outside the Gulf of Mexico. Trophy bluefin tuna …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2020/02/19/noaa-closes-the-bluefin-tuna-angling-category-southern-area-trophy-fishery-for-2020/

New Pending Virginia State Record Bluefin Tuna

A new pending Virginia State Record Bluefin Tuna was landed today. The fish measured 109 inches and weighed in at 708 lbs. It was caught aboard the Toro, fishing out of Rudee Inlet. Captain Jake Hiles was the angler and Jeff Landis the  mate. The hook up came at 4:17 am and the fish was …

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Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2020/02/16/new-pending-virginia-state-record-bluefin-tuna/