Tautog fishing remains good to excellent. Look for them around underwater obstructions like wrecks, reefs, rocks and the pylons of the CBBT. Captain Craig Paige and crew on the Paige II enjoyed good tog action this week (above). The Virginia season closes May 15th, so you need to go ASAP! The taugtog state record was set in 2012, a 24 lbs 3 oz fish caught by Ken Neill.

Flounder, speckled trout and bluefish are starting to bite inside local inlets. There were nice keeper size specks caught in Rudee Inlet this week. The best flounder catches are still coming from Wachapreague, Oyster and Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore. A few flounder have been caught along the CBBT. Numbers will continue to improve as the water warms.

Sheepshead are already being caught in the bay. Their numbers will increase in May and peak in early June. The best baits are fiddler crabs or mole crabs, fished very close to structure.

Red drum are on the shoals at the mouth of the bay, Latimer Shoal and the shallow bar near the north end of the CBBT. Next month as the water warms and the number of fish increases, anglers will begin having success sight casting near the islands of the CBBT.

Black Drum are still along the shallow channel ledge running from Fisherman’s Island to north of Cape Charles. Look for boats anchored close together near Kiptopeake, the Cabbage Patch and the Concrete Ships.

Anglers fishing off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier are catching some blues, trout, small black drum, roundheads and a few spots and skates.

Virginia offshore anglers are catching  sea bass, blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, snowy grouper, black belly rose fish and dogfish sharks. Make sure to keep up with seasonal regulations for each. In May the Rudee Angler (headboat) starts offering 17-hour deep drop trips on weekends. You need to book early.

OBX, NC

Hatteras surf anglers are catching mostly sea mullet, sharks and blow toads. They are still picking up a few citation red drum at The Point in Buxton along with some puppy drum. There have been some very nice pompano caught in the surf to the south, I look for a good pompano season on Hatteras Island this year. Anglers fishing north of Oregon Inlet are catching sea mullet, trout and puppy drum.

The yellow fin tuna bite off Oregon Inlet remains very good and now you can add mahi mahi to the list. Captains are finding a nice class of fish with a few gaffers in the mix.

The charter boat Rock Solid ran across some cobia on the ride in from offshore. They were able to land the first reported cobia at the OI Fishing Center this year.

Fishing out of Hatteras Inlet, anglers are enjoying excellent mahi mahi and black fin tuna fishing. The wahoo and yellowfin tuna bite was scattered this week. Inshore anglers are finding bluefish and spanish mackerel. Spanish mackerel numbers are on the rise.

Red drum averaging 25-50 lbs are showing up on the shoals at the mouth of the bay. Latimer Shoal and the shallow water near the northern section of the CBBT are good spots. Their numbers will continue increasing into May and action will peak in early June. Trolling spoons like 3 1/2 Drones or similar, over and around the shallows or anchoring on top of the shoal and setting out lines are the best methods. When anchored use  7/0 or 8/0 long shank hooks with peeler crabs. Short shank hooks or circle hooks work well with cut baits like fresh spot and menhaden.

Black Drum are being caught along the shallow channel ledge running from Fisherman’s Island to north of Cape Charles. Good spots are Kiptopeake, the Cabbage Patch, the Concrete Ships, as well as the highrise and 2nd & 3rd Islands of CBBT. Running tides, late afternoons and evenings and full moons are considered the best time to fish for them. Whole clam, peeler crab, whelk or a combination is the best bait. The average size Virginia black drum is 40 to 60 pounds, but they can easily top 100 pounds.

Flounder numbers are on the rise in seaside inlets. Some nice catches are coming from Wachapreague and Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore. Drift fishing with live minnows, or fresh strip baits fished behind bucktails are a good choice. Live spot or small mullet are best for big fish in deep water around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The average size flounder in Virginia is 1 to 3 pounds, but the state record is a whopping 17 pounds, 8 ounces. It was caught at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

A few speckled trout and bluefish have been reported in Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets. Numbers should increase.

Tautog fishing remains excellent. Look for them around underwater obstructions, wrecks, reefs and rocks. Many anglers like to pylon hop along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Blue crabs or fiddler crabs are the best bait, but some are caught using clam or whelk. The average size tog is 3 to 6 pounds, but in Virginia large ones can top 20 pounds.

OBX, NC

There was an impressive red drum bite at the Point in Buxton last week. Many citations were beached and one day the bite lasted all day, with more than 30 citations registered at local tackle shops. Anglers fishing near ramp 43 and 55 caught puppy drum. Bluefish, sharks, and blow toads are everywhere. There have been plenty of sea mullet near ramp 43 and some nice flounder were taken near ramp 55.

Offshore out of Oregon Inlet the tuna bite has been red hot, plenty of yellowfin tuna. Mahi numbers are increasing. Down in Hatteras there has been an excellent wahoo bite and they are still catching lots of nice sized black fin tuna over the rocks.

Inshore boats are catching albacore and bluefish.

Knot Wish’n Charters, Rudee Inlet

The first black drum were landed in the surf on Virginia’s eastern shore last week. Look for good catches to develop bayside near the Cabbage Patch, the Concrete Ships, near Buoy 13, the high rise of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, around 36A and off of Cape Charles. Best baits are clam and crab used separately or together.

Bay water temperature at the CBBT has reached the upper 50’s. Red drum usually show up by the time it hits 60 ….. and big red drum reports are already coming in! Their numbers will peak in May. Look for them around the islands, on the shoals at the mouth of the bay, Latimer Shoal, the shallows and near the northern end of the CBBT.

Flounder are starting to show up inshore. The best early season action usually occurs in the seaside inlets on the Eastern Shore. A few short flatties have been caught inside Rudee Inlet already. Remember large baits catch large flonder.

Some trout have been caught inside Rudee Inlet. Captain Todd and crew on the Knot Wish’n landed a couple this week. Captain Todd said the water temperature inside Rudee is 60F now.

Rudee’s Inlet Station Marina, 17 1/2 pounds!

Tautog fishing remains good. Look for them around structure like the CBBT, Back River Reef, the Cell, Tower Reef, the Concrete Ships, Cape Henry Wreck, the Santore, the Winthrop, and the Triangle Wrecks. Best baits are crab, clam or a combination.

OBX, NC

Bluefish, sea mullet and blow toads are scattered along Hatteras Island beaches. A few big drum and large sharks have been caught at the point.

The piers are catching blow toads, shad, trout and bluefish.

Nate Howard and crew from Virginia Beach, with Release Sport Fishing Hatteras, NC

Offshore, captains sailing from Oregon Inlet are finding plenty of hungry yellow fin tuna … and dolphin numbers are on the rise. Down in Hatteras boats are catching LARGE black fin tuna over the offshore rocks. Sharks have been a problem, taking many fish before they can be boxed.

With the water temperature at Thimble Shoal now at 50.9F black drum are starting to show up in their usual haunts along the bayside of the Eastern Shore. Good locations are the Cabbage Patch, near the Concrete Ships, Buoy 13, near the high rise of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, around 36A and off of Cape Charles. Look for boats anchored close together in these areas. Best baits are clam and crab, used separately or together on the same hook.

Our tautog bite continues. Look for them anywhere there’s structure. Popular areas include the CBBT, Back River Reef, the Cell, Tower Reef, the Concrete Ships, Cape Henry Wreck, the Santore, the Winthrop, and the Triangle Wrecks. The best bait consists of crab, clam, or a combination of both.

OBX, NC

A few red drum are being caught at The Point in Buxton, near ramps 48 and 55. There are plenty of sharks and skates around. Blow toads and sea mullet are scattered up and down the beaches. Some sheepshead and black drum have also been landed in the Buxton surf. There are reports of puppy drum being caught in the surf as far north as Nags Head, in the Jennette’s pier area.

The Oregon Inlet fleet is continuing to enjoy good yellow fin tuna catches. Out of Hatteras black fin tuna jigging has been hit and miss. Some captains have turned to bottom fishing. They are finding hungry sea bass and some nice triggerfish. They have also picked up some king mackerel and a few wahoo.

Striped Bass Concerns

Concerns about the striped bass stock has prompted Virginia Marine Resources Commission staff to urge for emergency action to eliminate the state’s Spring Trophy-size striper season in the Bay, coastal waters and Potomac River tributaries.

VMCR release, “On April 23, 2019, the Marine Resources Commission will consider an emergency staff proposal to eliminate the Bay, Coastal and Potomac River Tributaries Spring Trophy-size Striped Bass Recreational Fisheries described in Chapter 4 VAC 20-252-10 et seq. The justifications for this proposal include the status of the coastal striped bass stock that is overfished. This means the spawning stock is low and not biologically stable. Overfishing has been occurring for several years meaning the rate of striped bass removals from the stock has caused an overfished condition. The number of striped bass harvested recreationally by Virginia fisheries has declined markedly since 2010 when 368 thousand striped bass were harvested from all tidal Virginia waters. In 2018, preliminary recreational striped bass harvest is less than 52 thousand fish. The reporting rate for the trophy-size recreational striped bass fisheries has been low and ranged from 37 percent to 50 percent, from 2015 through 2018. All these factors have contributed to the staff proposal for these emergency actions, and section § 28.2-210 of the Code of Virginia authorizes these amendments for the protection of the striped bass resource.The emergency amendments proposed by staff include:1) elimination of the open season for the Bay spring trophy-size striped bass recreational fishery of May 1 through June 15, inclusive, whereby a 36-inch minimum size limit has been in effect; 2) elimination of the open season for the Coastal spring trophy-size striped bass recreational fishery of May 1 through May 15, inclusive, whereby a 36-inch minimum size limit has been in effect; and, 3) elimination of the open season for the Potomac River tributaries spring striped bass recreational fishery of April 20 through May 15, inclusive, whereby a 35 inch minimum size limit is in effect.Staff proposes an effective date of April 29, 2019 for the emergency regulation. If the Commission adopts the emergency regulation, a public hearing on this issue would be requested for May 28, 2019.”

Wes Blow

As water temperatures rise our tautog bite is picking up.  The water temperature is up to 49.1 degrees at Thimbles Shoals. Ocean wrecks usually produced first, but now the bite has moved into the bay. Look for taugs anywhere there’s structure. Popular areas include the CBBT, Back River Reef, the Cell, Tower Reef, the Concrete Ships, Cape Henry Wreck, the Santore, the Winthrop, and the Triangle Wrecks. The best bait consists of crab, clam, or a combination of both. Wes Blow and Captain Craig Paige (Paige II Charters) both got in on the action this week.

Paige II Charters

Down on the Outer Banks of North Carolina red drum have been caught at the point and near ramps 48 and 55 in Buxton.  As many as ten per day have been reported to local tackle shops. There are plenty of sharks and skates around. Blow toads and sea mullet are scattered up and down the beaches.

The Oregon Inlet fleet has been returning to docks with limits of yellow fin and now a few mahi are in the mix. There continues to be some giant blue fin around.

The Sea Breeze, with Captain Ned Ashby

It may be the slow saltwater season in Virginia … but it’s a great time to pull the cover off the boat and get things ready to go. Anglers have been hitting local flea markets and tackle shops for fresh line or a new reel or two.

It’s a different story in North Carolina. Things are really picking up offshore on the OBX’s …  March is tuna time! … There has been an outstanding blue fin tuna bit off Oregon Inlet. The commercial guys did well and now the charters are collecting their one per year limit. Anglers from around the world show up to charter and take advantage of the limit. The yellow fin and black fin tuna bite is also picking up, limits have been caught recently. Some large mako sharks (in the 300 lb class) have crashed baits as well.

The short Virginia black sea bass season has ended and lots of scientific data was collected. Don’t forget, if you were issues a special permit you must report even if you didn’t catch or fish. If you don’t you may not be eligible to participate next year. March 15th is the deadline for reporting your activities under this permit. Reports can be conveniently reported through the online Virginia Saltwater Journal (https://www.vasaltwaterjournal.com).

Virginia anglers have lots to look forward to over the coming weeks. By the end of March we should be enjoying some good tautog action. Atlantic mackerel will also be available. Local charter captains are taking advance booking for taugtog trips now, so if plan to go you should contact one asap.

As April rolls around the taug action will continue and flounder will become a possibility.

By mid April the big black drum roll in. 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.

Lots to look forward to!

Virginia Beach, Long Bay Pointe Report –

Dr. Ken Neill and crew on the Healthy Grin returned to the wrecks for more sea bass action this week. This time Stan Simmerman caught the trophy fish, a state citation sea bass. The boat Playin’ Hookey got in on the  action as well. They caught fish in the 4 to 5 pound class and had one qualify for a state trophy citation. Ken said the bluefish were not as plentiful as they were on his last trip. The dogfish are still thick, but everyone managed to land a nice catch of sea bass.  He also landed a lone blueline tilefish, which was released.

Back at the dock VMRC fishery personnel measured, weighed and counted everyone’s fish. The February sea bass fishery is a closely monitored recreational fishery. You have to have a special permit, call VMRC before you head out, call again when you return and be met at the dock. Ken said, “if this sounds like a lot it is … but it really hasn’t been a problem at all. The VMRC people, both fisheries and law enforcement, have been friendly and appreciative. They are making up for decades of zero federal “wave-one” catch data during this special fishery, which has turned out to be a big science project.”   Permits can be obtained online here or at an VMRC Licensing Agent. Reporting can be done online through the Saltwater Journal or using forms provided by the VMRC.”

Fishing offshore Virginia Beach last week the boat Diehard got into some nice February yellowfin tuna and picked up a wahoo as well.

On North Carolina’s outer banks there have been reports of puppy drum around Hatteras and near ramps 43 and 44.  Offshore conditions have been snotty, but those who fished picked up some yellow fin and blue fin tunas, one blue fin dressed out at 400 lbs.

In cobia news, NOAA fisheries has announced changes to cobia management in Atlantic federal waters. This change removes Atlantic cobia from NOAA’s fishery management plan. Atlantic cobia will now be managed under the purview of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, because the majority of Atlantic cobia landings are in state waters. The final rule is effective on March 21, 2019.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/64346

Virginia Beach, Long Bay Pointe Report –

Virginia’s sea bass fishery is open, it’s a special one-month fishery, highly regulated and designed for data collection. A special, no-cost permit is required, reporting is mandatory, and you must tell VMRC when you are fishing so they have the opportunity to have a biologist meet you when you return.

All this is an effort to collect data on this wintertime fishery that we once had, but has been closed for several years.  When asking federal managers to reopen this fishery one objection has been that no information was known about this “Wave 1” fishery. VMRC stepped up and basically said they would collect the data if you will give our recreational anglers a winter season. So for the second year now, we have this “trial” one-month fishery.

The Rudee Angler (Head boat) enjoyed a successful sea bass trip. Everyone limited out in about an hour. Jim Baugh was onboard filming and got some incredible footage. He will be producing a show … watch for it. Jim will be at West Marine April 13 cooking up some of the sea bass at a cooking demonstration. The first trip on the Rudee Angler was sold out, so if you want to get in on the action call ASAP.

Dr Ken Neill and crew on the Healthy Grin also spent the first two days of the sea bass season on the ocean. They caught a 5-person, 75-fish limit on February 1. Two fish were heavy enough to earn trophy-fish citations of at least 5 pounds in weight. February 2nd, they caught a 6-person, 90-fish limit with more meeting citation minimum. They also caught multiple bluefish each day and a 9-pound hake. Boats were met at the dock each day by a very friendly VMRC biologist who measured and weighed a selection of the catch.

Anglers are finding a few tautogs on ocean structures.

A few giant bluefin tuna are showing up on docks from Virginia Beach down to Morehead City NC. There have been some nice size yellowfin and blackfin tuna caught off the OBX.

The Virginia Beach Boat Show is coming up February 8th –10th at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. If you have been thinking about buying or upgrading, now might be the time to do it, all the big dealers will be there.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet March 6-7, 2019 at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront (3001 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, Telephone 757-213-3000).

Agenda and Briefing Materials
http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/march-2019 

Virginia Beach Fishing Report – Long Bay Pointe

Well … we have officially entered our off-season. Fishing opportunities are very limited in January and February.  Only the most hardcore anglers can deal with the frigid weather.  But what better time of the year for a boat show! The Virginia Beach Boat Show is comming up February 8th –10th at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. If you have been thinking about buying or upgrading, now might be the time to do it. The boat show offers some great show specials and all the big dealers will be there.

The best news off the water this week is the tautog action is picking up on inshore structures. Dr Ken Neill put the Healthy Grin over some nice fish Saturday.

Some stripers have been marked 15 miles offshore, well beyond our legal waters. The Bay season of course is closed.

The black sea bass season is closed until February 1st. It tentatively reopens the 1st and runs through February 28th. The Rudee headboat will be running sea bass trips on Saturdays. They fill up very early, so give them a call as soon as possible.

North Carolina

The puppy drum have moved well south of Hatteras Island. Dogfish and skates are in the surf all most anywhere you wet a line. There should be some puffers around for those who enjoy the tender nuggets.

The big OBX news is that the Skirt Chaser, out of Oregon Inlet has caught the first blue fin tuna of the season. The fish measured 65 inches. There are also some nice yellowfin around.

Long Bay Pointe, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay Report – Next report December 29th

The weather has been a hindrance some days; but anglers remain focused on an excellent striper season….. And just in time for local rockfish tournaments, the super sized fish are providing the action. 40 to 60-pounders have hit the scales. Most of these large fish are coming from the eastern side of the Bay, Plantation Light to Cape Charles, where boats are drifting and slow trolling with eels. School-sized rockfish are also available for anglers casting along bridge pilings and the artificial islands of the CBBT. Find diving birds and you usually find the fish close by. Some larger stripers are also in our rivers.

The local speckled trout bite has slowed; it was nice to see a comeback from the widespread kill resulting from the hard freeze of last winter. The average speck was around 22-inches, but a few gator-sized fish stretching from 27 to 30-inches were caught.

Tautog numbers should be picking up on the lower Bay and on coastal structures. Jumbo sea bass are available on many ocean wrecks along with scattered catches of triggerfish. Seabass become off limits at the end of the year, the open recreational seabass season is February 1 through February 28 and May 15 through December 31. Some big bluefish could also still make a showing near these same structures. This is the time of year boats are on the lookout for bluefin tuna rolling in some of these same areas. A lot of giant bluefins have hit the docks to our south, in Morehead City NC.

Riley Grace and crew, three nice swords

When boats can get out deep droppers should find tilefish around the Norfolk Canyon. Big seabass and bluefish are a good bycatch, as these fish often compete in the same areas. Those targeting swordfish off Virginia Beach have been rewarded with some nice fish recently.

North Carolina Outer Banks

The Kitty Hawk to Nags head beach has been slow, with mainly sea mullet and bluefish reported. Anglers fishing the little bridge in Manteo are catching speckled trout and stripers using soft plastics. Soundside anglers are reporting striped bass being caught around bridge pilings. Oregon Inlet has produced a few speckled trout and stripers.

Surf fishing on Hatteras beaches has been more productive. Large sea mullet, puffers and sheepshead are feeding on shrimp. A good number of bluefish are being caught on cut bait. Large speckled trout have been in the deeper holes along the beach. Flounder have been caught around Ramp 43. Puppy drum are scattered from Buxton to Frisco. A few citation red drum are at the point but action has slowed down lately.

Offshore trips have had a rough time with the weather but when they get out they are finding lots of false albcore, blackfin tuna, a few yellowfins, some bigeye tuna and a few wahoo.

VBSF, Long Bay Pointe Report – Next Report December 15

Aquaman Charters Photo

December … local tackle shops, marinas and boat ramps are buzzing with activity as anglers prepare to hit the water in search of giant stripers.

December is big rockfish season on the lower Chesapeake Bay and it’s off to a good start. Some monsters have already hit the scales over on the Eastern Shore. These big fish usually show first around Plantation Light and the area between the CBBT and Cape Charles. Anglers drifting live eels usually catch the larger fish. With each incoming and outgoing tide anglers should find fish all along the CBBT. A smaller class fish is usually encountered on the south side with the larger fish coming from the north end of the bridge. Dr Ken Neill says boats fishing up the bay, around the buoy 42 area have found lots of fish on the surface.

Several tournaments are planned during peak striper season. The Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout is December 6th thru the 8th. Teams can leave from any port in Virginia but must weigh fish in at King’s Creek Marina in Cape Charles. And the 10th Annual JMU Rockfish Duke Club Tournament is Thursday, December 13th through December 15th.

Jimmy Kolb

Speckled trout fishing has been outstanding inside Lynnhaven Inlet for a couple of weeks. Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle has weighed a number of citation fish. Most fish have been caught on Gulps or on Mirr-o-lures. As the weather continues to cool Mirr-o-lures retrieved very slowly will work best.

With striper season wide-open tautog fishing has temporarily taken a back seat, but the bite should continue to improve for anglers targeting them.

Healthy Grin Sportfishing

Fishing ocean structures has been excellent for sea bass, triggerfish and chopper bluefish. The tilefish have been cooperating for those running offshore to deep drop. The Rudee Inlet head boat will be running sea bass trips throughout December. Boats fishing in 500 fathoms  have found good numbers of bigeye tuna.

A giant bluefin tuna encounter this time of the year is always a possibility for anglers trolling the ocean for stripers or bluefish. Theses giants usually show somewhere between Virginia Beach and Morehead City NC each winter.

Outer Banks NC Rundown

Anglers fishing the Outer Banks of North Carolina are catching a few trout and bluefish. Hatteras Island anglers have been catching sea mullet, bluefish, some trout, blowfish and a few drum. Sound fishermen are catching stripers. Stripers usually hang around the bridges on the west side of Roanoke Island in December.

When the wind lets up the OBX offshore fleet is catching lots of meat fish, yellowfin, blackfin tuna, dolphin, swordfish and wahoo.