Virginia Beach Fishing Report

seabass

Steve Bradley

April 1st VBSF begins its 24th season promoting Virginia saltwater fishing. My how time flies. Special thanks to all our sponsors and contributors for making it happen.

seabass

Lance Shores

The Virginia special black sea bass season has provided great fishing all month. Boats have been limiting out.

Taug Fish

Tautog are plentiful on nearshore ocean wrecks and reefs. Their feeding activity is based on water temperature. When the water is above 44 degrees, they should be available. Now that Bay water has hit 50 degrees look for the bite to pick up inside. The rock islands of the CBBT is an ideal location, but they can be found 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, the Triangle Wrecks, and any other wreck or structure you can find. The best baits are crabs … blue, fiddler or mole crabs. Strips of clam, whelk and FISHBITES E-Z CRAB will also work. Tog or blackfish are arguably one of the best tasting fish in our area.

Speckled Trout are becoming more plentiful, especially in the Elizabeth River and York River tributaries.  There hasn’t been many caught in Lynnhaven or Rudee inlets as of yet, but if the warm weather stays, they should start showing.

Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle reported some puppy drum catches inside Lynnhaven Inlet.

red drum

Ocracoke Red Drum 45 inches, Leslie Mc Rimmon

OBX surf anglers are catching dogfish up and down the beach. At the point in Buxton they are starting to catch puppy drum, sea mullet, and blow toads. Anglers on Ocracoke are catching large reds in the surf.

Crews fishing offshore from the Outer Bank inlets are catching yellowfin, blackfin, school size bluefin tunas and an occasional wahoo!

Be sure and book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2023/02/25/virginia-beach-fishing-report-40/

Mid-February Virginia Beach Fishing Report

seabass

Rudee Tours Sea Bass

February hasn’t been able to make up its mind, the usual bitter cold has given way to some unseasonably warm weather as well. The swings make a big difference in what’s biting. The average water temperature is now 45 degrees.

The Virginia February black sea bass season is proving limits to those running offshore to wreck fish. Bluefish and sharks are in the mix as well. The sea bass season will be open until the end of the month with a minimum size of 13 inches and a 15 fish limit per day. The Virginia capture citation is 5 pounds. And the state record is 10 pounds 4 oz, caught in 2000 by Allen P. Paschall.

Tautog fishing has also been great out of Virginia Beach when the weather cooperates. Anglers targeting them on the nearshore wrecks are catching quality fish. Blue crabs or Fishbites Blue Crab flavored strips are the favored baits. Tautog season in Virginia will be open until May 15th with a four fish per day limit at a minimum size of 16 inches. Virginia’s capture Citation size is 9 pounds and release citation size is 23 inches. The State record is 24 pounds, caught in 2012 by Dr Ken Neill.

red drum

Connie at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle reports anglers are finding some puppy drum inside Lynnhaven Inlet.

Decent catch and release striper action is occurring in the rivers and inlets. Night fishing under dock, bridge and pier lights is your best bet.

trout

Stan Simmerman, nice trout

The Elizabeth River on the Southside and York River tributaries on the Peninsula side are your best bet for mid-winter speckled trout. They’re mainly be in deeper waters but as the weather warms, they should move into shallower areas.

blue fin

Boats fishing out of Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet North Carolina are getting into some nice bluefin tuna action. Charter boats fishing to the south have found lots of smaller bluefin, with a larger class of fish being caught to the North.

Be sure and book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2023/02/13/virginia-beach-fishing-3/

Virginia Beach February Fishing Report

Big tautogs are being caught on the ocean wrecks.  Dr. Ken Neill successfully fished the triangle wrecks  with Johnny Boyd over the weekend. They kept a few big ones and tagged and released the rest. Four already had tags in them. The largest weighed 10 pounds. I’ve heard anglers are finding FISHBITES E-Z CRAB strips effective.

Our February black sea bass season returns for 2023, last year we didn’t have one.  The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted to open a special recreational season from February 1-28. 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.

Rockfish anglers are still finding some large stripers. This is all catch and release now.

The speckled trout action has slowed. It should get better if it warms up, but the weather forecast calls for colder temps’ in the near term. Water temps are around 47 degrees now.

Afishionado, Captain-Jack-Graham

Outer Banks North Carolina anglers are picking up some giant bluefin tuna offshore. The bite hasn’t gotten red hot yet, but some boats have managed to find some.  Along with the bluefin, there have been reports of blackfin tuna, king mackerel and an occasional wahoo.

Inshore fishing has been good on the western side of the sound with plenty of nice trout and a few puppy drum being caught.

In the surf, fishing has been slow for those fishing the beaches north of Oregon Inlet, however to the south from Buxton to Ocracoke there has been a decent amount of puppy drum, scattered black drum, and large sharks.

Be sure and book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2023/02/01/virginia-beach-february-fishing-report/

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 then send us your pictures for our next report!

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

January, Virginia Beach Fishing Report

water

We have officially entered our off-season. Fishing opportunities are limited in January and February.  Only the most hardcore anglers can deal with the weather. Water temperatures are now in the mid-40’s.

The Virginia Bay rockfish season closed January 31st. Before it ended anglers took advantage and caught a lot of large fish. In the winter big ocean rockfish school up in the Chesapeake Bay as they stage for spring breeding. Trolling live eels was the best way to target these 40-50 pounders. The larger fish are usually in the main channels of the Bay, while the smaller ones will be found further up into the rivers and tidal creeks.

The recent Christmas fridged cold spell slowed speckled trout fishing some. But with the New Year warm up, anglers should be rewarded once again.

Tautog should be available on inshore and near shore structures.

The black sea bass season is closed until February 1st. Reports have it tentatively reopening on the 1st and running through February 28th.

Our next report will be in February. Should have some good seabass reports.

Be sure and book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2023/01/04/january-virginia-beach-fishing-report/

December Fishing Report

speck

December has been productive for anglers and the trend should continue. Speckled trout continue to be available, small rockfish and a few puppy drum are being caught as well. The waterways inside Lynnhaven Inlet, Rudee Inlet, Little Creek and the Elizabeth River are all holding fish. MirrOLures and soft plastics work great for specks, rockfish and drum. Popular colors include white, pearl, chartreuse and the pink and green combo.

Slot size rockfish are hanging around the CBBT. The best bite is at night under the lights. The big rockfish should be arriving, there has already been a few 40 inch fish reported. The larger fish are usually located first in deepwater off Cape Charles and eventually near the CBBT High Rise area. Live eels are the favored bait for the larger one. Trolling lures like the Manns Stretch are also effective. Lead heads with plastic tails work well around bridge pilings. The best bites usually occur when the tide is ripping.  Rockfish season in Virginia waters is open through December 31st for fish in the 20-to-36-inch slot.

Tautog are available on Bay and Ocean structure, the bay water temperature is 54 degrees. Fiddler crabs and quartered blue crabs are the preferred baits.

bluefish

Jumbo sea bass are available on many ocean wrecks. The open recreational seabass fishing season closes December 11. Some big bluefish and trigger fish are on the same structures. Flounder can also be found around offshore structures. Fresh strip baits are best flounder.

When boats can make it out to deep drop, they are finding good numbers of tilefish and sea bass. Anglers have successfully targeted swordfish. This is the time of year boats are on the lookout for giant bluefin tuna rolling. They are feeding in shallow water off the Morehead City North Carolina coast now.

Our next report will be in January.

Be sure and book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/12/11/december-fishing-report/

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

trout

Lynnhaven Trout

We have a pretty good weather forecast through Thanksgiving Day. Lite winds, 60-degree highs and the water temperature at the CBBT is 57 degrees.

Fishing for speckled trout and puppy drum continues to be good in the shallows. Rudee Inlet, Lynnhaven Inlet and the Elizabeth River have all been good. Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle registered a few citations recently. Randy Morton had a 24 1/2″ speckled trout release, George Kotarides a 24 1/2″ release, Todd Sturtevant a 24 1/2″ release, Jordan Elliott a 24 1/2″ and 26″ releases, Michael W. Noe a 24 .75″ release and Matthew Gutterman a 26″ release. Congratulations.

Smaller stripers are in the same areas. The islands on the CBBT are holding keeper size fish.  Night fishing has been best.

There’s a good sea bass bite going on when weather conditions allow boats to fish the ocean wrecks.

Tautog are hanging around the ocean wrecks and inside the bay. The bridge tunnel is a good place to target the tautogs

Be sure to book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/11/21/virginia-beach-fishing-report-39/

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

trout

Speckled trout are inside all local inlets, creeks and tidal rivers near the bay. Fishing on the Eastern Shore bay-side and on the Peninsula has been especially good. Captain Todd Beck, Knot Wish’n Charters says the water temperature in Rudee Inlet is a little above normal, so far the trout are small with very few gators available yet. Quality should improve as the temperature drops.

There are plenty of school-sized striped bass available especially around bridges and docks with lights. Anglers are casting light tackle such as swim baits and bucktails.

Tautog catches at the CBBT should be on the rise. The bay water temperature is now 62 degrees. Tautog action should get better as water temps drop into the upper 50’s. Ocean wrecks often hold larger fish. Crabs are always your best bait.

Some have successfully targeted swordfish.  Deep droppers are catching tilefish and sea bass.

Inshore wrecks are holding plenty of sea bass and some tautog and flounder.

Be sure to book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/11/07/virginia-beach-fishing-report-38/

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

Speckled trout fishing in the shallows is good right now in rivers, inlets and along the oceanfront in the surf.  Richard Parmelee released a 25″ and a 24 3/4″ speckled trout and Randy Morton a 26″ speckled trout.

Rockfish and puppy drum are being caught by those seeking trout.

A few big red drum are still available, but most are moving south. Kylie Hajek had 48″ red drum release, Brad Bittmann a 47″ release, Robert Perez a 48″ release and Jeromy Teeter a 52″ release.

Tautog and sheepshead are still being caught in the Bay along CBBT structure and on the artificial reefs. Thomas Czaplicki caught a 12 lb. 1 oz. sheepshead, Raymond Dodson Jr. a 11 lb. 8 oz. sheepshead and Michael Bouquet a 9 lb. 11 oz. Tautog.

Black seabass fishing has been excellent, boats are catching limits of jumbos. The Triangle Reef is a popular spot.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/10/24/virginia-beach-fishing-report-37/

Virginia Beach Fishing Report.

flounder

The flounder bite has been good. The CBBT is as good a place to start. Pictured is a 10 lb 5 oz fish caught at CBBT this week by TyAlan Martz.

Large spot are on the move, netters are catching plenty inside the first island.

drum

Stan Simmerman

Speckled trout are firing up inside the Lynnhaven Inlet. Look for them in all the local inlets now. Puppy Drum are in the same areas. The CBBT is also good place for the red drum. Drum of all sizes are showing up in the surf along the Oceanfront to Sandbidge.

Sheepshead continue to be caught around structures inside the bay.

Those targeting sea bass on the wrecks were rewarded with some nice fish.

high hope fish

Outstanding catch onboard the High Hopes!

Captain David Wright and crew onboard the High Hopes had an awesome day offshore. They landed a  limit of blueline tilefish, one a citation. They added two citation bigeye tunas, one at 170 pounds and the other at 129 pounds. And topped the trip off with an 80 pound swordfish.

Next report in two weeks. Be sure to book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

 

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/10/04/virginia-beach-fishing-report-36/

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

fish

Spanish on the Ocean Pearl

Water temperatures remain a warm 78 degrees at the CBBT and along the oceanfront. The weather forecast calls for a big cool down next weekend.

The last day of cobia season for recreational anglers was September 15. Catches have been great but its all catch and release now. Sight casting is most effective and live eels are the best bait. These fish will start exiting the bay and move south soon.

fish

Dr. Neil nice slot red drum

Cobia anglers are spotting schools of large red drum in the lower Bay. Puppy drum have been biting well in Bay inlets and in the surf along the oceanfront. Kevin W. Greiner registered a 50 inch red drum release at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle on September 9th.

Spanish Mackerel are still available throughout the lower bay and along the oceanfront.

Sheepshead catches around the CBBT are still good. Meng Qing Wang caught a 12 lb. 1 oz. sheepshead on September 10th.

Big Flounder continue to be taken, fish up to 9 pounds. Live Spot or finger mullet is the preferred bait for the big Flounder.

fish

The speckled trout bite is picking up in shallow water tributaries and inlets. Topwater baits have been working well for both species. Popping corks with shrimp lures work also.

Spot are being caught; some big yellow bellies are available.

The Virginia Beach Fishing pier reported some spots, a few puppy drum , a few spanish and some blues.

fish

High Hopes Sportfishing

Bluewater anglers are releasing white and blue marlin. They are also finding hungry wahoo, mahi and tuna. Bottom bouncers are catching tilefish. Bill Hawver and family had a great day offshore on the High Hopes with Captain David Wright.  Nice limit of blueline tilefish (2 citations) and a swordfish.

Throughout the fall our fishing report will be published twice each month.  But be sure and check in more often, because we will post breaking news and trophy fish reports as soon as they come in.

Be sure to book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/09/18/virginia-beach-fishing-report-35/

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

Paige II Charters

Flounder catches have been excellent along the coast and throughout the lower bay. Look for them around the CBBT pilons, near the rocks that cover the tunnels and around coastal reefs and wrecks. Brian Hostetter weighted a 6 lb. 1 oz. 25 inch flounder at Long Bay Pointe. Captain Craig Paige, Paige II Charters has been putting his guest on flounder recently.

Dr Ken Neill

Sheepshead are still plentiful at the CBBT. Long Bay Pointe registered several citations, Jayla Caraco 11 lb, Melissa Fichter 11 lb. 14 oz and Enrique Olivar 10 lb. 3 oz.

Cobia are on the move and offering top water action. William Buckley registered a 51″, Chris Bailey a 57″, Jimmy Shaddeau 59″ and Steve Jaffe 54″.

Big red drum are still roaming about the lower Bay and around the shoals of the barrier islands. Chris Bailey registered a 48″ release, Ben Boudaoud 47″ and 49″ releases and Wayne C. Merricks a 52″ release.

High Hopes Sportfishing

Spanish mackerel and ribbonfish trolling remains productive for charter boats.

Buoys and wrecks are holding triggerfish and spadefish

Speckled trout, puppy drum, spot and croacker are inside the inlets.

September is Virginia’s peak king mackerel season. Smoker kings have already been landed.

The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier reports roundheads, spot, blues, a few Spanish and flounder.

The 19th Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament was held over the weekend. A total of 84 teams competed in the invitational charity event. This year’s winner was the boat Cuttin’ Up, captain Nick Jones with a 612.5 lb. blue marlin. Second place went to the Sea Toy, captain Bull Tolson. Third went to the Weldor’s Ark, captain Dale Britt. Fourth to the Quick Sweep, captain Jimmy Werling. And fifth to the Mister Pete, captain Alan Neiford.

https://vbbt.com/2022/08/head-shot/

Starting next month, throughout the fall, fishing reports will be published twice each month.  But be sure to check in more often, because we will post breaking news and trophy fish reports as soon as they come in.

Be sure to book a VBSF sponsor boat and then send us your pictures for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/08/29/virginia-beach-fishing-report-34/

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

king

Kings are showing!

 

Our fall fishing pattern is right around the corner, but don’t dismiss the summer favorites yet. Intercepting them as they prepare to depart can provide great action.

The most exciting news at the oceanfront is the start of what is hopefully an incredible king mackerel run. September is Virginia’s peak king mackerel season. Smoker kings have already been landed.

ribbonfish

Ribbonfish

Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ribbonfish trolling remains productive. The spanish mackerel are still chasing trolled spoons off the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

Cobia will prepare to head south soon and offer outstanding top water action as they do. Several boats reported cobia exceeding 50-pounds last week. The Virginia cobia season closes September 15th. Don’t forget your VMRC reporting requirements.

drum

Slot Red Drum

Big red drum are still roaming about the lower Bay and around the shoals of the barrier islands. It is time for reds to begin showing more around the artificial islands of the CBBT. Fresh cut bait and live bait work well for this area. A northerly blow in September will jump start some drum surf fishing action.

Flounder catches are improving along the coast and throughout the lower bay. Look for them around the CBBT pilons, near the rocks that cover the tunnels and around coastal reefs and wrecks. Many are caught around the jetties at Rudee and Little Creek.

Buoys and wrecks are holding triggerfish and spadefish.

trout

Tagging Specks

Speckled trout, puppy drum, spot and croacker are inside the inlets. Trout are available along the Poquoson Flats and in bay-side creeks of the Eastern Shore.

Surf fisherman and those fishing off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier are catching spot and some croaker, sea mullet, ribbonfish, sand perch and flounder. Red drum, puppy drum, speckled trout and cobia are also a possibility.

Billfish release flags are showing up around Rudee Inlet! The 19th Annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament is taking place August 24-27. You can follow the action at  https://vbbt.com/ 

Until next week, remember to book a VBSF sponsor and send us your pictures for our next report.

RUDEE INLET CHARTER BOATS

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/08/22/virginia-beach-fishing-report-33/

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

Ocean Pearl Charters, Long Bay Pointe Marina

Summer is winding down. Parents and kids have a couple more weeks to enjoy the water before school begins. The vacationing crowds will start to thin out, but not the fish. Good opportunities continue for local anglers.

Paige II Charters

Flounder did not disappoint this week and their numbers and size should get better through September. The CBBT, the Cell, artificial reefs and ocean wrecks are holding fish. Bucktails and strip baits work well, but live spot is best for larger flounder. Pictured is a nice flatfish caught onboard the Paige II with Captain Craig Paige. Craig is one of the best flounder guides in Tidewater.

Spanish mackerel are still available along the oceanfront and in the Bay. Trolling with a Drone or Clark spoon behind an in-line sinker or diving planer works well. Using a surface bird in front of a spoon will attract bites. Anglers trolling larger diving plugs are picking up some monster size ribbon fish in the same areas.

Look for nice king mackerel to show up anytime. They are most likely feeding on the large number of ribbonfish.

Cobia fishing is peaking. Late August through September is best. This is when some of the largest fish seem to be weighed. Many charters are reporting limits. Sight casting with live eels is the most effective method.

Nice little black drum

Red drum are still around but catches of large fish seems to have temporarily slowed. Black drum are being caught in the same areas as the reds. Dr Ken picked a nice little black drum on his last outing.

Spadefish, sheepshead and a few triggerfish are hanging around the CBBT pilings and islands.

Schools of large yellow belly spot will start showing up in local waters soon. They provide great action for families with young anglers. When they are biting you can catch them two at a time as soon as your bait hits bottom. Bloodworms seem to work best but bloodworm flavored fishbites will do the job as well.

The speckled trout bite has picked up slightly in bayside creeks along the Eastern Shore.

We have a winner!

Offshore fishing is good. Anglers are catching tuna, wahoo, dolphin and blue and white marlin. Congratulations to angler Jeremy Duffie and crew of the boat “Billfisher for their 77.5 pound white marlin caught in the Ocean City White Marlin Open. While not a world record fish, the winning payout was!  The Billfisher crew took home over $4.5 Million.

The 19th Annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament is taking place August 24-27. You can follow the action at  https://vbbt.com/

Until next week, remember to book a VBSF sponsor and send us your pictures for our next report.

RUDEE INLET CHARTER BOATS

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/08/15/virginia-beach-fishing-report-32/

Virginia Beach Fishing Rundown

Lots of Chesapeake Bay pompano? Yep, you read that right. Last week, Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle recorded a bunch of citations for pompano caught near the CBBT Islands. Garland Anderson 3lbs 1oz, Robert G. Whitten 3lbs 9oz, Preston Cochran 3lbs 7oz, Kaleb Underwood 2lbs 8oz, Jack Limroth 3lbs 3oz and William Watts Blomdahl 2lbs 4oz.

Dr. Ken Neill

The cobia bite is still red hot and large schools of red drum continue cruising the lower bay. Catch a school on the surface and you can catch and release a bunch.

Spadefish catches are good. Most catches are coming from around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Sheepshead are feeding on the pilings of the Bridge Tunnel.

Ocean Pearl Charters

Spanish mackerel and ribbon fish catches continue to keep the inshore guys and gales busy. Captain Steve Wray and the Ocean Pearl crew was on them last week.  It’s almost time for some king mackerel to show up along the oceanfront.

Some nice flounder limits were had this week. Jigged buck tails are producing, but drifting with live bait entices larger fish. The hot spots are along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and near the Cell. There are some keepers inside local inlets as well.

Gray Trout should show in their usual holes over the next few of weeks.  Look for larger fish deep near the islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and along channel edges. Most grays will be in the four to eight pound range.

The backwaters of the Eastern Shore barrier islands are holding some tarpon.

Speckled trout are in inlets and on grass flats. Topwater action will pick up next month.

We are getting closer to the yellow belly spot run. It usually occurs the end of August or during the first part of September. They love blood worms.

High Hopes Sportfishing

Offshore anglers are finding dolphin, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, blue marlin and white marlin and a few sailfish.

Deep dropping for tilefish has been productive. On a recent trip Captain David Wright and crew onboard the High Hopes caught 6 citation blueline tiles. They also picked up a nice yellowfin tuna and lost a white marlin.

Until next week, remember to book a VBSF sponsor and send us your pictures for our next report.

RUDEE INLET CHARTER BOATS

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/08/09/fishing-report-2/