Jun 09 2022

State Record Atlantic Tripletail Certified

  • June 9, 2022

A 16-pound 12-ounce Atlantic tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis), caught on July 23, 2021 by Richard H. Stuart Jr, of King George VA, has been certified as a new Virginia State Record for the species by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. The record-setting tripletail measured 28 inches (TL) and sported a 23-inch girth. Richard Jr. and his dad, Richard Stuart Sr., were primarily sight fishing for cobia in the vicinity of York Spit Light, when Richard Jr. saw a flash at a distance. Instinctively he piloted the family’s private vessel, Fish-On, over to take a look. The pair were able to approach close enough to identify the “flash” as a tripletail and Richard Jr. pitched a 2-ounce cobia jig near the fish. That initial offering was ignored. A second cast put the jig on a path closer to the fish and as jig passed the tripletail the response was a solid hookup. After a spirited 10 minute back forth tussle the fish was brought boatside. The catch was made on gear suitable for cobia, a Shimano Tetramar XX spinning rod mated with a Shimano Twin Power SW 5000 spinning reel spooled with 40-pound Power Pro braided line. The fish was officially weighed at Grafton Fishing Supply in Yorktown and viewed and positively identified by VSWFT Committee member Dr. Ken Neill.

Tripletail are not a new arrival to Chesapeake Bay waters but, with the rise in the popularity of sight fishing for cobia, encounters seem on the increase. Along the Atlantic Coast tripletail have been collected as far north as Massachusetts but are only rarely found north of the Chesapeake Bay. In more southern states, and especially in Georgia and Florida and the Gulf States, tripletail are highly esteemed by recreational anglers for both the challenge they offer and as a table fish. Their flesh has been compared to other mild tasting white fleshed fish as snapper and grouper.

Tripletail were added to the list of eligible species for state record consideration in 2020 with an initial qualifying weight of 8 pounds. No entries were submitted that first year. Stuart Jr.’s fish replaces the initial state record tripletail, an 8-pound 9-ounce fish caught by Hayden Head earlier in July and caught in the same vicinity.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/06/09/state-record-atlantic-tripletail-certified-2/

Jun 06 2022

Summertime Fishing Report Virginia Beach

  • June 6, 2022

Hunter Southall

This week water temperatures rose to 72-73 degrees in the Bay and warm water extends all the way out to the Norfolk Canyon. There’s some 75-degree water along the beach at Sandbridge.

Cobia action remains good along the oceanfront and inside the Bay. They should be available for the rest of the summer. Watch for fish on the surface. Chumming is effective, create a chum slick and use live eels, live spot or croaker for bait. The fishery is all catch and release until June 15th.

Knot Wish’n Charters

Spanish mackerel are available to trollers from Sandbridge to Cape Henry. A large class of fish has arrived  along the oceanfront and some smaller ones were caught in the tidal rips inside the bay. Captains are trolling small spoons like the 00 Drone or a 00 or 01 Clark behind a small plainer. Spanish mackerel average between 1 and 3 pounds but the Virginia state record is 9 pounds, 13 ounces. VBSF sponsors, Knot Wisn’n, Ocean Pearl, Paige II, AquaMan and High Hopes will be targeting spanish over the next few weeks.

Red drum schools have been popping up along the oceanfront and around the shoals at the mouth of the bay. Some captains reported catching and releasing dozens last week, it’s just a matter of finding a large school.  Remember, approach schools slowly, so not to spook them.

Sheepshead are around the pilings of the CBBT.

The spadefish bite turned on this week. Look for spades around buoys, the pylons of the CBBT and at the Chesapeake Light tower. They tend to draw a crowd; divers, snorkelers and anglers, so pack some patience.

Anglers are picking up a few flounder and speckled trout inside Lynnhaven, Little Creek and Rudee Inlets. Specks are also being caught in the Elizabeth River. Look for small stripers inside Rudee Inlet.

Anglers fishing off the Virginia Beach Pier have caught some nice spanish mackerel, small croaker, spot and sea mullet.

Virginia’s offshore, summer-time bluewater action is kicking in. Over the past week yellow fin tuna were caught, look for gaffer-sized dolphin numbers to increase. Captain David Wright on the High Hopes had a good offshore trip last week.

Deep dropping action remains good, crews are catching nice tilefish bottom bouncing. VBSF sponsor AquaMan Charters is running charters targeting blueline tilefish, golden tilefish and snowy grouper.

Be sure to book your VBSF charter boat sponsor and then send us your photos for our next report.

Tight-lines!

The VBSF crew will be out of town to take in the sights and sounds of the Big Rock Marlin Tournament down in Carolina.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/06/06/virginia-beach-fishing-report-june-6-2022/

May 31 2022

Great Fishing Off Virginia Beach

  • May 31, 2022

AquaMan Charters And A Nice Cobia Release

Anglers enjoyed outstanding fishing over the long weekend!

Water temperatures hit the magic 70 degree mark and lots of cobia arrived along the oceanfront and in the lower bay. Our cobia capture season opens June 15th, until then anglers are releasing them. Cobia will hit just about anything you throw in front of them, live eels, spot, menhaden, mullet, large spoons, white buck tails, plastic eels, swimming plugs or cut bait. They hang around buoys and other structure, such as the islands and pylons of the CBBT.

AquaMan Charters On The Red Drum

The red drum bite really took off. Schools of fish were encountered along the oceanfront and in the lower bay. When encountering schooling fish on the surface, you should approach slowly and not spook them.

Another hot spot for 25 to 50 pound feeding red drum will be near Latimer shoals. Trolling spoons or bucktails over and around the shallows or by anchoring nearby and fishing fresh cut spot, menhaden or blue crabs are the best methods.

We have enjoyed an outstanding black drum season. Continue looking for them along the shallow channel ledge running from Fisherman’s Island to Cape Charles. Good spots are Kiptopeake, the Cabbage Patch and the Concrete Ships.

Sheepshead numbers are increasing and fish will be available through September. The best baits are fiddler crabs, sand fleas or clams. The average size sheepshead is 3 to 8 pounds. Some larger ones were caught this week.

Spadefish have arrived on the buoys, look for them at the light tower and around the CBBT as well.

Boats looking for spanish mackerel are still finding mostly ribbonfish.

This week Virginia Beach Pier anglers were catching puppy drum, roundhead, trout, rays, skates, spot, blues, drums and a few spanish.

Great Tuna Catch Out Of Rudee Inlet

Offshore anglers are enjoying a great tuna bite. Hope the bite continues until the Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament June 22nd – 25th. Boats running out of Oregon inlet have been finding large gaffer dolphin, and billfish numbers are on the rise.

Tilefish On The Dock At Long Bay Pointe Marina

Sea Bass fisherman are reporting limits of Jumbo’s in short order! Further offshore at the canyons deep-droppers are finding plenty of tilefish and a few snowy grouper along with other bottom dwellers.

If you want to get in on the action, give a VBSF charter boat sponsor a call. Then send us your picture for our next report!

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/05/31/great-fishing-off-virginia-beach/

May 22 2022

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

  • May 22, 2022

bass

Black seabass fishing has been excellent, boats are catching limits of jumbos. The Triangle Reef is a popular spot. Connie played hooky, took a day off from Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle and got in on the action.

black drum

Black drum numbers are very good on the eastern shore both sea-side and bay-side.

Red drum numbers should increase dramatically on the shoals near Smith Island in the coming days. Another good location to look for them will be near the islands of the CBBT. Anglers fishing out of Oregon Inlet reported schools of drum on the surface this week.

Cobia have been cruising the surface along North Carolina beaches, anglers have been sight casting to them. Most likely they are available in local waters. Don’t forget the Virginia cobia season doesn’t open until June 15th. Each captain or vessel operator must have a Recreational Cobia Permit from the Marine Resources Commission. Management measures for the recreational cobia fishery were adjusted for the 2021-2023 seasons. The management measures are: a season of June 15-September 15; 1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel possession limit; and a prohibition on gaffing. If you plan to charter for a cobia trip … you better book a VBSF sponsor ASAP!

riddon fish

Water temperature along the oceanfront is 64 degrees. A few spanish mackerel have been caught. As the water temperature approaches 70 degrees look for numbers to increase from Cape Henry to Sandbridge. Boats looking for them this week picked up a lot of ribbonfish.

Some nice spanish should be available off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier soon. Puppy drum, roundhead and skates are being caught by pier anglers now.

Early season sheepshead numbers are excellent, they are feeding along the CBBT. Spadefish are usually at the Chesapeake Light Tower, on buoys and at the CBBT by Memorial Day weekend. They will become more numerous and aggressive as water continues warming.

Trout, flounder and puppy drum are scattered in our local inlets and tidal rivers.

tilefish

Boats running to the canyon deep dropping are catching nice tilefish.

Boats running offshore to blue water should start picking up tuna and dolphin. Tuna fishing is very good off the OBX’s. Look for billfish to be hooked in Virginia waters any day.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/05/22/virginia-beach-fishing-report-24/

May 16 2022

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

  • May 16, 2022

bass

Wind gave way to fog last weekend, allowing anglers to get back out on the water. The water temperature at the weather buoy off Cape Henry in 50 feet of water is 62.1. Bay temperatures range from 57 to 65 degrees. The cooler water is near Fisherman’s Island and the warmer water near Oceanview.

taug

An outstanding tautog season closed and the black seabass season opened May 15th. The seabass bite was  very good; with several boats catching limits of jumbos. The Triangle Reef is a popular spot.

Dr Ken Neil sent in a report, “Saturday morning, I spent a little time on the flats then ran to Back River Reef and caught a dozen togs to 17 inches long. Two of the togs had tags in them. Today, we (Johnny Boyd and Stan Simmerman) hit a couple of ocean wrecks for the last day of the tautog season and the opening day of the sea bass season. We caught larger tog up to 28.5 inches long and an easy limit of sea bass.

bass

The spring black drum bite has been on fire, some really large ones have been landed. Some have topped 70 pounds, but the 20 to 25 ponders are best for the table. The best action is coming from Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where fish are being caught seaside and bayside. Whole clam, peeler crab, whelk, peeler crab/clam sandwich, buck tails and lead head jigs are all good baits.

Large red drum are in their usual spots and cobia should be joining them, if they haven’t already. Remember its unlawful to harvest or possess cobia before June 15 and a  recreational Cobia Permit from the Marine Resources Commission is required.

Sheepshead are feeding on crustacean clinging to the CBBT pylons. They can be caught using fiddler crabs, mole crabs or clam tight against the structure. Some large fish in the 12-pound range have been caught.

Flounder and speck fishing inside Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets should keep getting better. Two good flounder baits are a buck tails dressed with a Gulp, or a minnow/squid sandwiches fished on a Sea Striker Fluke Killer.

Now that weather is improving look for VBSF sponsor charter boats to start finding spanish mackerel and bluefish along the oceanfront. Spanish usually show up when the water hits 70 degrees. They hit very small spoons like the 0S Drone or Clark pulled behind a small plainer.

drum

Virginia Beach Pier anglers are catching nice puppy drum, roundheads, rays, skates and spot.

Deep-droppers will be targeting tilefish, snowy grouper and other bottom dwellers.

In May boats running offshore to the south should start finding water temps in the upper 60’s to 70 and begin picking up yellow fin tuna and eventually dolphin and billfish. Boats fishing off the OBX out of OI caught a lot of dolphin last weekend and Captain Ned Ashby on the Sea Breeze caught his first blue marlin of the season.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/05/16/virginia-beach-fishing-report-23/

May 10 2022

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

  • May 10, 2022

Not much fishing going on this week due to weather conditions. NE winds 25 to 35 kt and ocean waves 6 to 8 ft. The forecast calls for it to start settling down Thursday, so the weekend looks promising. Water temperatures in the Bay are 61 to 63 and river temps have reached 67 degrees.

Tautog fishing was outstanding before the blow and if we’re lucky we might get in one more trip before the season closes May 15th.

Large schools of red drum continue to migrate along the coast on their way to the Chesapeake Bay. If you run across a school on the surface you’ll be able to sight-cast them, but your best chance of landing one is to anchor up near the shoals at the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Black drum are still a good possibility in the same area. Released red or black drum measuring 46 inches or more qualify you for a Virginia State citation award.

The much-anticipated Virginia sea bass season opens May 15th. The bass are plentiful and large. If you would like to get in on some great fishing contact one of the VBSF charter boat sponsors that runs seabass trips, AquaMan, High Hopes, Ocean Pearl charters.

Our upcoming cobia season should be good. Before the blow schools of cobia where migrating along the OBX on their way to the Bay. The water off Oregon Inlet was 67 degrees and anglers were sight-casting them. In Virginia its unlawful to harvest or possess any cobia before June 15. A recreational Cobia Permit from the Marine Resources Commission is also required to possess or land them.

Speckled trout are scattered in the marshes along the lower Chesapeake Bay and in local inlets. Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle said puppy drum are in the same areas inside Lynnhaven Inlet.

Starting Friday, nighttime air temperatures will remain above 60 degrees which will improve the inshore flounder bite. It’s already off to a good start with most of the big fish coming from the inlets and tidal marshes on the Eastern Shore barrier islands.

More sheepsheads are arriving the Bridge Tunnel daily. Their numbers will peak in June and they will hang around until September. They love fiddler crabs, sand fleas or clams fished up against the pylons.

Schools of bluefish and spanish mackerel should start showing along the Virginia Beach shoreline very soon. Spadefish should start showing anytime as well. They will be available all summer.

Deep-droppers will be targeting tilefish, snowy grouper and other bottom dwellers.

In May boats running offshore to the south should start finding water temps in the upper 60’s to 70 and begin picking up yellow fin tuna and eventually dolphin and billfish.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/05/10/virginia-beach-fishing-report-22/

May 03 2022

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

  • May 3, 2022

Water temperatures have risen to 60 degrees in the Bay. The air temperature will be in the 80’s Wednesday, then drop into the 60’s and 70’s for the rest of the week. Winds are forecast to be 10 to 15 mph all week.

Tautog action continues to be good, especially on ocean wrecks. Catches along the CBBT and on Bay structure are improving. Drew Aladj weighed a 13 lb. 4 oz. tautog and John DeGruttola a 10 lb. 5 oz. with Long Bay Pointe last week. There are only a few days left in the Virginia season, it closes May 15th.

Red and black drum arrived on the Virginia shoals a couple of weeks ago and there are more on the way. Jeffrey Windsor registered a 51 in. black drum release and Collin Lewis a 50 in. red drum release at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle recently.

Schools of drum and now cobia are starting to migrate together along North Carolina’s Outer Banks heading for the Chesapeake Bay. The first Cobia of the season was landed off the OBX last week.

Sheepshead fishing is off to a great start. Fish to 10 pounds have already been caught in the bay.

It’s time for bluefish to become plentiful along the oceanfront. Later this month as water temperatures start pushing 70 degrees look for spanish mackerel to start mixing with the blues.

This is when nice speckled trout usually show up in local inlets. Anglers fishing the rivers have been catching lots of puppy drum and a few trout and stripers.

Flounder catches continue improving as our water temps warm, especially around Wachapreague and Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore. Flounder are also showing up in our local inlets and along the CBBT.

The Virginia Beach pier has been catching some spot, roundheads, gray trout and small blues.

Virginia offshore anglers are looking forward to the opening of the sea bass and tile fish season. Tuna catches are good to fair off Carolina.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/05/03/virginia-beach-fishing-report-21/

Apr 26 2022

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

  • April 26, 2022

taug fish

Water temperatures are slowly creeping near 60 degrees. Along the oceanfront and near the CBBT its 58 or 59. Along the beach at Oceanview and in the Elizabeth River it has reach 61. A cool front is approaching Tuesday evening and they are calling for a breezy day Thursday. The weekend looks promising.

Tautog fishing remains good to excellent. Look for them around underwater obstructions like wrecks, reefs, rocks and the pylons of the CBBT. The Virginia season closes May 15th. Craig Irwin and friend Paul got in on the taug action. They release a lot of smaller ones. Paul got a nice 24 inch 8lber.

Red drum are on the shoals at the mouth of the Bay. Next month as 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.

spadefish

Sheepshead have arrived in the Bay. Wes Blow caught 2 while togging with Dr. Ken Neill. 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.

flounder

Flounder, speckled trout and bluefish are starting to bite inside inlets. 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.

Anglers fishing off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier are catching skates, rays, puffers, small blues and a few puppy drum.

Virginia offshore anglers are looking forward to the opening of the sea bass and tile fish season. Tuna catches are good to fair off Carolina.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/04/26/virginia-beach-fishing-report-20/

Apr 18 2022

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

  • April 18, 2022

taug fish

We have a cool start to the week, air temperatures in the 60’s and low 70’s. Warmer air returns next weekend. The water is trying to warm up. There are some deeper, cold pockets near the CBBT that are still 54 degrees and then some warmer water south of Rudee Inlet along the beach that has hit 60.

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. Dr Ken Neill, Stan Simmerman and Wes Blow ran out to the Triangle Wreck and caught a box of nice togs, tagged and released others, and caught four that had previously been tagged. They also caught some nice sea bass that should be there when that season opens May 15th.

Captain Peter Bregant’s favorite fish, really, really large Sciaenops ocellatus (red drum), in the 30 plus pound class are arriving on the shoals at the mouth of the bay, Latimer Shoal and the shallow water near the northern section of the CBBT. Their numbers will continue increasing into May and action will peak early June. Anglers are trolling spoons over and around the shallows or anchoring on top and setting out lines baited with peeler crabs, fresh spot or menhaden.

A few 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, near the highrise and the 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.

drum fish

A few speckled trout and bluefish have been reported in Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets. Numbers should increase. VBSF sponsor Capt. Jake Beck on Knot Wish’n Charters is still catching nice puppy drum inside Rudee Inlet. He said he has very few open charter dates left in April. So give him a call ASAP.

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, and the state record is a whopping 17 pounds, 8 ounces. It was caught at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Offshore yellowfin and blackfin tuna action is picking up off the OBX’s. Boats out of Hatteras are picking up the first dolphin of the season.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/04/18/virginia-beach-fishing-report-19/

Apr 11 2022

Virginia Beach Fishing Report

  • April 11, 2022

Paige II Charters

Fishing conditions are improving daily. Early this week air temperatures will reach the 80’s before cooling off again Friday. The Bay and coastal inshore water temperature is 53 to 54 degrees.

Tautog fishing remains good to excellent. Look for them around underwater obstructions like wrecks, reefs, rocks and the pylons of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Tautog like fresh crab. Captain Craig Paige, Paige II Charters got in on the tog action last week.

Tog citation size is 9 Lbs and release is 23 inches. David Wroton weighted a 10 lb. 7 oz. tautog 4/8/22. Drew Aladj had a 24.5″ tautog release and weighed a 11 lb. tautog 4/3/22. Rob Collins had a 23.5″ tautog release 3/11/22. You have until May 15th to catch yours. The season closes from May 16th to June 30th. The limit is 4 per day at least 16 inches in long.

trout

Breaking in the new cleaning table at Long Bay Pointe Marina

Puppy drum are still available in all three local inlets, Lynnhaven, Rudee, Little Creek and in the Elizabeth River.  Connie at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle says  the speckled trout bite is picking inside Lynnhaven.  Soft plastics and top waters are working.  Most hookups are coming from the shallows. Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle filled out a citation form for Steve Jarvis for a 26″ Speckled Trout Release .

Large red drum have arrived on the shoals between Fisherman’s and Smith Islands. The most popular angling technique for them is anchoring on top of the shoal and positioning yourself so your baits drift back to  deeper water. Chumming helps draw the fish in. Blue crabs are the best bait.

Black Drum are showing up 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.

There’s been some nice early season flounder action on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The best catches are coming from Wachapreague, Oyster and Chincoteague. The minimum size limit is 16 1/2 inches, with a limit of 4 per person.

Offshore, the blueline tilefish season opens May 1st and the seabass season May 15th. AquaMan Charters is taking advance bookings for bottom dropping trips now.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/04/11/virginia-beach-fishing-report-18/

Apr 03 2022

Virginia Beach Fishing Rundown

  • April 3, 2022

red drum

1st Red

The big news this week is that large red drum have arrived on the shoals near Fisherman’s Island. Dr. Ken Neill, Stan Simmerman and David Brabrand made a run over and caught a shark, had two drag screamers and pulled the hook on one. But David did manage to tag and released their first bull red of the season.

puppy drum

Nice Pup’s In The Inlets

Good puppy drum action is still occurring in local inlets. Connie at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle reports catches inside Lynnhaven Inlet. Captains Todd and Jake Beck, Knot Wish’n charters, reports the good action in Rudee Inlet continues. Most are being caught on soft plastics. The Elizabeth River has been excellent also.

Lots of black drum have been caught in the surf and in inlets from North Carolina to Maryland. There should be plenty in the Bay off Cape Charles now.

Anglers are finding an increasing numbers of Speckled Trout.

April usually produces some flounder catches as they move into shallows. The Wachapreague area over on the Eastern Shore is usually very good.

Tautog are biting at the triangle wreck and now in the Bay at the CBBT.

Offshore, the blueline tilefish season opens May 1st and the seabass season May 15th. AquaMan Charters is taking advance bookings for bottom dropping trips now.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/04/03/virginia-beach-fishing-rundown-26/

Mar 29 2022

Recreational Blueline Tilefish News

  • March 29, 2022

blueline

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, 2022.

Why This Closure is Happening:
The 2022 recreational catch limit for the blueline tilefish is 116,820 pounds whole weight.

The recreational sector for blueline tilefish in or from federal waters of the South Atlantic is typically open from May 1 through August 31, each year. However, if recreational landings for blueline tilefish reach or are projected to reach the recreational catch limit, NOAA Fisheries will close the recreational sector for the remainder of the fishing year.

NOAA Fisheries projects the catch limit will be reached by July 26, 2022, and is closing the fishery to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

During and After The Closure:
During a closure, the recreational bag and possession limit for blueline tilefish in or from the South Atlantic federal waters is zero.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at …. LINK

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

Mar 16 2022

Mid-March Fishing Report

  • March 16, 2022

Dr Neill

Despite recent cold weather anglers are finding windows of fishable weather.

Tautogs are available on the ocean wrecks and should be available at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Dr Ken Neill fished the Triangle Wrecks for around 3 hours and enjoyed non-stop action. The fish averaged in the 18-20 inch range with only a few under 16 inches. He kept a limit from 19 to 23 inches long, tagged and released others, and caught 3 fish that had already been tagged.

Knot Wish’n Charters

The speckled trout and puppy drum are arriving on shallow flats in Inlets and on rivers as waters warm. Connie at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle says anglers are finding them up inside Lynnhaven and boats fishing Rudee Inlet had outstanding red drum catches this week. VBSF sponsor Knot Wish’n Charters caught nice, healthy, quality redfish this week.

Sea Breeze Charters Oregon Inlet

Offshore in North Carolina boats are enjoying outstanding catch and release giant bluefin tuna fishing. Anglers travel from around the world to get in on this winter fishery off the Carolina coast.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/03/16/mid-march-fishing-report/

Feb 27 2022

March and Beyond Fishing Forecast

  • February 27, 2022

taug fish

Nice Tautog

March can be a busy month for anglers. Good fishing is right around the corner. Charter crews are working on their boats, tackle shops are servicing reels and replacing old line. Marinas are prepping for the season, Long Bay Pointe Marina patrons can look forward to new fish cleaning tables.

fish table

New cleaning tables

March will have some angling opportunities. Puppy drum should be available in Rudee Inlet, Lynnhaven Inlet, the Elizabeth River and other inlets and rivers. In fact Connie at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle reports a few puppy drum coming from the back waters near the shop on warm days. Speckled trout could be in the same areas.

Tautog are available on ocean wrecks, which should be home to bluefish and Flounder as well. For sure sea bass, but they are out of season.

Deep droppers will be looking to put their crews on golden tilefish.

Bluefin tuna catches off the OBX have been good. Haven’t heard about any being hooked in Virginia yet.

Virginia anglers have a lot to look forward to over the coming weeks. By the end of March tautog action will pick up inshore. 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 taugtog action will continue approve 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.

Once fishing picks up, we’ll return to posting weekly VBSF reports. Until then check back often for any fishing news we receive.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/02/27/march-and-beyond-fishing-forecast/

Jan 21 2022

Virginia Beach February Fishing Outlook

  • January 21, 2022

tautaug

When anglers can get out, ocean wrecks are holding some really nice tautogs. Blue crabs are hard to find right now so most are being caught using fresh clam.

Rick Wineman and Wally Veal (above) checked in with VBSF. They had a weather window to get out and do some tautog fishing on 1-13-22. They fished some of the offshore wrecks in 100+ feet and managed to find some nice ones. Had several double digit (15lb 14oz / 17lb 9 oz} specimens and a few other very respectable ones that were tagged and released. They used left over crabs from last year as bait. They also had some bluefish in the mix. If you run into them and decide to keep any just remember bluefish are 3 per person these days.

The Chesapeake Bay rockfish season has closed but you can still practice catch and release.

Speckled trout and puppy drum will be a possibility in the inlets all winter. Most are being caught on Mirr-O-Lures and soft plastics.

We’ve been spoiled the past few years with a February black sea bass season. Not this year. The fishery is managed jointly by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.  At a recent meeting, it was determined that states would be required to reduce the recreational harvest in 2022 by 28% coastwide. Based upon the changes in the fisheries regulations, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission will be unable to open February for the species.  At this time, it is unknown when the season will reopen.

Some good catches of yellowfin and giant bluefin tuna are occurring out of Oregon Inlet NC.

Permanent link to this article: https://vbsf.net/2022/01/21/virginia-beach-february-fishing-outlook/