Article by Julie Ball
Summer is here, and the fishing season is in full swing!
One of our most anticipated and controversial species will enter the Chesapeake Bay this month. Cobia infiltrate into the bay early in the month and the action should continue to increase throughout June. The regulations on this popular gamefish have become very restrictive, so make sure you read them carefully. Cobia season begins on June 1st in local waters. This season, you can keep up to three fish per vessel at a minimum of 40-inches long, and one fish can measure over 50-inches. Gaffing is now permitted to boat the fish. You must still obtain a free permit and report all catch results, which has not changed from last year.
Flounder action will become solid this month within lower bay waters. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel area is a hot spot for the bigger flat fish, with the 1st and 4th Islands often producing well for drifters. Boats working the structure and pilings with jigs and live bait will also experience good numbers of nice keepers. Many of these fish will top out at around 5 and 6-pounds, but trophies are a possibility.
Anglers fishing in the inlets will also find some good luck this time of year, and the seaside inlets of the Eastern Shore along with Back River Reef are always good mainstays. You can keep up to four fish per person, at a minimum of 16.5-inches this year.
Tautog is off limits in June, but sea bass are still available on offshore and inshore structures this month. You can keep up to 15 fish measuring at least 12.5-inches. Always review the regulations before targeting sea bass, since they are subject to change.
Around mid-June, Spanish mackerel will peak in activity. Look for the best action along the Virginia Beach oceanfront, with quickly trolled small spoons on planers and in-line sinkers being the best technique. Their larger cousin, king mackerel, will also make a showing this month in the same vicinity. Trolling with spoons and ballyhoo, or slow-trolling with live bait works well for these toothy predators, especially along tide rips and water color changes. Plenty of sharks and bluefish will also cooperate in these same areas.
Although red drum are mostly old news by now, big reds will continue to hit along Fisherman’s Island and along the Nautilus and the Nine Foot Shoal areas for anglers who are bottom fishing. Many red drum catches will now become incidental by-catches for boats targeting cobia.
Black drum patterns have become less predictable in recent years, but these large fish can still be caught. These fish will likely migrate to other parts of the bay this month, such as around the four artificial islands of the Bridge Tunnel.
Spadefish will become more active in June. One of the most popular hot spots for these hard fighters is still the Chesapeake Light Tower. Inshore and nearshore wrecks are also productive, along with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. This bite will continue throughout the summer.
Sheepshead action is on the upswing this month, with fish over 10-pounds routinely coming from the pilings of the Bay Bridge tunnel. Grey triggerfish are also active in these same areas, with some fish pushing to about 3-pounds.
Croaker will continue to lurk around the James River Bridge, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, The Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel and off Ocean View, as well near the islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Croaker will also bite within the local inlets, along with spot, puppy drum and possibly some speckled trout. Some decent sea mullet will also take offerings, especially for local pier anglers targeting croaker and spot with bloodworms.
Amberjack activity will increase around the Southern Towers and on several offshore wrecks this month, which offer a challenging battle for anglers. Deep droppers can still catch a good variety of bottom fish in over 300-feet of water in the Norfolk Canyon including tilefish, black-bellied rosefish, seabass and grouper. Make sure you check out these regulations and obtain the proper permits.
The offshore scene will continue to build this month, with mostly yellowfin tuna and mahi as the target species. The occasional billfish could also make a showing, with blue marlin usually leading.
Billfish action will evolve later in the summer.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. Representative for Virginia Beach, VA. For more information go to drball.com
