Article by Julie Ball
The recent blustery weather is keeping many anglers off the water, and although the muddy water conditions will slow down many summer species, the northeasterly wind direction and cooler temperatures will jump start several favorite fall species.
The most notable response is from the popular fall pan fish, the Norfolk spot. The recent cold front helped set off the incredible run of spot along the Bay’s southern shorelines and oceanfront. Known for being a tasty table fare and easy to hook, the recent influx of big spot is sparking a rush to local fishing piers. The Ocean View Fishing Pier reports that over 200 anglers crowded on the pier daily to partake in almost non-stop action this week. Rudee Inlet is also providing similar action, which can generate a crowd on the jetties.
Red drum also flourish in a northeasterly blow. The juvenile variety, puppy drum, are on a craze in shallows, inlets, and creeks, as well as the surf off Dam Neck, while big bulls are joining in the frenzy along the surf lines off Sandbridge and the Eastern Shore barrier islands. Expect the run of big reds off the Little Island Fishing Pier soon. Black drum are tapering off at the four islands as they scatter to head south.
If clear water is pushed closer to shore from the recent blow, it could set off the long awaited king mackerel bite. Kings are also possible around coastal wrecks, and near the Light Tower Reef, where a few snake sized fish are taking trolled lures lately. Nice Spanish mackerel in the 20-inch range are still available around the Chesapeake Light Tower, the CB line, and the CBBT. False albacore are also showing themselves in some of these same areas under working birds.
Once the waters settle, many anglers will continue to pursue cobia and flounder. The amazing cobia bite is taking on its typical early fall pattern, with many fish schooling on the surface in lower Bay waters and along the Bridge structures as they prepare to migrate south. Boats are sighting dozens of fish free swimming in singles, pairs, and small pods.
Flounder were behaving again before the cold front set in. Schools of flatfish are assembling along channel edges, shoals, and the CBBT proper as they prepare to exit the Bay. Drifting along Cape Henry, the Baltimore Channel, and near Buoy 36A is generating keeper sized fish, with a few doormats mixed in. Anglers targeting fish with live bait and jigs are finding some big fish along the CBBT, with the 1st, and 3rd Islands providing the best action. Inshore and nearshore wrecks can also be good places to try right now. Sea bass are becoming more active on inshore wrecks from the Light Tower Reef to the Triangle wrecks.
Croaker are biting all over the lower Bay as long as you can avoid the red tide. Many boats are sitting on decent schools right off Cape Henry. The Concrete Ships, the 4th Island, and the High Rise section of the CBBT are giving up nice fish, with some pushing to over 2-pounds. The hardhead action in Oyster was also back on track earlier this week, but the recent blow may finish the trend for the season.
To sheepshead hunter’s delight, these fish are still going strong. Anglers are taking sheeps from the CBBT structure on fiddler crabs and clam. The new state leading sheepshead will be hard to beat at a whopping 17-pounds, 4-ounces.
Trigger fish are still staging in all the same locations, presenting an easy target. Some of these fish are pushing to over 4-pounds.
Good sized spadefish were active earlier this week near the third island of the CBBT, where limits of fish ranging from 5 to 7-pounds hit offerings of clam.
Chris’ Bait and Tackle reports no action on the tarpon front again this week. Often, the first blow in September will send the silver kings southbound.
The Chesapeake Light Tower can offer a chance at an amberjack, and maybe a jack cravelle. The Southern Towers and coastal wrecks are also still holding schools of big AJ’s.
Barracuda are also lurking around the South Tower. Deep droppers are still catching limits of nice blueline tilefish when they can get out.
Billfish action was good before the cold front, and should pick up where it left off once boats can get back out. White marlin and scattered blues are still faring well from near the Triple 0’s area, with sailfish still on a roll in the same areas. The best bite lately is still in water ranging from 20 to 70 fathoms. Good gaffer dolphin action is possible under floating debris.
Dr. Julie Ball is the I.G.F.A. Representative for Virginia Beach, VA. You can find Dr. Julie’s reports at www.drjball.com.
