Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 3/30/2018 Update:
Unfortunately, wind conditions have effectively shut down the offshore tautog fishery, with it being near impossible to head offshore. Oceans East reports that bayside, rockfish have started to appear near the CBBT and are primarily being caught by trollers. Anglers trolling plugs and casting jigs have also found some action on throw-back stripers at the HRBT. There have also been a few (but very few) red drum picked up on cut mullet, in the inlets. These fish have been around for a couple of weeks now, so as soon as the water warms up we'd expect the bite to also pick up, and rapidly.
The best news we heard this week was that the first keeper flounder of the season was caught, over on the Eastern Shore. Although we can't expect this action to start for real until the water begins warming up substantially (at last check it was still bouncing between 44 and 45 degrees at Cape Charles), be sure to check out Chuck Harrison's article Hampton Halibut: Flounder in the Shallows, in the April edition of FishTalk, which is now on the streets. In it he details how, where, and when to get in on the early season flounder bite.
Though we haven't been able to confirm it with pictures, we have heard a couple of reader reports that shad are in the rivers and a few have been caught on dart/streamer tandem rigs. When water temps get up into the low to mid 50s in the rivers, these fish should become a lot more active.
In the coming weeks, we expect warmer conditions and (hopefully) less wind to allow for better fishing both offshore and inshore.
Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 3/23/2018 Update:
Thanks to the recent weather, spring and spring fishing have officially been put on hold. Heading out on the water has been downright dangerous for the past few weeks, with high winds and low temperatures. We honestly can't give you any solid reports of fish, because this week, we didn't have any. Your best bet is to head south to the Carolinas' Outer Banks, where there have been tuna caught when the wind allowed boats to get out. There have also been some redfish in the surf down there, but fewer reported in the past week (just a couple) than there were in the weeks prior. We did not get any word this week of reds in Virginian waters to follow up on Oceans East's initial reports of redfish last week, which had made us hopeful that spring had finally arrived. Darn. Meanwhile water temps have not come up one iota in the Chesapeake since last week's reports. As we mentioned last week, your best bet to bend a rod probably remains blue catfish in the upper tidal rivers off the Bay. This bite has been a bit off thanks to the unstable weather, but these fish usually recover quickly and by the time this report is published, there's a good chance they'll be back in feeding mode and ready to slurp up cut baits - fresh gizzard shad is a favorite - set on bottom in holes and channels.
The only verified blue cat reports we had this week were from the Potomac in the DC area prior to the snow, but there's no reason to believe fish in the southern rivers shouldn't be ready, willing, and able to bite, too.
Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 3/16/2018 Update:
Ocean's East is reporting puppy drum being caught in Ruddee and Lynnhaven Inlets, on crab and cut mullet; see the Coastal Reports for more details on this action. Talk of action outside the inlets was non-existent this past week, thanks to all the recent windy weather. Same goes for the Virginia portion of the Bay, where water temperatures continue to hover between 41 and 43 degrees. That said, there have been a couple unconfirmed reports of (small) stripers being caught and released in the Elizabeth River in the Portsmouth area, by anglers jigging with soft plastics and/or slow-trolling crankbaits. Some warm, sunny days will do wonders for the fishing in this zone - stay tuned.
Better news for Tidewater anglers is the catfish bite, which has been strong in rivers ranging from the Nanesmond clear up to the Potomac. The James below Richmond has been a stand-out recently. Cut fish set on bottom in holes and channels on a 10/0 circle hook is the ticket, and anglers fan-casting multiple rigs are having the most action. Read Tidal Blue Catfish Behemoths to get the scoop on this fishery in detail.
Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 3/9/2018 Update:
Last week's report began with "Finally, a break in the brutal, blustery weather..." and this week's report begins with: "UGH, the blustery and brutal weather is back." We can't wait for the unrelenting bad weather and wind this March to end - the recent storms have left days worth of waves that make traveling off the coast more dangerous than we hope you're willing to risk. You can check the Coastal Reports for more info on what's happening on the ocean side... but only if you enjoy being depressed. On a positive note, we're still receiving reports of yellowfin down around Hatteras from Ocean's East.
On the bay side, the report is no different. Weather and cold water temperatures have prevented any new news from developing. That said, spring will be here before we know it, bringing with it plenty of sunshine, good fishing, and even better dinners. Keep your eyes peeled for the April edition of FishTalk, which includes an article on targeting the first flounder of the spring by local sharpie Chuck Harrison.
Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 3/2/2018
Finally, a break in the brutal, blustery weather had been allowing anglers to get through the inlet… and then, well, you know. The sea bass and tautog bites were still going strong around the inshore wrecks, and Ocean's East reports that peeler crab and clam have been the most popular baits. See the Coastal Reports for more on the action taking place off the coast, but honestly folks, considering the severity of the blow we're getting right now all bets are off for the immediate future. Bayside not a whole lot has been going on, as water temperatures have stayed low and visibility has been poor.
Chesapeake Bait and Tackle reported that flounder haven't been a regular catch in quite a while, and the current weather doesn't give area anglers much to work with, so they're looking forward to a productive spring season.
Many of the area anglers Jonesing for a bent rod have been running down to the Carolinas. Red drum have been caught in the surf regularly for a second week in a row, on mullet and shrimp. Offshore, bluefin tuna are happening; read North Carolina Road Trip for Winter Bluefin to learn more, and if you have a weather and time window to go after this bite, we strongly recommend it – these are once-in-a-lifetime quality fish.