Coastal Fishing Report, November 25 Update:
Colder water temperatures are starting to limit fishing opportunities along our coastal waters but there are still a few decent bites available for angles willing to brave the cold. Many of the kingfish that surf anglers enjoy catching have pushed south for the winter and that fishery has just about wrapped up for the year. Most of the surf action has been for rockfish and we are starting to see some larger fish show up. Clear-nose skate have been a common bycatch for angler targeting the rocks but those waiting for the right bite have been rewarded. Big surf rods and chunks of fresh cut menhaden has been the combination for catching these fish and we even received some unverified reports of 40-inch fish caught from the surf. We will have to wait for verified reports, but this is the time of year the breeders start to move down the Atlantic coast.
Rockfish are also being caught in OC from the Route 50 and Route 90 Bridges by anglers throwing soft plastic jigs. Most of these fish are below the 28-inch minimum for the coastal fishery but the Ocean City Fishing Center reports that a few more keeper sized fish are showing up. They also mentioned that other anglers drifting cut bait were having success with the rock. At the inlet, the main focus has been for tautog as most of the sheepshead have vacated the area in search of warmer waters. The tautog will be hanging close to structure so the jetty rocks are a good place to target them. Sand fleas or small crabs are their preferred bait but make sure to bring plenty as they are quite good at stealing baits.
Boats heading to the inshore wreck and reef sites are fishing for black sea bass with excellent results up and down the coast. Limit boat catches have been reported some days and the occasional flounder and porgy have made appearances on the end of the line. The Big Worm reports some banner days recently fishing out of Virginia Beach with coolers packed with bass and topped off with a few flatfish. Captain Monty on the Morning Star has also had some great bass action in recent days. The sea bass season along our coastal waterways will close on December 11th. This season, let’s remember to be thankful for every opportunity we get to go fishing. Regardless of our successes, it is a blessing to enjoy the beauty and bounties in the outdoors of Delmarva. We hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!
Coastal Fishing Report, November 18 Update:
Sea bass fishing at the inshore wreck and reef sites continues to be excellent this week. Many boats have reported catching their limit during trips out to the inshore grounds. After the winds calmed down Captain Monty and crew on the Morning Star hit the wrecks, and enjoyed nonstop action on sea bass until the boat limit was filled. Out of Virginia Beach Capt. Drew on the Big Worm is reporting the same excellent action with coolers filled by black sea bass. Maryland and Virginia sea bass season closes on December 11th, so anglers still have a few weeks to get out and fill their coolers with this delicious fish. More flounder are being caught at the wrecks as they leave the inlets and head to deep water structure for the winter months, too. We didn’t hear much from the offshore grounds this week but the OC Fishing Center says the boats heading to the canyons are targeting swordfish and tilefish by deep dropping.
The majority of the action at the Ocean City inlet has been sheepshead and smaller tautog caught near the jetties, bridge piers, and bulkheads. Sand fleas are the preferred bait for these fish but small crabs or crab chunks will work too. Kayak fishermen drifting the inlet and fishing bridge pilings have been reporting a few keeper sized tautog. Anglers throwing jigs and soft plastics from the Route 50 and Route 90 Bridges have been catching a schoolie sized rockfish with slim reports of keeper sized fish coming over the rails.
Surf fishing is slowing down as water and air temperatures drop but those heading to the beaches are still catching kingfish on bottom rigs baited with bloodworms. The OC Fishing center also reported a few flounder being caught in the surf on strips of squid. Virginia beaches are enjoying a better bite with more kings present the farther south one goes. Most of the drum that local anglers enjoy targeting during their fall run have moved south as well, but more rockfish are taking their place on the northern beaches. Most of these fish are short of the 28-inch minimum but are still fun to catch nonetheless. The rock are being caught on chunks of fresh menhaden and if that bite is slow, there are plenty of clear nose skates to keep rods bent.
Coastal Fishing Report, November 11 Update:
As the season changes and colder weather sets in for the next few months, the great Atlantic still provides plenty of fishing opportunities. The inshore and offshore wreck and reef sites have been providing excellent fishing for sea bass and other species this week. Capt. Monty reported a couple of boat-limit sea bass days on the Morning Star while fishing out of OC in the past week, plus some scup in the mix and also a triggerfish here and there. There have also been a few flounder, triggerfish, and some big cutlassfish appearing depending on the day and the spot. The OC Fishing Center let us know that boats are still heading out to the offshore canyons to deep drop for tilefish and swordfish.
Down the coast near Virginia Beach, inshore and offshore reports match what we are seeing out of Ocean City. Oceans East Bait and Tackle reported good sea bass fishing with some tautog and flounder in the mix at the wrecks. The Big Worm has moved south to Virginia Beach for the late season and reports awesome sea bass action including boat limits recently, plus flounder. Offshore canyons have been producing plenty of tilefish and swords for deep droppers. Maryland sea bass season closes on December 11th and the Virginia season closes on December 31st so now is the time to get out for these delicious fish.
At the Ocean City Inlet, the OC Fishing Center reports that tautog and sheepshead are being caught using sand fleas near the jetty rocks and also near bridge pilings. Many of the tautog have been undersized but there were some kayak fishermen this week who reported hooking into some keepers. Most of the flounder have exited the back bays but there are still some hanging around the inlet before they make their way into the ocean for the winter months. Surf fishermen are still enjoying a steady bite from kingfish and spot, taken on bloodworm. More rockfish are showing up and anglers are catching them on chunks of cut menhaden. Most of the fish are below the 28 inch minimum for the Atlantic fishery but just because they aren’t all big, doesn’t mean they can’t all be fun!
Coastal Fishing Report, November 4 Update:
The oceanic action in the Atlantic this week has been highlighted by excellent sea bass fishing at the wreck and reef sites. Many boats are coming back into the docks with limit catches for their anglers and Captain Monty on the Morning Star has reported great action on the bass plus some flounder. Anglers fishing the reef and wrecks near Virginia Beach have been catching plenty, with the best gear to use for them being jigging spoons and high low rigs baited with squid.
The action at the offshore grounds has consisted of deep dropping for bluelines and a few swordfish. The inlets have been producing both tautog and sheepshead, both being caught on sandfleas. Dave from Shark Whisperers hit the OC inlet multiple times recently and says there are plenty of tog and some stripers around, but the majority of both are undersized. When it comes to tog keepers can be found at a rate of about one for every dozen throwbacks, and all the rockfish he saw were short.
The OC Fishing Center reports that the remaining flounder in the back bays are making their way out of the inlet and into the ocean so the channel ledges of the inlets is a good place to target them. Traditional tactics include drifting fresh silversides or casting Gulp! baits across current rips and bottom bouncing them as the current drifts them. Surf anglers fishing the coastal beaches are catching a mix of kingfish and spot on bloodworm this week. Flounder are also being caught by those throwing out strips of squid and spot. The drum run is slowing down but there are still a few large drum being caught by those throwing out large chunks of cut menhaden. More rockfish are showing up along the coast as well and those targeting the drum have seen an increase in striper catches. Along with all these fish willing to bite, there are plenty of clear-nose skate in the surf to keep anglers busy with tight lines. Maryland DNR recently reported a new state record smooth dogfish caught recently off Ocean City. Fay Ganster of Pennsylvania caught the 18-pound smooth dogfish near the Isle of Wight shoal using a chunk of bluefish as bait.