Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 1/25/18 Update:
There's not much to report from the area, unfortunately, as we're still just coming out of the thaw. Tidewater areas are ice-free again but in some spots there are still reports filtering in of speckled trout that are suffering from the cold stun. They're alive, but visible at the surface and not exactly in feeding mode. Anglers in search of a bite are better off heading to the wrecks, and dropping green crab or white leggers for tautog. Water temps at the CBBT are still in the 30's so fish there are essentially inactive; until it gets back up over 42-degrees, running to warmer, deeper waters will be necessary. Remember that the Virginia Beach Fishing Center has been closed for renovations (the docks are still accessible) so call before heading down there, to see if they've re-opened.
Since we do have a big North Carolina bluefin on the cover of this month's issue, we figured we should include a report from the south. Unfortunately, it's not the report anyone will be hoping to hear, as we still haven't heard of a bluefin bite down there. There have been some big blackfin caught, which is pretty dang cool for a winter fishery no matter where you live, but we're still waiting on the monsters to show up.
Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 1/19/18 Update:
Rudee Inlet has thawed out a bit this week, allowing a handful of anglers to get out on the water and go after the fish that survived the speckled trout kill caused by the deep freeze over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, there are also recent reports of some stripers being caught in shallow water by the extreme tides we've been having, and suffering from a cold stun kill-off.
Chesapeake Bait and Tackle reports that a few reports of specks being caught have come in, as well as reports of dogfish chewing on angler’s baits. Tautog should be biting at the wrecks, but thanks to the weather, we have no reports of anglers venturing off the coast from this area. We should also note that as of the last reports the stripers had moved east more so than south to escape the cold, and some were still off the coast of Delaware (but well outside the three mile limit) as recently as a week ago. So it's within the realm of possibilities that if we get a good warming trend, the fish could maybe just possibly slide in closer to shore. Maybe. It's not totally impossible. Just sayin'.
Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 1/12/18 Update:
Unfortunately, the cold snap has taken a toll on the speckled trout (as well as some puppy drum and stripers) with a significant winter “fish stun.” Read Angler Alert: Bomb Cyclone Temperature Drop Causes Speckled Trout Kill to get the full story. There have, however, been some living specks found in Rudee as the ice has given way to warmer temperatures. Chesapeake Bait & Tackle says that if you can escape the ice now head toward Sand Bridge, where a few fishermen have caught speckled trout here and there, and more commonly some striped bass. Unfortunately, there has also been a mess of dogfish caught on all types of bait including shrimp and squid.
On the ocean-side, we weren’t able to find anyone in the area who’s ventured offshore since the blast of arctic air. Nor were we able to gather any intel from the Western Shore Chesapeake tributaries, as most of the marinas and boat ramps have been locked in tight by the ice. We do note that there were some mentions of tautog biting in Delaware and Maryland waters in the Coastal Reports, and there's no doubt that if and when the VA boats can get out to the wrecks and reefs they'll find tog, too. The biggest challenge in the near future will be weather, the weather, and also the weather.
Way South and Virginia Fishing Report 1/5/18 Update:
Welcome to our first fishing report of 2018, for southern Bay and Virginia anglers! Unfortunately, this will not be one heck of a great report. It looks like fishing-wise, it’ll be an extremely slow start for the year thanks to the recent weather events. Ocean's East reports that high winds and dangerous temperatures have made it difficult for anglers to get out on the water this week. So surprise, surprise, not many reports have come in of fishermen heading offshore. Tautog season has come back in, and in future weeks we're sure we'll be reporting the best places to catch them – but until this weather event calms down all boats will remain sitting at the dock.
Water temps at the CBBT have dropped down below 40-degrees and the Cape Henry buoy is showing 44 degrees, so even though no one’s been able to get out and target them lately, we’re going to go out on a limb and say that the oceanic stripers have probably continued moving south at a rapid pace - and are likely well south of Virginia Beach at this point. When the weather clears it's possible there will be a bite within shooting distance and inside the limit, but our hopes are not high.
Thanks to the wind and cold we don’t even have a report to pass on from the Hot Ditch, however, this deep-freeze should help concentrate the fish in the artificially-warmed waters. When it’s possible to get out again, fishing here could be excellent – fingers are crossed.
All has also gone quiet up inside the Bay. In last week’s report we had a few late reports of large stripers still caught but water temps have plummeted since then.