Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, March 28, 2019 Update:
Fishing off the coast continues to be on the slow side and somewhat unreliable, as the later part of the tautog season has proven to be lackluster. We didn’t manage to find anyone in Delaware who got out after ‘em this week, but Capt. Monty on the Morning Star, out of Ocean City, reported some luck inshore with keepers up to 10.75 pounds and a large number of throw-backs. Anglers fishing out of Virginia Beach also caught some tog on inshore wrecks and reefs. Green crab is reported to be the best bait though the report from Morning Star mentioned clam was working, too.
From the inlets and back bays, the only solid intel we managed to scrounge this week was of some throw-back schoolie stripers (not even close to keepers). A handful have been caught in Indian River, more at the Rt. 90 bridge behind OC, and another handful at Rt. 50.
What about the beaches? There are still no solid reports of fish being caught from our beaches. But Oceans East tackle shop was excited to tell us that bluefish, kingfish, and redfish are all hanging around Hatteras and are being caught off The Point – those fish will be on their way north very, very soon. Also in NC the yellowfin bite off Oregon Inlet remained solid, with many boats reporting double-digit catches up until the winds hit this week and locked them in their slips. Conditions are supposed to calm a bit for the next couple days before blowing again, so a window of opportunity may present itself if you get the urge to head south.
Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, March 22, 2019 Update:
Fishing off the coast has failed to pick up thus far as warm weather has begun to move in – fish are still few and far between, and the tautog fishery has provided a lackluster bite for many of the boats traveling out to the wrecks. Action has been ranging from okay to nonexistent from day to day. In addition to a slow tog fishery of course the flounder haven’t showed yet, but the last week of March last year was when the very first reports came in from the Cape Charles area so it shouldn’t be long. We also had some reds begin showing up in the VA inlets this time last year so hopefully they’ll be back soon as well. There has been a smattering of small stripers caught and released from Indian River inlet, the Route 90 and Route 50 bridges behind OC, and around the CBBT, but we didn’t get word of any fish over 28 inches. That’s left coastal anglers with few options that don’t require a trip inland to waters where yellow perch are running. Or…
Heading down to North Carolina remains a viable option, with a steady pick on yellowfin. Many boats are coming in with double-digit catches and even some limits. Wind has been an issue at times, as it always is at this time of year, but when the boats can get out they are enjoying a great bite in the vicinity of The Point. Bluefin are being caught as well, a few boats have found mahi here and there, and there have also been a couple reports of mako encounters. C’mon fish, head north!
Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, March 15, 2019 Update:
Word from up and down the coast remains much the same with regards to oceanic angling: tautog are the main target, and they’re being finicky. One trip to the next can be banner and then a bust. Wind has also been a constant issue, with more heavy winds predicted through most of the weekend, for most of the region. That said, if you have the chance to get out green crab and white crab continue to be the most effective baits, fished on Snafu rigs. If you want to brush up on your tog fishing techniques, check out this new video we posted this week: How to Catch Tautog Fishing Atlantic Wrecks and Reefs. We shot it earlier this winter on a trip aboard the Morning Star, out of Ocean City.
Those in search of bigger offshore game do have the option of driving south to North Carolina, where a steady bite on both bluefin and yellowfin tuna has kept anglers busy whenever the weather has allowed them to get off the dock.
Some coastal anglers are also being lured inland a bit, to partake in the perch fishing. From Virginia’s western shore clear up through Delaware, the yellow perch have begun running in earnest. Reports this week didn’t put it at full-tilt, but a good start with most of the fish remaining in relatively deep (five to 10 foot) areas just downstream of the spawning areas. Minnow on fished bottom were the top bait.
Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, March 8, 2019 Update:
Inshore all remains quiet and fishing off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia has been lackluster recently due to a struggling tautog fishery that’s seen some awesome days but more days that were… well… tough. This week life was made even tougher with winter-like temps that did not help things one bit. The Morning Star ran out of Ocean City for a tagging trip last week and did land good numbers of fish, the biggest being a 27-incher.
Coastal anglers looking to fill a bucket with dinner have had some success in the feeder creeks along the back bays. The perch haven’t really begun a spawning run just yet (again, the chill in the air isn’t helping) but fish can be caught in deeper, pre-spawn areas. If you want to try nabbing some perch this weekend, be sure to check out the Fishing for White Perch article by our Coastal Correspondent John Unkart, and our Three Top Spring Perch Run Hotspots feature.
The other item of note this week: North Carolina. Yes, it’s officially beyond our area of coverage, but ambitious anglers determined to make offshore action a reality will want to know that a mix of tuna species (bluefin, yellowfin, and bigeye were all reported last week) continue to hit in the waters off Oregon Inlet when the weather allows boats to get out. And while we didn’t hear anything more about redfish this week (thanks, weatherman!) last weekend a few were reported from the surf along with some kingfish. This action should only grow better as it warms up – and those fish will be headed up our way very, very soon.
Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, March 1, 2019 Update:
Moving into March the waters off the coast of DelMarVa have mostly felt barren as bass are a done deal, and the tautog fishing overall has been rather poor. Locating fish has required far more work and time than many feel is worth the gamble of catching no fish, which many anglers have found is a real possibility. Those venturing off the coast are a dedicated few. Meanwhile, anglers who can’t wait for their local tuna run should consider heading south to the Outer Banks, where large bluefin tuna (one said to be 800 pounds hit the dock last week) have been abundant off the coast. Yellowfin are also being caught by boats making the run when weather permits, with some reporting limit catches. Inshore in the Carolinas some anglers have found big striped bass near the inlets, and we're hearing the first initial rumblings of red drum showing up as well.
Many local saltwater and brackish anglers along the coastline have turned to lakes, streams, and ponds as this winter has worn on. Even the most dedicated saltwater anglers must have softened to freshwater fishing after this season, which has continuously provided an array of species and landscapes to fish successfully. Most notable this week? As the freshwater scene has provided the best opportunity for action recently, there’s quite a bit to report; see the Freshwater Report to get the scoop.