Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, February 25 Update:
Between the weather and the lack of fish there’s been little action in this neck of the woods recently, though we did hear of a nice surprise catch for Michael Mullen, who picked up a beautiful puppy drum in Willoughby Bay. Water temps at the CBBT remain right around 40, and we don’t expect tog action to pick back up until we get back five or (more realistically) 10 degrees.
Reports from the inlets are of slow pickings and instead, most anglers who report success are heading up the rivers to get in on the blue catfish which have been much more active than anything out on the Bay. Catfish are hitting gizzard shad and chicken breast fished on bottom, deep in the usual holes and channels. Hopefully, as we see weather warming up yellow perch will begin to pick up in tributary rivers and creeks feeding areas like the Nansemond and Northwest.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, February 19 Update:
Thanks to the awesome weather this week with low winds, sunny skies, and temperatures in the mid-80s, hordes of anglers headed out onto the water and sent us fantastic reports of the action. Not.
The southern waters of our Chesapeake haven’t been especially productive this week, and reports from the inlets are of slow pickings – instead, most anglers who report success are heading up the rivers to get in on the blue catfish which have been much more active than anything out on the Bay. Catfish are hitting gizzard shad and chicken breast fished on bottom, deep in the usual holes and channels. The James, Rappahannock, and Potomac are holding plenty of cats, and one reader reported multiple catches over 20 pounds, reaching into the upper 30s.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, February 12 Update:
Well, this is a bit unusual; normally the Way South zone of the Bay has more diverse opportunities than many other areas, but with poor weather not many boats have been able to leave the docks and hit open waters and anglers around here are mostly heading for protected waters, just like everyone else. Those that did make it outside of the Bay this week reported that although conditions were tough, they were able to land on a good sea bass bite (more about that in the Coastal Report).
In tidal creeks and rivers, we aren't hearing of any great yellow perch bites yet. With the weather and pressure fluctuating daily, we're hoping to see better reports when the weather evens out. Meanwhile, in upriver areas anglers soaking minnow in search of those perch did catch some catfish and bass on minnow.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, February 5 Update:
Usually there’s no place we’d rather be than the water, but this week was an exception. We didn’t hear anything at all from the area anglers and considering the conditions, can’t say we’re surprised. Sill, there's always a chance of catching a tog or two over structure at this time of year and fortunately, the February sea bass season has opened up so there are some options beyond togging when there’s a decent weather-window. Unfortunately, we found exactly zero first-hand intel from anyone trying to fish for ‘em in the past seven days — hopefully next week we’ll have more of a report for you.
