Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, May 28 Update:
Hampton Correspondent Chuck Harrison reports that fishing around the HRBT produced small croakers and gray trout, and winds as of late have made it difficult to get out to the CBBT. He also notes that there are schools of drum off the oceanfront. However, the area bite has been hot and then not, and it seems like one day there are lots of fish and then the next, they’re tough to come by. Speckled trout haven’t been shy near the shorelines — Ocean’s East reported that anglers using four-to-five inch twister and paddle tails have been smashing them. The specks this year are looking chunky too, with multiples in the upper teens and mid-to-low 20s common.
Ocean’s East also reported that this week came with multiple reports of cobia catches off the coast. Some of the fish were upwards of 40 pounds, and a couple boats had multiple hookups and catches within a day. They also reported the first of the tuna have been caught off Virginia Beach. Closer to home the Spanish and blues are trickling in and although their numbers aren't huge yet some decent catches have been made in the Bay as well as along the oceanfront. No word yet on the sheeps and the spades, but it should come any day now.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, May 21 Update:
Spring fishing has officially busted loose in a wide range of ways at and around the mouth of the Chesapeake. Two new species that made their presence known in the area this week include cobia, with several reported caught in nearshore waters (and released, of course), and Spanish mackerel off Sandbridge and Virginia Beach; some (mostly small) Spanish macks are even being reported by the Virginia Beach fishing pier already. Though neither species is exactly swarming just yet, it’s an excellent early start that foretells a hot season to come and some of the mackerel catches were up to five or six fish. Meanwhile, those targeting the drum on the shoals off Fisherman’s, near the CBBT, and up to The Cell are catching a mix of bull reds and some blacks, with the reds now seeming to outnumber the blacks by a fairly decent margin. Peeler or soft crab has been a favored bait for both species with whole fresh clam preferred by the blacks.
The inlets continue to hold decent numbers of redfish and specks, however, they've also been crowded at times and this week readers reported a better bite for slot reds up the Bay a bit in the mouth of the York. We also had one check in after fishing the Poquoson and taking home three slot reds and two specks in the 20-inch range, all caught on white/pink Bass Assassins. Shrimp under a cork was also mentioned as effective this week.
Bottom fishermen have begun picking up some croaker and spot on bloodworms, but most of the catches we’ve heard about have been small. A few sea mullet (kingfish) were reported this week as well, but more interesting, throughout the area scattered reports of weakfish continue popping up. Most of the catches are incidental singles and most of the fish have been small, but let’s all cross our fingers that a rebound is underway for the species.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, May 14 Update:
There’s plenty of action in these parts right now! The black drum haven’t moved out and are coming up around the concrete ships, the CBBT, and the Cabbage Patch. Most commonly, anglers are using fresh clams, peeler crabs, and shrimp for them. Keeping fresh bait is key: the drum are far more likely to go after a nice juicy bait rather than one that has been frozen or soaking for hours. Regardless of what you’re dropping in the water, the drum have been a mixed bag size-wise. We’ve seen anglers coming in with the little eaters, as well as massive fish, more blacks than reds inside the Bay at this point. Ocean’s East heard of red drum around the CBBT and shoals off Fisherman’s Island, as well.
Around the CBBT and in the inlets, Ocean’s East also heard multiple reports puppy drum plus of flounder, a bite that reader reports confirm. Live baits and squid remain top choice for flounder, shrimp for the pups. Keeping baits on or close to bottom is key for landing them, and the fresher (or livelier) the baits the better. Some anglers are also opting to bounce soft plastics dressed with squid strips or Gulp! off the bottom, which is working well, too.
Changing seasons means changing regs, and soon there will be some new options available to area anglers. Sea bass opens up on May 15th, while tautog will close. Additionally, striped bass will open up in VA on the 16th. From May 16th until June 15th, one fish per person can be kept between 20 and 28 inches. With the season opening up after this report is published we don’t have solid pre-season info, but one reader did report catching slot-sized stripers near the HRBT this week while casting soft plastics for specks.
There have also been a number of reports of small weakfish being caught in surf and in the inlets, mostly incidental catches made by anglers searching for other species, fishing peeler crab or bloodworm baits. It sure would be nice to see this species bounce back!
For those who tried to tune in to Live With Lenny last night we apologize for the technical difficulties, evidently we broke the internets. The show has been rescheduled for next Wednesday evening at 5:00 p.m. when we'll have a striper season update and discuss targeting invasive species like snakeheads and blue cats with David Sikorski from the CCA.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, May 7 Update:
Hampton correspondent Chuck Harrison made it over to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel area last weekend, and reported catching an 18-inch speck and talking with anglers there who reported a better bite very early in the morning. Sea Hawk Sports Center confirmed specks are around as well — they mentioned multiple reports from Virginia waters across the eastern shore this week. Rudee Inlet was also a top spot. Most came from Mirr-O-lures and brightly colored twister tails. Sea Hawk also mentioned that the trout were caught close to shore and occasionally, there were puppy drum hits mixed in. The bigger drum have had a strong presence around the mouth of the Bay on the eastern side shoals. We heard from a few captains who went out this week and caught reds, although we couldn’t confirm any specific hot spots. Big blacks are also there but seem to be playing hard to get on a regular basis. Fresh cut peeler crab, clam, and menhaden were all solid bait choices. Rudee Inlet also produced a surprising number of bluefish this week, ranging from tiny guys to eaters. For anglers casting soft plastics in those waters, it's about time to switch to hard baits or get some bite-proof plastics.
Virginia striper season is still closed, of course, but we’re happy to report that anglers are catching another one of our “classic” Chesapeake fish way more than we saw this time last season. Oceans’s East and Sea Hawk both had stellar reports of flounder caught in Virginia inlets and further north. While their numbers coming from the Bay aren’t huge, coastal anglers and those living near the mouth of the Bay are enjoying a steady bite. The bulk of fish are between 16 and 24 inches, so far.