Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, November 24 Update:
While we reflect on the many things we have to be thankful for, let’s make sure to put the Chesapeake Bay on our list. We are very lucky to have some of the best fishing on the East Coast right in our back yard. There is always a fish to be caught, and right now there are a lot of fish to be caught in this region. Speckled trout, red drum, and rockfish are all available in the tidal tributaries right now. The Elizabeth River is the hotpot for the trout and multiple anglers checked in after catching some very nice sized fish this week. A kayak angler in the Elizabeth caught a monster trout this week. The fish measured in at 27.75 inches and weighed over seven and a half pounds. One boat caught two fish over 25 inches along with quite a few over the 20-inch mark during a trip on the river this week. Another boat fishing the ditch caught four dink trout and four fish over 20 inches. It is safe to say that there is a good number of big fish around. If you are looking to catch a gator trout, now is the time to do it.
While the trout have been the focus for many anglers, reds are still putting bends in rods. One angler checked in after a night fishing trip last weekend. He found some drum willing to bite in the Green Mile area. Cut mullet on fish finder rigs got the drum biting. A few more rockfish are also showing up in the rivers and inlets. We got a report of slot rockfish being caught near Lynnhaven this week. As water temperatures drop, the influx of rockfish should continue in this region. Another fish that has moved into local waters are tautog. They are being caught at both shallow and deeper structures. One angler checked in after finding fish in five to 10 feet of water. That is as specific as they got as far as location goes but said that fresh shrimp was the hot bait. Once they ran out of shrimp, they stopped getting bites. They ended up with 12 togs and four keepers. Crab and clam baits also tend to work well for the tautog. Reefs and wrecks along with the islands of the CBBT are popular areas to find them in the Bay.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, November 17 Update:
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we have a lot to be thankful for since we are blessed with such an amazing fishery so close to home. Virginia Beach Sport Fishing let us know that since water temperatures have cooled off significantly, rockfish are becoming more abundant in the tidal rivers and other tributaries. Some are also being caught around the CBBT islands at night. One angler fishing at night in one of the tributaries caught a 30-inch fish in 18 feet of water during an outgoing tide. The fish was hanging in an area with structure and deeper water close by. The speckled trout bite has remained fantastic this week in numerous tributaries. The Elizabeth River has been the highlight with some really big fish reeled in this week. One angler reported in after catching three fish over 24 inches and one 28-incher this week. Another boat caught a two-man limit of specks with the two biggest at 24 and 28 inches while fishing in the Elizabeth. There are still some drum around, but you must do some more searching to find them. An angler fishing at night caught three slot reds and five undershot fish. He wasn’t willing to disclose the location, however. Cut bait on fish finder rigs was the ticket.
Sea bass have been hanging out at the wrecks and reefs inside the Bay. More tautog are also showing up as water temperatures drop. The sea bass and tautog are structure-oriented species so most rock piles, wrecks, pilings, and bridges have a good chance at holding these fish. When fishing in the Bay, it can be hard to find keepers since there are usually a lot of juvenile fish around. Although with enough persistence, there’s a good chance you will find some meeting the minimums. If you want a better chance at catching keeper sized fish, the Triangle Wrecks, off the coast is a popular location for targeting both sea bass and tautog in the winter. Crab baits will catch both.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, November 10 Update:
The southern Bay offers some great fishing during the colder months. Speckled trout, red drum, and rockfish are all present and available to catch right now throughout the tidal tributaries. The speckled trout are most abundant and widespread now with many anglers catching quality sized fish. The Elizabeth River is one of the best locations for catching speckled trout in the fall and winter. Multiple reports of anglers catching keeper-sized fish and some into the low 20s came in this week. Fishing along shoreline structure and areas with steep ledges seemed to be the most productive. Jerkbaits and paddletails have been the top producing artificial baits but live or cut bait is working too. One angler fishing in an undisclosed location caught a four-man limit of speckled trout in 25 to 30 feet of water while “dead sticking”. They dropped down Z-Man paddletails and let the current and slight wave action work the bait, which had the trout fired up. Their keepers ranged between 17 and 21 inches.
More rockfish are starting to move into the tidal rivers and other tributaries. The recent reports indicate that the best bite has been at night. Anglers fishing near lighted docks and areas with building lights are finding the rockfish concentrated in these areas because the baitfish are drawn to the lights. Throwing topwater baits in this specific scenario has been producing good blow ups and fun action. Another angler fishing at night found slot red drum and keeper speckled trout while fishing with live bunker. They didn’t disclose their location, but there’s a good chance at either of these fish in various locations right now.
Out in deeper water, sea bass and tautog should start to become more available at wreck and reef sites. Fishing for them with crab baits or squid is usually the most productive but Fishbites have also been found to work well. Tog jigs or Chesapeake sabiki rigs are preferred rigs to drop down and start getting bites once you find the fish.
Way South Chesapeake Fishing Report, November 3 Update:
It is feeling like fall again after the warmup last week had it feeling like summer. Despite the ups and downs in temperatures, fall fishing is moving along right on schedule in Bay. Virginia Beach Sport Fishing reported in to let us know that anglers have been finding a solid bull red drum bite while surf fishing. They had multiple anglers check in recently after fishing near Sandbridge who caught plenty of trophy sized drum in the 45- to 50-inch range. The ideal set up is a medium-heavy rod and reel combo paired with drum rigs baited with cut mullet or spot. These fish won’t be around for much longer, so if you want to catch one before they are gone, get out soon. VBSF also says that tog fishing is getting better inside the Bay as water temperatures drop.
Fishing for speckled sea trout is great right now in all the southern Bay tributaries. The specks have moved into the rivers and inlets in force to feed on baitfish and fatten up for winter. We are also seeing some of the biggest fish of the year caught right now with multiple anglers checking in after catching speckled trout in the mid 20s. Hotspots have included the James River, Elizabeth River, Rudee Inlet, and Lynnhaven Inlet. Fish are being caught both shallow and deeper with some of the bigger fish coming from depths of 12 to 15 feet. Areas with deep channels close to shallow flats are good places to search for the specks as they will move into the shallows to feed on bait. Jerkbaits and paddletails are the top producing baits right now.
Ocean’s East Bait and Tackle let us know that wreck and reef sites are also producing very good fishing right now for sea bass, flounder, triggerfish, and some tautog. Don’t put those fishing poles away just because it is getting colder, there are fish to catch year-round!