VIRGINIA FISHING REPORTS Chesapeake Bay, Inshore, Offshore & Freshwater Virginia Fishing Report Updated October 19, 2012

The weather this time of year is always hit or miss but we’ve been pretty lucky so far which is allowing anglers to target fish almost anywhere along the Mid-Atlantic. Also, the cooler water temperatures are providing great striper action and Inshore anglers are getting a nice start to the speckled trout season with the size of the specks increasing by the day. If you’re looking for reds, you’ll have to be patient and wait it out; you will have the most success using fresh cut bait. If you’re searching for the big reds you will have the best luck along the ocean front along the Eastern Shore shoals and near the CBBT islands.

(Photo: New Tidal Fish Poster tarhull87 states “Trolled and flipped the incoming tide on the CBBT 2nd/3rd island span searching for some stripers on the bridge. Fished from about 7:45 to 10:00 am and no striper bites, lots of bluefish up around the 3rd in between the bridges, lots of birds too. Headed back down to west side of the span south of the 1st island, flipped a bit more and did the same trolling with little 3 way sinker and jig/light tackle rigs. Had a nice bite that ran into the bridge and broke off. About 20 minutes later, had another nice bite and fought a fish on light tackle for about 20 minutes, inside and through the bridge and back out again and finally came up with this GUY! Big ol' 50"er on 20lb gear and a Fin-S 4" shad lure. Headed home happy around 12:30 with a nice healthy release citation.”)
http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/show...-CBBT-Surprise

Tournaments:



From IGFA Virginia Beach Representative Julie Ball:
Inshore, backwater anglers continue to experience a good introduction to the speckled trout season. The folks at Ocean’s East 2 claim the size of the specks is increasing each day. In Lynnhaven, paddle tail and curly tail Bass Assassins in a variety of colors and Gulp lures are the ticket for bigger fish ranging up to around 24-inches. Rudee Inlet, Little Creek Inlet, and the shallow-water areas on the Peninsula and the Eastern Shore are experiencing good action, with big fish in the mix. The Elizabeth River remains the best area for all-around good trout prospects, where anglers are finding good quantities of keepers, along with an increasing number of trophies pushing to 27-inches. Top water lures are producing the best results right now, but that will change as the water temperatures continue to drop.

Although the red drum action in the surf off of Sandbridge and the Wildlife Refuge slowed up this week, some nights are still producing 5 or 6 fish for anglers waiting it out. The best offering is still fresh cut bait, with spot heads the number one enticement. Big reds are a possibility along the ocean front, along the Eastern Shore shoals, and near the islands of the CBBT.

With the bite described as mostly steady, some bigger puppy drum have moved into most of the usual backwater areas, where anglers are scoring with fish ranging to around 25-inches in both Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets. Surf anglers are also still experiencing good puppy drum encounters along the oceanfront beaches and Bay shorelines.

As water temperatures begin to cool, striped bass are becoming more active. Casters are scoring with schoolie-sized rockfish between 18 to 22-inches along the Monitor Merrimack, the James River Bridge, and the HRBT. The bite is especially good at night along the light lines. Those casting at the islands of the CBBT in the evenings and at night are finding a nicer class of fish ranging to around 36 and 38-inches recently. Lots of snapper bluefish are rounding out most catches.

The inshore tautog activity is generating more interest as nice fish continue to snap at offerings on most any lower Bay structure and along the CBBT. Blue crab is the top bait for limits of fish pushing up to around 8-pounds lately. Sheepshead are still around, but most catches are occurring as a by catch for tog enthusiasts. Deeper wrecks will also earn more attention as more species exit the area, with some nice tog and ample numbers of respectable trigger fish available for the taking. Seabass are also on these same structures, but you must throw them back for now since they are out of season. Chopper bluefish should show up any day now on offshore wrecks, often with Bluefin tuna in pursuit.

Even though anglers are finding a few cooperative fish, the flounder bite is sluggish due to the muddy water lately. Drifting strip baits along the Baltimore Channel, near buoy 36A, and along the small boat channel are good places to try. Working bait and jigs around the CBBT structure can also prove effective for big flatties. These fish are plump right now as they fatten up in preparation for their migration offshore. Some of the deeper water wrecks are also giving up a few decent flatfish mixed in with shorts.

Spot reports are hit and miss within the lower Bay, but surf and pier anglers are still catching good numbers of nice sized spot in Rudee Inlet and off of Sandbridge as the fish make their way south, especially after each northerly blow. Anglers fishing from the jetties in Rudee Inlet are scrambling with each wave of spot coming through, with bloodworms and clam flavored Fish Bites the top baits. Scattered pompano and speckled trout are also showing in the ocean surflines, and croaker are still hovering near the CBBT, especially near the bend at the 3^rd island, the HRBT, as well as the lower Bay inlets.

Deep droppers are finding good sized tilefish and rosefish along the edges of the Norfolk Canyon, with several tiles exceeding 10-pounds.

Offshore, the explosion of wahoo activity over the past week is undeniable as fish pushing to well over 50-pounds take over where the billfish left off. Most of the activity is happening east of the Cigar area, where good numbers of bailer mahi, false albacore, and a few straggling marlin are still around. Captain Jake Hiles and his crew aboard the ‘Matador’ out of Rudee Inlet encountered both a white and a blue marlin while wreck fishing in a little more than 100-feet of water near the Cigar this week. Yellowfin tuna are still a possibility, and once overnight trips resume with more regularity, swordfish are a good bet.

Virginia Saltwater Reports:
Offshore, when the wind allows, Virginia Beach boats are catching large yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dolphin, along with good numbers of false albacore and chopper bluefish to 20 pounds around the Chesapeake Light/Artificial Reef area. Inshore wrecks are giving up good numbers of tautog.

Virginia Freshwater Fishing Reports:
POTOMAC RIVER - D.C. - Smallmouth bass action is excellent around Fletchers' Boat House on live crayfish. From Chain Bridge to 14th Street Bridge, along the Virginia shoreline, crankbaits are taking most of the fish. The Kennedy Center seawall is holding a good number of quality fish for anglers fishing crankbaits and plastics. Bridge pilings, wood cover and drop-offs are holding most of the largemouth throughout the city. Crankbaits, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, jig 'n pig and plastic worms are the better choice of baits. Crappie are available throughout the river, orienting to submerged brush in 10-15 feet of water. Small minnows and tiny jigs are the preferred bait. Catfish action has slowed considerably, with little success reported. Stripers are available around Fletcher's Boathouse, National Airport, 14th Street Bridge pilings and the National War College Wall. Bucktails, Kastmaster Spoons and Rat-L-Traps are the more productive baits.

POTOMAC RIVER - BELOW WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE - Bass are holding on drop-offs and around submerged wood structure on the main river. Crankbaits, plastic worms, and jigs are taking these fish. In the creeks, most of the fish are found from the mouth to the secondary points and along the creek channels. Grass beds which still have green grass, are holding largemouth bass and snakeheads. These fish are taking topwater frogs, Senkos and floating worms. Shallow gravel banks are also holding fish. Tiny Tubes in 1/16 ounce size, small crankbaits and small spinnerbaits will take these fish. Small crankbaits, retrieved parallel to the lily pad edges, will take some bass. The most consistent pattern for bass is to fish 3" black or smoke/metalflake plastic grubs or Carolina-rigged plastic worms in 8-15 feet of water on points or drop-offs.

POTOMAC RIVER - BELOW ROUTE 301 - School Stripers are marauding baitfish on the shoals below Monroe Bay and around the grassy islands and points throughout the lower Potomac River. Sassy Shads, Rat-L-Traps and topwater baits are producing well. Flyrodders are doing well with Lefty's Deceivers and Clouser Minnows in red and white. Lower tributary creeks are off and on, with best action coming on swift running tides at sunrise and sunset. Fish bridge pilings, points and drop-offs with Rebel Fastrak Minnows, Rat-L-Traps, bucktails and Sassy Shads.

OCCOQUAN RIVER - The grass bed at the mouth of the river is still holding lots of fish. Topwater baits, Senkos and spinnerbaits are the better choice. Some bass are available around the wood pilings below the Route One Bridge. Crankbaiting or flippin' small plastic worms will take these fish. Bass are also being taken on main river points, adjacent to drop-offs, along the rock wall and around wood blowdowns. Better choices of baits include small crankbaits, jig 'n pig and plastic lures. Crappie are schooled around submerged brush and boat docks. Small minnows are the ticket. Small yellow perch are schooling on the flat below the Route One Bridge. Jigging small Silver Buddies in gold colors will take these fish.

OCCOQUAN RESERVOIR - Fishing is good. Largemouth bass to five pounds are being caught by anglers using jig 'n pig and slow-rolled spinnerbaits in the upper reaches of the lake, particularly in the Bull Run arm. The fish are concentrated around blowdowns in 2-10 feet of water. Downlake, the fish are located on secondary points in 15-20 feet of water. Most successful anglers are using jig 'n pig. Water temperatures are ranging around 65 degrees. Crappie fishing is fair with lots of small fish being taken from the fishing pier.

BURKE LAKE - Construction at Burke Lake Dam has commenced and is expected to continue for several months. The lake has been drawn down four feet, making the VDGIF boat ramp unusable. Access to the dam is prohibited as the trail is closed for construction. Fishing is still allowed from the shore, but success will be impacted by the low water. Burke Lake Park will close for the season on October 28 and will reopen in April. There are few reports of anglers on the lake. Those who are out report catching bass, crappie, walleye and yellow perch. Most of the fish are being taken on live minnows. Some bass are taking jig 'n pig baits, fished on drop-offs in 8-12 feet of water. Good success from the Park fishing pier.

POTOMAC RIVER - UPPER - Lots of smallmouth activity on small jigs, tiny crankbaits and slowly retrieved spinners, with the deeper pools holding the larger fish. Some better areas are just below Point of Rocks, just above White's Ferry and around Edward's Ferry. Crappie are schooled, off and on, at the mouths of Goose Creek and Broad Run. Catfish action is very slow.

LAKE BRITTLE - Bass fishing has been good. Slow-rolled spinnerbaits and live minnows are taking bass to 4.5 pounds. Bluegills are biting well, along with a few catfish.

RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER - Above the city, smallmouth bass are taking live bait and tiny crankbaits in the deeper pools. Water levels are stable and leaves are abundant. In the tidal sections, crappie are schooled and biting well. Bass anglers are catching good fish below the Route 301 Bridge. Plastic worms
and jig 'n pig are the better baits. Blue catfish, to 30 pounds, are biting on cut bait in the river channel. Stripers are biting, but most are small, at both the Port Royal and the Tappahannock Bridges.

MATTAPONI/PAMUNKEY RIVERS - Catfish and crappie are the main fare on the Mattaponi, although some smallmouth bass are taking Rat-L-Traps in the extreme upper end of the river. Pamunkey anglers report catfish and white perch on peeler crab baits at Lester Manor, bass to three pounds on Teeny Craws, plastic worms and spinnerbaits near Williams Landing, and catfish, white perch and some pickerel around the Route 360 Bridge. Stripers are spread throughout the river, from Aylett to below West Point, but no concentrations or good catches are reported.

SHENANDOAH RIVER - Water temperature is in the low to mid 60's. Excellent smallmouth bass fishing for those who can put up with the annoyance of floating leaves. Small crankbaits and plastic grubs are the hot baits and Bixler Ferry Bridge is the hot area.

LAKE ANNA - Bass are holding on main lake and secondary points in 4-12 feet of water, around boat docks and some bridges. Better baits are large crankbaits, jig 'n pig and shaky heads. Stripers are active, particularly at the Splits, Jetts Island, Stubbs Bridge, Dike Three and Rose Valley. Live shad, Sassy Shads, Storm Swim-Baits, Cordell Redfins and Hopkins jigging spoons are the better choices of baits. Fishing is good for crappie, and walleye are cooperative, but they are holding in deeper water. Best bet for the novice is to fish live jumbo minnows on main lake points. Lots of big fish are being caught in this manner.

JAMES RIVER - Smallmouth bass are hitting well above the city, with a good many trophy fish being taken. Anglers should expect stained water and lots of leaves. Despite this, lots of fish are being caught. Plastic grubs and live bait are the preferred baits. Tidal sections of the river are producing good sized blue and flathead catfish on cut bait and live minnows in the main river channel, and bass on plastic worms, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits in the creeks and around main river wood structure. Crappie are biting well in the barge pits around Dutch Gap. Live minnows and tiny jigs are taking the fish.
Stripers are on the move throughout the river, taking almost any large bait thrown into the water. Check almost any large wood structure, with current swirling around it. Better areas are the Benjamin Harrison Bridge and wood pilings around the power lines at Sturgeon Point.

LAKE CHESDIN - Bass and crappie are cooperating nicely, with bass, 5-7 pounds, being caught on spinnerbaits, jig 'n pig and plastic worms, while crappie are taking small minnows. Some nice sized stripers and an occasional pickerel are also being caught.

CHICKAHOMINY RIVER - Lots of bass, to five pounds, are being taken on small crankbaits and plastic worms, fished around wood structure, adjacent to dying lily pads. Live minnows are accounting for some large bass, as well as crappie, yellow perch, bream and catfish. Stripers are being caught on Rat-L-Traps and topwater lures, particularly near the dam.

CHICKAHOMINY LAKE - Lots of action for largemouth bass, pickerel and bowfin on live minnows. Most of the bass range 2-6 pounds, while the pickerel run to over four pounds and bowfin tip the scales at over ten pounds. Large, slow-rolled spinnerbaits are also accounting for some large bass. Yellow perch and crappie are also being seen in the catches. Most of the fish are being caught on live minnows, fished on points and over grassbeds.

LITTLE CREEK RESERVOIR - Bass, 1-5 pounds, and pickerel to four pounds, are the main fare. Deep running crankbaits and live minnows are the preferred baits. Crappie are also biting well, on live minnows and tiny jigs. One report says nice bluegills were caught on fly rod poppers.

BACK BAY - Very few fishermen out on the Bay. Those who are fishing are catching small bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Crappie fishing has improved in West Neck Creek. Fishing the North Landing River and Currituck Sound is producing some good bass for those anglers who dare to brave the wakes from cruisers on the Intercoastal Waterway.

SUFFOLK LAKES - Western Branch reports shellcrackers, crappie and yellow perch providing most of the action on worms and small minnows. Stripers are coming on, with Sassy Shads, bucktails and live bait taking fish to 11 pounds, with the majority in the 5-7 pound class. Burnt Mills is reporting the same, with some larger bass being taken. Lake Prince is giving up some stripers, to 16 pounds, along with the shellcrackers and bass. Crappie and pickerel action is good at Meade and Cohoon, while anglers at Lake Meade are also catching some large bass. Lakes Smith and Whitehurst are reporting good fishing. Walleye, white and yellow perch, bass, pickerel and crappie are all taking baits aggressively. Most of the walleye and crappie are taking live minnows, while small to medium bass are taking spinnerbaits and plastic worms.

BRIERY CREEK & SANDY RIVER RESERVOIRS - Most of the bass are in the slot, with an occasional five pounder being taken. Crappie, topping one pound, are seen daily, but bluegill catches are down. Live minnows are the better choice of bait.

LAKE GASTON - Best action is down lake. Poe's, Pretty and Lee's Creeks are good areas to fish. Bass can be caught by crankbaiting main channel points and fishing jig 'n pig around rocks and stumps in 4-10 feet of water. Best crankbait colors are shad and silver. Uplake, Pop-R's and twitch worms are
taking bass in the dying hydrilla beds, while crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms are taking them on the outside edges of the grass. Early and late in the day, some large bass are being taken on topwater baits, fished in the back ends of coves, where there are leaves on the water. Stripers are being taken,
trolling bucktails and Cordell Hot Spots in the main river channel. The fish are suspended in 16-20 feet of water. Crappie anglers are having good success fishing small minnows over brushpiles and solid structures.

BUGGS ISLAND LAKE - Bass may be caught shallow in 2-3 feet of water, medium in 5-6 feet of water or by fishing deep in 11-12 feet of water. Shallow fish are holding in backs of pockets on rockpiles. Use shallow running or rattling crankbaits with a high speed retrieve. Medium depth fish are taking spider
jigs and grubs on points or wood structure. The deep fish are relating to normal cover such as humps, road beds and ledges near drop-offs. Crappie anglers are loading coolers, using small minnows over brushpiles and around bridge pilings. Schools of breaking stripers are being found between Buoy 16
and the Clarksville Bridge, and at the mouth of Bluestone Creek. Trolling Cordell Redfins and Rebel FasTrak minnows along the river channel is producing some good catches of stripers, but don't be surprised if you end up with a 30 pound flathead catfish. White bass to four pounds, are taking trolled Rooster Tails and pearl color Short A's around the mouth of Bluestone Creek. Most main lake coves also have a few white bass in them. These fish are suckers for tiny white crankbaits and in-line spinners.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE - Anglers are catching a few fish. Live shad, bucktails and Cordell Redfins are the best striper baits. Impressive stringers of crappie are also being caught, along with a few largemouth bass. Striper anglers should fish points and drop-offs. Bass are in shallow water, cruising the banks and points. Live shad and deep diving crankbaits are good bets, although some good bass are taking topwater baits on the points. Smallmouth bass are still located in 30-50 feet of water, taking tube baits and plastic worms. There are lots of bait fish on the lake and schools of bass and stripers are
feeding under the bait fish.

LEESVILLE RESERVOIR - Weather fronts have affected the fish. Fishing is improving, with largemouth and white bass being taken on live minnows and jigs. Crappie are still biting, along with lots of red eyed bass. Stripers have quit feeding.

LAKE MOOMAW - Action is limited to crappie, 1-2 pounds, bass and a few brown trout. Bass anglers are catching fish on points and around the standing timber. Live bait and jig 'n pig are the most productive baits, although topwater lures are taking fish at night. The brown trout are beginning their spawn, evidently near the Fortney Ramp, as a few keepers have been caught there.

PHILPOTT LAKE - Fair largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye fishing, with a few limits of fish. Most of the fish are holding at 15-20 feet and are taking live minnows and crayfish. Crappie anglers are bringing in good numbers of fish caught on live minnows. Best areas are Fairstone Cove and above the Union Bridge. The Smith River is receiving heavy fishing pressure, with resultant catches improving in quantity, if not size.

SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR - Good fishing. Crappie and bass are available on live minnows, on points and at creek mouths.

FLANNAGAN RESERVOIR - Shad schools are located in the middle of the lake, where schools of smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish and trout are chasing them. Lots of large bass are being caught. Early mornings and late evenings see the better catches.

CLAYTOR LAKE - Striper action in the Peak Creek area is good on live minnows and alewives. Patient anglers are taking limits. White bass are schooled and taking small jigs and Rat-L-Traps. Crappie action is good on live minnows. Catfish action is steady for 10-14 pound fish. Bass anglers are taking a few
good fish each.

NEW RIVER - Few anglers are out, but those who do venture forth are catching bass and catfish on live minnows. Some small muskie are being caught.

CLINCH RIVER - Smallmouth bass fishing continues to be good, with minnows producing the better catches. Catfish are mixed in the catches.

TROUT STREAMS - The best trout areas are Big Stoney in Shenandoah County; Cedar Creek, West of Strasburg; and the Bull Pasture River, close to Williamsville. Small streams in the George Washington National Forest are producing good trout fishing. Hares ear nymphs and Mr. Rapidan flies are some
of the better flies to use. Dardevle spoons and #0 Mepps spinners are good for spin fishermen. In the Hot Springs area, there are some late hatches of blue wing olives, midges and black caddis flies. Bluewing olive in size #16 and #18, cream and olive midges and black caddis flies will be the best to use.