(pictured above this week is Tidal Fisher cirwin with some nice flounder from this past week on his flounder pounding trip. Nice work man! Check out his full fishing report and more fishing pictures here)
Virginia Saltwater Fishing Reports
Jerry Thrash from Queens Creek Outfitters brings us this tidewater fishing report:
Flounder fishing has improved somewhat in the Buoy 42/Cell area. We weighed one citation this week from that area and it was brought to the store amid a limit of fish, several of which were over 5 lbs. Other weigh stations in this area also weighed citations. While some anglers have had limit catches, others continue to struggle for dinner.
Cobia are being caught around New Point and at York Spit on live eels and live spot.
Croaker and spot fishing has been good in the Piankatank, around Gwynn Island and in the creeks. Bloodworms, squid and FishBites are doing the trick. Fish are medium sized.
Spadefish in the 6 lbs range have been boated at the Cell and larger fish are breaking lines but no citation fish seen yet.
Citations checked in his week: Flounder, 26", 8 lbs, 3 oz. caught 7/5 by James W. Pitts of Sparta near Buoy 42 while baited with ocean squid
Julie Ball gives us this fishing report synopsis for the tide water region of Virginia Beach:
With most of the summertime players in place, the 4th of July weekend fishing scene was explosive. Flounder are still the main attraction, with nice doormats weighing up to 10-pounds hitting the scales. Anglers working structure with jigs adorned with artificial baits such as Gulp Jerk Shads are coming out on top, with live baiters coming in second. The Bay Bridge Tunnel pilings and the 3rd and 4th island tubes are the best flattie hot spots this week. Drifters are also finding plenty of fish along channels, shoals, drop-offs, and ledges, but they are averaging on the smaller side. A few keepers are also responding within both Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets.
Cobia hunters continue to chum on the lower Bay shoals, such as Latimer Shoal and the Inner Middle Grounds, where mostly medium-sized fish in the 20 to 30-pound range are cooperating. Captain Ben Shepherd of Above Average Sportfishing feels the cobia bite is improving, but it still has a way to go to catch up with last year’s numbers. Sight casters are boating fewer but larger fish, with most pushing to over 50-pounds. Captain Ben tells us that he is spotting plenty of fish, but not many are responding.
Spanish mackerel continue to provide good action for trollers, with Cape Henry the best location. Some boats are also finding good luck around the islands of the CBBT. The best catches are in about 20-25-feet of water, with planers working better than in-line sinkers. These fish are a nice class, with a few 3-pounders in the mix along with Taylor bluefish to around 2-pounds. Sharks are also becoming a popular target off the coast, with spinner sharks taking the lead this week.
Scattered black drum hook-ups, are coming from the 3rd and 4th islands, with some fish pushing to 70-pounds. Red drum are still taking baits along the Eastern Shore shoals, and sightings of schooling reds near the CBBT and off Sandbridge are offering excellent top water action.
Spadefish are providing good action at the CBBT, with limits of fish ranging from 2 to 5-pounds taking clam offerings. Anglers are also finding a few nice trigger fish ranging to around 2 to 3-pounds. Sheepshead are still responding along the Bridge Tunnel to fiddler crabs, blue crabs, clam, and sand fleas, with most fish coming from the southern-most part of the span. With the warmer water taking its toll, tautog action slowed up in the Bay this week.
Croaker are scattered all over the lower Bay, with good numbers also available within Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets. Hard head hunters in Oyster are also filling coolers with decent fish. Ocean’s East 2 reports that nice spot are also surprising anglers within the inlets, with some pushing to around 15-ounces. A few puppy drum are also lingering in these same areas, along with a smattering of bluefish. Sea mullet are still making a good showing this year all over the lower Bay, with many fish pushing close to a pound. Sandy bottom areas along channels, near the CBBT, and off Cape Charles are providing excellent round head action.
Tarpon sightings are on the rise on the Eastern Shore, especially on the seaside, with a few rumored hook-ups. Plenty of sharks and super-sized rays are also available to keep you busy as you wait in the hot sun for a rare tarpon run.
Amberjack are enticing a few anglers to make the long run to the Southern Towers, but the offshore bite has been so good lately, that most boats are showing little interest. Deep dropping is good, with nice blueline tilefish, black bellied rosefish, seabass, and a smattering of grouper hitting well. Again, the offshore action is distracting most from the deep dropping scene.
The tuna bite off Virginia is still good, and quite the mixed bag; anglers don’t know which species they will hook into. Although the tuna action has cooled off from last week, boats are still finding some 30-pound class yellowfin tuna, scattered big eyes, and a few bluefin tuna. Many of these fish are more inshore, with the Fingers producing well this week. Hopefully these fish will provide good results for the Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament this week. According to Captain Russ Kostinas, skipper of the Top Notch out of the Fishing Center in Rudee Inlet, the billfish showings are also on the rise, with several white marlin hooked near the Cigar this week. A few blue marlin were also taken, along with a good smattering of bailer and gaffer dolphin to over 25-pounds, some nice wahoo, and mako sharks. One boat even had good luck with a few swordfish on an overnight trip in the Canyon this week.
Ken Neill reports in from the Tidal Virginia Beach:
It is tournament week. We will start offshore where we have the Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament July 6-9. The red-hot tuna and dolphin action that we have been having took a breather over the 4th of July weekend. Fish were still caught but it was more of a yellowfin and a few dolphin instead of boxes full of fish kind of bite. The marlin bite remained good for both blue and white marlin. The inshore bluefin tuna action also slowed down a lot over the weekend. We have the big tuna tournament going on this week; expect to see some impressive catches. With bluefin, yellowfin and bigeye tuna around and big money on the line, these top tuna boats will round up the fish. Back inshore; we have the Commonwealth Cobia Challenge July 9-10. This event is hosted by Back River Outfitters in Hampton and Chris’ Bait and Tackle on the Eastern Shore. There will be weigh stations at both locations making this a convenient tournament for most cobia anglers. Cobia catches are still not at the torrid pace of last year but fish continue to be caught both by chumming and sight fishing. With anglers from both sides of the bay competing in this 2-day tournament, it will take a big cobia to win. If cobia is not your thing, the Boys and Girls Club of Gloucester Flounder Tournament is on July 9 with a captains meeting July 8 at Crown Pointe Marina. Big flounder are being caught around the structure of the CBBT, around the Cell/buoy 42 area, 36A, and around Back River Reef. Some nice flounder are also being caught at the HRBT. While most anglers will be targeting flounder, cobia and tuna this weekend, there are other fish out there to be caught. Spanish mackerel are plentiful along the Virginia Beach oceanfront and in the lower bay. Sheepshead are providing good action along the pilings and over the tubes of the CBBT. Amberjack are thick around the southern towers. The inshore coastal wrecks are holding some nice sea bass and triggerfish.
The PSWSFA Youth and Ladies Tournament will be July 16-24. This is a free tournament targeting croaker and flounder. Weigh the fish at any weigh station and record the weights on the club entry forms. Bring the forms to Dare Marina by 1 PM, Saturday July 24. At that time, there will be a cookout and tournament awards will be presented. The youth age cutoff is 15 (as in, they have not reached their 16th birthday). The cookout is free to all club members, whether you fished in the tournament or not. The youth and ladies fishing the tournament do not have to be club members but need to be fishing with a club member (you can take your neighbor’s kids fishing and so on). There is no registration for the tournament but try and let Steve Martin or any board member know how many will be attending the picnic.
The International Game Fish Association has posted some archived articles on their website that are very informative. You will find things like how to rig a swordfish bait, tie a Bristol knot to connect braid to mono, rig ballyhoo on a circle hook and more. Check them out at: http://igfa.org/About/IGFA-Article-Archive.aspx.
The date for the 2012 Flounder Bowl has been set. Mark June 30, 2012 on your calendars.
July 5, Capt. Jorj Head, went out looking for cobia. They saw 6 and hooked 3. They pulled off the big fish, boating 2 cobia of 41 and 48 inches. They had to come in early because two of his anglers had dental appointments with me that afternoon.
July 4, Brandon Bartlett ran up to 26 Mile Hill to check on the tuna bite there. Well, there wasn’t one. They did catch 5 dolphin with the largest over 20 pounds.
July 3, Keith Blackburn went chumming for cobia. He weighed one in at 69 pounds.
July 2-3, Saturday, went over to the Eastern Shore with Capt. Blake Hayden of Right Tide Charters. Saw plenty of tarpon. Had baits in two. Did not get a hook in them enough to get them to jump. Both fish just came to the surface enough to show themselves and the hook pulled out. These were not as big as two we had jumping last summer while fishing with Blake. Didn't catch them either. Those were pushing 200 pounds. Saturday's fish were 60-80 pounds. Starting to think that the proper way to fish for these critters is with a shotgun. Sunday, headed the Healthy Grin offshore. Heard more boats catching blue marlin than anything. Few tuna by the fleet. We had a blue come in an attack a teaser. Had another blillfish tailing beside the boat. Had a big bait cut off right behind the hook, probably wahoo. Had a tuna dump most of a Tiagra 50 wide very fast before the hook pulled. I believe that was our bigeye bite. Stayed around trying for a bigeye wham. Looked good, never another big bite. Ended up with 5 yellowfin, missed a few other bites. We were around the Norfolk Canyon.
July 2-3, Bernie Sparrer fished out of Hatteras both days. They caught a total of 15 dolphin and 2 blackfin tuna.
July 2, Capt. Jorj Head ran offshore with Dr. Randy Blanchard. They caught a yellowfin tuna and a few dolphin.
July 2, Martin Freed and Ruta Vaskys trolled Sam’s Hill for tuna. They caught some dolphin, up to 21 pounds, and a cobia. The cobia hit their tuna feather. They then hit a wreck and caught a nice batch of sea bass.
July 1, Capt. Jorj Head, (757) 262-9004, went sight fishing for cobia. They saw about 15, hooked 8 and landed 6. They had a couple of fish over 50 pounds.
July 1, Matt Rinck ran offshore out of Rudee Inlet. They a yellowfin tuna and 4 dolphin. Matt caught their largest dolphin at 25 pounds.
Virginia Eastern Shore Fishing Reports
CHINCOTEAGUE - Flounder action is excellent, with limit catches being made in
the main channel, between Capt. Bob's and Tommy's Place, in the deeper holes.
Croaker and sea bass are showing in the catches. Surf anglers are catching sea
mullet and pan trout. Offshore, bluefin tuna to 95 pounds, are available
outside the inlet, at the Parking Lot and 30 Fathom Lumps. Chopper bluefish
are marauding the Parking Lot, along with the bluefin tuna and dolphin.
Inshore wrecks are producing tautog, blowfish, spadefish and triggerfish.
WACHAPREAGUE - Offshore, bluefin tuna and dolphin are thick, for anglers
chunking with butterfish, at the 21 and 26 Mile Hills. Chopper bluefish are
also thick, along with a few king mackerel. Croaker dominate the catches
inside the inlet, with pan trout and bluefish mixed in. At the mouth of the
inlet, in front of the Coast Guard Station, Flounder are caught in decent
numbers. Trollers are finding Spanish mackerel around the mouth of the inlet.
ONANCOCK - Excellent bottom fishing for croaker, spot, porgy, pan trout,
snapper blues, small sea bass, sea mullet, flounder and pigfish inside
Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds, in 15-18 feet of water. Speckled trout are found
in the grassbeds around Fox and Watts Islands, taking chunks of peeler crab.
Cobia are sighted daily, but few are being caught.
QUINBY - Many good hauls of croaker, plus some spot and grey trout were made
this past week, with the better action coming from the Gap, Quinby Inlet, and
along Hog Island.
Virginia Freshwater Fishing Reports
MOTTS RESERVOIR - Bass are very active early and late, and may be caught on
Pop-Rs and buzzbaits, retrieved parallel to the shoreline grass. As the sun
rises, many of the fish position themselves on deeper banks and weedlines, in
8-15 feet of water. Worms and jig 'n pig will take the fish. Concentrations of
fish can be found on points and around the downlake island. Carolina-rigs,
Texas rigged worms, and jigs are taking these fish. Crappie are still relating
to deeper wood and grass (10-20 feet), and may be caught on crappie jigs,
countdown rapalas, and minnows. Schools of crappie can usually be found in
mouths of bigger coves and on steep points. Channel catfish, 1-3 pounds, are
taking clam snouts, chicken livers, minnows and a variety of other baits.
Sunfish are cruising the weedlines, hitting small topwaters, crickets, tiny
jigs, inline spinners, and most any small fly.
RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER - Bass fishing is good in the tidal sections of the river.
Best results come from shad-colored crankbaits, fished along the South shore
of the river below Fredericksburg. Buzzbaits and spinnerbaits, fished in the
mouths of coves and creeks, are also producing bass. Plastic baits, worked in
the blowdowns along the shoreline, will take some good fish. Blue catfish are
still biting well in the deep holes in the river channel, on cut bait and live
white perch. Crappie schools are to be found on the outside edges of the
shoreline brush. Fish small minnows and tiny jigs to take these tasty fish.
Above the city, anglers fishing live crayfish, Rapalas, plastic worms or grubs
and topwater lures are taking lots of smallmouth bass, but the fish are small.
SHENANDOAH RIVER - Good catches of smallmouth bass are being made on Tiny
Torpedos, Rapalas, small plastic grubs, mad toms and tiny crankbaits. Sunfish
are taking the same baits, as well as nightcrawlers and Beetlespins. Catfish
are cooperating nicely on chicken livers, nightcrawlers and minnows.
MATTAPONI/PAMUNKEY RIVERS - The upper reaches of the Pamunkey are producing
some bass, pickerel, catfish, bream and stripers, while the upper end of the
Mattaponi is giving up white perch, yellow perch, sunfish and catfish. The
lower ends of each are producing good catches of croakers, white perch and a
few spot.
LAKE ANNA - Largemouth bass continue to bite well on main lake points adjacent
to the river channel. Fish topwater baits until the sun rises. After sunup,
most of the fish are in 15-25 feet of water. Deep diving crankbaits and
plastic worms are taking the larger stringers. Walleye are biting well on
medium minnows, plastic grubs and nightcrawlers around the Dike Three area.
Live minnows are taking numbers of crappie in 15-20 feet of water, from
submerged brushpiles and bridge pilings, particularly in the Dillard's Bridge
area. Boat docks are also giving up some nice crappie. Striper action is
centered around the area from Pigeon Creek to the Splits. The fish are being
found in 25-35 feet of water and are taking jigged Hopkins spoons, Sassy
shads, Cordell Redfins and live shad.
JAMES RIVER - The big news on this river is the fantastic catfish action.
Catfish to over 50 pounds were reported this past week. Bass anglers are being
surprised with regularity by catfish taking their bass baits. Bass action is
fair to good as the recent rains continue to provide muddy water throughout
the tidal sections. The Appomattox River is lightly stained and is giving up
some good catches on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. The best tidal bass action on
the James River is found on the wooden wing dams around Dutch Gap. Some bass
action is also available on cypress trees on the tidal flats on outgoing
tides. Creeks are holding fish, normally in mouths on wooded points where
there is current. Spinnerbaits and plastic worms are the preferred baits.
Smallmouth bass action in the city is excellent, on Tiny Torpedos, Rapalas,
plastic grubs and live bait. Flyrodders are taking lots of quality smallmouth
bass.
LAKE CHESDIN - Nice crappie catches continue to come in. Better catches are
coming on live minnows. Bass action is good with lots of small fish and a few
larger ones being taken on buzzbaits and plastic worms. Catfish action is
excellent on cut bait, nightcrawlers and chicken livers.
CHICKAHOMINY LAKE - Excellent fishing. Lots of big gar, catfish and bass.
Topwater baits, early and late in the day, Rat-L-Traps and plastic worms, are
taking the bass, while live minnows are responsible for the gar and catfish.
Crappie are being caught in good numbers by anglers who know the brushpiles.
Flyrodders are taking good stringers of fish on topwater poppers in the grass
beds.
LITTLE CREEK RESERVOIR - Some bass in the five pound class are being caught on
topwater baits early and late in the day. Smaller bass are taking plastic
worms throughout the day, while flyrodders are loading up on bream. Yellow
perch are taking small grubs on the bottom and pickerel are taking anything
thrown in the water.
BACK BAY - Small shiners and grass shrimp are taking plenty of white perch.
Good bass and catfish action is to be had in the creeks, with the bass running
3-6 pounds. Grass beds in the upper end of the Bay are producing lots of bass
on Johnson Silver Minnows, tipped with plastic grubs. Best areas were around
the mouths of Hellspoint and Nanny's Creeks.
SUFFOLK LAKES - Fishing is excellent in all lakes. Striper action has tailed
off. Large bass are hitting well in Lake Prince, on topwater baits and plastic
worms, along with large bluegills and shellcrackers. The water in Western
Branch is gin clear, which may explain the slowdown in fishing there. Catfish,
white perch and bluegill are available in all lakes.
LAKE GASTON - Good bass action in Pea Hill Creek and Lizard Creek in the early
mornings. After the sun comes up, boat traffic from water skiers are causing
the fish to go deep and lie dormant. Main creek points are the prime areas for
bass, with plastic worms, Carolina rigged lizards and deep-diving crankbaits
being the preferred baits. Stripers are taking white bucktails around the
steel bridge area. Catfish are biting nicely on cut bait, live shad and
chicken livers. Crappie are thick around the bridge pilings and brushpiles.
BUGGS ISLAND LAKE - Striper fishing has been excellent. Nutbush Creek from
Buoy A-C and the main river channel between Buoy 2 and 7, have been producing
nice catches, trolling white or yellow bucktails or Cordell Redfins. Live shad
and jigging spoons are also taking fish. Bass action is good, with early
mornings being the best time. The fish are holding off main lake points and
along the edge of the river channel. The bass are taking deep-diving
crankbaits and plastic lizards. Crappie fishing is good to excellent, on
crappie jigs, small minnows and worms. Best results come from brushpiles in 8-
15 feet of water and around bridge pilings, particularly the Route 58 Bridge.
Blue catfish are biting well on cut bream/shad, eel and jumbo shiners. Most
are being found on channel breaks in 20-30 feet of water and are in the 20-60
pound range, with a 143# world record thrown in.
BRIERY CREEK/SANDY RIVER RESERVOIRS - Plastic worms, fished early and late in
the day, are taking mostly slot bass. Bream fishing is good, while crappie
catches are only fair. Catfish are doing well at Sandy River.
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE - Striper fishing is great, with limits being caught in 20
minutes. Best method is fishing live bait at the dam. Bass are taking june bug
and green pumpkinseed worms and crayfish colored Guido Bugs and Stanley Craws
on docks, points and submerged brush. The Blackwater River arm is producing
better stringers of bass.
LEESVILLE RESERVOIR - Anglers are catching a few stripers on deep trolled
bucktails and Redfins, in addition to free-lining live shad. Bass are taking
plastic worms and topwater lures. Better action is to be had in the early
morning and late at night.
LAKE MOOMAW - Night fishing is producing fair bass fishing on plastic worms
and jig 'n pigs. Channel catfish are biting well on chicken livers and live
minnows. Trout action has slowed, but some browns, 3-5 pounds, are being taken
on live shad, fished in 25-30 feet of water, at night. Anglers, trolling
spoons and Redfins at dawn, are also catching some nice trout. A few nice-
sized bluegill are being caught during the day.
PHILPOTT LAKE - Largemouth bass are taking live minnows and Rapalas. Brown
trout are taking nightcrawlers. Overall, fishing is fair, with better catches
at night. Lots of anglers on the Smith River, where flyrodders are taking
trout to over 16 inches.
NEW RIVER - Muskie action is fair to good, for anglers fishing live chub
minnows on outside bends, adjacent to cover. Excellent smallmouth bass action,
on topwater lures and plastic grubs. Catfishing is excellent for 8-10 pound
channels.
SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR - Lots of action from catfish for anglers fishing in
coves or creek mouths with live minnows. Smallmouth bass action is good on jig
'n pig or buzzbaits, at night. Crappie and walleye action is fair.
CLAYTOR LAKE - Good catfish action on live alewives and Catalpa worms.
Stripers are biting at night, along with white bass. Preferred bait is live
alewives. Some smallmouth bass on plastic worms and occasional muskie. Walleye
are being caught above the Lighthouse Bridge on deep diving crankbaits.
TROUT STREAMS - Trout streams are in generally excellent condition. Some of
the better streams are the lower section of the Pedlar River, Middle and
McFalls Creeks, Passage and Stoney Creeks, Little Tumbling Creek, lower
section of the Hughes River and Big Cedar Creek. Some of the more successful
lures are high floating dry flies such as crickets and Goofus bugs, nymphs
such as the Hare's Ear and the Casual Dress, silver Mepps spinners and gold
Roostertail spinners.
That is all the Virginia fishing reports for this week. If you get out and catch some fish this week snap a few fishing pictures and post a report on Virginia Fishing Forum or the Northern Neck Virginia Fishing Forum. Until next week, tight lines!
Brandon White, Chief Angler, Tidalfish.com
Virginia Fishing Reports Archive | Virginia Fishing Forum | Northern Neck Virginia Fishing Forum
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