(Pictured this week is Tidal Fisher KNOT'N LINE's fishing crew after some hot striper action. Check his full Virginia fishing report with other fishing pictures for all the details by clicking here. WTG guys!)
What’s going on. Fishing Shows, Fishing Seminars and other Fishing Happenings
Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association 3rd Annual Fishing Flea Market/Swap Meet
When: March 10
Where: Hickory Ruritan Club in Chesapeake
Details: For more information or to reserve tables, call Butch Pierce at (757) 287-0330.
Ken Neill reports in from tidal Virginia:
Our mild winter has kept water temperatures up and fishing patterns stable. Striped bass action remains very, very good. There are still rockfish up in the bay and rivers for catch-and-release action. There have been working gannets off of Kiptopeke. To keep some fish, the oceanfront is the place to be. Schools of striped bass are available all along Virginia’s coast. Most have been fishing between Cape Henry to Rudee Inlet. Boats that ran up the coast found some amazing action from Smith Island to Quinby. Some boats reported catching over 100 big rockfish under working birds. While the best bite was to the north, there has been some very good action along the beach at Sandbridge. There’s also been a lot of buzz about bluefin tuna. There is a lot of busted-up striped bass tackle out there because of big bluefin. Bluefin tuna in the 125- to 325-pound range have been feeding on schools of menhaden right along with the rockfish and whales. Some of the smaller specimens have been landed on striped bass tackle. Larger tuna have been caught by anglers using tackle strong enough to stand up to these powerful beasts. It is funny seeing anglers break out their 80s to go striped bass fishing but that is what it has come to. Large speckled trout continue to be caught in the Elizabeth River but that bite was a bit slower recently. The best action has been by anglers fishing with live bait. Tautog have been active on the coastal wrecks and on structures at the mouth of the bay. There has been warm water all along the 50 fathom curve on up past the Norfolk Canyon. There should be some yellowfin action available for Virginia’s offshore fleet along with swordfish and very likely, more bluefin tuna but with striped bass and bluefin tuna on the beach, there is not a lot of incentive to spend the fuel to find fish offshore.
From IGFA Virginia Beach Representative Julie Ball:
Temperate weather conditions continue to hold the exceptional saltwater fishing scene in place off the Virginia coastline. Local anglers are very familiar with the fundamental equation of winter time fishing: mild water temperatures + plenty of bait divided by fishable weather equals lots of fish! And as long as these variables remain relatively constant, so should the great fishing conditions.
It is hard to tell which has been creating a bigger stir: the abundance of huge rockfish, or the big bluefin tuna bite. Both have been making headlines. The unusual bluefin phenomenon has been attracting a lot of attention, as small boats continue to claim dozens of big tuna. Most fish are weighing from 150 to 300-pounds. What’s also unusual is the tackle. The most favored bait has been typical striper lures. At this point most boats have wised up, shoring up their rockfish spreads with sturdier equipment. This change is enabling more success boating the tuna than a few weeks ago when anglers were taken by surprise on inadequate rockfish gear.
The tremendous striped bass action off of Virginia over the last few weeks is also a top attention getter. At times, more than 400 boats can be competing for striped bass off the ocean front. And with good reason. Quickly-filled limits of hefty rockfish weighing up to around 50-pounds have been attracting folks to the water whenever they get a chance. The best striped bass action has been centered between Cape Henry and Rudee Inlet. Practically any trolled lipped swimming lure, popular Mojo-style rig, or parachute rig has been getting the job done in short order.
This incredible rockfish action exploded just in time to make the Mid Atlantic Rockfish Shootout run out of The Virginia Beach Fishing Center another huge success. To get on the leader board, a three-fish combined weight had to push well over 120-pounds. The top seven boats earned cash and trophies totaling to over $175,000. The Fishing Fever II skippered by Paul Ewing of Virginia Beach, took first place in the artificial bait category with a combined weight of 128.30-pounds. Crew member Andy Rothenberg of Richmond also helped earn his crew the top payout of $49, 481. In light of all the inshore bluefin catches, director Mike Standing added a last-minute tuna division which was taken by team Pimp Fish Pirates riding aboard the Wave Runner III run by Captain Pat Foster Pat who is no stranger to bringing big bluefins to the dock this winter. The winning tuna tipped the scales at 265-pounds, earning the crew $3,256.
With the big rockfish so accessible along the ocean front, not many are interested in the catch and release opportunities within the bay. But for those wanting the bay to themselves, nice fish stretching to over 48 inches have been still taking live eels at the High Rise section of the CBBT. Those drifting with eels off Fisherman’s Island have been finding a few larger fish, with some over 50-pounds.
On other fishing fronts, speckled trout have been responding well in the Elizabeth River. Boats sitting in the Cove with live bait and cut mullet have been catching fish ranging around 22 inches, with a few pushing to over 28 inches. In the main river, best results have been coming from those casting artificial lures, with Mirrolures a top choice. Folks have been scoring with fish while casting from boats and from the shore lining the banks of the Hot Ditch. Most of the fish have been sitting deep in the water column or near the bottom. Rudee Inlet has also held a few speckled trout, with scattered bigger fish in the mix.
Tautog have been active on inshore and offshore wrecks. Within the Bay, boats have been finding good numbers of fish, but remember that the new regulations only allow three fish measuring over 16 inches. On deeper-water wrecks, tautog have been a good bet, with a few flounder still available. Big sea bass have also been biting on these wrecks, but you must throw them back since the season is closed.
Offshore fleets have been mostly focusing on inshore striped bass and bluefin tuna, but deep droppers have been still finding good results, with big blueline tilefish the top catch lately. Blackbellied rosefish and a variety of grouper are also a possibility. Swordfish are still a possibility for those putting in the time.
Lake Anna Fishing Reports
LAKE ANNA - Most of the action on this lake is to be had below the 208 bridge as the upper reaches of the lake have been showing ice early in the day. Water temps around Dike #3 have been in the 40s, while above the 208 bridge, the temps have been in the 30s. Walleye action has been good around the rocky points at Dike #3. Live herring has been the better bait for walleye weighing 4pounds or more. Stripers have also been active around this dike, where the water temperature has been a couple of degrees warmer than the balance of the lake. Surface activity has been limited on the main lake, but the stripers do surface. When they do, Cordell Redfins have beene taking the big fish. Bass have been located on the main lake points. Fishing Hopkins spoons, Silver Buddies and live jumbo minnows off the points, into the deeper water, has accounted for some good-sized largemouth bass. Large jerkbaits have also been taking good fish, with the bass running to 6 pounds. Crappie have been holding around submerged brush, bridge pilings and suspended over creek channels.
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!
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