Article by Julie Ball
Less than ideal weather conditions offered anglers few opportunities to get out on the water last week, and the northeasterly winds in the forecast could continue to curb efforts.
The highlight last week was that the overture to summer fishing is on track with the arrival of one of the most anticipated warm water residents, cobia. Sightings of cobia around the lower Bay were confirmed last weekend as anglers began to catch fish, with some pushing to over 50-inches.
The prospect of red and black drum continues to draw anglers to the Eastern Shore side of the Bay. Those who dodged the thunder storms to try their luck found the drum action a little slower last week. Red drum continue to pick at peelers and blue crabs late in the day presented along the breakers within the inlet of Fisherman’s Island, and along Nautilus Shoal and the Nine-foot Shoal areas. Some reds are pushing to over 46-inches, but most are ranging from 40 to 44-inches right now. Justin Hurst of Suffolk took advantage of a lull in the weather last weekend, scoring some nice birthday reds for his nine-year-old son, Logan, who released two fish at 42 and 43-inches.
According to Mark at Chris’ Bait and Tackle, although some larger fish are around, most of the black drum are ranging from 30-40 lbs. The best luck is coming from around Buoys 13 and 16 off Cape Charles, while the Nautilus Shoal area off Fisherman’s Island was providing some catches before the latest front. Chowder clams and sea clams are the baits of choice
Nice striped bass are still patrolling the lower Bay shoals, often mixed in with the drum. The Chesapeake Bay spring striped bass season is now in effect, allowing anglers to keep two fish per person between 18 and 28-inches. One of the two fish can be over 32-inches. Be sure to read the regulations for clarification on these guidelines. Folks are also still finding good rockfish action along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, where topwater lures are getting the job done around all four artificial islands. The folks at Ocean’s East 2 claim that many of these fish are healthy-sized, pushing to over 44-inches. Plastics are also working, but bluefish averaging around 5-pounds are often shredding soft lures. A few smallish grey trout are also still mixed in with the blues around the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.
Flounder action in the bay is still not on fire, and large amounts of rain and windy conditions are keeping the water muddy. The better catches are still coming from the inlets and protected waters, where a few nice fish are emerging from many throwbacks lately. The action within the seaside inlets and backwaters of the Eastern Shore were decent before the wind picked up last week.
Speckled trout anglers are still finding keeper fish inside Rudee Inlet, along with scattered grey trout and bluefish. The shallows and inlets along the Eastern Shore are also giving up some nice specks lately, with many fish ranging between 19 to 21-inches last week, especially inside Mobjack Bay.
Sheepshead are making their early season debut along the fishing grounds off of Kiptopeke, where fish weighing up to 11.5 lbs. were caught recently by anglers bottomfishing for drum. Nice sea mullet are also a nuisance for drum anglers in these same areas. Small to medium sized croaker are available all over the lower Bay, especially around the crossings and along the southern sections and shorelines of the Bay.
When weather conditions allow, deep dropping will attract anglers in search of nice sea bass, as folks take advantage of the re-opening of the season on the 19th this month.
The Carolina bluewater bite is still going on with yellowfin tuna, bull dolphin and good numbers of nice wahoo dominating the scene. Virginia boats are also finding some good action off the coast. Some warmer water near the 700-line gave up some nice yellowfin tuna ranging to around 40 lbs. Mike Avery of Hampton had a good trip on a recent overnighter when his crew aboard the “Seaduction” wrangled several yellowfin tuna, two makos, and even a keeper swordfish.
For more information, go to www.drjball.com.
