With the recent passage of Hurricane Irene, anglers must practice patience for a week or so as Chesapeake Bay and near coastal waters dilute and disperse large amounts of fresh water runoff from the storm. Once tidal changes help area waters clear, multiple species including cobia, Spanish mackerel, red drum, flounder, speckled trout, and spot should resume normal fall feeding patterns.
When fall fish feed, anglers gather in Virginia Beach! If past performances hold, Norfolk spot and white marlin will top a list of highly sought after September fish. With settled conditions and plentiful bait, a wide variety of fish will resume as fall fishing targets.
Spot, speckled trout, flounder and puppy drum are due to school inside Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets where they offer easy access to anglers of all ages. Fishermen using bloodworms or Fishbites stand to fill coolers full of tasty spot while artificials will trick the specks. The fall spot run is an annual social event with anglers fishing almost shoulder to shoulder. As this run continues, many spot should start to approach a pound in size!
Following last fall’s phenomenal speckled trout run and some nice keeper trout this summer, there is great anticipation regarding this fall’s speck run. Additionally, increasing numbers of keeper flounder have been landed inside Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets while small bluefish remain abundant.
Elsewhere inshore, many summer species continue to linger prior to migrating.Anglers locating large schools of red drum are scoring while fishermen presenting live baits along the entrance buoys to the bay can be rewarded with good-sized cobia. Spadefish, sheepshead, and trigger fish were biting at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and wrecks prior to the blow and should resume feeding once waters settle.
Trollers and live baiters will be resuming battle with Spanish and king mackerel along the oceanfront. For best success, try the Sandbridge and Dam Neck areas. Red drum remain a best bet for a release citation award from the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament with 545 awards already registered in 2011.
For boating anglers, September is traditionally a top month to catch a billfish, especially a white marlin. These magnificent game fish normally go on a strong feed in September, making them easy targets for local charter captains and fishermen. With a record smashing 1253 white marlin citations last fall, the stage is set for great action. Ballyhoo baits, sometimes trolled behind artificial lures, are the ticket to success in this fishery.
There is always a chance to hook a storied blue marlin this time of year – the Virginia state record blue marlin weighed 1,093 lbs., 12 oz. and was caught in 1978 at Norfolk Canyon. For a best shot at a handsome marlin release citation award from the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, book a trip with a local charter captain and benefit from their local knowledge and vast expertise to put you on these fish.
Fall also features great tuna, wahoo and dolphin fishing as these oceanic speedsters migrate south through Virginia waters. If fresh “sushi” is your game, ask your captain to spend the day chasing yellowfin tuna. Just ask which species is likely to be running when you plan to fish.
Head boat anglers are being treated to great fishing for large sea bass, snowy grouper, tilefish, and barrelfish. These deep-drop trips are available on large comfortable boats with climate controlled cabins for the ride to and from the grounds.
Captain’s Tip: Always fish peaks! While many anglers prefer to fish for one or two favorite species, by targeting a species when it is “peaking” or schooling and feeding, you will maximize your chances of success as well as the “fun” factor. Before setting off to fish, check with local tackle shops and marinas for the latest up-to-date information on what’s biting. You’ll be glad you did!
Wishing you tight lines and hard strikes! See you on the water as you join me to Live the Fishing Life in Virginia Beach.
