|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUGUST 2010
|
Virginia Freshwater Fishing Report By Missy Fike
|
Virginia Saltwater Fishing Report By Capt. Rick Lockhart Boy, it’s kind of hard to envision August after the July we have
just experienced. One thing for sure, the weather can’t get any hotter.
Let’s hope the fishing gets hotter, though it normally slows during
the “dog days of summer.” Anyway, here goes my attempt to forecast
what is going to take place in August. Eastern Shore Tidewater Most all of the species of fish mentioned in the introduction will be
available to the Tidewater fishermen. Capt. Max King (757-650-3176) will
concentrate his efforts on cobia, spadefish, and flounder. Capt. Kenny
George (757-548-6991) will target the flounder, spadefish, and Spanish
mackerel. He will also be sight casting to cobia. Lower Peninsula Capts. Jerry Olson (757-288-1081) Capt. Chandler Hogg (757-876-1590) will be making their services available for spadefish, flounder, and cobia. Capt. Bill Mershon (757-870-7265) will fish primarily the York River for croakers. Middle Peninsula Capt. Greg Parsley (804-730-5811) will be seeking flounder, croaker, and spot in and around the Rappahannock River. Capt. Ed Lawrence (804-693-5673 will be light-tackle fishing for spotted trout and puppy drum. Striped bass are also a part of Ed’s mix, but must be immediately released. Northern Neck Capt. Ferrell McLain (804-453-9069) fishes the Middle Bay outside of
Reedville. He plans to target bluefish, Spanish mackerel, spot, and croaker.
Capt. David Rowe (804-529-6725 continues to fish the Potomac River seeking
bluefish, Spanish mackerel, spot, white perch, and croaker. David is hopeful
that the red drum that he has been catching and releasing will continue
to make his charters more interesting for his passengers. |
|
|
JULY 2010
|
Virginia Freshwater Fishing Report By Missy Fike July is a hot month and the fish are in their summer patterns. The best
time for fishing will be at daybreak. Start out at daybreak with topwater
lures for largemouth bass and then as the morning progresses switch over
to plastic worms. The striper will be in deep holes in the lakes and respond
well to live bait. The catfish generally follow down below the striper
and will feed on the dead or injured baitfish that the striper hit at
and miss.
|
Virginia Saltwater Fishing Report By Capt. Rick Lockhart I am certain that there are story successes during the month of June regarding saltwater fishing in Virginia; however, I haven’t been privy to any of them. Nevertheless, positive is the word, and July is going to be a great month. Offshore, look for a definite pick up in yellow tuna, dolphin, and bluefish. Anticipate accounts of wahoo and white marlin as well, though their numbers should increase in August. Inshore, cobia is going to be at the top of the list for many, with spadefish, flounder, triggerfish, amberjack, red drum, spotted seatrout, Atlantic croaker, spot and black seabass being targeted by many. Let’s hope for a rebound of sheepshead, and in the Lower Bay, Spanish mackerel should begin to make a strong showing. Eastern Shore Tidewater Lower Peninsula
Capt. Ed Lawrence (804-693-5673) targets spotted sea trout and puppy drum (redfish). Capts. Bill Bailey (804-776-0255) and Ian Bailey (804-776-7129) prefer to fish the Western side of the Bay and the Rappahannock River for croaker, flounder, gray trout, and spot. Capt. Al Mathews (804-347-1973) targets spadefish and flounder. Spadefish can be numerous at the Range Light, the Cell, and Wolftrap Light. Other captains may be willing to fish for them. Check www.fishva.org for the captains available in the Middle Peninsula. Northern Neck Virginia waters do not allow for the targeting of striped bass; however, bluefish, croaker, Spanish mackerel (later in the month), flounder, gray trout, spotted trout, and the occasional drum will more than make up for their absence. Capt. Roy Amburn (804-453-4265), Capt. Ferrell McLain (804-453-9069), and Capt. Alfred Fisher (804-580-4342) are all able to make your fishing experience in the Northern Neck a pleasurable one. We have just experienced one of the hottest June’s (temperature-wise) ever in the state of Virginia. As a result of these hot temperatures, you should expect July’s fishing to follow suit. I need to hear some good ole fish tales. |
|
|
MAY 2010
|
VIRGINIA Northern Virginia and Northern Piedmont Report May brings the bass anglers near D. C. to the post spawn phase of fishing. Fish the weedlines with plastics to get good results. Crappie will still be available in the very backs of creeks and some striper action can be had downriver.
|
VIRGINIA SALTWATER May is the month that striped
bass fishing returns to the Bay; however, of the thousand or so citations
that are given each year for striped bass, less than one percent are given
in May. Yes, tons of money will be spent catching the striped wonder,
but the quality fish will be your red and black drum. Eastern Shore Tidewater Virginia’s Tidewater region will be extremely busy this month. Many captains pulled their boats during the month of April, so they are raring to go. In all likelihood, so will the fish. Inshore, Capt. Ron Bennett (757-588-4198) will be fishing for striped bass, red drum, flounder, croaker, and the occasional trout until later in the month when he will turn his attention to spadefish. Capt. Nolan Agner (757-200-0200) and Capt. Steve Wray (757-481-7517) will venture offshore when the weather allows, fishing for tuna. Inshore, each will target striped bass, flounder, and drum. Capt. Tim Cannon (757-426-8508) will start the month off by fishing for flounder and croaker inshore, snowy grouper and tilefish offshore. Later, he will fish for flounder, red and black drum, and spadefish inshore, yellowfin tuna and tilefish offshore.
Capt. Kenny George (757-548-6991) will be live-lining for striped bass, bottom fishing for both red and black drum, and fishing for spadefish. Capt. Jerry Olson (757-288-1081) will start off the month fishing for stripers, flounder, red and black drum, and be willing to make the switch to spadefish, if that is the choice of his customers. Capt. Chandler Hogg (757-876-1590) will concentrate his efforts on the striped bass, drum and flounder. Capt. Bill Mershon (757-870-7265) has experienced a lot of time away this winter but is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. He will be trolling for striped bass and bottom fishing for the tasty croaker. Don’t be surprised to hear of a drum, flounder, or trout coming aboard Bill’s 30 foot Island Hopper during the month of May. Middle Peninsula The month of May finds the captains of the Middle Peninsula having some success finding flounder of the eastern side of the Bay. Spadefish are on the minds of many, as well, but their appearance may not be until June. Capt. Glenn Hubbard (804-337-6357) will be fishing for croaker and flounder. Capt. Don Bannister (804-776-0629) will be up the Rappahannock fishing for large croaker along with Capt. John Wager (804-815-5459) and Capt. Greg Parsley (804-730-5811). Capt. Ed Lawrence (804-693-5673), who fishes almost exclusively for spotted trout and Capt. Phil Hughes (804-747-9338) are catering to the needs of the light tackle fishermen. Phil fishes for spotted trout as well as striped bass, and large croaker in shallow water. Northern Neck For the Northern Neck fishermen, trolling is generally the ticket during the early part of May. Many will have been fishing for large striped bass since the Maryland trophy season opened in April. Chumming for the smaller, more numerous fish does not start in earnest until the middle of May. Depending on water temperature, many a trolling rod will be put away until November once the trophy season comes to an end. Capt. Ferrell McLain (804-580-0292) and Capt. Billy Pipkin (804-580-7292) fish out of the Reedville area and are likely to concentrate their efforts in Virginia waters. Each will seek their limits of rockfish and then concentrate on catching some croaker, particularly the second half of the month. Capt. David Rowe (804-529-6725) has been fishing for large striped bass in the Potomac River since April 17 and will continue to do so through May. Capt. Carlisle Bannister (804-353-2143) will be fishing the lower portion of the Northern Neck for striped bass, croaker, flounder, and black drum. Though many in the southern reaches of the Bay have been fishing in earnest for more than a month, for many of us, May is the beginning of our salt water fishing season. For those that fall into this category, it has seemingly been a long wait. Gentlemen, start your engines.
|
|
|
APRIL 2010
|
VIRGINIA April is very active month for fishing. Once the water temperatures reach fifty degrees then the large mouth bass and the crappie will begin their spawn. The bass and crappie will most likely be in pre-spawn in many locations at the beginning of the month. When fish are in pre-spawn it means the fish are actively feeding to prepare for the time they spend on their spawning beds. Many largemouth bass trophy fish are caught during the pre-spawn period in the spring. The catfish should respond well to cut shad. Ring perch have started up and some nice size ones have been caught. Chain pickerel can be caught in swamps and the shad and herring should be starting up soon. On the Rappahannock River and the creeks feeding into the river, the white perch white perch should bite on night crawlers and small spinners or jigs. Large mouth bass should continue biting on the Rappahannock River and creeks. Bass should start to move towards the shallows and brush to prepare for spawning. In Aquia Creek the
crappie will continue hitting well on plastic jigs and small minnows.
Early to mid April the shad and herring will be running. Large mouth bass
will continue biting on artificials and minnows in the creeks and in ponds. On the James River the white perch will be biting well using bloodworms. Shad and herring will be biting well mid April on shabiki rigs and shad darts. The largemouth bass should start to spawn and will be moved into the shallows. Some really big largemouth can be caught during the spring months. The blue catfish will still be biting well. Once the shad and herring start to run then anglers will have them to use as cut bait for the blues. Cut bait works very well on the blue catfish. The croaker will be showing up this month. They generally show up in the York River first and can be caught on squid. On the Chickahominy River the herring run will be in. Largemouth bass will be biting well on spinner baits. They like structures like duck blinds, cypress roots and brush piles. As the vegetation starts to grow in the river the largemouth bass will move to the lily pads and grass beds to hide. Once the largemouth move to the vegetation to hide, anglers should switch from spinner baits to artificial worms for a more successful trip. The bream and bluegill will be picking up really well once the water temps warm. Catfish will continue hitting on cut bait, eels and large minnows. In the Virginia Beach area waters the yellow perch will be hitting well on minnows. Chain pickerel will be hitting on minnow will also be hitting on minnows and they can be caught in ponds or reservoirs. At Buggs Island the largemouth bass will be moving to the shallows for their pre-spawn stage. They will be biting well on spinner baits, plastic worms and grubs. The crappie will be spawning will be in the shallows on brush piles. They may respond to small minnows. The catfish will pick up at the head of the lake on cut bait or herring. Striper will be heading up river to spawn and live shad or Red Fin lures work well for them. At Smith Mountain Lake the largemouth bass will most likely be in depths of 10’ – 12’ and will bite well on jigs, Hopkins spoons, jerk baits and deep diving crank baits. The bass will be in pre-spawn and some will be spawning. When the water temps get to 50 degrees then a lot will move onto their beds. The crappie will begin to move into the shallows and prepare for spawning. They spawn when the dogwoods are in bloom. Stripers will be moving towards to the rivers to start their travel up river to spawn. And will be biting well on Hopkins spoons, lead heads with flukes and crank or jerk baits. White perch will be schooling and biting well on grubs, live bait or small Hopkins spoons. Good luck and happy fishing!!
|
VIRGINIA SALTWATER April, for many of us, is the unofficial start of the fishing season. In the upper reaches of the Bay, Maryland’s trophy striped bass season begins (April 17). For the tributaries of the Middle Bay, anglers will be searching for the first croaker of the season, or, perhaps, going way up river looking for white perch, yellow perch, hickory shad, catfish, and herring. The Lower Bay will fish for tautog, black sea bass, and flounder, while the Eastern Shore will concentrate primarily on flounder. Eastern Shore Capt. Mike Handforth fishing out of Curtis Merritt in Chincoteague, will be fishing for the flounder that make this part of Virginia famous. Capt. Robert Walter will trailer his boat to the further point north in the Chesapeake (Susquehanna Flats) and fish light tackle for the large striped bass that frequent that part of world during this month. I know little of this fishery, so give Robert a call. He says he still has a few open dates. Tidewater Capt. Greg Parsley will be bottom fishing for croaker, spot, and flounder. Capt. Steve Wray will be targeting flounder and black sea bass. Lower Peninsula Capt. Bill Mershon will be fishing primarily for croaker, while Capt. Michael Quade will have taken his boat to Hatteras. He encourages anyone interested in yellowfin tuna and dolphin to give him a call. Middle Peninsula Capts. Randy King and Bobby Jenkins will be fishing down river from Tappahannock for croaker, white perch, and catfish. Capt. Phil Hughes will be taking parties after both hickory shad and American shad (C/R only) down river from Richmond. Capt. Joh Augustine will be fishing for croaker, white perch, spot, and gray trout near the White Stone Bridge. Capt. Don Bannister will be doing the catch and release fishing for large striped bass wherever the fish are to be found. Northern Neck Capt. Mark Galasso will start fishing in Maryland waters for large striped bass. Capt. Ferrell McLain take his parties fishing for tautog and striped bass (C/R only) until April 16. Starting the 17th, he will be fishing in Maryland waters for fish over the 28” minimum. Capt. Bob Reed will be taking angler out on their boats (Your Boat Charters) starting on the 17th in Maryland waters. Many captains will
still be in the process of readying their boats for the start of Virginia’s
trophy season (May 1). For a list of all the different charter boat captains
throughout the state, check out the web at HYPERLINK "http://www.fishva.org"
www.fishva.org. Most all are willing to let you know what is taking place.
|
|
|
MARCH 2010
|
VIRGINIA Freshwater Fishing Report By Missy Fike Anglers will find March to be much more to their liking, with warmer weather and hopefully no snow. Crappie action really sparks in area lakes, ponds and even the river. Lake Orange gives up the biggest crappie of the year this month. Many reach nearly three pounds. Minnows are great bait for catching them and enjoying the action. Lake Anna is a great place to catch a load of fish. The crappie this month are piling up around the bridges, docks and boulders all over the lake but mid to uplake areas are prime. Check out any structure that is shallow, particularly at the end of the month. Some of the reservoirs
and lakes to include Lunga, Germantown and Burke are also well worth a
trip. Aquia Creek on the Potomac is also a great place for crappie fishing. The tidal James and
Chickahominy the catfish action should liven up a lot. Anglers fishing
the Chickahominy will see plenty of big blue cats as well. Eels work great
for catching the big catfish. Clam snouts work well if anglers do not
wish to target the big catfish and would like to take home some good eating
size catfish. Ring perch should continue to hit well until about mid month
on small jigs. At Buggs Island anglers
will have a great month for crappie. Some of the largest crappie are taken
in March. Fish the creeks heavily right up on the bank. If you can find
a brushpiles and structures in shallow water are great places to cast
your line. |
VIRGINIA SALTWATER
When I lived in the Shenandoah Valley, March was a scary month. Warm fronts from the Gulf and cold fronts from the North always seemed to collide right overhead, and we would be out of school for a week. After this February, I can’t wait for March to get here. If, by chance, it should be as bad as February, my house is going on the market and I’m moving to Florida. In the years of global warming (thank you Al Gore for fixing that for us), March would be a month when many of my captain friends, particularly in and around Virginia Beach, would be starting their trade. I hope the same can be said for them in 2010. The forecast lends itself to blueline tilefish to hickory shad and yellow perch upriver. Since water temperature is a major factor, don’t be surprised to have the early seasons pushed back a week or two inland. March will be a month in which most captains will be preparing for the up-coming fishing season. Flounder may start to show, depending upon water temperatures, but few will be keepers, unless Virginia reduces the size. Rumor has it that the size may drop to 18 ½”. Offshore, tautog will be available on the wrecks as the weather permits fishing for them, and flounder will start to show late in the month. Capt. Mike Handforth (757-336-6861) plans to be ready when the fish start to show. Tidewater Several captains,
Nolan Agner (757-200-0200) and Jeff Adams (757-725-1891) will be fishing
for striped bass. Several captains will be fishing for tautog, and a few
recreational anglers will be attempting to catch spotted sea trout. Late
in the month you might find flounder showing on the wrecks and, perhaps,
the tunnels. Capt. Kenny George (757-548-6991) will concentrate his efforts on both striped bass and tautog. Again, flounder may work their way into the equation. Recreational anglers may find croaker action and some spotted trout.
Most of us will be getting our boats ready for the opening of Maryland’s Trophy season in the middle of April. White perch, herring, and an occasional hickory shad might be available up the Piankatank, Rappahannock, or Potomac Rivers. Capt. Ferrell McLain (804-580-0292) will try his hand with the striped bass, and has said that for those willing to brave the elements, will fish for tautog in the Middle Bay. Unlike trolling for stripers where you can remain inside a heated cabin, you must have rod in hand to catch a tog. All-in-all, Winter’s grip on the fishing of Virginia’s saltwater regions continues into March. Should the month not come in like a lamb, fishing will continue to be slow. Should the weather prove to be better than anticipated, the fishing could show marked improvement. One thing is certain. You can’t catch fish without fishing, and you can only watch so much TV.
|
|
| Virginia Fishing Report February 2009 | |
|
Right now Virginia is entering some temperatures that we haven’t seen in several years. What effect this will have on February’s fishing is anyone’s guess. I know that I have no strong desire to be on the heavy water of the Bay or the ocean when temperatures are below freezing. I feel that the fish take the same attitude, heading offshore or farther south, particularly the large striped bass that we have become accustomed to catch during this month. Should the weather break, the stripers may make their way back inside the three mile limit, or work their way back across the North Carolina border. That is something that no one can predict. For striped bass fishing during this month, rely on the hardy that refuse to become couch potatoes, and are willing to share their finding on such sites as the Chesapeake Angler Magazine message board, Tidalfish or the local newspapers. The cold temperatures will have little or no effect on the deep water fish. Several charter captains and recreational fishermen will take advantage of good weather windows to sneak offshore to fish for the tilefish, grouper, and black sea bass. If interested, give Capt. Steve Wray (757-481-7517), Capt. Jim Brincefield (252-336-4296), or Capt. Chandler Hogg (757-876-1590) a call. Most of us will take advantage of February’s cold to tend to our tackle, to travel to warmer climes, to attend fishing seminars, or watch fishing shows on TV. All of us will dream of warmer times to come and/or about the season that just ended.
February seems to be the transition month between packing up things from hunting season that are still out and pulling out the poles and tackle to inventory and prepare for fishing season. Many anglers will be attending the fishing and boat shows to get their tackle and equipment ready. While anglers are busy getting their equipment ready they should not discount February as a month to fish. February has plenty of action for the people that can withstand the cold weather. Ring Perch – This is the month! February and March is the spawning season for ring perch. They can be caught in many areas like Lake Moomaw or any of the tidal rivers and creeks of Virginia. They are fun to catch because they put up such a good fight and they taste very good. The ring perch are down deep. So fishing right on the bottom for them is essential for a successful trip. Ring perch eat smaller fish like juvenile bluegill, alewives, crayfish and minnows. Use a sinker and fish the bottom with live bait. If using artificial baits use bright colors and vertical jigging blade baits on the bottom works great. It is best to use light rod or graphite rod so you can feel the small vibrations from the fish down deep. There are many citations of ring perch caught during February and March. Catfish – The larger fish will be biting. The lower James, Chickahominy, Rappahannock and Potomac River are all great places. The Potomac can be colder due to its location and the wideness of the river. Fish ledges near deep water with fresh bait if possible. If you cannot get fresh bunker or mud shad try eels. Eels are good bait to use on the Chickahominy and the James River. Clam snouts work well if you are trying to target some of the smaller catfish. Crappie – Cold never really shuts down the crappie bite for long. They should start picking up and continue to bite really well on through to April. Any of your favorite crappie haunts to include Chickahominy River, Briery, Sandy River, Anna, Buggs, Smith Mountain, Occoquan or ponds are great places to slowly drag or troll a minnow for crappie this month. Use bright colors or white on small jigs and get it precisely to their depth. Largemouth – Will hit on spinner baits down deep in lakes, ponds and rivers. They will most likely hit better towards the end of the month if the water temps warm up some. They also hit well on large minnows and grubs. Cast around stump, rocks and other underwater structures. They also can be found off the points of lakes and inlets. It is important to slow down the retrievals of jigs, soft plastics or spoons. Smallmouth – Smallmouth fishing this month will slow some. Keep a tight line or an eye on your line as you drift soft plastics, jigs or minnows through backwashes or pools along the upper rivers such as the Potomac, Rappahannock, James, New or Shenandoah. Choose sunny areas if you can and make long casts to avoid spooking the fish. Fish slowly to get the best hits. The fish like to hole up in about 10’ of water. Best time to go out and fish during the winter is after we had a day or two of warmer weather. They really seem to hit well right after a slight warm spell. Some of the largest smallmouth are caught this way each winter. If you want to use a plug try a suspending model in a chartreuse color. Striped bass – Striped bass will be following the baitfish in the lakes. February is a good month to use live baits. Alewives are a good bait to use at Smith Mountain Lake. Shad and herring are good baits to use in other areas like; Virginia Beach, Buggs Island, Smith Mountain and Lake Anna all offer good action. Fish cranks deep and look for bait or fish on your finder. Jumbo minnows will also well this month. In the larger lakes it’s good to follow the birds. The birds gather to feed on the baitfish and the stripers are generally underneath the baitfish feeding. Walleye –
Should be biting in areas like Lake Anna and Lake Orange. They bite will
at night on small grubs from a boat or from off shore casting over the
rocks. They seem to hang out over the rocks. |