AUGUST 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virginia Freshwater Fishing Report

By Missy Fike

August is a hot month and the fish like to go down deep to try and get into the cool temps. During the day they tend to lay low and not be very active. A slow retrieval works best when the fish are not being very active. They tend to feed at daybreak and again during the last hour or so of light each day.

The best time to catch them is during their natural feeding times. If fishing on tidal rivers the fish seem to be more active when the tide is moving. Slack time in tidal rivers can be slow. The catfish should be active and summer is a good time to go night fishing.

At Lake Orange, Lake Curtis, Lake Phelps, Motts Run and Hunting Run the fish are in their summer pattern and the fishing will be best during low light. Topwater is good early in the morning for largemouth. As temps rise during the day use deep diving crank baits or plastic worms.

The upper Rappahannock River fish the deep holes at daybreak or sunset for sunfish, smallmouth and redeye. Usually the best bait to try is jerkbaits, spinners and live bait. Live bait such as crickets, crayfish and hellagramites also work well.

In the Northern Neck area fishing early mornings before the heat sets in is essential and will prove successful. Use topwater lures at daybreak and artificial worms as the morning progresses for largemouth bass. As the sunsets switch back over to topwater lures again. Crappie will be deep biting on small minnows, jigs and nightcrawlers.
Most fishing during the summer months is done in mornings and nights during the feeding times of the fish. During the heat of the day the fish will stay in deep holes.

At Lake Anna the striper will most likely be schooled up and can be found in the deep holes around the lake. The best bait to use is live bait and pencil poppers. The best time to go is early morning. Largemouth bass also will be hitting early mornings and also late evenings off the structures and points of the lake.

On the James River the largemouth bass will be hitting on top water baits as well as on the, Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers early morning. Plastic worms work well. The bass like to go deep in the hot months and the best time to catch them is during their natural feeing times, which is early morning or that last hour of light. The catfish will be biting cut bait such as bunker or menhaden and eels. The smallmouth will be in deep holes biting on small crankbaits that look like perch or crawfish.

On the Chickahominy River there will be plenty of blue catfish and they can be caught on eels and large minnows. The Chickahominy River is tidal so the best time to fish is when the tide is moving either in or out. Largemouth bass slow down. Many go up in the creeks. The bass are going to be holed up where there is cover.

They like the lily pads. Worms and top water buzz bait, plastic worms and popping frogs work well at daybreak or sunset. Bream fishing should still be active and hitting well on crickets and nightcrawlers.

In the Virginia Beach area panfish will be caught on crickets and worms on the bottom in about 10-15ft of water. The bass will be hitting well on topwater lures in the early morning and then on artificial bait.

At Buggs Island the largemouth bass will be biting well on spinner baits, plastic worms and grubs. The crappie will be in the shallows on brush piles and will respond well to small minnows. The blue catfish will be biting well on cut bait and the flatheads will hit live bait.

At Smith Mountain Lake the bass will be hitting at nighttime or early morning hours using dark colors and topwater lures. Stripers will also be hitting at nighttime on topwater lures. The catfish on live bait or cut bait at night on rivers or in the lakes. August generally is a good month for nighttime catfishing.


 

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.

Offshore, the white and blue marlin fishing generally gets very interesting. Tuna is usually spotty, dolphin is hot, and wahoo, though not numerous, are a real possibility. Bluefish, amberjack, and tilefish can make a day offshore when other species play hard to get. Most captains are also hoping for an early arrival of king mackerel.

Inshore, look for black sea bass, cobia, red drum, flounder, and spadefish early in the month. Triggerfish, Spanish mackerel, spotted trout, and sheepshead are coveted, while croaker and spot can be the “savior” fish.

Further up the Bay, bluefish, flounder, Spanish mackerel, croaker, spot, and sea mullet will be the primary targets. Spotted trout and puppy drum will be sought after by many light tackle enthusiasts. Here’s hoping they are rewarded.
In the upper stretches of Virginia’s Chesapeake, bluefish and Spanish will head up many a list. Croaker are generally smaller than those found earlier in the year (though the numbers of croaker have really been down this summer), but occasionally a bottom bouncer is rewarded with a citation fish.

Toward the end of August, striped bass may start schooling at the mouth of the Potomac. These fish (18” or larger) are legal in Maryland waters, and they are often found in and among the schooling bluefish and Spanish.

Eastern Shore

Offshore, Capt. Bill Letora (888-389-2111) will be fishing for tuna and dolphin. Capt. Robert Walt (410-957-1664) will be fishing the lobster pot lines with light spinning tackle and flies to catch dolphin. He expects that a wahoo or two will be boated in August. Capt. Walt, as he is affectionately known to his clients, will be fishing for flounder and croaker inshore. Capt. Mike Handforth (757-336-6861) will continue to fish for flounder, croaker, and sea mullet (roundheads).

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.
Capt. Nolan Agner (757-289-8862) will be taking his parties out for Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and amberjacks. Nolan also offers shark fishing trips and is one of the many captains that hopes to target king mackerel. Offshore, he will target white and blue marlin along with dolphin.
Capt. Tim Cannon (757-426-8508) says that the bite offshore is as good as he has seen it for many years. He will also be fishing for the marlin and dolphin. Inshore, Tim expects to catch black drum, sea mullet, Flounder, and spadefish.

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.
We have just experienced one of the hottest and driest July’s in recent memory. Most captains are recommending fishing early or late to avoid the heat. For up-to-date information, check out the numerous licensed charter boat captains found at www.fishva.org. All are willing to let you know what is biting and where.

     

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.

Lake Orange, Lake Curtis, Lake Phelps, Motts Run and Hunting Run the fish are in their summer pattern and the fishing will be best during low light. Topwater is good early in the morning for largemouth.

The upper Rappahannock River fish the deep holes for sunfish, smallmouth and redeye. Best bait to try are jerkbaits, spinners and live bait. Live bait such as crickets, crayfish and hellagramites also work well.

In the ponds in the Northern Neck area fish will best caught in the early mornings before the heat sets in. Use topwater lures at daybreak and artificial worms as the morning progresses on largemouth bass. Crappie will be deep biting on small minnows, jigs and nightcrawlers.

At Lake Anna striper will be schooled up and can be found in the deep holes around the lake. The best bait to use is live bait and pencil poppers. The best time to go is early morning. Largemouth bass also will be hitting early mornings and also late evenings off the structures and points of the lake.

On the James River the largemouth bass will be hitting on top water baits in James, Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers early morning. Plastic worms, 4” – 10” will work well. The catfish will be biting using cut bait such as bunker or menhaden and eels. The smallmouth will be in deep holes biting on small crankbaits that look like perch or crawfish.

On the Chickahominy River there will be lots of catfish this month. They will be biting well on nightcrawlers, cut bait and clam snouts. Bream will be really active and hitting well on crickets and nightcrawlers. Largemouth bass slow down. Many go up in the creeks. A lot that will be caught will be in the 1 – 2lb range off of plastic worms and popping frogs. Slow topwater baits will work well at daybreak.

At Buggs Island the largemouth bass will be moving to the shallows. They will be biting well on spinner baits, plastic worms and grubs. The crappie will be in the shallows on brush piles and will respond well to small minnows. The blue catfish will be biting well on cut bait and the flatheads will hit live bait.

Smith Mountain Lake the largemouth bass will respond well to jerk baits, jigs, lizards and Carolina rigs work well. The catfish bite will pick up and they will hit well on chicken liver, eels and goldfish. The crappie will continue biting on small minnows and jigs. Striper will be biting on the lake trolling bucktails and flukes. The striper on the Staunton River will be schooled up in a deep hole behind the Leesville Damn and so will white perch and walleye. Bass will be hitting really well on Briery Creek Reservoir.

 


 

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
Inshore, Capts. Mike Handforth (757-336-6861) and Charlie Koski (757-336-3528) add to the aforementioned list of species by targeting sea mullet (roundheads) and blowfish (sugartoads) as well as flounder, bluefish, croaker, gray trout, and spot. Offshore, Capt. Bill Letora (301-898-5603) will be fishing for tuna and dolphin.

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 sheepshead and cobia, as well as the flounder and spadefish, while Capt. Steve Wray (757-237-7517) will offer trips for spadefish, flounder, and cobia. Steve will also offer the opportunity to go offshore for tuna and dolphin.

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
The middle and upper reaches of the Bay do not find the variety of fish that is available to the lower Bay fishermen. The numbers of fish available to be caught are numerous, however. Capt. Don Bannister (804-776-0629) and Capt. Glenn Hubbard (804-337-6357) will be fishing the Eastern Channel primarily for the flounder and croaker that are available. Occasionally a large red or black drum will take the hook, and gray trout and bluefish are often found within their creels. Cobia are not out of the question either.

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
The Northern Neck finds captains that either fish Maryland waters, Potomac River water, Virginia waters, or a combination. Both the Potomac and Maryland waters continue to lend themselves to the chumming of striped bass. Bluefish are often mixed into this equation, and croaker and gray trout, along with the occasional red or black drum are caught by the bottom fishermen. Captains that fish the Potomac and Maryland waters include Leroy Carr (804-453-4050) and David Rowe (804-529-6725).

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
Freshwater Fishing Report
By Missy Fike

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.


Lake Orange, Lake Curtis, Motts Run and Hunting Run anglers will have better luck switching over to deeper crankbaits, live bait and plastics to catch bass.

Topwater is good early in the morning or late in the evening. Bream action should be hot this month in all lakes! Crickets and red wigglers will take some nice fish. Crappie will be hitting well on small minnows.

In May, the upper Potomac River and Rappahannock River will be prime for a float trip. Smallmouth bass will hit great on jerkbaits, spinners and live bait with gusto. Try live bait such as crayfish and hellagramites for both sunfish and smallmouth. Some redeye can also be caught. Fish log jams and eddies behind rocks.

On the middle Potomac and tidal Rappahannock the catfishing is going to be touch and go. I would say mostly a go but some fish will begin spawning this month. If you are after a trophy use fresh caught bait and be patient. The smaller eating size fish are easy to pick up on live bait.

Largemouth bass are up and coming on the lower Rapp. Fish the tidal tribs and the mouths of these with crankbaits and spinnerbaits. May also is a good month for catching bowfin too.

In the ponds the largemouth bass respond well to buzz baits and crappie should respond well to beetle spins or small minnows in the ponds.


On the James River the trophy striper fishing will be starting and they can be caught on bloodworms on the James and Pamunkey Rivers. The largemouth bass will be hitting really well on large minnows and top water baits. The crappie will be off the beds and be biting. The best way to catch crappie is to first find them using small minnows, Silver Buddies and jigs. The big catfish will be biting well using herring, shad or eels.

The smallmouth will be biting well if the water stays up on the river. They will hit well on deep diving crank baits like the Bandit 300 or Bandit 200 in the perch color or the crawfish pattern. The fishing in May usually follows this pattern. Sometimes during these spring transition months, it hard to predict because so much of the fishing depends on the weather, water temps and depths of the river.

On the Chickahominy the largemouth bass will be moving off the beds and should be biting well on artificial worms, night crawlers and small minnows. They like structures like duck blinds, cypress roots, brush piles and the lily pads. The bream and bluegill will be hitting really well on night crawlers. Pan size catfish in the 2lb – 5lb range will hit well on night crawlers. The crappie will be doing well on small minnows and small grubs.

In the Virginia Beach area the chain pickeral will be biting well on minnows, spinner baits and soft plastic type baits in the back coves early in the month and moving out to the points as the water temperature goes up. The Largemouth will start to hit on top water lures such as, crank baits and plastic worms. Water temperatures and the low-pressure systems passing through the area effect how the fish respond.

As the water temps warm up the fish become more active, if a cold spell falls on us then they may slack off. The full moon in May generally marks the beginning of the best shellcracker fishing. Anglers are successful using nightcrawlers, red wigglers and can catch fish in excess of a pound. It is nothing to catch 25 citation shellcracker fish in a half days worth of fishing.

At Buggs Island the largemouth bass will be moving to the shallows. They will be biting well on spinner baits, plastic worms and grubs. The crappie will be in the shallows on brush piles and will respond well to small minnows. The blue catfish will be biting well on cut bait and the flatheads will hit live bait. Striper will be returning from spawning up river and will be biting well at the upper part of the lake on live shad, buck tales, Red Fin lures and plugs work well.

At Smith Mountain Lake the walleye and stripers usually go up Stanton River when the dogwoods bloom. Largemouth is biting well on jigs; Hopkins spoons, jerk baits and deep diving crank baits. The bass will be in the shallows and generally go on their beds for spawning towards the end of May. When the water temps get to 50 degrees then a lot will move onto their beds.

The crappie should be in the shallows for spawning also when the dogwoods are in bloom. Stripers will be biting well on Hopkins spoons, lead heads with flukes and crank or jerk baits. Bluegill as it warms will be moving up into shallower waters and will be easier to catch on small spinner baits and night crawlers.


 


 

VIRGINIA SALTWATER
May's Forecast
By Capt. Rick Lockhart

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.

From the middle of the month on, depending on water temperature, these fish, along with flounder, spadefish, speckled trout, croaker, and even togs (early in the month) will far out-number the striper in paper. Nevertheless, the rockfish will be the species of choice for at least the upper portion of the Bay.

Tuna will be the primary target offshore. Sea bass will have returned to the inshore wrecks, though their size does not rival the offshore wrecks of February, March, and April. Tilefish will still be available to those who venture offshore on nice days. Bluefish will be making a showing, and some will even sneak out to be the first to catch a cobia, but that could be pushing it.

I heard that the magazine’s proofreaders did not catch an error made last month when I slipped and reported the legal size of flounder was 19 ½ inches (instead of the actual 19 inches, and I’m the proofreader). It’s nice to know that someone caught this error and reported it. It leads me to remind all state fishermen to have size and creel limits in possession while fishing.

I often hear fishermen asking others over the radio what the legal size is for fish they just caught and wonder why that is. It’s nice to have others willing to share that information, but it’s better to have that information with you and not have to depend upon others

Eastern Shore

Capt. Mike Handforth (757-336-6861), a light tackle specialist from Chincoteague, is looking forward to a successful month of fishing for flounder. Croaker of size generally show in June, but that’s not to say that Mike won’t be trying. Capt. Michael Quade (804-694-9052) will keep his boat and fishing operation at Hatteras through the month of May. Mike relays to me that both cobia and dolphin should be at their peak.

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.


Lower Peninsula

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
Freshwater Fishing Report
By Missy Fike

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.

In area ponds the largemouth bass should be responding well to spinner baits and crappie should respond well to beetle spins or small minnows.

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's Forecast
By Capt. Rick Lockhart

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.

Bass anglers will also find March to be very productive. The bass are fattening up with roe as they go to prespawn mode. Ponds are usually the more productive then the rivers in March. Live bait works great and can help increase your chances of catching a citation. The same reservoirs listed above will turn on later in the month and anglers can find great fishing through early May. Lake Anna is a great place to fish in March. Try to find ledges, stumps and isolated structure near deep water but in shallow water on warmer days. At Lake Curtis anglers will find some nice bass along the structures and next to the trees still standing across from the ramp.

Striper ang lers at Anna will find fish near the power plant, near the Splits and in the back of coves chasing bait this month. The blueback herring are running soon and the stripers start moving around following them. The fish finder works great for finding the bait balls. Casting through the bait balls will usually lead to a successful trip.

Catfish are turning on fast as the herring and shad begin showing up. Try fresh cut bait to get the best fishing. Larger fish will take large bait but anglers may have to wade through the little fish to get them. The Rapp and the Potomac are both great fishing.

White perch and yellow perch are still hitting well. For the yellow perch fish downriver of Port Royal and try the tidal creeks with red wigglers, minnows or crickets. White perch will be hot on the Potomac River creeks, the Rappahannock from Port Royal to Fredericksburg and in tidal sloughs downriver of Port Royal all month. Popular places to fish include Old Mill Park, The City Dock and Hopyard on the Rapp.

Shad and herring will be moving into the area this month. Shad and herring regulations have changed. All American shad must be released. In Virginia only you can keep hickory shad. Herring fishing regulations have not changed yet, but starting in 2012 anglers will not be allowed to keep herring. So if herring fishing is a great passion of yours, don’t let the opportunities pass you by. Old Mill Park, The City Dock, the banks of the Rapp in Fredericksburg and over on the Potomac River anglers catch nice shad near Chain Bridge quite often. Remember to check the regulations for creel restrictions, particularly upriver and on the Potomac River.

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.

Crappie anglers find that the Chickahominy Lake is very good as is the area just down from Walker’s Dam. If you are on the river and find old duck blinds, Cyprus trees and logs to find the fish. Bright jigs and minnows are awesome baits for successful trips. Fish really close to the structures.

Bass fishing on the James will be really good. The ring perch will be in full swing. Small jigs like the silver buddies and medium size minnows work well for catching them. The crappie will also be biting well and they also can be caught on minnows and small jigs. The bass will be biting well on crank and spinner baits. They will be really active on the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers as well as lakes and ponds.

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.

Bass anglers will find fish in the creeks and off points near drop offs. Fish the tributaries more than the main lake though. Rattle traps and spinner baits are good choices to use. The Catfish will be biting really well also on cut bait. The stripers will be hittin
g well trolling and using bucktails.

VIRGINIA SALTWATER
March’s Forecast
By Capt. Rick Lockhart

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.


Eastern Shore

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.

Lower Peninsula

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.


Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck

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


Virginia Saltwater Fishing Reports
By Captain Rick Lockhart

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.


Virginia's Freshwater Report

By Missy Fike

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.

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