Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November 25 Update:
Weather this past week was favorable for anglers hitting the water in the southern reaches of the Bay. Fishing for speckled trout, rockfish, and puppy drum continues to be great in the shallows as water temperatures are hovering around 60 degrees and dropping. Virginia Beach Sport Fishing reports that Rudee Inlet, Lynnhaven Inlet, and the Elizabeth River have all been fishing hotspots this week. Anglers have welcomed dropping water temperatures as larger specked trout are becoming more common. Multiple citation sized fish have been caught at the inlets and surrounding rivers so now is a great time to hit the water in search of a gator trout.
The Elizabeth River seemed to be particularly productive this week and should produce quality bites through the end of the month. Two anglers fishing on the Elizabeth and near the High Rise reported catching a limit of quality specks with the two largest being 24 inches. Another group of anglers hit the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River on a fly-fishing trip. Their day was filled with action including around a dozen stripers up to 28 inches, seven puppy drum, and 10 speckled trout. They also mentioned that they hooked and lost several nice fish. That sounds like an epic day for saltwater fly fishing! Virginia Beach Sport Fishing also mentioned that there have been plenty of rockfish around the islands of the CBBT and that anglers fishing at night are having the most action. They also mentioned that boats fishing the CBBT for tautog are catching plenty, using sand fleas and small crabs.
Another fishery that southern Bay anglers are looking forward to returning is the return of trophy sized rockfish. In the coming weeks, these fish will start to make their way into the Bay and offer the opportunity for anglers to catch a true Chesapeake Bay giant. Slow trolling umbrella rigs with large shad baits in deep water is the most popular tactic. Trips on the water for these fish may not produce a ton of bites, but the ones you do get will be well worth it. This season, let’s remember to be thankful for every opportunity we get to go fishing. Regardless of our successes, it is a blessing to enjoy the beauty and bounties in the outdoors of Delmarva. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November 18 Update:
Most of the action in the southern Chesapeake Bay has been for speckled trout and rockfish this week. Patterns have remained similar since last week but colder weather is steadily dropping water temperatures which will push fish into deeper water as we approach winter. There is still time to get on fish in the shallows as areas in Mobjack Bay, the York River, and the Elizabeth River have been producing specks and rockfish. A kayak angler fishing the rock jetties at Little Creek caught a limit of specks during a trip this past week.
Specks and rockfish can be caught on paddletails and jerkbaits in the shallows. Clear water conditions make bright colored baits, especially white, particularly effective for getting bites. One angler reported a day of fishing that most only dream of, let alone experience, while fishing for speckled trout while near the first and second islands near the CBBT. He and a few friends caught over 70 specks in total and kept 15 for a fish fry. Most of their keepers were between 17 and 23 inches, all caught on Gulp! Swimming Mullets in pink and chartreuse colors. The Oceans East Speckled Trout Showdown is still going on until November 19th. There are some true gator trout being checked into the leader board and the top 5 fish are all over 25 inches. Currently, the top fish is a whopping 28.75-inch trout caught by angler Mark Hedish. That’s going to be hard to beat!
Virginia anglers are looking forward to the return of an exciting fishery that should start to pick up by the end of this month. Large rockfish will start to make their way into the Bay and offer an opportunity for a true trophy fish to anglers willing to brave the cold. Slow trolling umbrella rigs with large shad baits in deep water is the most popular tactic. Trips on the water for these fish may not produce a ton of bites, but the ones you do get will be well worth it.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November 11 Update:
After a brief warm up last weekend, cooler weather is putting water temperatures back on their downward trend and in most areas surface temperatures have been in the upper 50s to low 60s. These conditions are good for both shallow water and open water fishing. Virginia Beach Sport Fishing reports that speckled trout and rockfish are inside all of the local inlets, tidal creeks and rivers. One angler reported catching over a dozen specks in the Elizabeth River during an outgoing tide on a trip this past week. Most of the specks were 14-to-20 inches. Though most of the specks being caught right now aren’t giant, there are some fish of gator status out there.
The Oceans East Speckled Trout Showdown is currently taking place and there have been plenty of fish in the mid 20s check into the leaderboards. Currently the lead fish is a monster 28 inch speckled trout and the next biggest fish is 25.5 inches. Captain Todd Beck of Knot Wish’n Custom Charters reports that the water temperatures at Rudee Inlet are a little above normal for this time of year. Most of the trout in the inlet are small with a few gators available. He says the quality of the trout should improve as water temperatures drop.
Schools of rockfish are abundant, especially around the channel ledges and bridge structures. If you can find a dock with a light at night, there may be rockfish close by waiting to ambush bait attracted to the illumination. Boats trolling the channel ledges of the Bay and tidal rivers are having good success using tandem rigs and small umbrella rigs. The keeper stripers have been in the low to mid 20s.
At the CBBT, tautog catches are on the rise as water temperatures drop. The ocean wrecks and reefs will hold larger fish but you can still catch keepers along the tunnels and rock structures of the CBBT. Rock crabs, fiddler crabs, white leggers, and green crabs are all good baits for the tautog.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, November 4 Update:
Speckled trout seem to be the main target for anglers in the Southern region of the Bay and the rivers are providing plenty of action. Oceans East says the Elizabeth and York rivers are popular locations to target the specks. They let us know that the grass beds are holding most of the fish, but other shallow water structure can produce bites as well. One angler fishing the western branch of the Elizabeth River had a magnificent day using jigs on flyrods. They reported catching a mix of white perch, puppy drum, flounder, stripers, and speckled trout with their total catch for the day exceeding 100 fish. Rockfish are also cruising around the shallows and hanging near structure in the lower Bay rivers ready to ambush baitfish swimming by. Creek mouths, stump fields, and shoreline points are especially productive this time of year.
Towards the end of the month and into the winter, trophy sized striped bass will make their way into the Chesapeake waters and provide for some world class striper fishing. Dedicated anglers can target these fish in the winter to catch fish that can reach 50 inches — now that is a fish of a lifetime. Trolling around two knots with large surgical eels or fishing live eel are common tactics for the big rock. Jigging large soft plastics on heavy jigheads is also an effective strategy but locating fish on sonar and staying on them can be difficult. Hooking into and landing a giant rockfish is truly rewarding and should be on every angler’s bucket list!