Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 29 Update:
It looks likely that the remnants from Hurricane Ian will make fishing tough over the next few days as heavy rain and persistent wind make their way into the region. Prior to the incoming weather, Oceans East reported that the Spanish mackerel bite is still decent though it is starting to taper off a bit. There hasn’t appeared to be one hotspot, so if you are trolling along channel ledges, you should be hooking up. Many fish are reported to be on the larger side. As temperatures continue to drop, we should see another push of mackerel into this area as fish that have been hanging further north in the Bay head south. Oceans East confirmed that dragging Drone and Clark spoons in gold, pink, green, or gold behind number one or two planers is doing the trick for the mackerel. Bluefish and a few ribbonfish have been mixed into the catch as well. There have been reports of bluefish up to five pounds and 30 inches, which is nice to see. Most blues have been eating size and anglers haven’t had much trouble filling coolers. If you can locate breaking fish under birds, cast out metal jigs or spoons for some great light tackle action.
The shallows will likely be muddy after this weekend’s wind and rain push through so it may take until the middle of next week for things to get back on schedule—hopefully, the waters will settle out in time for the October 4 opening for fall rockfish in VA waters of the Bay. Prior to the weather, anglers have been reporting good catches of speckled trout and puppy drum in the rivers, inlets, and islands near the CBBT. We had a reader report of good red drum action in Rudee with five fish up into the mid-20 caught last weekend, fishing shrimp on a jighead. Another report came in from kayak angler Tim this week, who caught a 25” slot red to capture third in the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association. Congrats, Tim! Some small to mid-sized weakfish have moved into the area as well and are being caught by anglers jigging along shoals and lumps. At the CBBT, many anglers are catching flounder while working the edges. Good sized fish have been caught but boats have had to work for their catches. Squid strips on Fluke Killers are a good bait to try. Let’s hope fishing settles back into our normal fall patterns after the weather blows through over the next few days.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 22 Update:
Fall is officially here and now can be some of the best times of the year to be out on the water so don’t be afraid to use a few vacation days. Water temps are cooling and the action is picking up. Many of the species that frequent the Bay during the warmer months are preparing to migrate south for the fall and winter. Water temperatures remain in the mid 70s at the CBBT but a cold snap this weekend will cool things off. Sea Hawk Sports Center let us know catch and release cobia fishing is still good right now and sight casting live eels is still the best option for anglers looking to hook up on the big brown beasts. Anglers fishing for cobia have also been reporting schools of drum cruising around. At the inlets and surf along the oceanfront, puppy drum have been biting well.
This region of the Bay has produced some pretty strong structure fishing and the reef sites, the CBBT, and the HRBT have yielded some nice sheepshead along with reds and a few black drum. Most fish are being taken on chunks of crab or fiddlers fished on sweeper jigs. Virginia Beach Sport Fishing reports the trout bite has been picking up in the shallows of the inlets and bays. Topwater baits worked over grass beds and near breakwaters have been producing fish early. Popping corks paired with shrimp baits have been a favorite of the trout as of late. Sea Hawk also says there are still plenty of Spanish mackerel cruising around the Lower Bay and oceanfront. Trolling Drone or Clark spoons behind planers at seven to nine knots is the best tactic for the mackerel. Troll along channel ledges and keep eyes out for breaking fish. The Virginia Beach fishing pier has been producing spot, sea mullet, drum, and a few mackerel and bluefish. The great part about fishing this time of year is that you never know what might hit your line, just be ready to set the hook!
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 16 Update:
Fall is right around the corner and with cooler temps on the way, the fishing will heat up. Trollers in this area of the Bay are still catching plenty of macks and ribbonfish. The macks are getting big and many boats have caught fish into the mid 20s. On calm days, keep an eye out for birds and breaking fish. Casting to macks on light tackle gear can make for a great time. When coming across a school of breaking mackerel, cast out metal jigs, gotcha plugs, or popping corks and speedily reel it back to hook up on macks. Cobia season closed on the 15th so these fish are now off-limits for keeping, but there are still plenty to be caught and released until they depart the Bay for the winter. Anglers have been sight casting these fish on calm days with eels and large soft plastics on jigs. Other baits that have been hooking up while trolling are large surgical tubes towed at around five knots. Oceans East let us know the fishing around the CBBT is still great and should provide opportunities for many species of fish through the end of the month. Pilings and reefs are holding good numbers of spadefish and triggerfish. Anglers dropping down crab baits have had the most success with the triggers.
The Southern Chesapeake has some world class drum fishing this time of year and more slot sized fish have been showing themselves for anglers around the Islands of the CBBT and the HRBT. Bait fishing around reefs and natural shoals has produced good numbers of both red and black drum. Finding a good weather day has been essential for a successful day on the water. Hampton Roads correspondent Chuck Harrison made it out over the weekend and started his trip looking for nice spot. He was able to locate a few on the small side mixed in with some croaker. He then shifted his efforts in search of red drum and speckled trout but instead found several large ribbonfish. He blames the subpar fishing on the steady northeast winds. The extended forecast looks good for this coming week and anglers should capitalize on their fishing opportunities the rest of the month!
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 9 Update:
Oceans East reports that the CBBT has been great for anglers targeting bull reds and cobia. The cobia can be found hanging around the bridge pilings and sight casting to them with live eels often tempts them to bite. Cobia season closes on September 15th in the Bay so make sure to get out on the water this coming week if you want to get on some big brown bruisers. The pilings and other reef structures are also holding good numbers of spadefish and triggers. Trollers in the area are still getting steady action of mackerel and ribbonfish. The macks are getting bigger with many fish into the mid 20s. The ribbonfish have been on the larger side as well with some upwards of five pounds. Don’t let their perplexing appearance fool you, as they do make great table fare. Trolling spoons and plugs behind number one or two planers has been the best set up for both toothy fish.
A reader fishing Kiptopeake last week reported a fantastic mix of species around the concrete ships, highlighted by sheepshead, red and black drum, and even a nearby cobia. Another who hit the same zone over the weekend said much the same, noting that both cobia and sharks were shadowing the marauding schools of mackerel and bluefish.
Hampton Roads Correspondent Chuck Harrison also got out on the water recently with some good fishing to report. He stayed near the HRBT where he found a school of mostly over slot reds. After catching a few, he let some kayak fishermen get in on the action while shifting his focus to search for speckled trout. His efforts were unsuccessful, but he did talk to an angler at the boat ramp who reported catching four trout around 18 inches in the area. His search for flounder also came up empty but he noted that small bluefish were everywhere, and a few were kept for the dinner table.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 2 Update:
As we approach fall we are getting close to one of the best times of year for fishing on the Bay, and although summer heat is still holding on there have been some bites that are just as hot as the weather. Virginia Beach Sport Fishing reports that flounder catches have been excellent along the coast and throughout the lower reaches of the Chesapeake. They recommend targeting the flatfish around the CBBT pilons, near the rocks that cover the tunnels, and around coastal reefs and wrecks. Angler Brian Hostetter weighed in a flounder that met true doormat status at six pounds, one ounce, and 25 inches caught near Long Bay Pointe. Many area charters are having no problem putting their anglers on quality fish.
The sheepshead bite remains steady as fish are plentiful around the CBBT. Several citation fish into the 11-pound range were checked in this week. Fiddler crabs are the best bait to try and catch these notorious bait stealers. There are two weeks left for anglers to target cobia and it seems that the fishing is as good as it has been all year. They are on the move chasing bait before they head south, which has been providing great action for anglers. Some very nice fish have been caught this week with many cobias in the upper 40s and some fish into the Upper 50s. Trolling 18-inch tube hoses or chumming with cut bait are two very effective methods in addition to sight fishing for these beasts. Red drum are also still roaming about in the southern Bay and the shoals around the barrier islands have been a hotspot for them. Slot fish are in the mix with some biggins around the 50-inch mark, and there are puppy drum in the inlets and around structure in the rivers, as well.
Boats trolling have had an abundance of Spanish mackerel and ribbonfish to keep them busy. The macks can be caught by trolling Clark or drone spoons on numbers one and two planers. Ribbonfish are also very willing to take spoons on the troll and many boats have been targeting both species simultaneously. Oceans East says the abundance of ribbonfish has sparked the beginning of some great king mackerel fishing in the Virginia Beach area. Ribbonfish are a favorite bait of the kings and a common tactic for targeting them is slow trolling ribbonfish, ballyhoo, or pogies. September is Virginia’s peak king mackerel season, and some smoker kings are already being landed.
Surf fishing is also providing a variety of species for those tossing their lines out. Spot, croaker, bluefish, mackerel, and some flounder have been the most common species reeled in this week. Cooler temps should make for a great drum run from the surf in the next few weeks.