Dr. Julie Ball checked in and said that the decent weather continues to provide anglers with good opportunities. She said that the top species this week continues to be cobia, with the biggest fish of the season now hitting the docks.
Julie indicated that many fish are ranging between 60 and 80-pounds. Cobia continue to transition into their late summer trend of grouping into large schools and cruising on the surface near the mouth of the Bay and along the ocean front.
Julie also said that more cobia are now beginning to hold on structure, including bridge pilings and buoys. This late season movement is providing a new approach for many cobia hunters. She said that many anglers are now getting in on the sightcasting action, and they are having great results.
Virginia Beach Flounder Continue to Produce
Julie said that the flounder action continues to be strong. Dozens of doormats to 12-pounds are hitting the scales on a regular basis. Julie indicated that big flatfish are striking jigs and live bait presented along varying bottom structures in the lower part of the Bay.
When asked about the best places to fish, Julie said that the Cell, the CBBT, and lower Bay wrecks are just a few of the best flounder hotspots.
Virginia Beach Red Drum, Jack Crevelle Action Good
Julie indicated that red drum are still roaming around the lower Bay, especially near the 3rd and 4th islands of the CBBT. Reds are also beginning to frequent the coastal waters off Virginia Beach. Schools of jack Crevelle were still spotted roaming the lower Bay this week. Black drum are still meandering around the artificial islands of the Bridge Tunnel, but expect the blacks to begin moving off the islands soon.
Good puppy drum action is still going on within Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets, according to Julie. These young reds will hit a variety of baits, with fresh cut mullet and Gulp mullets the top choices lately.
Shark Action off Virginia Beach Continues
With a good number of sharks showing in local waters, Julie said that the sharks are becoming a top targeted species lately. Several varieties of sharks such as sand tigers, hammerheads, black tips, and spinners are sniffing out chum slicks along the coastal and lower Bay waters. Some of these fish are pushing to over 8-feet.
Interest in spadefish is waning, but smallish fish are still available along the northern span of the CBBT, the four artificial islands, and many inshore structures. Sheepshead have also been cooperating lately. Crab, clam, and fiddlers presented along the pilings and tubes of the CBBT can entice a sheepshead bite. Triggerfish are everywhere on lower Bay structures and inshore wrecks. These fiesty fish will take most any offering.
Croaker are everywhere, and the bigger hardheads are now moving into lower Bay waters. The larger fish are coming from the deeper areas north of the 3rd island of the CBBT, the MMBT, Back River Reef, and the Cell. Many fish are ranging over a pound. Anglers fishing Oyster are still filling coolers from the back waters. Spot are hitting within Rudee, Lynnhaven, and Little Creek Inlets on bloodworms, with some fish still coming from off the concrete ships. Nice sized sea mullet are still available near the concrete ships and Fisherman’s Island Inlet.
Amberjack are providing good opportunities on offshore wrecks and at the Southern Towers. Some boats are even bringing home AJ’s home to try. Deep dropping is good off Virginia. According to Captain Steve Wray, skipper of the Ocean Pearl out of Lynnhaven Inlet, catches of big blueline tilefish, black bellied rosefish, and seabass are common lately.
Offshore, billfish action is still heating up, with a decent number of white marlin releases, along with a smattering of blue marlin, sails, and spearfish. The bite is spread out from the 400 to the 900-line, in anywhere from 40 to 100 fathoms, with a few caught in the deep. Tuna are scattered, but those hitting the docks are in the 60 to 70-pound class, and there are still a few dolphin around, along with some wahoo.
