Date: 8/20/10

Chesapeake Bay:  The Cobia bite is perhaps the hottest action right now.  Many anglers are sight fishing from boat towers.  Once fish are spotted, live bait such as eels, Bunker, and Croaker can be cast in front of these fish.  Bucktails with squid strips and Gulp! baits also work well.  The CBBT islands and pilings are a good place to try along with shoal areas like Latimer.  A few boaters are still targeting Spadefish by fishing structures with clam baits on a hook and line, and others are spear fishing for Spades.  Flounder anglers are also enjoying a fantastic bite especially for bigger fish.  The structures of the CBBT have been reliable, along with the Cell and Back River Reef.  Flounder rigs with squid strips, bucktails with Jerk Shads and live bait like Spot, are the main presentations Spanish Mackerel are still available through out the Bay, but more productive areas have been Windmill Point Bar, Reedville and the mouth of the Potomac River.  Nice sized Croaker are still being caught at West Point, the CBBT and Colonial Beach.

Ocean:  Amberjack are readily available at the South Towers.  Drop live Croaker or other bait fish and hang on.  Michael Williams of Richmond was casting a Gulp! shrimp at Rudee Inlet and caught a 40lb. Black Drum.  Spot inhabit Rudee Inlet area, Croaker are there too.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports a lot of White Marlin from offshore boats.  Also, Dolphin and Wahoo were caught.  Inshore boats report Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel and Flounder.  From the piers, Spot and some Triggerfish up to 2lbs., Sea Mullet, Spot and Pompano are being caught.

Freshwater Rivers:  The Potomac River is still producing good catches of Bass by punching grass mats and throwing grass frogs.  The tidal James River and Chickahominy River have been putting out bigger than average limits of Bass.  The Upper James River was low and clear before the rain we had this week.  Keep an eye on the river levels as good fishing should resume soon.  Yamamoto grubs, top water baits and Senkos always seem to produce for Smallies.

Freshwater Lakes:  We had a very good report from a Mechanicsville angler from Kerr Lake.  He had 4 good days in a row with Bass up to 7lbs.  It’s good to hear about better fishing from Kerr.  At Lake Anna, people are catching Stripers early on top waters and trolling Red Fins.  Bass fishing has been average with shakey heads, big Texas rigged worms and deep cranks producing best.

Freshwater Ponds:  Bass have really turned on at local ponds.  Buzz baits and other top water lures are outstanding.  Senkos and Texas rigged worms are good options also.

Date: 8/5/2010

Chesapeake Bay:  Flounder fishing took off this past week in the lower bay, especially at the bridge tunnel.  The number of keepers really increased.  Gary Atwell of Mechanicsville, Captain of the Reel Hoos vessel, limited out for all on board with an 8lb, 10 oz. big fish.  Bucktails with jerk shads were the hot ticket.  Cobia fishing also increased this past week.  Jess Cadwallender of Richmond had four very nice fish – three between 30 & 40, and one 60lb. + fish.  He was fishing the west side of the bay near Sunset Marina.  There’s also been a report of a 100lb. + fish from the 4^th island.  Numerous catches of Triggerfish are being had at the CBBT, along with many catches of Sheepshead.  There’s still good spot fishing on the Rappahannock.  Around Waterview Windmill Bar produced a lot of Spanish Mackerel over the weekend.  The mouth of the Potomac has also produced good mackerel action.

Ocean:  The Amberjack bite at the South Tower is almost guaranteed.  Chesapeake Light Tower has also produced for these brute fish.  The ocean side of the Eastern Shore has been frequented by Tarpon this week.  Red Drum are also being encountered.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited reports Bluefish, Spot and Croaker from the Outer Banks Pier.  Spanish Mackerel and bluefish were reported from inshore boats and surf fishermen.  There have been big schools of Red Drum sighted from the piers and along the beaches.  Offshore boats reported White Marlin, Sailfish, Blue Marlin and a few Dolphin.

Freshwater Rivers:  Grass fogs and punching mats are the top producers on the Potomac River.  16 to 18lbs. has been the average weights for winning weekly TX’s.  Bass fishing on the James has been fair to good this week, with topwaters and crankbaits producing better results.  The Upper James is always a fun place to fish and cool off at the same time.  Yamamoto grubs and topwaters are good lures, and live bait will catch anything in the river, especially Flatheads.

Freshwater Lakes:  Kerr Lake elevation is 298.20.  The fishing has been tough here for a while.  The down lake region has been more productive.  Topwaters and big worms have been the most reliable.  Lake Anna has been tough also.  12lbs. has been the winning weight lately.

Local Ponds:  Sandy River Res is a good option right now.  Big worms, topwaters and deep crankbaits are the ticket.  Texas rigged worms and buzzbaits are good bets in small ponds, and senkos are always a good option.

Date: 7/30/2010

Chesapeake Bay:  A few customers report good keepers of Flounder at the bridge tunnel.  The numbers of fish have decreased, but the size has seemed to increase.  The Cell has produced also, along with the Whitestone Bridge.  Spot and Croaker are still biting on the York River at Yorktown, Urbanna on the Rappahannock River, the HRBT and Colonial Beach on the Potomac.  The Shoals on the bay side of the Eastern Shore are still producing Cobia..  Earlier in the week, a 90-pounder was reported.  Spadefish are still biting at Chesapeake Light Tower, the Cell, and the bridge tunnel.  Some Speckled Trout are being caught in the Piankatank River, especially around grass.  A few have been caught in Mobjack Bay.  Spanish Mackerel have showed up at Windmill Bar on the Rappahannock River.

Ocean:  Good numbers of Spanish Mackerel have moved north, but there’s still fish hanging around Cape Henry.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Red Drum that are too large to keep.  Inshore boats report Mackerel, Cobia and lots of Sea Mullet.  At the little bridge in Manteo, good catches of Croaker, Spot and Black Drum.  Offshore boats report Dolphin, Tuna, Wahoo and White Marlin.

Freshwater Rivers:  The Richmond Westham Gauge is at 3.40, low and clear.  This is a good level for wading for Smallmouth and Flatheads in the Upper James and the city limits.  The Lower James is good one day and tough the next for Bass.  However, it’s very consistent for Blue Catfish.  The Potomac is a great tidal water option also.

Freshwater Lakes:  Kerr Lake elevation is 298.27.  Kerr has been tough lately, along with Gaston.  Shakey heads any time, and topwaters early are the most reliable.  Lake Anna has been a little less tough than Kerr, but still tough.  Again, shakey heads and topwaters are the most reliable.  Stripers are being taken on live bait, and a few are still hitting trolled red fins.  We’ve had good reports from Sandy River on big worms, deep cranks, and topwater frogs.

Local Ponds:  Spinnerbaits have been catching quality fish in local ponds, along with Texas rigged worms and senkos.  Crappie and Bluegills are being taken on live crickets, worms and 2” Berkley PowerBait grubs.

Date: 7/22/10

Chesapeake Bay:  Croaker are still biting at West Point, the James River Bridge and the mouth of the Corrotoman River.  Flounder anglers are still catching nice stringers from Buoy 42, the Cell and the CBBT.  Strips of squid on Flounder rigs and Jerk Shads on buck tails are the top presentations.  Spadefish are also biting at the CBBT, along with Plantation Light and the Cell.  Red Drum are still hanging around the Eastern Shore, especially Fisherman’s Island.  Many fish over 46” were caught and released this past week.  Chumming has been working well for these fish as well as for Cobia.

Ocean:  Rudee Inlet has been a good place for Spot lately.  Spanish Mackerel are still being caught at Cape Henry.  Keep an eye out on the ocean side of the Eastern Shore for Tarpon.  Offshore boats out of Virginia Beach are reporting some nice Yellowfin Tuna and some Bluefin Tuna.  The deep drop bite for Tilefish, Rosefish and Grouper is still strong if you’re willing to fish very deep- 300’ to 900’.

Freshwater Rivers:  Jim Sutton and Jim Whitman won the Fishers of Men tournament on the James River out of Osbourne Landing this past weekend with 15lbs.  This is a good winning weight for this time of year.  The Chickahominy River is also fishing well.  The tidal James River and the Chickahominy River are also good places to fish for giant Blue Catfish.  The catfish bite is very fun for all and is also good training for young anglers to learn to land big fish.  The Pamunkey River and the Mattaponi River are also fishing well for Bass and Catfish.  On the Potomac River, 17lbs won a Bass tournament this past weekend.  Swim baits, punch baits and grass frogs are very good right now.

Freshwater Lakes:  Kerr Lake elevation is 298.70’ right now.  Fishing has been tough here for quite some time.  Shakey heads have been the most reliable.  Deep crank baits and football jigs are also working.  Lake Anna Bass are in the same patter here as Kerr.  Stripers are stil being caught by trolling Red Fins and live bait on down lures.  Sandy River is fishing good right now, probably better than most lakes in the state.

Freshwater Ponds:  Young Austin Rose of Goochland caught a beautiful 9lb 3oz Bass on 7/21/10 on a grub.  Gabe Beverly caught a 22” and a 23” Bass on back to back casts with a spinner bait this week.  So, don’t let the hot weather keep you from fishing this weekend!!

Date: 7/15/10

Chesapeake Bay:  Flounder anglers are having good success from many places around the Bay. Craig Slack of Mechanicsville had fish up to 24” at Buoy 42.  Drifting live bait and squid strips on Flounder rigs are good, as well as bucktails with Jerk Shads.  The Bay Bridge Tunnel, the Cell and Back River Reef have been good also.  Nice Croaker catches have been coming from Point Lookout and between Smith Point and Tangier Island.  Several customers report fish 16” to 18” from these areas.  The Rappahannock has been good around Urbanna.  The York River is another good body of water to catch Croaker.  These same areas that are holding Croaker are holding Spot as well.  The CBBT, Cell and Chesapeake Light Tower have been producing nice catches of Spadefish.  Clam is the bait of choice.  Red Drum are hanging around the CBBT also.  There’s still some Cobia being caught from the shoals near the Eastern Shore.  Cut bait still seems to be most productive.

Ocean:  Spanish Mackerel action is increasing, especially around Cape Henry.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports good catches of Spot and Croaker from the Outer Banks Pier and the little bridge in Manteo.  Inshore boats are catching mostly Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish.  Offshore boats are scoring well with Dolphin and a few Tuna. 

Freshwater Rivers:  18lbs won a weekend Bass tournament on the Potomac River.  Punching mats of grass with heavy weights, swim baits and grass frogs are all productive.  16lbs won a weekend Bass tournament on the Lower James recently.  Top waters, crank baits and soft plastics are staples.  Also biting strong on the James are the Blue Catfish.  Night fishing is by far the better bite.  The James River offers many angling opportunities for many different species.  One can stay within the city limits and catch both Large and Smallmouth Bass, 3 species of Catfish, Gar, Carp and many others.  The Upper James level is 3.72’ at the Westham Gauge.  This is still a great level for wade fishing.

Freshwater Lakes:  Trolling Red Fins for Stripers at Lake Anna is still productive.  Live baits is reliable as always.  Bass are responding to deep cranks, shakey heads and big Texas rigged worms.  The elevation at Kerr Reservoir is 299.16’.  Crank baits and Texas rigged worms are working here also.  A big spoon is a good lure to have ready for any lake.

Freshwater Ponds:  Big top water lures, soft plastics and buzz baits are taking quality Bass mostly at night and first thing in the morning.  Big worms are also productive both day and night.

Date:  7/9/10

Chesapeake Bay:  The Flounder bite has increased greatly with the hot weather that has settled in.  Many fish over 22 inches have been caught at the CBBT.  Bucktails with Jerk Shads are producing very well, along with drifting live bait.  Other paces worth trying are Back River Reef and the Cell.  Green Top customers report excellent Cobia action right now. Live bait such as eels and Spot work well.  Cut bait has been producing more fish lately.  We’ve heard of a few fish at Windmill Bar, along with the regular hot spots like York Spit and Bluefish Rock.  Spade fish catches have increased at the Cell, the CBBT and Chesapeake Light Tower.  Most people use clam chum and a small piece of clam on a #4 hook.  West Point has been the best area for the biggest Croaker lately.  The Rappahannock River has been steady in the areas of Urbanna and Waterview.  Squid and Bloodworms have been working best for both Croaker and Spot.

Ocean:  The Spanish Mackerel bite is increasing at Cape Henry and inshore at Nags Head.  Dolphin have been very plentiful out of Hatteras and Nags Head.  Rudee Inlet is a god option for small boats that want to catch lots of fish.  Spot and Croaker have showed up.  Increased catches of Amberjack are making headlines also.

Freshwater Rivers:  The Potomac River remains the place to be for Largemouth Bass fishing.  Senkos, Swimming Senkos, and other swim baits are hot righ now.  Grass frogs are also procducing fish.  The James River and the Chickahominy River are other tidal water options.  Wood structure and pad banks are normally the places to be.  Reports have been very good from the Pamunkey River also.  The Blue Catfish bite is still outstanding, especially at night.  Wading for Smallmouth Bass and Flathead Catfish is a fun way to cool off and catch fish at the same time.  The river level at the Westham Gauge is 3.40’.

Freshwater Lakes:  Bugg’s Island elevation is 299.19’.  Current reports have the Bass following schools of baitfish out in open water.  A spoon is a good lure to have on at all times  Stripers are reported to be in the Goat Island area.  Lake Anna Stripers are still responding to trolled Redfins and live bait in the Sturgeon Creek area.  Keep a spoon on and ready for both Bass and Stripers.

Freshwater Ponds:  Big 10” worms and buzzbaits are responsible for the biggest catches of Bass lately.  Wacky rigged Senkos are still working also.  Crappie seem a bit slow, but a 2” Powerbait Grub always seems to work.

Date: 7/2/10

Chesapeake Bay:  Flounder anglers are enjoying consistent action for keepers at the CBBT.  Buoy 42 and the Cell have been good also.  A few 9lb fish have been reported.  Cobia fishing remains very good at Bluefish Rock, York Spit Light and the shoal areas in the lower Bay.  Sight casting with eels and bucktails are great, along with fresh cut bait.  The Croaker and Spot bite is still good on the Rappahannock near Urbanna and Waterview.  West Point on the York River has been consistent for better sized Croaker, along with the James River Bridge.  Action for Spadefish has increased at Wolftrap Light, Chesapeake Light Tower and the CBBT.  Red and Black Drum are still providing plenty of action at the CBBT and the Eastern Shore.

Ocean:  Cape Henry is producing Spanish Mackerel up to 24 inches.  Offshore boats are catching Bluefin Tuna, a lot of Dolphin and a few Blue Marlin.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports big Croaker and big Spot at the little bridge in Manteo.  Inshore boats report Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel and Flounder.  A few Sailfish were also caught by offshore boats out of Nags Head.

Freshwater Rivers:  22lbs (5 fish) won a weekend Bass tournament on the Potomac River last weekend.  Flipping grass mats, top water frogs are the 2 main presentations.  On the James River, wood structures usually produce bigger fish during the hot months.  Pad banks will also produce fish.  Creature baits, such as the Sweet Beaver, have been hot on the Chickahominy River.  The Upper James is low and clear (3.59’) at the Richmond Westham gauge.  Top water baits, super flukes, and grubs are the stand by’s.  A lot of customers report very large Blue catfish from the Lower James (we’ve had reports of 80lb fish this week!).  Most people use cut shad or eels.

Freshwater Lakes:  The lake elevation at Kerr is 299.48’.  Cranks and heavy Texas rigged worms usually produce better fish in the hotter months.  Running up the rivers is an option, but this can be dangerous at any level.  At Lake Anna, trolling Redfins has been very productive for keeper Stripers.  For Bass, Texas rigs, Carolina rigs and deep cranks are staples along with the shakey head jig.

Freshwater Ponds:  A big 10” worm produced a 23” lunker Bass for Gabe Beverly at Green Top.  Night fishing is a good option to beat the heat.  Buss baits can be very exciting at night!