Date: 5/28/10
Chesapeake Bay: We’ve had recent reports of big Croaker at Waterview and Urbanna. There are also reports of Croaker in the Piankatank River. West Point is still producing these fish also. We’ve also had reports of Flounder near Buoy 42 and the Cell. There are also keeper fish from the mouth of the Rappahannock River. The area of Oyster is also producing fish. Stripers are still hitting top waters and bucktails at the CBBT. Red Drum are still being caught near the Eastern Shore and Fisherman’s Island. Peeler crabs and fresh cut bait work best. There are many reports of Thresher Sharks at Fisherman’s Island. Black Drum are increasing slowly at the Eastern Shore and the CBBT.
Ocean: The deep drop bite for Tile fish and Grouper is going very well. Jerry Ancarrow landed a 39lb Snowy Grouper this past weekend. Sea Bass season is now open and the bite is good. Bluefish are in Rudee Inlet and along the oceanfront. Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports better fishing in the sound lately, due to the rough weather lately. Spot, Croaker and a few Black Drum are being caught. Inshore boats are catching a few Flounder up to 25”. A few offshore boats went out and reported Amberjack and Dolphin.
Freshwater Rivers: Anglers are enjoying catching Stripers in the Lower James. Catfish anglers are enjoying Big catches of Blue Catfish on cut Shad, Herring and Eels. The pits are still a good place for Large Mouth Bass and the jetties will come on soon. The Richmond Westham gauge is at 5.21’. This is a good level for fishing the Upper James. Super Flukes, Yamamoto Grubs and top waters are excellent choices. On the Potomac River, 20lbs won a 4 hour tournament this past week. Grass Frogs and flipping thick grass mats are becoming more popular.
Freshwater Lakes: Kerr Lake eleveation is 301.3’. 14lbs won a recent weekend tournament here; still tough fishing for the most part. Top waters were responsible for most of the limits caught. At Lake Anna, Stripers are being caught on live bait and trolling Red Fins. Average weights (around 12lbs) are winning evening tournaments. Top waters and Texas rigged worms are the main baits. We’ve had reports of several 8lb fish from Briery Creek in the last week.
Freshwater Ponds: Bream fishing has taken center stage. Buzz baits and Senkos are doing well for Bass. Here, at Green Top, we weighed in a 2lb 1oz Shell Cracker.