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.