Date: 9/3/10
Chesapeake Bay: The bite is still on for Flounder and Cobia. Bar structures like bridge pilings and reefs are productive. Jim Miller of Richmond and a friend from Midlothian scored Flounder up to 24” from the pilings of the CBBT. They were using S&W bucktails with Jerk Shads. Cobia anglers are numerous and many are spotting up to 25 fish per day. Live eels and bucktails pitched to surface cruisers usually produce. Many 50 lb. fish were caught this week. Another popular species that biting well right now is Spanish Mackerel: troll Drone spoons and Clark spoons at 6-8 mph. Using in-line sinkers or planers will work well. Spadefish are available at the CBBT also along with the Cell. A few Speckled Trout are being caught in the Piankatank River and around Gwynn’s Island. Croaker seem to be hit or miss just about everywhere. The most consistent areas have been West Point and the Kiptopeke area.
Ocean: Rudee Inlet has been a good place for Spot, Croaker, and a few Puppy Drum. The deep drop bite for Tilefish, Grouper and Rosefish is still strong. Amberjack are a good bet at the South Towers and wrecks. Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports a very good White Marlin bite offshore. All are waiting to see the effects of Earl so fishing has slowed down dramatically, but this weekend should be clear and beautiful. Good varieties of fish had been coming from the little bridge in Manteo.
Freshwater Rivers: 17lbs won a weekend tournament on the Lower James this past weekend. The James River and Chickahominy River have been fishing a whole lot better than years past. The Blue Catfish continue to bit consistently. Fifty pounders are very common these days. The Potomac River is a great place to fish grass for Bass. The top water frog bite is always exciting. The Upper James continues to be a great place for Small Mouth Bass and Flathead Catfish.
Freshwater Lakes: Kerr Lake elevation is at 297.97’. Bass fishing is still tough but improving. The best catches have come from open water in the lower part of the lake. Lake Anna stripers are responding to surface lures early, then live bait or trolled lures once the sun gets up good. Bass are also responding to surface lures early, and shakey heads and deep cranks are working later.
Freshwater Ponds: Briery Creek and Sandy River Res. are very good options for larger than average Bass. Be aware of sixe limits and restrictions. Many small bodies of water are turned on nicely for Bass. A spinner bait and buzz bait have been hot lately