Date: 12/2/11
Chesapeake Bay: Anglers are enjoying great Rockfish catches all over the bay and inside its tributaries. Just about any presentation is working right now. Some folks prefer to cast with light tackle at the CBBT. Others are scoring with eels at the CBBT. Many are catching fish by trolling tandem rigs, Stretch baits, umbrella rigs and various baits behind planers. Good areas also include the mouth of the Rappahannock, Gwynn’s Island, Tangier Sound, and the HRBT. The number of 35-45inch fish is increasing daily. The colder temps that are due this weekend should improve the big bite even more. Speckled Trout action is still very good inside the Elizabeth River. Lynnhaven Inlet and Little Creek are still producing good fish. Mirrorlures continue to be the preferred bait. Tautog action also remains good on lower bay structures.
Ocean: Flounder and Seabass are still available on offshore wrecks. Sizable catches are being made of both species. Catches of Wahoo and Yellowfin Tuna are being made from charter boats out of Hatteras. Catches of Specked Trout are still happening inside Rudee Inlet. Tilefish, Rosefish, Seabass, and Grouper are available to deep droppers.
Freshwater Rivers: The upper James Smallmouth bite has been very good lately, however, river levels may not be conducive for fishing this weekend, as the Westham gauge is currently at 10.33’. The lower James has been a great place for Catfish, Stripers and Crappie, but again, the high water may reduce catches of Stripers and Crappie this weekend. Keep an eye on river levels. The Chickahominy River is fishing excellent and should be a good choice this weekend. Rattletraps and jigs are working good for Bass.
Freshwater Lakes: Lake Anna Stripers are increasingly active as water temps range from 50-56 degrees from mid-lake to up-lake. Live bait presentations are very effective, but if you prefer to cast, swim baits and silver buddys are taking quality fish also. 13.31lbs(5-fish) won the Winter Series Tx out of Sturgeon Creek this past weekend, and 12.89lbs was second.
Smaller lakes like Sandy River and Swift Creek Reservoirs have been a good option for both Bass and Crappie. Some remarkable catches of bass have come from Sandy lately.
Freshwater Ponds: Local ponds have been fishing better for Crappie than Bass lately, for whatever reason. Chartreuse pepper grubs have been outstanding.