Date: 8/26/11

Chesapeake Bay:  The Cobia bite is still quite good in the lower bay and oceanfront. Anglers are mostly cruising the CBBT pilings looking for targets to cast bucktails, live Spot, Menhaden, and Eels. Schools have also been seen in many areas by those fishing for Flounder.  It’s a good idea to keep a Cobia rod rigged and ready to go. Many species are on the move, like Red Drum. Large schools of Drum can be seen from long distances, for instance Steve Lane of Goochland recently caught a 50 inch drum while searching for Cobia. He was fishing with Mike Campbell. Gary Attwell of Mech. was jigging for Flounder, and caught a 46 inch Red Drum. Flounder fishing has been outstanding the last few weeks, and the month of September is typically best for the biggest flounder of the year. The CCBT, Back River Reef and the buoy 42 area have all been excellent. The HRBT has also been a consistent producer of Flounder. Windmill Bar is still producing good catches of Spanish Mackerel. Mackerel are also being caught around the CCBT. Spot and Croaker are being caught all over the Bay, but better areas have been the Rappahannock River, and the York River.  The Speckled Trout bite is increasing in areas like Mobjack Bay, Lynn Haven Inlet, and Poquoson Flats. This bite should continue in increase in months to come.

Ocean:  Schools of Red Drum and Cobia can be found cruising in ocean waters from Cape Henry, and just south of Rudee Inlet. A few Spot are starting to show up in Rudee Inlet.  Recent reports have been slow due to the oncoming hurricane. Hopefully the damage will be minimal and our thoughts go out to those in Coastal areas, as well as all those affected by this oncoming storm.

Freshwater Rivers:  Conditions will likely change over the next few days, however, the lower James has been producing excellent catches of Blue Catfish. Bass fishing have been fair to good this week, with the best bites being on soft plastics and crank baits. A small spinner bait has been working well also. On the Potomac River a jig is perhaps the most consistent producer of Bass, but a Top-water frog is the most exciting.  There’s still a good hard cover bite in DC. The upper James remains good for Flathead Catfish, and Smallmouth Bass. Many are using live Goldfish for Flatheads.  The river level at the Richmond Westham Gauge is 3.74, low and clear. At this level, live bait is usually your best option for Smallmouth Bass.

Freshwater Lakes:  The Kerr lake elevation is 297.14 currently. Deep water presentations are generally more stable at this level. Crank baits, Texas rigs, and Carolina rigs are producing in rocky areas. Catfish anglers are also faring well at Kerr Lake. A jigging spoon has been productive at Kerr, and Lake Anna, but live bait is still producing the biggest fish. Look for smaller lakes such as Swift Creek Reservoir , Briery Creek, and Sandy River Reservoir for more consistent catches of Bass. The oncoming hurricane should raise water levels significantly thus improving catches.

Date: 8/19/11

Chesapeake Bay:  This week has been outstanding for Cobia. We weighed in a very nice 71lber just Wed. night. Vance and Mickey Hopkins went out with Tony Horseley Wed and caught 12 Cobia, and reported seeing over 100 fish! The bridge tunnel has been a good area, and so has the Baltimore Channel. Most are using bucktails, but live Spot, Menhaden, and Eels have been dynamite. Another species that’s quite abundant in the lower bay is the Red Drum. Large and small schools are being encountered by many, especially those seeking Cobia. The same baits being used for Cobia are working well for the Drum. The Flounder action has been remarkable lately. These fish are being caught more widely throughout the bay. The Cell has been very productive, as has the CBBT, 36A, and   Back River Reef. Anglers that are jigging seem to be catching more fish, but drifting strip baits and live bait offerings are working for big fish. Some nice Speckled Trout were caught from  Mobjack Bay this past week, and  Lynnhaven Inlet is still giving up a few. Croaker and Spot are abundant throughout the bay and it’s tributaries. Reef areas have been consistent for good catches of Croaker lately. Spanish Mackerel are common throughout the lower bay and oceanfront. As usual, trolled spoons are a staple for targeting these fish.

Ocean:  As mentioned earlier, Spanish Mackerel are a common catch at the Va. Beach oceanfront. The seaside of the Eastern shore is  still good for Croaker, and although quiet, Tarpon catches are still being had. Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports good action from the Outer Banks Pier, including Bluefish, Pompano, Spot and some decent Croaker. Brooke Philpy and son of Mechanicsville, scored some very  impressive  catches of Red Drum from the Nags Head area. Offshore boats are still catching Dolphin, Yellowfin Tuna, and Wahoo.

Freshwater Rivers:  The Potomac River continues to provide excellent catches of Bass from the grass and hard cover. The frog bite is very strong still, but the jig bite never seems to go away. On the James River, worms and crankbaits seem to be the top two. Ringworms are a local favorite. Chris Eberwein reports an excellent week of catfishing this week, with 6 fish over 60 lbs. Chris is a very knowledgeable guide. The upper James has come up a bit, making for more favorable conditions. Yamamoto grubs are a staple here, along with small topwater baits like the Rico. The days are getting shorter, and river fish seem to react quicker to the changing conditions.

Freshwater Lakes:  Kerr Lake elevation is 297.64 at the present time. The lower water conditions typically call for deeper presentations with crankbaits, Texas rigs , and Carolina rigs. However , a good shallow cover bite exists up the main tributaries, such as the Staunton River, Dan River, and the Hyco River. As the fall season nears, this bite will increase significantly. The same holds true for other lakes such as Anna and Smith. Stripers will also make their migration routes up-river, but for now they are holding in the mid-lake areas. Live bait has been best. Smaller bodies of water will change over quicker, so be aware of the changes going on. Don’t be afraid  to try very shallow patterns such as a buzzbait or a baby minus. A hard swimbait such as a Sebile magic swimmer is a worthy choice, especially on a windy afternoon.

Date: 8/12/11

Chesapeake Bay:  Cobia are numerous throughout the lower bay. Anglers are reporting both big and small schools roaming on both sides of the bay. A monstrous 101 lber was caught just last week. Many 40lb+ fish are common. Sight casting is by far, the most productive. Live Spot has been outstanding. Flounder is another species that is wide open right now. A Green Top customer reported 16 keepers from the Cell last week, with 3 fish over 24 inches. He was jigging bucktails, with both Gulp baits and fresh strip bait. Buoy 42 and the area of 36a have produced well, as has the CBBT. Nice Red Drum  catches are still being made in the lower bay also. They are mainly being made encounted by Cobia seekers. Spot and Croaker are everywhere it seems, but large Croaker have been scarce this year. Better catches seem to  be coming from the Rappahannack. Spanish Mackerel are biting good and very popular right now. They are also being encounted throughout the bay. Clark spoons and Drone spoons are perhaps the most popular, but Tony Acetta spoons work also.

Ocean:  The offshore bite for White Marlin should be very busy this weekend, with the full moon upon us on the 13^th. There’s many species to be had offshore right now, Dolphin, Yellowfin Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, and even some Sailfish. Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited reports good Speckled Trout fishing at the little bridge in Manteo. From the piers, there’s been a very good bite for Bluefish, Spot, and Pompano. A few Cobia are being reported from inshore boats.

Freshwater Rivers:  Many are heading to the Potomac River for outstanding Bass fishing. The hard cover bite up north in D.C. has been very consistent. Blue Plains and the Spoils have also been recent hot spots. The grass bite is more popular, but it is also widespread, making northern waters with hard cover more concentrated. The lower James is a good option for big Smallmouth. If you seek numbers of fish, 4 and 5 inch grubs are hard to beat. A buzzbait has been good very early.

Freshwater Lakes:  A shaky head jig is still the most consistent producer for Bass at Lake Anna, but a deep crank is also worth tying on. A Kerr and Gaston, deep cranks are the go-to baits for finding limits. The Stripers at Kerr seem to be holding around the Goat Island area. Swift Creek Reservoir and Sandy River Reservoir have been good to local and frequent anglers lately.

Date: 7/15/11

Chesapeake Bay:  The Flounder bite has improved with the onset of hot weather. Anglers are enjoying good success at place like the CBBT, Back River Reef, Plantation Light, and The Cell. Many are using jigs tipped with Gulp! Jerk Shads and fresh strip baits. Live bait on 3 way rigs is good also – Spadefish are available at the CBBT, but The Cell has produced limits lately. Croaker are pretty much available everywhere, but the bigger fish are harder to find this season. The Spot bite has been off this year as well, but they should make a big showing any day now. Another species slow to improve is the Cobia. A few fish have been caught by sight fishermen near the bridge tunnel and Latimer Shoals, but most are awaiting a big spike in the action.

Ocean:  The seaside of the Eastern Shore has seen quite a few boats lately. Many are targeting Tarpon, which have been spotted recently. Croaker seem to be numerous in the area of Oyster, making them good bait for the Tarpon. Spanish Mackerel are mostly being reported at Cape Henry. Rudee Inlet is providing action for Spot, Flounder, and Bluefish. Offshore boats from both VA Beach and North Carolina are seeing food catches of Yellowfin and Big Eye Tuna. Nags Head charter boats are reporting increased action for Billfish and Wahoo.

Freshwater Rivers:  Congratulations to Kelly Pratt of Williamsburg for his impressive win in the Bassmaster Open on the James River out of Osbourne Landing. Many participants reported catching fish on finesse warms and crank baits. Huge Blue Catfish are being caught frequently on the tidal rivers, mostly at night. An 80lber was caught late last week. On the Upper James, top water baits, Yamamoto grubs and Senkos are catching food numbers of Smallmouth. Many are targeting Flathead Catfish by using Goldfish and live Bluegills. Big smallmouth and Flatheads are readily available inside the city limits of Richmond. The Potomac River is still producing great bags of Bass. Grass patterns are the top producers.

Freshwater Lakes:  Lake Anna Stripers are biting very well on live Herring in the Splits area. Many are returning back to the Marinas by 12 noon. Deep diving crank baits, shaky head worms, and top water baits are tops for Bass. Kerr Lake elevation is 299.7 ft. The same baits are working at Kerr are working at Anna. Many smaller lakes in the area, such as Sandy River Reservoir, Swift Creek Reservoir and Briery Creek are fishing very well; especially Swift Creek. Shaky heads have been outstanding.

Freshwater Ponds:  Top waters and big Texas rigged worms are taking the best Bass in local ponds. Weedless grass frogs have been especially good this week. Panfish are usually a sure bet for excellent table fare. Fish fries are a great summer time event.