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

Date: 8/20/10

Chesapeake Bay:  The Cobia bite is perhaps the hottest action right now.  Many anglers are sight fishing from boat towers.  Once fish are spotted, live bait such as eels, Bunker, and Croaker can be cast in front of these fish.  Bucktails with squid strips and Gulp! baits also work well.  The CBBT islands and pilings are a good place to try along with shoal areas like Latimer.  A few boaters are still targeting Spadefish by fishing structures with clam baits on a hook and line, and others are spear fishing for Spades.  Flounder anglers are also enjoying a fantastic bite especially for bigger fish.  The structures of the CBBT have been reliable, along with the Cell and Back River Reef.  Flounder rigs with squid strips, bucktails with Jerk Shads and live bait like Spot, are the main presentations Spanish Mackerel are still available through out the Bay, but more productive areas have been Windmill Point Bar, Reedville and the mouth of the Potomac River.  Nice sized Croaker are still being caught at West Point, the CBBT and Colonial Beach.

Ocean:  Amberjack are readily available at the South Towers.  Drop live Croaker or other bait fish and hang on.  Michael Williams of Richmond was casting a Gulp! shrimp at Rudee Inlet and caught a 40lb. Black Drum.  Spot inhabit Rudee Inlet area, Croaker are there too.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports a lot of White Marlin from offshore boats.  Also, Dolphin and Wahoo were caught.  Inshore boats report Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel and Flounder.  From the piers, Spot and some Triggerfish up to 2lbs., Sea Mullet, Spot and Pompano are being caught.

Freshwater Rivers:  The Potomac River is still producing good catches of Bass by punching grass mats and throwing grass frogs.  The tidal James River and Chickahominy River have been putting out bigger than average limits of Bass.  The Upper James River was low and clear before the rain we had this week.  Keep an eye on the river levels as good fishing should resume soon.  Yamamoto grubs, top water baits and Senkos always seem to produce for Smallies.

Freshwater Lakes:  We had a very good report from a Mechanicsville angler from Kerr Lake.  He had 4 good days in a row with Bass up to 7lbs.  It’s good to hear about better fishing from Kerr.  At Lake Anna, people are catching Stripers early on top waters and trolling Red Fins.  Bass fishing has been average with shakey heads, big Texas rigged worms and deep cranks producing best.

Freshwater Ponds:  Bass have really turned on at local ponds.  Buzz baits and other top water lures are outstanding.  Senkos and Texas rigged worms are good options also.

Date: 8/5/2010

Chesapeake Bay:  Flounder fishing took off this past week in the lower bay, especially at the bridge tunnel.  The number of keepers really increased.  Gary Atwell of Mechanicsville, Captain of the Reel Hoos vessel, limited out for all on board with an 8lb, 10 oz. big fish.  Bucktails with jerk shads were the hot ticket.  Cobia fishing also increased this past week.  Jess Cadwallender of Richmond had four very nice fish – three between 30 & 40, and one 60lb. + fish.  He was fishing the west side of the bay near Sunset Marina.  There’s also been a report of a 100lb. + fish from the 4^th island.  Numerous catches of Triggerfish are being had at the CBBT, along with many catches of Sheepshead.  There’s still good spot fishing on the Rappahannock.  Around Waterview Windmill Bar produced a lot of Spanish Mackerel over the weekend.  The mouth of the Potomac has also produced good mackerel action.

Ocean:  The Amberjack bite at the South Tower is almost guaranteed.  Chesapeake Light Tower has also produced for these brute fish.  The ocean side of the Eastern Shore has been frequented by Tarpon this week.  Red Drum are also being encountered.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited reports Bluefish, Spot and Croaker from the Outer Banks Pier.  Spanish Mackerel and bluefish were reported from inshore boats and surf fishermen.  There have been big schools of Red Drum sighted from the piers and along the beaches.  Offshore boats reported White Marlin, Sailfish, Blue Marlin and a few Dolphin.

Freshwater Rivers:  Grass fogs and punching mats are the top producers on the Potomac River.  16 to 18lbs. has been the average weights for winning weekly TX’s.  Bass fishing on the James has been fair to good this week, with topwaters and crankbaits producing better results.  The Upper James is always a fun place to fish and cool off at the same time.  Yamamoto grubs and topwaters are good lures, and live bait will catch anything in the river, especially Flatheads.

Freshwater Lakes:  Kerr Lake elevation is 298.20.  The fishing has been tough here for a while.  The down lake region has been more productive.  Topwaters and big worms have been the most reliable.  Lake Anna has been tough also.  12lbs. has been the winning weight lately.

Local Ponds:  Sandy River Res is a good option right now.  Big worms, topwaters and deep crankbaits are the ticket.  Texas rigged worms and buzzbaits are good bets in small ponds, and senkos are always a good option.

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.

Date: 7/22/10

Chesapeake Bay:  Croaker are still biting at West Point, the James River Bridge and the mouth of the Corrotoman River.  Flounder anglers are still catching nice stringers from Buoy 42, the Cell and the CBBT.  Strips of squid on Flounder rigs and Jerk Shads on buck tails are the top presentations.  Spadefish are also biting at the CBBT, along with Plantation Light and the Cell.  Red Drum are still hanging around the Eastern Shore, especially Fisherman’s Island.  Many fish over 46” were caught and released this past week.  Chumming has been working well for these fish as well as for Cobia.

Ocean:  Rudee Inlet has been a good place for Spot lately.  Spanish Mackerel are still being caught at Cape Henry.  Keep an eye out on the ocean side of the Eastern Shore for Tarpon.  Offshore boats out of Virginia Beach are reporting some nice Yellowfin Tuna and some Bluefin Tuna.  The deep drop bite for Tilefish, Rosefish and Grouper is still strong if you’re willing to fish very deep- 300’ to 900’.

Freshwater Rivers:  Jim Sutton and Jim Whitman won the Fishers of Men tournament on the James River out of Osbourne Landing this past weekend with 15lbs.  This is a good winning weight for this time of year.  The Chickahominy River is also fishing well.  The tidal James River and the Chickahominy River are also good places to fish for giant Blue Catfish.  The catfish bite is very fun for all and is also good training for young anglers to learn to land big fish.  The Pamunkey River and the Mattaponi River are also fishing well for Bass and Catfish.  On the Potomac River, 17lbs won a Bass tournament this past weekend.  Swim baits, punch baits and grass frogs are very good right now.

Freshwater Lakes:  Kerr Lake elevation is 298.70’ right now.  Fishing has been tough here for quite some time.  Shakey heads have been the most reliable.  Deep crank baits and football jigs are also working.  Lake Anna Bass are in the same patter here as Kerr.  Stripers are stil being caught by trolling Red Fins and live bait on down lures.  Sandy River is fishing good right now, probably better than most lakes in the state.

Freshwater Ponds:  Young Austin Rose of Goochland caught a beautiful 9lb 3oz Bass on 7/21/10 on a grub.  Gabe Beverly caught a 22” and a 23” Bass on back to back casts with a spinner bait this week.  So, don’t let the hot weather keep you from fishing this weekend!!

Date: 7/15/10

Chesapeake Bay:  Flounder anglers are having good success from many places around the Bay. Craig Slack of Mechanicsville had fish up to 24” at Buoy 42.  Drifting live bait and squid strips on Flounder rigs are good, as well as bucktails with Jerk Shads.  The Bay Bridge Tunnel, the Cell and Back River Reef have been good also.  Nice Croaker catches have been coming from Point Lookout and between Smith Point and Tangier Island.  Several customers report fish 16” to 18” from these areas.  The Rappahannock has been good around Urbanna.  The York River is another good body of water to catch Croaker.  These same areas that are holding Croaker are holding Spot as well.  The CBBT, Cell and Chesapeake Light Tower have been producing nice catches of Spadefish.  Clam is the bait of choice.  Red Drum are hanging around the CBBT also.  There’s still some Cobia being caught from the shoals near the Eastern Shore.  Cut bait still seems to be most productive.

Ocean:  Spanish Mackerel action is increasing, especially around Cape Henry.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports good catches of Spot and Croaker from the Outer Banks Pier and the little bridge in Manteo.  Inshore boats are catching mostly Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish.  Offshore boats are scoring well with Dolphin and a few Tuna. 

Freshwater Rivers:  18lbs won a weekend Bass tournament on the Potomac River.  Punching mats of grass with heavy weights, swim baits and grass frogs are all productive.  16lbs won a weekend Bass tournament on the Lower James recently.  Top waters, crank baits and soft plastics are staples.  Also biting strong on the James are the Blue Catfish.  Night fishing is by far the better bite.  The James River offers many angling opportunities for many different species.  One can stay within the city limits and catch both Large and Smallmouth Bass, 3 species of Catfish, Gar, Carp and many others.  The Upper James level is 3.72’ at the Westham Gauge.  This is still a great level for wade fishing.

Freshwater Lakes:  Trolling Red Fins for Stripers at Lake Anna is still productive.  Live baits is reliable as always.  Bass are responding to deep cranks, shakey heads and big Texas rigged worms.  The elevation at Kerr Reservoir is 299.16’.  Crank baits and Texas rigged worms are working here also.  A big spoon is a good lure to have ready for any lake.

Freshwater Ponds:  Big top water lures, soft plastics and buzz baits are taking quality Bass mostly at night and first thing in the morning.  Big worms are also productive both day and night.

Date:  7/9/10

Chesapeake Bay:  The Flounder bite has increased greatly with the hot weather that has settled in.  Many fish over 22 inches have been caught at the CBBT.  Bucktails with Jerk Shads are producing very well, along with drifting live bait.  Other paces worth trying are Back River Reef and the Cell.  Green Top customers report excellent Cobia action right now. Live bait such as eels and Spot work well.  Cut bait has been producing more fish lately.  We’ve heard of a few fish at Windmill Bar, along with the regular hot spots like York Spit and Bluefish Rock.  Spade fish catches have increased at the Cell, the CBBT and Chesapeake Light Tower.  Most people use clam chum and a small piece of clam on a #4 hook.  West Point has been the best area for the biggest Croaker lately.  The Rappahannock River has been steady in the areas of Urbanna and Waterview.  Squid and Bloodworms have been working best for both Croaker and Spot.

Ocean:  The Spanish Mackerel bite is increasing at Cape Henry and inshore at Nags Head.  Dolphin have been very plentiful out of Hatteras and Nags Head.  Rudee Inlet is a god option for small boats that want to catch lots of fish.  Spot and Croaker have showed up.  Increased catches of Amberjack are making headlines also.

Freshwater Rivers:  The Potomac River remains the place to be for Largemouth Bass fishing.  Senkos, Swimming Senkos, and other swim baits are hot righ now.  Grass frogs are also procducing fish.  The James River and the Chickahominy River are other tidal water options.  Wood structure and pad banks are normally the places to be.  Reports have been very good from the Pamunkey River also.  The Blue Catfish bite is still outstanding, especially at night.  Wading for Smallmouth Bass and Flathead Catfish is a fun way to cool off and catch fish at the same time.  The river level at the Westham Gauge is 3.40’.

Freshwater Lakes:  Bugg’s Island elevation is 299.19’.  Current reports have the Bass following schools of baitfish out in open water.  A spoon is a good lure to have on at all times  Stripers are reported to be in the Goat Island area.  Lake Anna Stripers are still responding to trolled Redfins and live bait in the Sturgeon Creek area.  Keep a spoon on and ready for both Bass and Stripers.

Freshwater Ponds:  Big 10” worms and buzzbaits are responsible for the biggest catches of Bass lately.  Wacky rigged Senkos are still working also.  Crappie seem a bit slow, but a 2” Powerbait Grub always seems to work.

Date: 7/2/10

Chesapeake Bay:  Flounder anglers are enjoying consistent action for keepers at the CBBT.  Buoy 42 and the Cell have been good also.  A few 9lb fish have been reported.  Cobia fishing remains very good at Bluefish Rock, York Spit Light and the shoal areas in the lower Bay.  Sight casting with eels and bucktails are great, along with fresh cut bait.  The Croaker and Spot bite is still good on the Rappahannock near Urbanna and Waterview.  West Point on the York River has been consistent for better sized Croaker, along with the James River Bridge.  Action for Spadefish has increased at Wolftrap Light, Chesapeake Light Tower and the CBBT.  Red and Black Drum are still providing plenty of action at the CBBT and the Eastern Shore.

Ocean:  Cape Henry is producing Spanish Mackerel up to 24 inches.  Offshore boats are catching Bluefin Tuna, a lot of Dolphin and a few Blue Marlin.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports big Croaker and big Spot at the little bridge in Manteo.  Inshore boats report Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel and Flounder.  A few Sailfish were also caught by offshore boats out of Nags Head.

Freshwater Rivers:  22lbs (5 fish) won a weekend Bass tournament on the Potomac River last weekend.  Flipping grass mats, top water frogs are the 2 main presentations.  On the James River, wood structures usually produce bigger fish during the hot months.  Pad banks will also produce fish.  Creature baits, such as the Sweet Beaver, have been hot on the Chickahominy River.  The Upper James is low and clear (3.59’) at the Richmond Westham gauge.  Top water baits, super flukes, and grubs are the stand by’s.  A lot of customers report very large Blue catfish from the Lower James (we’ve had reports of 80lb fish this week!).  Most people use cut shad or eels.

Freshwater Lakes:  The lake elevation at Kerr is 299.48’.  Cranks and heavy Texas rigged worms usually produce better fish in the hotter months.  Running up the rivers is an option, but this can be dangerous at any level.  At Lake Anna, trolling Redfins has been very productive for keeper Stripers.  For Bass, Texas rigs, Carolina rigs and deep cranks are staples along with the shakey head jig.

Freshwater Ponds:  A big 10” worm produced a 23” lunker Bass for Gabe Beverly at Green Top.  Night fishing is a good option to beat the heat.  Buss baits can be very exciting at night!

Date: 6/25/10

Chesapeake Bay:  Some very nice Croaker are coming from the West Point area of the York River.  Other productive areas are Waterview and Urbanna on the Rapahannock, Colonial Beach and the James River Bridge.  Cobia anglers are enjoying success in the Hampton area: Gandview and Buckroe Beach.  Latimer shoal off the Eastern Shore has been good also.  Sight casting with bucktails and eels is popular, along with chumming and fish finder rigs with cut bait or live bait.  Decent catches of Flounder are coming from Oyster, Kiptopeke, the CBBT and the Cell.  Drifting minnows with squid strips work well.  We’ve heard of a few Spadefish being caught at Wolftrap Light and the Bridge Tunnel.  Big Red Drum are still being caught at and near Fisherman’s Island. Crabs and peelers crabs are the top bait.  While fishing in Mobjack Bay, Craig Slack of Mechanicsville encountered Croaker, Speckled Trout, Flounder and lots of pesky sand sharks.

Ocean:  Spanish Mackerel are being caught at the Va Beach Oceanfront around Cape Henry.  Seabass are hitting on offshore wrecks.  Dolphin are biting very well out of Nags Head and Hatteras.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports Spot, Croaker and Sheepshead at the little bridge in Manteo, Black Drum and Pompano in the surf.  Offshore boats out of Hatteras report numbers of Sailfish, along with many Dolphin.  Inshore boats report Cobia and Spanish Mackerel.

Freshwater Rivers:  19lbs won a recent tournament on the Potomac River.  Grass frogs and flipping to grass clumps and mats are the ticket.  Wood structure is the ticket on the Lower James and Chickahominy.  Pad banks can also be good.  The big Blue Catfish have very large appetites in the hot weather.  Whole live Shad often produce the biggest fish.  Cut bait such as Eels are a good choice also.  The Upper James is low and clear currently and the level and the Richmond Westham gauge is 3.91’.  Top water baits, Yamamoto grubs and live bait will hook up with Smallmouth Bass.

Freshwater Lakes:  Trolling for Stripers is still productive at Lake Anna.  There’s also an early morning top water bite.  Bass are also responding to top water baits, along with shakey head worms and Texas rigged worms.  Deep diving crank baits are productive also.   The level at Kerr is 299.92’.  Top water lures on long points and shoals are working.  Texas rigged worms and cranks are catching quality fish also.

Freshwater Ponds:  Senkos are fooling quality Bass from area ponds and small waters.  Buzz baits are working well also.  Crappie and Bluegill fishing is still steady on small grubs and live bait.

Date: 6/11/10

Chesapeake Bay:  Stripers are still being caught at the bridge tunnel, mostly on live bait and peelers.  Croaker are biting at Colonial Beach, Willoughby Spit, Urbanna and Waterview, and West Point.  Squid, shrimp, bloodworms and artificial bloodworms are all good baits to use.  Anglers are targeting Spadefish once again, on wrecks and other structures in the Bay.  Chesapeake Light Tower and the Cell are the main spots.  Cobia are increasing in the Lower Bay.  Anglers are sight casting with bucktails and live eels.  Cut bait and live bait is working well also.  Fish up to 69lbs have been reported.  Red and Black Drum are providing plenty of action at the Eastern Shore and the CBBT.  Crabs are working best.  There’s a Speckled Trout bite going on in Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet.  Lynnhaven Inlet has also been giving up a few nice Flounder.  Other good areas that are starting to produce are the Cell and the bridge tunnel.

Ocean:  Sea Bass are being caught on structures and wrecks; use minnows and cut bait.  Deep dropping for Grouper, Tile fish and Rose fish is still a good option.  Garry Oliver of Fishing Unlimited in Nags Head reports a lot of Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel from the Outer Banks Pier.  Big numbers of Speckled Trout, Spot and Croaker from the little bridge in Manteo.  At Oregon Inlet, quite a few Cobia are being caught from inshore boats.  Offshore boats report Billfish and good numbers of Yellowfin Tuna and Dolphin.

Freshwater Rivers:  20lbs won a weekend tournament on the Potomac River.  The grass frog bite is increasing.  Flipping jigs and plastics are producing well also.  The James River catfish bite is non-stop; fresh cut shad and live eels and herring are the best baits.  Bass fishing has been fair to good, mostly flippin to wood and using square billed crank baits.

Freshwater Lakes:  Trolling is a good option for schooling Stripers.  Red Fins and DD-222’s work well also.  Bass are responding to top waters, shakey heads and Carolina rigs.  Kerr Lake elevation is 301.41’ currently.  Football jigs, Carolina rigs and crank baits are catching limits of Bass.  A few big fish have fallen to 10” worms Texas rigged.  Briery Creek and Sandy River Res. are putting out good fish on a regular basis.  Texas rigged worms, top waters and super flukes are good choices.

Freshwater Ponds:  David Madison of Green Top caught a 22.5” Largemouth Bass while on his lunch break this week.  He was using a wacky rigged Senko.  Buzz baits are catching quite a few big fish also.  Johnny Woody of Chesterfield scored a 6.5lb beauty on an S&W buzzbait.