CATCHES OF THE WEEK Amberjack releases
- Patrick Lewis, Chesapeake, 55 and 70 inches. South Tower.
- David Ross Jr., Chesapeake, 55 and 60 inches. South Tower.
- Chris Vitovich, Virginia Beach, 55 inches. South Tower.
- Christy Vu, Chesapeake, 55.5 inches. South Tower.
Blue marlin release
- Bryan Austin, Virginia Beach, off Virginia Beach.
White marlin release
- Scott Wade, Chesapeake, off Virginia Beach.
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 9, 2012
The tarpon is a fish most anglers venture far south to do battle with. Waters of the tropics from Key West to South America are far more productive for tarpon than those of northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.
But since we are at the northern-most stretch of this spectacular game fish's range, there is a limited fishery that takes place during the hottest months of the summer.
At one time, it was highly-secretive fishery with just a handful of guides taking only their most-trusted clients into the backwaters of the barrier islands of the Eastern Shore to give tarpon a try.
This summer fishery in Virginia now is well-known. But it still gets very limited pressure because catches remain rare. Landing a Virginia tarpon is a very big deal because not many people do it. Even fewer tell anybody when they do.
The one thing you can count on while fishing for a tarpon on the Eastern Shore is a good chance of doing battle with big shark.
Along the coast, sight-casters looking for cobia or red drum sometimes happen across a tarpon or two as the fish migrate north. The Silver King also is spotted - and sometimes caught - by anglers working ocean-side piers. Tarpon also have been caught in the sounds of the Outer Banks.
Wherever you encounter one - either on the Eastern Shore, the Outer Banks or somewhere in the Caribbean - landing a Silver King is supposed to be the thrill of an angling lifetime.
FORECAST
Hampton Roads
Near-shore wrecks have been producing excellent numbers of flounder, triggerfish, sea bass and some spadefish the past couple of weeks, allowing anglers a variety of choices in one location. Expect amberjack to pop up at many of these locations.
Out in blue water, dolphin and tuna catches have been pretty good. Billfish, wahoo and shark are joining in. Deep-drop bottom-bouncers working the Norfolk Canyon have been experiencing excellent blueline tilefish action.
Along the coast, the most productive catches have come by trolling for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Anglers also have been getting in on exciting light-tackle action for an abundance of blacktip shark. Keep a rig ready for cobia or red drum that can show at any time. There is a slim chance of a king mackerel.
The big news in the lower Chesapeake Bay is an abundance of small puppy drum that are showing from the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to Rudee Inlet. Lynnhaven Inlet has been a hot spot the past few weeks. Most of these fish, however, are measuring less than the 18- to 26-inch slot limit and must be released. Even so, they are a blast on ultra-light tackle. Most are being caught on peanut bunker (tiny menhaden).
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel continues to produce good catches of flounder and sheepshead, with anglers also finding spadefish, triggerfish, black drum, red drum and cobia.
Eastern Shore
Flounder are the top choice along the peninsula, with fish available from Oyster all the way around to the Cell. Many areas in between have been productive lately. Also look for flatfish around many inshore wrecks and artificial reefs.
Croaker numbers have been on the rise around Oyster.
Tarpon and shark can be found in the backwater areas of the barrier islands.
Look for cobia and red drum to pop up just about anywhere. Spadefish and triggerfish should be available around many navigational structures and buoys.
Anglers traveling to the Washington Canyon and the 26-Mile Hill have found good numbers of dolphin and tuna, with a few wahoo and billfish mixed in. As always, shark will show.
Outer Banks
Dolphin are plentiful out of both Oregon and Hatteras inlets. Bluewater trollers also are finding scattered tuna, wahoo, shark and billfish.
Offshore wrecks and weather structures are holding amberjack, triggerfish and sea bass.
Along the coast, sight-casters continue to find some cobia and red drum. Trollers can expect plenty of Spanish mackerel and bluefish, but should keep an eye out for king mackerel. Shark - especially blacktip - also are plentiful along the coast.
Anglers working the inlets are finding good numbers of flounder, along with bluefish, trout and puppy drum.
Speckled trout and puppy drum are the top choices in the sounds. But flounder-gigging at night has been productive. And clammers are returning with full coolers.
Pier and surf
Action on most fronts has been provided mostly by small stuff, and catches usually are best at night.
Cary Jarvis at Oceanview reports that there has been lots of action from big ribbonfish (cutlassfish) at night. This strange-looking fish with the fierce set of teeth is supposedly good to eat. Croaker also are on the menu at most piers. Also expect some spot, small flounder and a few pigfish. At ocean piers, catches are much the same, but with an exception of the possibility of cobia, king mackerel, red drum or tarpon.
Along the Outer Banks, chances for the bigger species are much better. But most catches have consisted of croaker, spot, flounder, sea mullet, pompano, bluefish, trout and puppy drum. Big shark will show from time to time.
Freshwater
Recent heavy rains likely have freshened up most freshwater lakes, ponds and tidal streams. And this time of year, that usually spells an increase in largemouth bass action because waters are at their seasonal hottest and the rain helps them cool.
In fact, if you have the chance to bass fish during heavy rain, the action can be outstanding - especially on small farm ponds.
Otherwise, fish early and late - including at night - for bass.
Bluegill and shellcracker still can be found along most shorelines, but give the deeper ones a try. If the fish you are catching are small, back off into deeper water and bottom- bounce worms and crickets to find bigger fish.
Look for catfish in deep holes.
And look for white perch around duck blinds in the sounds and Back Bay.
Lee Tolliver, 757-222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com
