By Lee Tolliver
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 31, 2012While flounder action has been outstanding in Eastern Shore barrier-island backwaters for several weeks, it's about time for quality fishing to crank up inside the lower Chesapeake Bay.
Anglers have been boating more and more fish topping 5 pounds along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Big flatties also are being found along channel edges and rubble piles inside the Bay. Artificial reefs and wrecks throughout the Bay and along the coast are other places to look for summer flounder.
This species has long been a favorite with local anglers and visitors. The spring fishery along the southern Eastern Shore is a huge boon to the area's tourism industry.
In fact, the flounder is rivaled only by the striped bass when it comes to recreational angling economic impact in Virginia.
Anglers spend millions of dollars each year targeting flatfish.
And with good reason.
Flounder usually are abundant and eager to participate. The species also is a powerful fighter, turning its flat body against the pressure and giving an angler a good game of tug-o-war.
And when it comes to table fare, who doesn't love a piece of grilled or fried flounder? Or better yet, a filet stuffed with Chesapeake Bay crabmeat doused with butter and Old Bay, then cooked under the broiler.
When it comes to flounder, it doesn't get any better than that.
And southeastern Virginia provides plenty of opportunity.
Action could be slow for a few days because of muddy water caused by runoff from recent heavy rains. But once waters clear, catches could be outstanding.
FORECAST
Hampton Roads
If weather patterns would ever stabilize, fishing opportunities will be outstanding on just about all fronts as more species migrate into local waters.
Striped bass along the CBBT and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel have been the most consistent of all species currently available. Make sure to check state regulations on limits.
Red-drum numbers have been good, especially around shoals near the mouth of the Bay. Don't hesitate to work coastal waters for fish moving north. There, anglers also are liable to find some of the first cobia. A few fish have moved into the Bay, but the best is yet to come.
Anglers working the CBBT for flounder and red drum also have encountered the season's first sheepshead. Again, things are just getting started.
Commercial netters have encountered a few spadefish, and spearfishermen have confirmed their arrival. Waters still are too cold for rod and reel action, however.
Look for good numbers of croaker around the mouths of rivers leading into the Bay. And some small spot have been caught along Ocean View and from the first island of the CBBT.
The inlets are holding croaker, small spot, flounder, bluefish and a few speckled trout.
Amberjack have started to show around some offshore structures, especially locations like the Navy towers.
Bluewater action is on the rise, with more yellowfin tuna, dolphin, wahoo and billfish showing along warm water eddies near the Norfolk Canyon. Bottom-bouncers also can find plenty of tilefish, grouper and sea bass.
Eastern Shore
Red drum and flounder continue to provide the best opportunities.
Flounder are hitting in most barrier island backwaters, with some of the best catches coming from around Wachapreague and Oyster. Some speckled trout and croaker could be caught around Oyster.
Red drum numbers are outstanding along the breakers of southern barrier islands, especially around Smith and Fisherman's islands.
Anglers also have been catching flounder and some sea mullet from around the Concrete Ships at Kiptopeke.
Black drum are running along the channel from the CBBT to Cape Charles, but catches have been slow.
Outer Banks
The highlight along the islands has been the inshore run of big cobia. Sightcasters have been enjoying outstanding action. Anglers also continue to encounter schools of red drum.
Bluefish, Spanish mackerel and shark also are available.
Bluewater trollers are finding a mixed bag of tuna, dolphin, wahoo and increasing numbers of billfish out of both inlets.
The inlets and sounds have been holding puppy drum, speckled trout, gray trout, small black drum, bluefish, sea mullet and flounder. A few sheepshead also have been caught.
Pier and surf
Lots of small stuff is showing along the beaches of both states.
In Virginia, it's been croaker, bluefish, flounder, sea mullet and a few spot. Along the Oceanfront, some big red drum and cobia are possible.
Added to the mix along the Outer Banks are pompano, blow toads, Spanish mackerel and shark. But most beaches are closed and just what will be open after the passing of Beryl is anybody's guess.
Freshwater
Tidal waters throughout Virginia and North Carolina likely are dangerous with debris from recent storms and heavy rain, so anglers working such waters should be cautious while underway.
Waters also are plenty muddy from the same runoff, so largemouth bass fishing could be tough for a few days while things clear up. In the meantime, use topwater baits, spinners with lots of flash and vibration or crankbaits to help fish find your offering.
Live bait is a good option in these conditions.
Bluegill and shellcracker are working the shallows more and more these days in preparation for spawning season. Size down your tackle or use flyrods for exciting action. But for bigger fish, especially shellcracker, employ bottom rigs with pieces of fresh shrimp or live worms.
Bass fishers also can expect increasing numbers of bowfin, a species not well-liked, but one that provides intense strikes and tough battles.
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Thursday 31 May 2012
Fishing Forecast: Week of May 31 - June 6 | HamptonRoads.com
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