As many of you already know, it’s rapidly starting to be a great time to go fishing.
While some species have been available for several months, new ones are already into their migration into the region’s waters.
Among the main ones that anglers love are big red drum.
Channel bass, as the big reds also are called, have swarmed waters along the North Carolina Outer Banks and quite a few have been fought along Virginia’s coast. These big bronze battlers will be available for surf casters, pier anglers and boat anglers working the coast and inside the Chesapeake Bay.
While many like to use cut or live bait on the bottom, sight casters are the ones who likely will have the most fun.
Remember, only pups in the 18- to 26-inch slot limit can be kept and in Virginia three fish per day is the limit.
In North Carolina, anglers can only keep one pup a day that falls into the 18- to 27-inch slot.
All the smaller or bigger ones must be returned to the water.
While puppy drum and speckled trout action has been good and will get better, other species of local interest are quickly showing in good numbers.
Flounder catches in ocean-side inlets along the Eastern Shore and flatfish are also starting to show in the three southside inlets.
Flounder season in North Carolina currently is closed.
Bluefish – at one time an incredible inshore target – are showing in much better numbers inside the bay, in the inlets and around nearshore wrecks.
Wrecks and artificial reefs that dot the coast are also are starting to yield some triggerfish and spadefish around the usual nearshore navigational structures.
Along with a continuing arrival of drum comes better numbers of sheepshead, which tend to participate better along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
Right behind the schools of big red drum are another favorite – cobia. Early on, while looking for schools of reds, keep an eye out for larger rays near the surface. Migrating cobia tend to hang out underneath them.
Anglers working the coast and sounds of North Carolina also know that it’s rapidly approaching time for tarpon to show. When they get to Virginia, they’ll mostly make the backwaters around Oyster on the Eastern Shore their home.
Big bull shark will join them.
Surfcasters are finding increasing numbers of sea mullet, bluefish, puppy drum and speckled trout.
Tuna and dolphin fishing off the Outer Banks has been outstanding when boats can leave port. And vessels heading to the southeast from Virginia have been able to get in on the action.
Offshore deep droppers are finding tilefish and black sea bass. The sea bass season off Virginia opens May 15.
Anglers working waters around and off the coast of both states can count on plenty of shark. One species of the toothy ones that largely go unused is the spiny dogfish. Not taking any home for dinner is a big mistake. Allowed to bleed out in a cooler, they’re a fantastic addition to the menu.
And least we forget the wonderful freshwater scene in the region.
Anglers are finding largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and striped bass all willing to participate.
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