What's Happening Now in Virginia Fishing

A look at current Virginia fishing action as of Sept. 1st, 2010 and a glimpse into the next 30 days

Current Fishing Conditions in Virginia Waters

The Old Dominion is getting ready for a transition to fall soon.  Many summer fish will be leaving at the end of September but will be replaced by fall species.  For this reason, September is an excellent time to fish Virginia salt water.  During the 9th month anglers will encounter the last of the warm water species and also the early run of fall red drum and speckled trout.  Water temperatures were holding at 78.6 degrees both at the CBBT and offshore of Virginia Beach as of Sept. 1st.

 Late August /Early September Virginia Regional Fishing Reports

Virginia Fall Line Fishing Report - Richmond, Tri-Cities, Fredericksburg

September is a great time to go after big blue catfish on the lower James.  With cooler weather, largemouth bass will be more active in the tidal creeks along the James and Chickahominy Rivers.  West of the Fall Line, smallmouth bass will begin their late summer, early fall feeding spree.  The only fly in the ointment, low water conditions exist in all the rivers west of I-95.  If we get some rain soon, the fishing will be much better.

Northern Neck / Middle Peninsula Fishing Report - Smith Point to York River

Chumming continues to be productive for school rock and bluefish off the mouth of the Potomac.  Spanish mackerel have been hit or miss with some good catches reported south of Gwynn's Island to Wolftrap Light.  The Rappahannock and York Rivers have plenty of croakers and increasing numbers of spot along with some small grey trout.  Look for speckled trout to become more numerous in the lower Piankatank, around Gwynn's Island and Mobjack Bay.  Big flounder are being taken sporadically at the Cell and Buoy 42.

Lower Peninsula / South Hampton Roads Fishing Report - York River to Bay Mouth

Cobia are very active in the lower Bay where sight casting is providing some exciting angling.  The big brown fish are showing up along the CBBT and around lower Bay navigation buoys.  Cobia will begin leaving the Bay in late September.  Bull red drum are present in the lower Eastern Shore Barrier Island surf, the shoals along the northern end of the CBBT and at the 3rd and 4th islands of this span.  A 48" red drum was taken at the 3rd island of the CBBT recently.  The CBBT is also yielding sheepshead, triggerfish and a few spadefish.  The smaller puppy drum are numerous inside Lynnhaven Inlet.  Spanish mackeral are still abundant in the lower Bay from Hampton to Cape Henry.  They will move out later this month.  Surf and pier jockeys will catch croaker, increasing numbers of spot, puppy drum, whiting, speckled trout, blues and flounder.

Atlantic Ocean Virginia Fishing Report - Chincoteague to the N.C. Border

Offshore fishing is very good with the exception of yellowfin tuna which are hard to find now.  White and blue marlin, dolphin and wahoo are taking up the slack.  "Deep drop" bottom fishing trips to the Continental Shelf continue to produce tilefish, rosefish and grouper.  Inshore wrecks from Chincoteague to Virginia Beach are productive for sea bass.  Many of these wrecks are still holding amberjack.  The CLT also has amberjack as well as big jack crevalle.  Near the beach look for Spanish and king mackerel to stage a flashy exit before they leave in early October.  Look for red drum to increase in the troughs and sloughs along the beaches from Hog Island to Sandbridge.

On the Eastern Shore Seaside, big croaker are plentiful in the back channels at Wachapreague and Oyster along with flounder, some are keepers.  September and October are prime times for big bull reds in the surf of the Barrier Islands.  Best action will be found from Wreck Island to Smith Island.  Surf and pier anglers will take croaker, whiting, spot, blues, puppy drum and flounder.  Specked trout will be active in the tidal creeks and creek mouths of the lower Bayside Eastern Shore.