What's Happening Now in Virginia Fishing

A look at current Virginia fishing action as of Feb. 1st, 2012 and a glimpse into the next 30 days

Current Fishing Conditions in Virginia Waters

The unseasonably warm weather continued all through January in the Old Dominion.  Water temperatures were holding at 45.3 degrees at the CBBT and 55 degrees 30 miles off Virginia Beach.  Should February remain mild anglers will see a continuation of torrid action on rockfish along the southeastern oceanfront and the bucktoothed tautog may bite all winter.

For Non-Locals, Virginia Fishing Acronyms you should know!

Acronym

Definition

CBBT

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

HRBT

Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel

MMBT

Monitor-Merrimack Bridge Tunnel

JRB

James River Bridge
CLT Chesapeake Light Tower

Best Bets This Month

The Virginia Beach Oceanfront

If the weather stays mild this month, trolling from Cape Henry to False Cape will yield some big rockfish along with a few surprise bluefin tuna in the 150 to 300 lb. class.  Photo, upper right, courtesy of Capt. Danny Crabbe, Crabbe's Charter Fishing.  The fallback plan would be the Hot Ditch on the Elizabeth River where action on speckled trout, puppy drum and school rockfish is good.

Headed to Virginia Beach for Late Fall / Early Winter Rockfish?

Stay at the Best Western Oceanfront

The Best Western Oceanfront has special rates for charter captains and their clients headed to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for giant, late fall / early winter rockfish December through February. 

 

The Best Western Oceanfront is located at 2809 Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach, near the Rudee Inlet charter fleet and Owl's Creek boat ramp.  Call the main office at (757) 428-5370 or, toll free, 1 (800) 344-3342 and ask for the fisherman rate..  

 

Late Dec. /Early January Virginia Regional Fishing Reports

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

Blue catfish are still there for the taking in deep holes of the James River below Richmond.  If the mild weather continues, the late winter ring perch run may start early in the Mattaponi, Chickahominy and Pamunkey Rivers.  Wait till next month for other species like large and smallmouth bass, pickerel and crappie. 

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

With the mild weather good numbers of rockfish are still in the Bay off the Northern Neck although few anglers are pursuing them due to season closure.  But if you don't mind catch and release fishing, the rock are still there.  With water temperatures in the mid 40s, tautog are no doubt available on submerged structure in the lower part of this region.  Other than that, it's oil and rack your tackle time till spring.

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

Mild weather has kept a lot of rockfish in the lower Bay and casting to bridge pilings along any lower Bay span will be productive including the CBBT, HRBT, MMBT and JRB.  This is strictly catch and release fishing at this time of the year.  The CBBT still has plenty of active tautog but remember there is a 3-fish, 16" limit at this time.  The Hot Ditch area on the Elizabeth River has been consistently good for speckled trout, puppy drum and school rockfish. 

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

Trolling the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for big rockfish from Cape Henry to False Cape should continue to be good if the weather remains mild as it has for December and January.  A new state record rockfish of 74lbs. was captured last month.  The big surprise is that many big bluefin tuna have been caught right along with the rockfish.  Ocean wrecks will harbor plenty of tautog and probably red hake and an occasional pollock or codfish.  Bottom fishing trips to the Continental Shelf, "deep drop trips," will yield tilefish, grouper, barrelfish and sea bass when the weather cooperates..