what's happening now in Virginia Fishing

A look at current Virginia fishing action as of July 1st, 2008 and a glimpse into the next 30 days

Current Fishing Conditions in Virginia Waters

Summer came in with a bang during June with a string of days around the 100 degree mark.  Water temperatures as of June 30th were holding at 73 degrees at the CBBT and 76 degrees offshore of Virginia Beach.  Offshore fishing is in full swing and summer conditions prevail throughout coastal Virginia.  Expect plenty of heat and humidity in the next 60 days.

 Late June /Early July Virginia Regional Fishing Reports

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

Blue and channel catfish continue to be active in the lower James River.  Plenty of largemouth bass can be found in the tidal creeks of the James, Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers.  With the heat, early and late in the day will see the best action.  Above the Fall Line, smallmouth bass are active and water levels are adequate.  Later this month, bronzeback action may slow down if river levels fall due to scarce rainfall.

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

Flounder action has been good near the Smith Point jetties.  The lower tidal rivers are producing plenty of croaker along with a smattering of flounder, spot, blues and trout.  Northern Neck charter captains are doing fair to good on school stripers in Maryland waters.  Spadefish are at the Cell and Wolftrap Lights but many are smaller fish.  Some reports of large red drum are also coming from the Mid Bay area.  The big copper fish could show up at any time along the deep channel edges during summer.  Cobia could appear in fishable numbers in the southern portion of this region later this month.  Speckled trout action has waned during late June, but two large specks were taken recently in the southern portion of this region.  Specks will be lethargic during the summer heat and the best time to pursue them will be early and late in the day on a flooding tide.  Look for Spanish Mackerel to appear off the Rappahannock River later this month then spread northward into Northern Neck waters.

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

Cobia action has been sporadic in the lower Bay, but a 90 lb. specimen was captured in late June off the lower Bayside of the Eastern Shore.  Some impressive flounder catches are coming from the CBBT along with scattered pods of black drum at the rock islands of the span.  Sheepshead are proving to be elusive again so far this summer, but fishable numbers are present at the CBBT.  Red drum are still prowling the shoals at the north end of the CBBT and lower Bayside Eastern Shore.  Spanish Mackerel have invaded the Bay and could be encountered anywhere between Buckroe and Cape Henry.  Trollers at Cape Henry are having a mackerel field day.  Croaker and spot are abundant throughout the whole region with lower James River bridge spans being the best location.  Pier and beach fishing is slow during the daytime heat, but picks up early in the morning and in the evening with whiting, flounder, small blues, croaker and spot providing most of the action.  Off the ends of the piers, a few Spanish mackerel are being taken by casters and an occasional Cobia may show up. 

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

Offshore trolling is good to excellent from Chincoteague to Virginia Beach.  Right now, bluefin tuna and dolphin are providing most of the action along with a few yellowfin tuna.  At Virginia Beach, add blue marlin, white marlin and king mackerel to the mix.  Amberjack are present over ocean wrecks and many boats are heading to the Southern Towers for nonstop action on these bruising fish.  These same wrecks will hold plenty of sea bass and a few tautog.  Spadefish are at the CLT, but the fishing is mediocre.  Trolling for Spanish mackerel and taylor bluefish is excellent all along the Virginia Beach oceanfront.  Look for a few big king mackerel to show up in this area.  "Deep Drop" trips are still yielding tilefish and grouper on offshore ledges.  Pier and surf fisherman will encounter whiting, spot, croaker, blues, flounder right now with pompano appearing later this month.  Pier and shore fishing will be better at night and early in the day.

Over on the Eastern Shore, flounder fishing is good in the marsh channels inside the barrier islands.  Most of the fish are under the 19 inch minimum.  Channel fisherman will also catch croaker, a few grey trout, sea bass, whiting and blues on the inside.  Red drum are still present in the Barrier Island surf.  Best action will be early and late in the day on a rising tide.  Tarpon and large sharks are present in remote back water areas.  Hire a guide or risk an uncomfortable evening out on the marsh!