Virginia Saltwater Fishing

Light tackle jigging (LTJ) is one of the most popular saltwater fishing techniques. Jigging can be effective for catching a variety of saltwater fish species. A variety of lures are popular, including metal slab jigs, bucktails, soft plastics, and other rigs. In the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s coastal bays anglers jig for rockfish (striped bass), white perch, bluefish, flounder, trout, Spanish mackerel, and other species.

A successful light tackle jigging trip usually begins by studying charts or maps of the areas to be fished. Jigging can be productive along channel edges, oyster bars, reefs, tidal rips, and other structure. Tides and currents are also important when jigging. Fast running currents make jigging near impossible. Slack tides can also be unproductive as fish often stop biting. In between the two events, peak fishing often occurs.

Light tackle jigging is sometimes done by following flocks of gulls and other birds. Although frustrating at times, this technique can yield results. Inexperienced anglers often move from flock to flock, only to find the fish have moved each time they arrive. A more effective strategy at times is to watch for a general pattern of movement and then slowly approach a school of fish from upwind or upcurrent. Although the birds may move away at a moment’s notice, fish often remain below. By patiently jigging these areas at lower depths, anglers often catch striped bass, weakfish, or other species.

This technique relies on a key element of fish behavior. When schools of fish push bait to the surface, the upper water column is often dominated by small stripers, bluefish, and other species. Often undetected by onlookers and surface casters are larger fish that shadow the school. The fish below feed on injured baitfish that sink to the bottom. The action of struggling baitfish is exactly what light tackle jigs must accomplish in order to be effective.

Anglers use a variety of lures for light tackle jigging. Metal slab jigs are the most common, although other types of jigs are effective. Jigs are usually selected that are similar in size to baitfish. In most areas, bay anchovies are the most abundant baitfish. Lure weight can be critical when light tackle jigging, especially when currents are strong. Most anglers stock several sizes of metal slab jigs and other lures, each being designed for a specific range of currents and depths.

When strong currents warrant additional weight, some anglers resort to using tandem rigs. These special rigs combine two lures, either twins, or unbalanced, on a single outfit. Some tandem rigs are useful when extra weight is not a requirement. These lighter rigs combine two light jigs, or possibly a weighted jig with a soft plastic body, fly, or other specialized lure. The pairing of two lures on a single line has countless variations and is known for being extremely effective.

Tandem jigs are usually most effective when jigged vertically. Their movement mimics fleeing baitfish, which in turn triggers fish to attack one or both lures. Another popular tandem rig design combines a large bucktail or other jig with a much smaller lure. When jigged properly, the rig looks much like a small fish chasing its prey.

When light tackle jigging, only basic outfits are needed in most conditions. Anglers typically choose spinning or baitcasting outfits rated for 10-20 pound line. Graphite rods are preferred as most are stiff, yet very sensitive. As with most saltwater applications, the use of braided line for light tackle jigging is debated.

Braids, although difficult to use, offer several advantages for jigging. Braided lines cut through the water much more effectively than mono, allowing anglers to jig at greater depths and in higher currents. Braided lines are also more sensitive which helps anglers detect light bites. Despite these qualities, braided lines have several disadvantages. They are hard to tie successfully, vulnerable to cuts, tangle easily, and are expensive to purchase.

Surf fishing for black drum is an annual event for many saltwater anglers in Virginia. These heavyweight members of the croaker family usually show up in the surf in May or June, with peak catches varying from a few days to several weeks.

Black drum fish often travel in schools, occasionally feeding together with red drum or other bottom feeders. In both spring and fall, anglers sometimes encounter these heavyweight fish in great numbers. When drum fish are not traveling in schools, single fish or small groups sometimes forage in the surf zone and are occasionally caught by anglers fishing for other species.

When targeting black drum, Most surf anglers prefer medium to heavy rods, equipped with 20-40 pound monofilament line, Drum fishing rigs are simple, usually consisting of a fish finder rig or a simple leader attached to a three way swivel. A variety of hook styles are popular, with large circle hooks or live bait hooks being among the most popular.

Anglers fish a variety of baits including surf clams, quahogs, peeler (shedder) crabs, soft crabs, mole crabs, squid, cut fish, bloodworms, or other choices. Some anglers claim that during the spring runs, black drum mainly feed on molting blue crabs and will go to great lengths in order to obtain high quality peeler or soft crabs for use as baits. Another popular bait is often called a “sandwich”, which is a combination of both crab and clam.

Catching black drum from the surf can be incredibly easy or very frustrating, as reasons for success may be hard to pin down. Some successful anglers feel that black drum feed best only on certain tides, while others swear that a particular time of day is critical. Still other anglers fish during almost any time of day, preferring to spread their efforts over a variety of conditions.

Throughout Virginia, spot are usually available in the surf from late summer through early fall. These delicious saltwater fish are a favorite among surf fishermen for food and as fishing bait.

Spot arrive in the surf early as June but the best runs usually start around Labor Day and continue into October. They can be caught close to the breakers and only light tackle is required.

Spot are bait stealers but can be caught using small pieces of bait and small hooks. Bloodworms are by far the most effective bait, although squid, peeler crabs, clams and scented baits such as fish bites are also effective in the surf.

When targeting spot, most anglers fish small, two hook, surf float rigs on light to medium action surf rods. Some anglers release spot of keep them for the table. Another popular technique is to fish 2 setups. When a spot is caught, it is rigged whole or cut and casted out beyond the breakers as bait for red drum, seatrout, striped bass, bluefish, sharks or other species. Excess spot can be brined and frozen for later use.

Spot kept for the table are scaled, rinsed and carefully filleted or simply headed and gutted. Before cooking, spot should be refrigerated and soaked in water and a dash of sea salt. Before frying, rinse and drain thoroughly before breading. Dredge each piece in egg and then coat with flour, corn meal or a seafood breading mix. Spot is delicious fried in hot peanut oil until lightly browned and served hot with seasonal side dishes.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is now offering a free Hunt Fish VA mobile application for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

The Hunt Fish VA app allows users to search for a wide variety of Virginia hunting and fishing related information on their smart phones.

Having the new app will allow anglers and hunters get the latest news from DGIF,  look up hunting regulations, seasons, and bag limits while in the field,  view freshwater fishing regulations and state record fish,  identify fish caught,  get sunrise and sunset times, record trophy harvests, find nearby boat ramps, Wildlife Management Areas, lakes, and more.

The free DGIF Hunt Fish VA iPhone® App is available at: HuntFishVA.com/app

Saltwater kayak fishing is extremely popular in Virginia, with anglers catching a variety of species. Throughout the state, fishing habitats range from tidal creeks and sheltered estuaries to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.

In much of the state, flounder fishing is possible by kayak. The eastern shore has hundreds of miles of narrow creeks and shallow bays, many of which are accessible by kayak.

Popular launching areas for flounder fishing on the eastern shore include Chincoteague Island, Gargathy, Accomac, Wachapreague, Quinby, and Oyster.

Flounder are also caught by kayakers around the concrete ships at Kiptopeake State Park and in the creeks and bays on the southern tip of the penninsula.

In Hampton Roads, kayakers fish the Lynnhaven River,  Rudee and other areas for flounder.

Many of these same areas offer excellent fishing for croaker, spot, kingfish, bluefish, trout, and other species.

Striped bass, known locally as rockfish, are another popular fish in Virginia. Advanced level kayak anglers target these species in areas such as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT), Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT), Rudee Inlet, concrete ships, and others.

Along the Chesapeake Bay, kayak launching areas are available near most towns.  From Point Lookout, south to Norfolk and all along the Eastern shore, kayakers will find a variety of areas suitable for saltwater fishing.

Many of these launch areas provide access to Virginia’s most productive rivers where striped bass, croaker, trout and other species are likely to be found.

Rather than go downstream, many anglers prefer fishing the backwater coves and small creeks that feed into rivers or the bay itself. These areas often have excellent fish habitat, especially grass beds, tidal rips, oyster beds and other fish attracting structure.

These shallow, remote areas are home to some of Virginia’s most sought after species, including monster red drum, striped bass, speckled trout and even tarpon.

The following tips may be useful to saltwater kayakers:

Pack light whenever possible. Re-use items. A lunch cooler can double as fish storage. Bring only essential lures and rigs, packed and ready to use

Always check weather forecasts and tidal information before making a trip. Wear a PFD at all times and carry safety equipment.

Research potential fishing areas before launching. Study a navigational chart, topographical map or maps.google.com to find and analyze fishing spots before a trip.

Visit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission website for fishing regulations, safety tips, launching locations, and other information. Additional launching areas can be found in most state parks.

To find productive kayak fishing areas, talk to local anglers or join a fishing club.

Consult a field guide to saltwater fish to learn more about fish identification.

croakers

The Atlantic croaker, sometimes known as hardhead, is one of the most popular saltwater fish caught in Virginia. These hard fighters are sometimes caught in great numbers by anglers fishing in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Virginia coast.

Croakers range from about 10 inches up to monster fish of several pounds. In most areas, keeper croakers fall in the 14-24 inch range. These fish are silvery in color with metallic flecking along their flanks. Croakers have a sharp spine on each gill plate. Their body shape is very similar to their larger cousin, the red drum or redfish.

Virginia fishing piers are famous for their croaker runs. Piers along the Chesapeake Bay and coastal beaches are especially productive. Along Virginia’s Atlantic Coast, the Virginia Beach and Sandbridge piers are good areas for catching croakers. In the Chesapeake Bay, there is the Sea Gull Pier, Lynnhaven Pier, and piers at Buckroe Beach, Kiptopeake, Morely’s Wharf, Saxis, and other locations.

Croaker are also caught in the major rivers, with the James River fishing pier being one of the popular spots.

In addition to fishing piers, several jetties and sea walls along inlets are known to be good spots to catch croaker. In Virginia Beach, Rudee Inlet and Lynnhaven Inlet are popular spots for catching croakers.

Croakers are also caught while surf fishing. In Virginia, beach access can be found at Sandbridge, Virginia Beach and Assateague Island.

In Virginia, a wide range of head boat operators, charter boat captains and fishing guides offer croaker fishing trips. Some of the best places to go croaker fishing in Virginia include Point Lookout, Reedville – Northern Neck, Hampton Roads, Onancock, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape Charles and Kiptopeake.

For anglers that want a more individual experience, there are guided fly fishing trips in the shallows of the Chesapeake Bay. These areas of aquatic grasses and other structure offer some of the best croaker fishing in Virginia.

Saltwater anglers may fish in Virginia without a license during the first weekend in June. Virginia Marine Resources Commissioner Steven G. Bowman endorsed the free saltwater fishing days, as permitted by state law.

The state’s free fishing days, June 3-5, 2011, will allow families and friends to enjoy saltwater fishing without having to buy a saltwater license.

“This is an excellent opportunity to discover the joy of fishing and boating,” said Bowman, whose agency manages saltwater fishing in Virginia. “Fishing produces memories that can last a lifetime and can cultivate a deeper appreciation for our natural environment. We have some fabulous fishing in Virginia and its free for that weekend.’’

No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational saltwater rod and reel fishing during free fishing days. All fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits and gear restrictions, will remain in effect.

A Virginia saltwater fishing license costs only $17.50 a year for state residents. It’s a bargain, and the money supports valuable fisheries work across the state.

The state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has declared the weekend of June 3-5, 2011 to be free fishing days in the state’s freshwaters as well, except in designated stocked trout waters.

For size, season and catch limits of saltwater species, please go to http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/swrecfishingrules.shtm

To purchase a fishing license online – and for freshwater fishing regulations and information on Virginia lakes, rivers, boating access and more – go to www.HuntFishVA.com

source: VMRC

A Virginia man set a new North Carolina state record for bluefin when he reeled in an 805-pound, 8-ounce fish off Oregon Inlet.

Corey Schultz, of Waverly, Va., caught the fish on March 12, 2011 aboard the Sea Breeze out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. The fish measured 112 inches curved fork length with a 76-inch girth.

Schultz caught the fish on a Shimano 80 rod and reel using 130 line test with ballyhoo for bait.

Schultz said he fought the fish for about 2½ hours and had close to 1,000 yards of line out. Everyone in the boat’s party of six, in addition to the captain and mate, helped to get the fish on board.

The former North Carolina state record bluefin tuna weighed 744 pounds and was caught off Oregon Inlet in 1995. The International Game Fish Association record bluefin tuna weighed 1,496 pounds and was caught off Nova Scotia in 1979.

source: North Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries

In Virginia, anglers have several choices of bait, tackle and equipment for catching flounder.

Flounder Baits

Mummichogs, known locally as “bull minnows” are by far the most popular bait for catching flounder in Virginia. These hardy baits are inexpensive, readily available and catch fish in a wide range of environments.

Silversides are another popular bait. Like bull minnows, these fish are found in Virginia in great numbers and are a mainstay of flounder diets. Silversides are available frozen from local tackle shops. Silversides are usually hooked thru the eyes with a kahle hook. Anglers sometimes add 2-3 fish per hook in hopes of attracting a greedy fish.

Flounder frequently bite off the back half of silversides, which frustrates many novice anglers. This problem can be lessened by keeping a loose drag and paying out line when a bite is detected.

Spearing have gained popularity in recent years as flounder bait. These fish are not found locally, but catch fish when fished correctly. Spearing are long and slender, resembling a small eel.

Spot are highly prized for catching trophy flounder, especially in the late summer and fall. In many areas, small spot can be caught in advance using a variety of methods, or purchased from local suppliers. Live spot are often fished around structure such as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel or other areas of wreck, reef or rubble.

Croaker can be an excellent flounder bait. In the Chesapeake, large bait strips are made from croaker fillets and fished on a long, single hook leader. Like spot, croaker can be fished live, although it is usually harder to find small individuals.

Finger mullet are popular among surf anglers. These cigar shaped baitfish can be purchased or caught fresh with a cast net. Small mullet can be fished whole or cut into strip baits.

Squid is the most widely available bait for flounder. Options range from frozen grocery store variety calamari to pre-cleaned jumbo squid mantles. Regardless of the origin, squid should be white, fresh smelling and firm. Squid works best when cut into long strips that resemble a baitfish when passed thru the water.

Soft crabs are a top flounder bait in certain areas. In much of the Chesapeake Bay, flounder lie in ambush along channel edges, gorging on soft crabs that are swept into deeper water. During peak periods of the crab molting season, fishing a half or whole soft crab can provide anglers with trophy class flounder.

A little known bait for fishing ocean structure is strips made from dolphin fish belly. These colorful fish have a section of brilliant yellow skin along their underside that normally gets discarded during the cleaning process. Experienced anglers often save these for use as flounder baits. Dolphin bellies should be cut into strips and coated liberally with kosher salt before freezing. If properly brined and frozen, these baits retain their color and tough texture for months.

Flounder Rigs

The most popular leader for catching flounder is a basic 2 hook flounder rig. There are many variations of this rig, but most feature some combination of plain hooks, teasers, beads and spinner blades.

The single hook flounder rig is also popular and has several important applications. This rig typically includes a single long (36-42″) leader which is attached to a 3 way swivel. The 3-way swivel allows for the sinker connection as well as the running line. These rigs usually include a series of beads, a rotating blade and bucktail hair teaser.

In rare cases, a carolina rig is useful for catching flounder. These rigs employ a long leader, with an inline egg or torpedo sinker set from 18-36″ above the bait. Similar to the single hook rig, the carolina rig usually employs a teaser and perhaps a spinner blade.

A variety of jigs are useful for catching flounder. These include basic rigs such as a bare jig tipped with a live minnow as well as more intricate setups. Some anglers choose to combine bucktail jigs with live or cut baits while others may use only artificial components.

Each of these leader types offer several variations. Some anglers prefer the bare essentials, while others choose to add attractants, such as bucktail deer hair, mylar or vinyl skirts. Other fish attracting components include colored beads, spinner blades and scented sprays.

Most leader types allow anglers to use any of several hook styles. Ready made 2 hook rigs almost always come equipped with kahle style hooks. These light wire hooks offer several advantages. They usually straighten out and release when snagged, thereby saving the leader. Their design also helps hook the fish, which aids novice anglers with hookup ratios.

A relative newcomer to flounder fishing is the circle hook. Several variations of this design are popular, with anglers split on offset vs. non-offset styles. Circle hooks can be extremely useful for experienced anglers. Although they require a slightly higher skill lever to use, they have a couple very important advantages. First and foremost, circle hooks reduce mortality by hooking most fish in the corner of the mouth. Secondly, they seldom pull out as they almost always embed in a strong part of the jaw.

Although circle hooks are not accepted by everyone, their use has increased dramatically in the last decade. These revolutionary hooks can be a great took to help reduce gut hooking, which reduces flounder stocks and wastes a valuable resource.

Rods and Reels

Depending on the water depth, current and weather conditions, anglers may need a variety of rod and reel combinations. The basic flounder fishing outfit is a spinning rod and reel spooled with 10-15 pound line.

Some anglers prefer using baitcasting outfits, which have several advantages. These reels are particularly useful for feeding line out during the initial bite. Baitcasters are often used when fishing deep water, such as ocean wrecks or deep channel edges of the Chesapeake Bay. Depending on the application, lines may vary from 15-30 pound, either monofilament or braided line

Several trolling rigs are sometimes used to catch Virginia flounder. Heavy trolling gear is necessary in areas such as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. These specialized outfits usually employ braided or single strand wire or new generation braided lines. Depending on current flow, weights may vary from 8-32 oz. Trailing as much as 30′ behind is one or 2 jigs or a single strip bait. While ungainly to use, these rigs can be extremely productive in hard running currents.

In other areas, conditions may allow lighter rods, smaller lines and less weight. Anglers sometimes troll very slowly over productive areas when conditions do not produce a suitable drift.

Several members of the shad and herring family make seasonal appearances along the Virginia Coast, the Chesapeake Bay, and its many tributaries. Each of these fish are anadromous; they spend most of their life at sea, before migrating through the bay and into rivers or shallow areas to spawn.

The American shad is the most famous anadromous shad that enters Virginia waters. Historically, shad gathered in great numbers in the spring, spawning in rivers and creeks of the Chesapeake Bay system.

Although restoration efforts have been implemented, The species has been in decline in recent decades. Low but stable levels of American shad exist the Rappahannock River and elsewhere in the Chesapeake Bay. James River shad have been classified as in decline.

The American shad is also known as white shad, Atlantic shad or “poor man’s salmon.” The species is sometimes found with the hickory shad which is similar in appearance. American Shad are beautifully colored and extremely tough fighters, known for their ability to run and make spectacular jumps.

Most recreational fishing for American shad occurs in the spring, when adult fish enter rivers to spawn. Anglers fish for them using small flies, jigs, shad darts, spoons, sabiki rigs or other lures. As of 2010, Virginia regulations allowed catch and release fishing only for shad.

The hickory shad is a similar species; smaller than American shad. An identifying feature of this species is its lower jaw which juts out further than the upper jaw. The hickory shad is silver with amber highlights. The species has a pattern of spots on its shoulder which are duskier and more obscure than American shad.

Similar to shad, river herring are seasonal visitors to Virginia estuaries. The term “river herring” is a collective name for 2 similar species of anadromous fish; alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis). Both species spend their adult lives at sea, eventually returning to Virginia’s creeks and rivers to spawn.

The alewife is usually grayish green above, fading down their sides to a silver underbelly. A distinct dusky spot appears just behind the upper margin of their gill cover. Adult alewives average 10-11″ in length. Alewives are also known as branch herring, sawbelly, freshwater herring, grayback, bigeye or spring herring.

The blueback herring tends to have a dark blue back and smaller eye than the alewife. The species spends the greater part of its life in salt water, returning to small creeks only to spawn. It usually spawns later in the spring than the alewife, when water temperatures are a bit warmer.