VA Fishing Report Nov 6-13

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wgbassgirl
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Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:11 am

VA Fishing Report Nov 6-13

Post by wgbassgirl »

By Lee Tolliver
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 6, 2008

Article Source

This typically isn't the time to be talking about fishing for flounder. But those in the know have found the past few years that flatfish migrating out of the Chesapeake Bay take up residence for a while around the edges of coastal wrecks and rubble piles. They'll stay there until the water gets too cold.

Anglers working these structures for sea bass, tautog and bluefish often find themselves wrestling with a big flatfish.

Other anglers purposely target flatties at such locations.

Flounder also could be found in the depths of deeper channels coming into the Bay, but the coastal wrecks likely are the best places.

As with summer floundering, live spot are the best bet for bait. But jigs, squid-minnow sandwiches or strips of cut squid always will work.

The next big cold blast likely will lower water temperatures and cause flounder to move to deeper wrecks. But there, they should be available for several more weeks, even into the winter.

HAMPTON ROADS

When Mother Nature cooperates, catching opportunities are outstanding on a variety of fronts.

Speckled trout action is nothing shy of incredible in several of the species' typical fall haunts.

The Hot Ditch area of the Elizabeth River is yielding quite a few fish topping 7 pounds. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, and the inlets of Little Creek, Lynnhaven and Rudee also are producing excellent numbers and quality size. Catches should continue to be good for several more weeks, when most action will start to center around the Hot Ditch.

Anglers seeking big bluefish can find plenty of them on and around the Triangle Wrecks east of the Chesapeake Light Tower. Several big fish topping 19 pounds have been caught by anglers trolling Stretch 25s or jigging. Smaller bluefish are available inshore.

The wrecks also are yielding good numbers of large sea bass.

Puppy drum also are still available in the inlets.

Tautog catches are on the rise around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and at inshore wrecks such as the Cape Henry. Action will continue to pick up as waters cool.

Striper season is in full swing, and bigger fish finally are starting to migrate in from points north. The best is yet to come.

Offshore, commercial long-liners have been targeting the swordfish population successfully. When recreational anglers get cooperation from the weather, overnight trips should produce good catches.

Portions of the Norfolk Canyon will give up good numbers of tilefish and grouper throughout the winter.





EASTERN SHORE

Speckled trout and puppy drum are available, but Chris Snook of Chris' Bait and Tackle said that action hasn't been great because of high winds and muddied waters.

Striper catches have been excellent and will continue to get better. Bigger fish currently are being taken by anglers chunking menhaden or drifting with live eels. More and more ocean-going fish are starting to show along the barrier island coast, where a few flounder also are available.

Inshore wrecks and artificial reefs should be holding flounder, sea bass and tautog.

Offshore wrecks are loaded with big bluefish.

Bluefin tuna could show at any day around the 26-mile hill and other offshore bottom features.





OUTER BANKS

Yellowfin tuna have dominated catches when anglers can get offshore. Blackfin, dolphin and wahoo also are available. Limits of yellowfin in the 25-40-pound class - with some bigger fish - have been caught recently.

Closer to shore, stripers, bluefish, red drum and trout garner most of the attention. Striper fishing for school-sized fish is outstanding around Mann's Harbor and at the mouths of rivers that pour into the sounds.

Bigger rockfish are on their way.

Speckled trout and puppy drum catches should remain good in the sounds for several more weeks.





PIERS AND SURF

One of the premier surf-fishing events in the world - the 51st annual Cape Hatteras Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament - begins at 7 this morning with the first of four team sessions. Action continues Friday, with the Bob Bernard Open Individual Tournament set for Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Today's action could be iffy because of the passing low pressure system. But fishing could be good by the afternoon session and fantastic Friday when winds turn out of the west.

Catches could include bluefish, stripers, big red drum, speckled trout and lots of small stuff such as spot, croaker, sea mullet, flounder and pompano.

Along Virginia's shoreline, big red drum still could be a possibility. Speckled trout and striper action should be more consistent.





FRESHWATER

Once again, weather is hindering efforts to target largemouth bass during what can be an outstanding time of year to catch them. North winds haven't done terrible damage to rivers and streams, but they've made fishing difficult.

Catches likely are better on the water-supply lakes in Suffolk.

This possibly could be an outstanding weekend for bass fishing, once westerly winds settle things down.

In the meantime, striper action on rivers is picking up. The Pasquatank and Chowan rivers likely are leading the charge, with good numbers of fish in the 5- to 8-pound range. Action also should be good on the North Landing River.

White perch are available around old duck blinds in Back Bay and Currituck Sound.

Crappie should be around many shallow-water haunts and around bridge pilings.
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