Fishing Forecast: July 23

Come in real close. Wouldn’t want anyone else to hear this.

The tarpon are back.

Yeah, I know – this is no longer the biggest secret in Virginia fishing that it once was. More and more anglers are discovering and participating in this limited Eastern Shore fishery.

And many who are well aware of the opportunities take part in it because of the summer elements around the backwater sloughs of the barrier islands.

To name a few, it’s hot, humid, often no breezes and the bugs when there is no wind will feast on you before carrying you away. Bug spray serves as little more than a pre-meal cocktail.

Then there is the fact that you can spend countless hours – even days – without ever hooking up with one of these magnificent fish.

You will, however, get a workout from lots of sharks and rays.

And heaven forbid you try this fishery on your own, without the help of a seasoned veteran familiar with the locations and tides – least you get stuck in the muck waiting on the water to rise again.

All of these challenges are obviously why more anglers are putting up with the negatives to take part in the positive  – which would be hooking, fighting, landing and releasing a tarpon in Virginia.

SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA

Well, boys and girls, it’s the dog days of summer and that means plenty of fishing action to enjoy.

Whether it be offshore, along the coast, in the Chesapeake Bay or in the inlets, there is something to catch. And reports have been pretty good on all fronts.

The Virginia Beach Invitational Marlin Tournament started today (July 23) and continues through Saturday.

In the deep blue, tuna, dolphin, shark, swordfish and billfish all are on the menu. And many captains are mixing in a little mid-day deep-dropping for tilefish, grouper, rosefish, sea bass and several other bottom critters.

Offshore wrecks and navigation structures are starting to hold some amberjack.

Close to shore, structures are holding spadefish, triggerfish and sea bass.

Spades and triggers also are available inside the bay, especially along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and at The Cell off the Eastern Shore. Sheepshead action also is good in the same locations.

Flounder action is on the rise throughout the bay, inside inlets, around the Hampton Bar and Back Reef and along the three bridge-tunnel spans.

Red drum and cobia can be found throughout the area and many anglers are using the seriously fun technique of sight-casting for them.

Black drum can be found around the islands of the CBBT.

Small croaker and spot can be found throughout the lower bay.

Speckled trout and puppy drum are cooperating in the three Southside inlets, the Elizabeth, Lafayette and Back rivers.

Trolling within eyesight of the beach is producing bluefish, Spanish mackerel and lots of ribbonfish. Many captains are using their bluefish as shark bait to round out their trips.

Fishing at piers and along the beaches is producing a mixed back of mostly small stuff.

Crabbing also is very good.

NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Dolphin fishing is at its finest, with fish available as close as 15 miles from the inlets.

While tuna catches have slowed somewhat, more and more billfish are showing up to take their place – which bodes well for the tournament season. Wahoo numbers also are on the rise.

Wreck and artificial reefs are holding a wide variety of species, which adds to the excitement of fishing around them.

Along the coast, anglers are finding cobia, red drum, king mackerel, bluefish and 

Spanish mackerel.

Pier anglers and surf casters are finding the same list of species, along with some smaller stuff including sea mullet, speckled trout, puppy drum, juvenile black drum, spot, croaker, skate and shark.

The Avon Pier has reopened after storm repairs. And Jennette’s Pier has announced that, beginning Saturday and continuing through the season, it will close the end of the pier to bottom fishing – allowing only the use of pin rigs, float rigs and sight casting for cobia and king mackerel. A special permit of $8 is required.

Speckled trout action continues to be outstanding in the sounds, especially where grass beds can be found in deeper water. Puppy drum also are being taken and striped bass are being caught around structure.

FRESHWATER

This can be a tough time for freshwater anglers, so many are hitting their favorite holes early and late in the day – even at night when there is a bright moon.

Bass will be roaming the shorelines in search of a meal during those hours, and will retreat to deeper waters – especially along points – during the heat of the day.

Fish the deeper edges of grass beds in Back Bay for the best bass action. And with this heat, it’s a good time to jump out of the boat and wade the grass for bass like most anglers did during the estuary’s heyday.

Bluegill don’t seem to care about hot water and will be along shorelines most of the day. Toss a handful of crickets about 5 feet from the shore – if they make it to land, nobody’s home.

Deeper waters will produce larger gills and shell cracker.

Look for catfish in the deeper holes of tidal systems.