Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 25 Update:
Virginia’s inlet’s have the privilege of reporting in the first solid puppy drum catches; while there’s been unconfirmed chatter on social media for a few weeks, we can now say for sure that they’ve showed up in Rudee and Lynnhaven, and anglers are enjoying catching good numbers for this time of year with one reader reporting five slot fish in a morning of fishing. No solid confirmation on specks but those fish are certainly swimming in these same waters and again, while we don't like to refer to social media due to its unreliability, the specks are making an appearance in that venue as well.
The first report of the season of a black drum came in this week off one of the ESVA barrier islands. We have no other details on the catch but Sea Hawk Sports Center also verified a black drum being caught, this one in the surf. Any way you cut it, though, those fish have definitely been sighted in the area and should be coming our way in force very soon - expect reports to come in from bait anglers soaking clam and crab at the shoals off Fisherman's Island at any time now.
We didn’t have anyone check in after fishing the CBBT this week, however, water temps have finally made it over the 50-degree marks and are staying there, hovering in the 52- to 53-degree-and-change range. That makes catching tog around the structure a very real possibility and dollars to doughnuts says this week fish will be caught on fiddlers, fleas, and peeler crab baits.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 18 Update:
As has been the case throughout the region, the perch bite in the rivers has been a bit less reliable this season than usual, likely due to the weather. This week, we can't confirm any good hotspots for 'em but the Northwest should be a strong bet. Meanwhile, we keep hearing rumblings and innuendo about redfish in the inlets and the Elizabeth with an occasional speck in the mix, but no one provided us with photo verification this week. Still, this time last year the bite was clearly on and right now social media is lit up with talk, so we’re thinking it’s a good bet — particularly with some warmer weather on the way and spring officially getting ready to crank up. With reports of larger drum flowing in from North Carolina, larger fish should be heading up this way soon, too. Meanwhile, tog at the CBBT and then the cement ships are probably a beat behind; water temps there aren’t quite into the bite zone as of yet and have been hovering right around the 50-degree mark in recent days, but if the weatherman is correct (we know… a long shot!) then by next weekend it could be game on. Flounder should be on the move at any time, too, with the first reports having come in from the coastal bays this week.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 11 Update:
The yellow perch run is slowly picking up pace, with more mumblings this week than the last — and, we heard of more anglers catching this week in better numbers, too. Yellow perch are available in holes and channels down-river from traditional spawning locations with live bull minnow being the best bait, and blue cat catfishing in the tribs has remained excellent. Channel cats are also biting strong. Cut gizzard shad, bunker, chicken liver and chicken breast have been productive baits for catfish throughout the region, according to Oceans East. Just remember the stinkier and juicer, the more likely catfish are to take it.
A trickle of slot-sized redfish reports (unverified) have begun popping up from the inlets and the Elizabeth, with one speck also reported in the mix. The fish are said to be deep in the morning then moving up into shallower backwater areas to warm up during sunny afternoons, where they’re hitting soft plastics and sinking plugs. There are also lots of bigger redfish being reported from the NC beaches (along with a lot of sharks tagging along with ‘em), and you know where those fish are heading!
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 4 Update:
While the breezes and low angler effort seems to have tamped down news of any major developments, there have been a smattering of reports of rare puppy drum here and there. Unfortunately, everyone’s remaining mum on the specific locations. The inlets and the lower Elizabeth are naturally possibilities, and we note that last year in March Willoughby Bay was a producer in addition to those spots. When it comes to the hot bait again the lips were tight; last March paddle tails and shrimp were doing the trick.
As with other areas in the region yellow perch are on a lot of folk’s minds, and the run’s early stages have begun. The Northwest is the river of choice in this zone and the Pocomoke is producing on the east side, but anglers traveling up the James have excellent opportunities as well. Minnow are, as the norm, the top pick for baits.