Coastal Fishing Reports

Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, December 11 Update:

As it’s grown cold the inshore wrecks and reefs off the coast have become hot, and a reader checked in last weekend after enjoying banner action off the ESVA on some very nice flounder, with jumbo sea bass also in the mix. Bluefin tuna—off-limits for the time being—were also spotted busting water in the vicinity. Several boats have run out to chase the tuna and are reporting some luck with catch and release fishing. Boats running out of Virginia Beach are reporting similar action with a wider mix of wreck fishing species. Most of the catch consists of (very nice) sea bass, but flounder, blues, and triggerfish have been going into the box as well. One of the more impressive reports we saw this week came courtesy of Captain Kane Bounds of the Fish Bound. Recently, he has been targeting tautog, and his crew has been catching a good class of fish. This week, they had an 18-pounder come over the rails. Anglers fishing aboard the Ocean Princess are reeling in sea bass, bluefish, and some flounder too.

If you are looking for nearshore and inshore opportunities along the coast during the winter, your options will be limited. There are some striped bass being caught in the coastal marshes of the back bays behind Ocean City and Assateague Island. Creek mouths, shoreline points, and areas with current have been the most productive spots. Stripers are also being caught around the Route 50 and Route 90 bridges. Most of the action has been at night. Tautog are hanging around the jetty at Cape Henlopen, at the Ocean City Inlet, and at the rocky islands of the CBBT. Most of the fish are undersized, but some keepers are in the mix. Crab baits are the best way to get them biting. On the beaches, fishing has been slow, but there have been occasional catches of skate, dogfish, and rockfish.

Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, December 5 Update:

The surf fishing is relatively quiet right now, but there are still a few bites to chase. Migratory striped bass are moving down the coast, so there is a chance to run into them within casting distance of the beaches. The bulk of the fish will likely be out of casting range, but we have a few reports of stripers being pulled from the suds of the Virginia beaches. Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle reports that anglers are checking in some stripers, red drum, and plenty of dogfish. Anglers hitting the beaches of Assateague are also reeling in some dogfish while throwing cut bait. Despite the cold, now can be an enjoyable time to visit the beaches while they are less crowded.

Inside the Ocean City Inlet, striped bass are being caught near the Route 50 and Route 90 bridges. Anglers are also finding some along the marsh edges in the coastal bays. Tautog are hanging out at the rock jetties at the inlet. Cape Henlopen has also been a hotspot for nearshore tautog fishing at the large jetty bulkhead. Off the coast, the wreck and reef sites are holding plenty of sea bass. Some flounder and porgy have also been in the mix. The boats heading off the coast of Virginia Beach are still catching plenty of jumbo sea bass and even some late season trophy triggerfish. The Big Worm fishing out of Virginia Beach reported several boat limits on sea bass this week including some flounder, bluefish, and triggers. Don’t let the cold weather fool you; the bite can still be hot in our coastal zone.