Well after a long weekend and the spectacular sunset of summer, a cool easterly breeze has helped keep the bugs at bay and the
fish in the bay, free from the dip net . However, when the wind blows and the water is a little white there is always a leeward bank available to enjoy the Eastern Shore experience.
The weather window to access the Atlantic was as short as your buddies fish he bragged about on the day you had to stay home. Earlier in the week, when we could pursue palegic prey, anglers enjoyed mahi action that included scrappy struggles with awesome arial antics that landed them right on a dinner plate. Tuna, for the most part, have been hard to find, but a few billfish or wahoo will certainly fill that void. Bottom fishing for deep delicious delicacies like tile continue to sustain famished fishermen in need of sustenance.
The seaside activity inshore of the barrier islands has consisted of a foundation of flounder ( mainly undersized) , but also added a few puppy drum to the backwater buffet. These salty spot-tails have been engaged both in the suds of the ES surf , and also around the magnificent marsh estuaries inside the inlets . The bronze beach trophies have taken cut spot on modified fishfinder rigs while the fish from the flats have been tempted by popping corks followed by gulp shrimp.
The “Red” hot action is also available on the shorelines of the Chesapeake. The shallows of the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds have yielded reds of all sizes. On the grass flats, slot and undersized fish have given some sweetwater sport as anglers offer popping corks with gulp or chunks of crab in exchange for a bent rod. While you search the shallows you will probably come across small specs ( with a big fish mixed in) and a rock or two to keep things interesting. On deeper edges of the southern Chesapeake, trophy sized channel bass key in on cut spot and 8/0 circle hooks with fish finders on the bottom. Some of the same hard bottom areas have also produced a handful of yellowfin, trout , spot and a few larger hardheads. It sure would be nice to have some of the traditional bottom fishing back that was so prevalent growing up on the Eastern Shore.
The southern bay reefs have supplied fishermen with bottom fishing battles from both reds and a few sheepshead. Folks patrolling the CBBT have also gotten to hear the drag scream as cobia get ready for “school “ this fall.
Don’t forget we have a series of tournaments throughout the shore. Starting with the Onanacock Bay Challenge followed by the Westside Outcasters , and then on to the Tangier Classic. All are a lot of fun and a great way to support the community. If you have any questions feel free to call or stop by the shop and we’ll get you headed on the right coarse.
So as we enter the awesome autumn time of year, grab your buddies or the family and enter a tournament or just go for fun… but get out there and enjoy this wonderful place we call home!
fish in the bay, free from the dip net . However, when the wind blows and the water is a little white there is always a leeward bank available to enjoy the Eastern Shore experience.
The weather window to access the Atlantic was as short as your buddies fish he bragged about on the day you had to stay home. Earlier in the week, when we could pursue palegic prey, anglers enjoyed mahi action that included scrappy struggles with awesome arial antics that landed them right on a dinner plate. Tuna, for the most part, have been hard to find, but a few billfish or wahoo will certainly fill that void. Bottom fishing for deep delicious delicacies like tile continue to sustain famished fishermen in need of sustenance.
The seaside activity inshore of the barrier islands has consisted of a foundation of flounder ( mainly undersized) , but also added a few puppy drum to the backwater buffet. These salty spot-tails have been engaged both in the suds of the ES surf , and also around the magnificent marsh estuaries inside the inlets . The bronze beach trophies have taken cut spot on modified fishfinder rigs while the fish from the flats have been tempted by popping corks followed by gulp shrimp.
The “Red” hot action is also available on the shorelines of the Chesapeake. The shallows of the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds have yielded reds of all sizes. On the grass flats, slot and undersized fish have given some sweetwater sport as anglers offer popping corks with gulp or chunks of crab in exchange for a bent rod. While you search the shallows you will probably come across small specs ( with a big fish mixed in) and a rock or two to keep things interesting. On deeper edges of the southern Chesapeake, trophy sized channel bass key in on cut spot and 8/0 circle hooks with fish finders on the bottom. Some of the same hard bottom areas have also produced a handful of yellowfin, trout , spot and a few larger hardheads. It sure would be nice to have some of the traditional bottom fishing back that was so prevalent growing up on the Eastern Shore.
The southern bay reefs have supplied fishermen with bottom fishing battles from both reds and a few sheepshead. Folks patrolling the CBBT have also gotten to hear the drag scream as cobia get ready for “school “ this fall.
Don’t forget we have a series of tournaments throughout the shore. Starting with the Onanacock Bay Challenge followed by the Westside Outcasters , and then on to the Tangier Classic. All are a lot of fun and a great way to support the community. If you have any questions feel free to call or stop by the shop and we’ll get you headed on the right coarse.
So as we enter the awesome autumn time of year, grab your buddies or the family and enter a tournament or just go for fun… but get out there and enjoy this wonderful place we call home!
Mr Todd and Mr Rick had fun pulling on these feisty puppy drum ,Congratulations on your first puppy drum !!!!! #seahawksportscenter2024 #thetugisthedrug
Crazy Larry and I did a quick run yesterday and found a few of these beautiful Rockfish and a very pretty speckled trout!!!!!!#seahawksportscenter2024 #thetugisthedrug
We definitely have been reminded that we still are in a summertime weather pattern, but all and all August has been pretty pleasant. While the thermometer reminds us that fall fishing is not in casting distance yet, there is plenty to reel in on the beautiful southern Eastern Shore.
The best news from this past week has been courtesy of the 3 A’s. Awesome August Atlantic fishing. White marlin have made a great showing in the deep to our north, while mahi have bent rods off Chincoteague and Wachapreague. Most fish have been on the smaller side but a lot of fun on light tackle. On Sunday morning, we hopped aboard the 10-4 Joker with Crazy Larry and boated a bunch of mouthwatering mahi in short order. It was an unforgettable experience as I got to witness Belle, Michelle and even my second daughter Reagan ( one of Belle’s best friends) smile , laugh and battle a bunch of crazy , colorful fish amongst the chaos of the mahi mayhem. We caught good numbers of fish on both chunk baits as well as by casting X-Raps around floating structures like pot floats and other debris found floating on the surface of the salty sea. The tuna bite continues to underperform, but tile fish save the day by providing a dinner from the deep.
The inshore Atlantic continues to provide Spanish and blues on the troll and also some late summer brown suits . Early this week there was considerable cobia carnage on some of the shoals between Chincoteague and Ocean City. Sight fishing has definitely been the most productive technique to lure these tussling trophies over the gunwale. A few flounder keep ambitious anglers pacified as they are reluctantly pulled from the structures of the inshore reefs.
The Chesapeake’s waters may not possess the deep shades of blue and beautiful crystal clear waters of the canyons, but it does have a tint of red as it has granted world class red fishing that shouldn’t ever be taken for granted. Both mature and puppy drum has straightened lines and created happy memories for anglers of the ESVA. The bull red bite has been hot from Watts Island south along the sloughs and hills of the Eastern Shore bayside. Cut spot on 8/0 circles with a fish-finder rig, have been the recipe for the channel bass challenge. We have been boating 5-7 reds a night with several breaking the 46” Va release citation mark.
The puppies have provided pullage in the shallows of the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds. Popping corks continue to produce predatory responses from passing pups that inhale jig heads tipped with paddle or curly tails as well as chunks of peeler crab. While targeting small spot tails, you may encounter a nice spec among the smaller trout that terrorize baits with much larger ambitions.
On some of the man made Chesapeake reefs and structures, sheepshead have finally made a striped toothy appearance. Chunks of peeler on sweeper jigs have convinced these timid biter’s to step up to the plate.. or maybe on the plate if everything goes as planned!
This week I have had the opportunity to see the sun rise up out of the Atlantic like a leaping mahi trying to dislodge an anglers hook. I have also witnessed the sun sink beneath the western horizon like a drum pulling your rod tip down to the water. I saw my daughter in awe at the arial acrobatics of a multi colored mahi and I saw a 7 year old boy boat his first bronze brawling red as he took a step in the right of passage to be a man. To witness and partake in all these things proved that we are so blessed to be the folks that get to live in this wonderful place we call home!
The best news from this past week has been courtesy of the 3 A’s. Awesome August Atlantic fishing. White marlin have made a great showing in the deep to our north, while mahi have bent rods off Chincoteague and Wachapreague. Most fish have been on the smaller side but a lot of fun on light tackle. On Sunday morning, we hopped aboard the 10-4 Joker with Crazy Larry and boated a bunch of mouthwatering mahi in short order. It was an unforgettable experience as I got to witness Belle, Michelle and even my second daughter Reagan ( one of Belle’s best friends) smile , laugh and battle a bunch of crazy , colorful fish amongst the chaos of the mahi mayhem. We caught good numbers of fish on both chunk baits as well as by casting X-Raps around floating structures like pot floats and other debris found floating on the surface of the salty sea. The tuna bite continues to underperform, but tile fish save the day by providing a dinner from the deep.
The inshore Atlantic continues to provide Spanish and blues on the troll and also some late summer brown suits . Early this week there was considerable cobia carnage on some of the shoals between Chincoteague and Ocean City. Sight fishing has definitely been the most productive technique to lure these tussling trophies over the gunwale. A few flounder keep ambitious anglers pacified as they are reluctantly pulled from the structures of the inshore reefs.
The Chesapeake’s waters may not possess the deep shades of blue and beautiful crystal clear waters of the canyons, but it does have a tint of red as it has granted world class red fishing that shouldn’t ever be taken for granted. Both mature and puppy drum has straightened lines and created happy memories for anglers of the ESVA. The bull red bite has been hot from Watts Island south along the sloughs and hills of the Eastern Shore bayside. Cut spot on 8/0 circles with a fish-finder rig, have been the recipe for the channel bass challenge. We have been boating 5-7 reds a night with several breaking the 46” Va release citation mark.
The puppies have provided pullage in the shallows of the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds. Popping corks continue to produce predatory responses from passing pups that inhale jig heads tipped with paddle or curly tails as well as chunks of peeler crab. While targeting small spot tails, you may encounter a nice spec among the smaller trout that terrorize baits with much larger ambitions.
On some of the man made Chesapeake reefs and structures, sheepshead have finally made a striped toothy appearance. Chunks of peeler on sweeper jigs have convinced these timid biter’s to step up to the plate.. or maybe on the plate if everything goes as planned!
This week I have had the opportunity to see the sun rise up out of the Atlantic like a leaping mahi trying to dislodge an anglers hook. I have also witnessed the sun sink beneath the western horizon like a drum pulling your rod tip down to the water. I saw my daughter in awe at the arial acrobatics of a multi colored mahi and I saw a 7 year old boy boat his first bronze brawling red as he took a step in the right of passage to be a man. To witness and partake in all these things proved that we are so blessed to be the folks that get to live in this wonderful place we call home!
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