Summer is flying by and we’ve got to make sure we enjoy every last sunset. Even though the weather encroaches on our plans with rain , wind, and tides, there are plenty of Eastern Shore opportunities to behold before autumn.
The stiff easterly breezes have forced the bulk of our efforts to the Chesapeake Bay side of the shore. The biggest, bullish, news comes with a bronze shine. The bull red fishing is off the hook….. or rather on the hook in the southern Chesapeake. These big spot-tail trophies are spawning in and around the sloughs and hills of the Chesapeake adjacent of Pungoteague creek down to Cape Charles. Most fish have been engaged around sunset in 20 to 30 foot depths. A fishfinder rig sporting an 8/0 circle with a succulent piece of spot seems to ring the dinner bell for these supersized scrappers. Along with the opportunity to roughhouse with trophy reds you will encounter sharks, blues ,and even a Cobia if you’re lucky. All are willing to tighten up your line and keep things interesting.
While the red drum bite has kept a good tempo, the shallows have also had a little action. The spec bite in the mid bay has not been awesome, but it has improved. Specs have been boated from the grass flats of Smith to the jagged metal of the target ships. Some of these same man made structures have also produced a few sheepshead and small black drum. Crab and tog jigs are the most lethal arrows in your quiver for these reef residents. While you concentrate on bottom fishing amongst the the snaggy sanctuaries of big fish, keep a look out for bunches of busting blues. A Lonley Angler topwater plug or a Rapala suspending bait can put a toothy torpedo on the end of your line and a smile on your face.
When the wind has created an antagonistic environment that keeps you from the main body of the bay, there are many leeward options that can make a fishless day finish with a frying pan full of fillets. The mouths of the Wicomico and Manokin rivers are loaded with perch and a surprising number of rock. The perch can be targeted with t&b rigs adorned with small beaded spinner hooks or small 1/16 ounce curtail jigs tipped with a small piece of peeler. The perch have been in and around the small tributary creeks found where these rivers meet the bay. Along with the perch, rock have been plentiful in some of these same locations. We casted rap-10’s around rips at the mouths of several creeks and were delighted to hear the scream of a drag as we battled the striped scrappers to the gunwale.
As I sit here watching a beautiful bronze fireball set into the depths of the Chesapeake, and hope that it turns into a brilliant bronze firework ( with a spot on its tail) on the end of my line, I realize how blessed we are. Whether the weather is rough or time is short, we are awful lucky to live in a this wonderful place that we call home!
The stiff easterly breezes have forced the bulk of our efforts to the Chesapeake Bay side of the shore. The biggest, bullish, news comes with a bronze shine. The bull red fishing is off the hook….. or rather on the hook in the southern Chesapeake. These big spot-tail trophies are spawning in and around the sloughs and hills of the Chesapeake adjacent of Pungoteague creek down to Cape Charles. Most fish have been engaged around sunset in 20 to 30 foot depths. A fishfinder rig sporting an 8/0 circle with a succulent piece of spot seems to ring the dinner bell for these supersized scrappers. Along with the opportunity to roughhouse with trophy reds you will encounter sharks, blues ,and even a Cobia if you’re lucky. All are willing to tighten up your line and keep things interesting.
While the red drum bite has kept a good tempo, the shallows have also had a little action. The spec bite in the mid bay has not been awesome, but it has improved. Specs have been boated from the grass flats of Smith to the jagged metal of the target ships. Some of these same man made structures have also produced a few sheepshead and small black drum. Crab and tog jigs are the most lethal arrows in your quiver for these reef residents. While you concentrate on bottom fishing amongst the the snaggy sanctuaries of big fish, keep a look out for bunches of busting blues. A Lonley Angler topwater plug or a Rapala suspending bait can put a toothy torpedo on the end of your line and a smile on your face.
When the wind has created an antagonistic environment that keeps you from the main body of the bay, there are many leeward options that can make a fishless day finish with a frying pan full of fillets. The mouths of the Wicomico and Manokin rivers are loaded with perch and a surprising number of rock. The perch can be targeted with t&b rigs adorned with small beaded spinner hooks or small 1/16 ounce curtail jigs tipped with a small piece of peeler. The perch have been in and around the small tributary creeks found where these rivers meet the bay. Along with the perch, rock have been plentiful in some of these same locations. We casted rap-10’s around rips at the mouths of several creeks and were delighted to hear the scream of a drag as we battled the striped scrappers to the gunwale.
As I sit here watching a beautiful bronze fireball set into the depths of the Chesapeake, and hope that it turns into a brilliant bronze firework ( with a spot on its tail) on the end of my line, I realize how blessed we are. Whether the weather is rough or time is short, we are awful lucky to live in a this wonderful place that we call home!
Good Morning From Sea Hawk Sportsfishing! The boys kept us up late… beating on the drums!
August is flying by faster than an ebb tide during full moon. The days are getting shorter, the waters getting a touch cooler, and the fishing is getting better. From the seaside to the bay there are plenty of opportunities just waiting for you to set the hook.
The Chesapeake has taken the main stage of our August Eastern Shore show. The shallows are heating up, metaphorically, thanks to the slightly cooler water. Rock and perch, eagerly hone in on small jigs and rigs tipped with peeler. Small tributaries of the Wicomico and Manokin have been the most productive with the best action coming on the last of the flood and first of the ebb. It doesn’t take long to fill the fryer with fillets.
The shallows of the sound have also been a bit more productive as anglers target specs, spots, and stripes, with an array of topwater and suspended baits like Mirrodeans and Lonely Anglers. First and last light have been the most productive with a incoming tide stacking the deck for success. And yes, a few long awaited pups have started to show up. While we have not seen the numbers that we grew accustomed to last fall…It’s a good sign!
In regards to other spot-tail sightings, the late summer spawn has started in the lower Chesapeake. The hills and sloughs from just south of Onancock to Cape Charles have been the scene for bullish bronze battles. The secret to sizzling drag is setting up with 8/0 circle fishfinder rigs with cut baits like spot, in about 20-30 feet of water. There has been plenty of blues and sharks to steal bait as fast as you can put it on, so put out a small hooked t&b rig with fishbites to supplement your bait supply. If you happen to be close to some structure, put a piece of peeler on a tog jig and drop it to the bottom in hopes of a nice sheepshead. There have been some magnums boated lately!
The angry Atlantic has calmed a bit this week and allowed anglers to get back to being acquainted with success. The flounder bite has been pretty good on the nearshore wrecks and reefs. Jigging 2-4 oz pink, white, and chartreuse bucktails tipped with curltailed gulp is what is needed to seal the deal for a fine tasting flounder dinner.
Further into the deeper depths of blue, yellowfin have been burning some drags as anglers tow skirted ballyhoo and sidewinder bars. In addition to these golden torpedo like tuna, false albacore and mahi have also been cooperating and adding a lot of fun to an already great outing. For those of us more concerned with the culinary opportunities forwarded to us, the tile bite has been great all the way from the sea floor to your dinner plate. Just one more delicious reason to point your bow east!
Before long school will start and summer will end. So take some time and get your family and friends out on the water. From BULL reds to big tuna there is some awesome memories to be made in this wonderful place we call home…. And that’s no BULL
The Chesapeake has taken the main stage of our August Eastern Shore show. The shallows are heating up, metaphorically, thanks to the slightly cooler water. Rock and perch, eagerly hone in on small jigs and rigs tipped with peeler. Small tributaries of the Wicomico and Manokin have been the most productive with the best action coming on the last of the flood and first of the ebb. It doesn’t take long to fill the fryer with fillets.
The shallows of the sound have also been a bit more productive as anglers target specs, spots, and stripes, with an array of topwater and suspended baits like Mirrodeans and Lonely Anglers. First and last light have been the most productive with a incoming tide stacking the deck for success. And yes, a few long awaited pups have started to show up. While we have not seen the numbers that we grew accustomed to last fall…It’s a good sign!
In regards to other spot-tail sightings, the late summer spawn has started in the lower Chesapeake. The hills and sloughs from just south of Onancock to Cape Charles have been the scene for bullish bronze battles. The secret to sizzling drag is setting up with 8/0 circle fishfinder rigs with cut baits like spot, in about 20-30 feet of water. There has been plenty of blues and sharks to steal bait as fast as you can put it on, so put out a small hooked t&b rig with fishbites to supplement your bait supply. If you happen to be close to some structure, put a piece of peeler on a tog jig and drop it to the bottom in hopes of a nice sheepshead. There have been some magnums boated lately!
The angry Atlantic has calmed a bit this week and allowed anglers to get back to being acquainted with success. The flounder bite has been pretty good on the nearshore wrecks and reefs. Jigging 2-4 oz pink, white, and chartreuse bucktails tipped with curltailed gulp is what is needed to seal the deal for a fine tasting flounder dinner.
Further into the deeper depths of blue, yellowfin have been burning some drags as anglers tow skirted ballyhoo and sidewinder bars. In addition to these golden torpedo like tuna, false albacore and mahi have also been cooperating and adding a lot of fun to an already great outing. For those of us more concerned with the culinary opportunities forwarded to us, the tile bite has been great all the way from the sea floor to your dinner plate. Just one more delicious reason to point your bow east!
Before long school will start and summer will end. So take some time and get your family and friends out on the water. From BULL reds to big tuna there is some awesome memories to be made in this wonderful place we call home…. And that’s no BULL
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