The heat has been very hard to beat as the temperature ascends to nearly unbearable marks. The water temperature has also been rising faster than a flood tide on a full moon. However, there are rewards for those who push on and pursue the summertime sportsfishing experiences that are offered by the greatest place in the world!
The “ hottest “ news has come from the cool blue waters of the Atlantic. The tuna bite continues to sizzle with drags screaming from the Poorman’s to the Norfolk. Yellowfin have eagerly taken sidewinders, as well as skirted ballyhoo and daisy chain style rigs. Tantalizing colors included purple/ black and pink/white combinations. A few marlin and mahi are also showing up, adding to the paligic dinner plate.
Farther inshore, flounder have taken up residence at their summer haunts around structure like the rail cars, wrecks ,and reefs. Most of the productive habitat has been in 100’ or less. With this week’s lighter winds, most flounder were coerced across the gunwale by jigging 2-4 ounce bucktail type jigs tipped with a 5-6 inch gulp mullet or grub bait. Pink shine, orange variants like orange belly shrimp or fire tiger, and good ol’ white have rung the dinner bell for the fish that offers a fin-nominal fillet. While you are just floundering around in the nearshore waters, try drifting a small chunk of clam on a small short shank hook, suspended over some of the shallower structure for some spade and trigger action that will always add a tasty tussle to any salty excursion. Don’t forget to have a jig or a live eel ready to deploy… the man in the brown suit has been spotted off the Va Barrier Islands and typically hangs around some of the same reef oasis’ that attracts flounder and other fish. Definitely a brown bonus to put the icing on the cake…and as hot as it is we need anything with the word ice in it!
The inshore report has been a little less exciting. There are still good numbers of flounder in and around the inlets of the ESVA. However, the keeper to throwback ratio has not promoted a big family fish fry at the end of the trip. Still, there are some nice fish, amongst the shorts and smiles amongst the beads of sweat. The best time has been around high water ( last of the flood and first of the ebb) when the water is little cooler and cleaner. Also, grab the kid’s, some cut bait and chum. A mouth full of toothy fun is only a fishfinder rig away. While not all regard sharks as a prestigious gamefish, they are a ton of sport and will make the hottest day pass with a breeze and memories last longer than a hot summer night!
The Chesapeake action has mainly centered around Cobia from the Maryland line down to the CBBT. While sight fishing with eels and jigs has been good, most fish have accepted a bunker chunk as an invitation to stay for dinner. Most of the action has been in water depths of 15-25 feet near a fairly steep edge or slough. We did best on a running ebb tide first thing in the morning, before the sun got high. The high temperatures have slowed shallow water angling a bit with the exception of some early morning top water activity that included some stripes and speckles.
This week has been challenging for the ES angler. The heat and humidity make it seem like our passion just isn’t worth it…However, the best way to beat the heat is a little salt spray on your face and a seabreeze in your hair (I know not my hair) . So get off the couch and get some Eastern Shore hydration that will remind you of how lucky we are to live this wonderful place we call home!
The “ hottest “ news has come from the cool blue waters of the Atlantic. The tuna bite continues to sizzle with drags screaming from the Poorman’s to the Norfolk. Yellowfin have eagerly taken sidewinders, as well as skirted ballyhoo and daisy chain style rigs. Tantalizing colors included purple/ black and pink/white combinations. A few marlin and mahi are also showing up, adding to the paligic dinner plate.
Farther inshore, flounder have taken up residence at their summer haunts around structure like the rail cars, wrecks ,and reefs. Most of the productive habitat has been in 100’ or less. With this week’s lighter winds, most flounder were coerced across the gunwale by jigging 2-4 ounce bucktail type jigs tipped with a 5-6 inch gulp mullet or grub bait. Pink shine, orange variants like orange belly shrimp or fire tiger, and good ol’ white have rung the dinner bell for the fish that offers a fin-nominal fillet. While you are just floundering around in the nearshore waters, try drifting a small chunk of clam on a small short shank hook, suspended over some of the shallower structure for some spade and trigger action that will always add a tasty tussle to any salty excursion. Don’t forget to have a jig or a live eel ready to deploy… the man in the brown suit has been spotted off the Va Barrier Islands and typically hangs around some of the same reef oasis’ that attracts flounder and other fish. Definitely a brown bonus to put the icing on the cake…and as hot as it is we need anything with the word ice in it!
The inshore report has been a little less exciting. There are still good numbers of flounder in and around the inlets of the ESVA. However, the keeper to throwback ratio has not promoted a big family fish fry at the end of the trip. Still, there are some nice fish, amongst the shorts and smiles amongst the beads of sweat. The best time has been around high water ( last of the flood and first of the ebb) when the water is little cooler and cleaner. Also, grab the kid’s, some cut bait and chum. A mouth full of toothy fun is only a fishfinder rig away. While not all regard sharks as a prestigious gamefish, they are a ton of sport and will make the hottest day pass with a breeze and memories last longer than a hot summer night!
The Chesapeake action has mainly centered around Cobia from the Maryland line down to the CBBT. While sight fishing with eels and jigs has been good, most fish have accepted a bunker chunk as an invitation to stay for dinner. Most of the action has been in water depths of 15-25 feet near a fairly steep edge or slough. We did best on a running ebb tide first thing in the morning, before the sun got high. The high temperatures have slowed shallow water angling a bit with the exception of some early morning top water activity that included some stripes and speckles.
This week has been challenging for the ES angler. The heat and humidity make it seem like our passion just isn’t worth it…However, the best way to beat the heat is a little salt spray on your face and a seabreeze in your hair (I know not my hair) . So get off the couch and get some Eastern Shore hydration that will remind you of how lucky we are to live this wonderful place we call home!
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Captain Larry of the “ Tina Louise” is down for the brown … suits that is. He’s kept lines tight and customers happy with some MAGNUM COBIA! Give him a call for a trip you will never forget!! Capt Larry Tawes (410) 251-6384
