The rain is slowing so it’s time to get going. The weather should allow for a little more cranking and we need to take advantage of every chance we get to cast a line that might have a memory tugging on the far end!
The azul of the Atlantic has been the center stage for Eastern Shore action. The near shore wrecks and reefs, like Blackfish Banks and The Paramore reef, have proved to be populated with nice flounder just waiting to be dipped up. The most productive prescription for positive floundering, includes 1.5 to 4 ounce jigs tipped with 5 to 6 inch gulp curly tail baits in the colors of white, chartreuse, pink, and orange. Cut bait trailers like long strips of squid and flounder belly are also enticing offerings to lure a fat filet into the frying pan. These jigs are best twitched over and around the structure in a high frequency motion for a waiting flounder to ambush.
While searching the near shore reefs keep a lookout for Cobia cruising amongst the many submerged structures that pepper the bottom off the Eastern Shore Barrier Islands. Once spotted, these bullish brown brutes can be tempted by casting a live eel or brightly colored jig within striking distance. And As long as we are talking about bullish fish, a big beautiful bronze bunch of reds were recently spotted just off the Assateague beach. While gifts like this are not common by far, be aware of the potential possibility… it could be an exciting experience that you will never forget!!
The deep blue continues to cooperate with comparatively great pelagic pullage. Nearly all the activity has been confined to the canyons. Tuna and mahi have made up the bulk of the rod bending battles. Anglers have trolled sidewinders, daisy chains, and skirted ballyhoo to tease the tuna and mahi to the tip of the gaff. Purple/ black, pink/white along with the ol’ standard blue/ white set the stage for a super charged struggle over the transom.
The sounds have been a little quieter as the summer doldrums dominate the Chesapeake chatter. However, with the cloudy sunrises, the early morning bite holds strong with specs and rock surprising anglers with strikes on the surface that satisfy like a cool breeze just before a thunderstorm. Surface walking lures like the Lonely Angler and Rapala Skitterwalks have given a “ spec” of hope to anglers who had previously thought that our troubled shallows were in metaphorical as well as lateral “ hot water “. While you cruise the Chesapeake keep a weather eye out for opportunities like shoaled reds and blues. All of which are prevalent and could provide a perfect addition to an already great time.
Yes, the temperature may be a little hot and the threat of a thunderhead is sure to be a bit unsettling. However, don’t give up trying to enjoy the great opportunities for experiences that make us so lucky to live in this wonderful place that we call home!
The azul of the Atlantic has been the center stage for Eastern Shore action. The near shore wrecks and reefs, like Blackfish Banks and The Paramore reef, have proved to be populated with nice flounder just waiting to be dipped up. The most productive prescription for positive floundering, includes 1.5 to 4 ounce jigs tipped with 5 to 6 inch gulp curly tail baits in the colors of white, chartreuse, pink, and orange. Cut bait trailers like long strips of squid and flounder belly are also enticing offerings to lure a fat filet into the frying pan. These jigs are best twitched over and around the structure in a high frequency motion for a waiting flounder to ambush.
While searching the near shore reefs keep a lookout for Cobia cruising amongst the many submerged structures that pepper the bottom off the Eastern Shore Barrier Islands. Once spotted, these bullish brown brutes can be tempted by casting a live eel or brightly colored jig within striking distance. And As long as we are talking about bullish fish, a big beautiful bronze bunch of reds were recently spotted just off the Assateague beach. While gifts like this are not common by far, be aware of the potential possibility… it could be an exciting experience that you will never forget!!
The deep blue continues to cooperate with comparatively great pelagic pullage. Nearly all the activity has been confined to the canyons. Tuna and mahi have made up the bulk of the rod bending battles. Anglers have trolled sidewinders, daisy chains, and skirted ballyhoo to tease the tuna and mahi to the tip of the gaff. Purple/ black, pink/white along with the ol’ standard blue/ white set the stage for a super charged struggle over the transom.
The sounds have been a little quieter as the summer doldrums dominate the Chesapeake chatter. However, with the cloudy sunrises, the early morning bite holds strong with specs and rock surprising anglers with strikes on the surface that satisfy like a cool breeze just before a thunderstorm. Surface walking lures like the Lonely Angler and Rapala Skitterwalks have given a “ spec” of hope to anglers who had previously thought that our troubled shallows were in metaphorical as well as lateral “ hot water “. While you cruise the Chesapeake keep a weather eye out for opportunities like shoaled reds and blues. All of which are prevalent and could provide a perfect addition to an already great time.
Yes, the temperature may be a little hot and the threat of a thunderhead is sure to be a bit unsettling. However, don’t give up trying to enjoy the great opportunities for experiences that make us so lucky to live in this wonderful place that we call home!
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July in upon us and we all want to see fireworks in the night sky as well as at the end of our line. So wrestle a RED, jig up a flaty with some WHITE gulp , and bend a rod on a scrappy BLUE. Just make sure you take time to participate in the sport that we enjoy so much in the country we love even more!
The BLUE of the Atlantic has stolen the spotlight as an offshore extravaganza offers great opportunity to tangle with a tuna as well as pursue other pelagic’s like mahi and deep water tiles. The Washington to the Norfolk canyons have been the most productive province as anglers troll sidewinders and daisy chains along with shirted ballyhoo to tempt tasty tuna to the gunwale. Blue/ white, pink/white, and purple/ black have been among the most tantalizing treats to lure fish to the cooler. Hopefully the tuna action holds and the mahi action magnifies as the summer surges on.
The waters closer to shore are offering some fine floundering with a side of superb seabassing. The flounder have taken up residence at wrecks and reefs in the 50-100 depth range and are targeting 2-4 oz jigs tipped with gulp curtail selections such as the swimming mullet and grub style baits. Spades and triggers are also abundant and will take suspended small chunks of clam when in the feeding mood.
Inside and around the inlets of the VA barrier islands islands, floundering is still flourishing. However, keepers continue to be hard to find. The period of time encompassing high water seems to be the most productive. Kingfish also have made their presence known around the inlets and in the surf. A small piece of bloodworm, crab , shrimp, or even Fishbites is all that is needed to get these tasty panfish into the frying pan. Inshore sharks continue to bend rods and provide sport. While most are species that need to be released, the action is second to none as anglers tempt these toothy predators with cut bait sweetened with a little chum.
While fishing has slowed a bit,the Chesapeake continues to offer some Cobia encounters as folks set out to tangle with the man in the brown suit from the Maryland line south. The CBBT as had the most action with good numbers coming from the bridge itself and as well as shoals and reefs like the cabbage patch. Who knows, you may even be blessed enough to partake in a surprise that will make memories for life. This past week I had 2 reports of large tarpon taking cut Cobia baits. One report ended in an unintentional release and the other with a boatside memory that will be talked about for years to come.
The shallows of the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds are heating up…. In temperature that is. The fishing on the other hand seems to have cooled down, with the exception of the early morning hours providing a spec of hope. Rock and speckled trout are still lurking around the grass flats of the sounds. Surface plugs like “The Lonely Angler” have produced aggressive surface explosions that rival any Fourth of July fireworks.
As I sit here watching the fireball in the sky disappear and hopefully turn into fireworks on my line, it’s very clear that we are so fortunate to live in this wonderful place that we call home!
The BLUE of the Atlantic has stolen the spotlight as an offshore extravaganza offers great opportunity to tangle with a tuna as well as pursue other pelagic’s like mahi and deep water tiles. The Washington to the Norfolk canyons have been the most productive province as anglers troll sidewinders and daisy chains along with shirted ballyhoo to tempt tasty tuna to the gunwale. Blue/ white, pink/white, and purple/ black have been among the most tantalizing treats to lure fish to the cooler. Hopefully the tuna action holds and the mahi action magnifies as the summer surges on.
The waters closer to shore are offering some fine floundering with a side of superb seabassing. The flounder have taken up residence at wrecks and reefs in the 50-100 depth range and are targeting 2-4 oz jigs tipped with gulp curtail selections such as the swimming mullet and grub style baits. Spades and triggers are also abundant and will take suspended small chunks of clam when in the feeding mood.
Inside and around the inlets of the VA barrier islands islands, floundering is still flourishing. However, keepers continue to be hard to find. The period of time encompassing high water seems to be the most productive. Kingfish also have made their presence known around the inlets and in the surf. A small piece of bloodworm, crab , shrimp, or even Fishbites is all that is needed to get these tasty panfish into the frying pan. Inshore sharks continue to bend rods and provide sport. While most are species that need to be released, the action is second to none as anglers tempt these toothy predators with cut bait sweetened with a little chum.
While fishing has slowed a bit,the Chesapeake continues to offer some Cobia encounters as folks set out to tangle with the man in the brown suit from the Maryland line south. The CBBT as had the most action with good numbers coming from the bridge itself and as well as shoals and reefs like the cabbage patch. Who knows, you may even be blessed enough to partake in a surprise that will make memories for life. This past week I had 2 reports of large tarpon taking cut Cobia baits. One report ended in an unintentional release and the other with a boatside memory that will be talked about for years to come.
The shallows of the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds are heating up…. In temperature that is. The fishing on the other hand seems to have cooled down, with the exception of the early morning hours providing a spec of hope. Rock and speckled trout are still lurking around the grass flats of the sounds. Surface plugs like “The Lonely Angler” have produced aggressive surface explosions that rival any Fourth of July fireworks.
As I sit here watching the fireball in the sky disappear and hopefully turn into fireworks on my line, it’s very clear that we are so fortunate to live in this wonderful place that we call home!
