While latter July on the lower Eastern Shore mainly involves beach bbq’s and watching wild Pony’s wash up on the east side of Chincoteague, fishing tends to slide a bit out of the spotlight. However, never fear, the ESVA has still got a few opportunities for those of us who would rather cast a line than sit and watch the waves no matter how good the burgers are!
The seaside once again steals the attention of anxious anglers with slow but steady action. Offshore activity has centered just shy of the Norfolk canyon where a mixed bag of yellowfin and mahi make for smiles all the way to supper time. Most action arrives on trolled baits like Sidewinders and skirted hoos. The Sidewinders are a planing spreader bar that keeps baits well off the beam in clean water with out taking up outrigger rod spots. For what ever reason, purple and black have been a productive palette, but the classic blue, white, pink, and, green should always have a place on your pelagic picnic table. If the trolled targets are delinquent from the point of the gaff than drop for a deep water tile. Both blues and golden have done their part in subsidizing subpar trips to ensure overall success.
The near shore scene has gotten a bit more selective as reef residents are not quite as cooperative as previously observed. Flounder, while still pretty prevalent, have slowed a bit as anglers continue to pound on the pressure. While not all boats are heading home with a limit of fillets, most are dirtying up the frying pan for a somewhat satisfying meal. At least we have started to get some delicious Eastern Shore sweet corn to help fill our bellies. The best technique has been twitching 2-4 oz jigs tipped with gulp or strip baits directly of the structure. Productivity has been encouraged by using colors like orange, pinks, chartreuse, and good ol’ white. If the flat fish are not cooperating, there have been opportunities of spade and triggers on small chunks of clam, blues and Spanish on trolled clarkspoons, and a handful of Cobia on brightly colored jigs and live eels. If you’re ready for any opportunity thrown at you, you will definitely be ready for success!
The Chesapeake unfortunately has been on the quieter side. Highlights include schools of nice blues and a few reds in the main stem of the bay. Finding them has been challenging but when they are located, the rewards are plenty. Hopefully, some long awaited puppy drum will finally show up in the shallows, but so far they have been MIA. Regardless, there are some exciting opportunities on the horizon for big reds as well as other fisheries just waiting for a little cool down.
Fishing may not be at its best right this second but try to make the most of the opportunities we are given. Whether it’s getting friends and family together to watch the 100th Anniversary Pony Swim or slipping out on the Pocomoke for a relaxing bass trip ( like Michelle and I did last evening) to try something new-there still plenty to do in the water around this wonderful place to that we call home!
The seaside once again steals the attention of anxious anglers with slow but steady action. Offshore activity has centered just shy of the Norfolk canyon where a mixed bag of yellowfin and mahi make for smiles all the way to supper time. Most action arrives on trolled baits like Sidewinders and skirted hoos. The Sidewinders are a planing spreader bar that keeps baits well off the beam in clean water with out taking up outrigger rod spots. For what ever reason, purple and black have been a productive palette, but the classic blue, white, pink, and, green should always have a place on your pelagic picnic table. If the trolled targets are delinquent from the point of the gaff than drop for a deep water tile. Both blues and golden have done their part in subsidizing subpar trips to ensure overall success.
The near shore scene has gotten a bit more selective as reef residents are not quite as cooperative as previously observed. Flounder, while still pretty prevalent, have slowed a bit as anglers continue to pound on the pressure. While not all boats are heading home with a limit of fillets, most are dirtying up the frying pan for a somewhat satisfying meal. At least we have started to get some delicious Eastern Shore sweet corn to help fill our bellies. The best technique has been twitching 2-4 oz jigs tipped with gulp or strip baits directly of the structure. Productivity has been encouraged by using colors like orange, pinks, chartreuse, and good ol’ white. If the flat fish are not cooperating, there have been opportunities of spade and triggers on small chunks of clam, blues and Spanish on trolled clarkspoons, and a handful of Cobia on brightly colored jigs and live eels. If you’re ready for any opportunity thrown at you, you will definitely be ready for success!
The Chesapeake unfortunately has been on the quieter side. Highlights include schools of nice blues and a few reds in the main stem of the bay. Finding them has been challenging but when they are located, the rewards are plenty. Hopefully, some long awaited puppy drum will finally show up in the shallows, but so far they have been MIA. Regardless, there are some exciting opportunities on the horizon for big reds as well as other fisheries just waiting for a little cool down.
Fishing may not be at its best right this second but try to make the most of the opportunities we are given. Whether it’s getting friends and family together to watch the 100th Anniversary Pony Swim or slipping out on the Pocomoke for a relaxing bass trip ( like Michelle and I did last evening) to try something new-there still plenty to do in the water around this wonderful place to that we call home!
I wish the fishing on the Eastern Shore was as consistent as the heat. From the Atlantic to the Chesapeake, the bite is batting a cool .500 while temperatures keep a constant that will bring sweat to your brow. However, the weather will change, the tide will turn, and our rods will bend. All we need to do is be ready for the opportunity.
The inshore wrecks, reefs and lumps off the coast of the ESVA have provided the most persistent path to a picture perfect dinner plate. Flounder are the main coarse in a fine fillet filled meal. The inshore reefs and wrecks in less than 100’ depths have been the stage where flounder and anglers wage battles that hopefully fill the fish box. When the current allows ,jigging 2-4 ounce baits tipped with curtail gulp or Z-man Doormator baits in an array of colors including white, chartreuse, pink, and orange are great choices . When the current is too strong, drifting baits on more traditional top and bottom style rigs have done the trick. A heavy sinker and cut baits like long strips of squid, flounder belly, and smelt are all you need to add to ring the dinner bell for unsuspecting flat fish. Around some of these same areas Cobia have been cruising around just looking for a live eel to be dropped in front of their noses. Blues and Spanish have also made their presence known as anglers tangle with these toothy trophies using Clarkspoons trolled behind #1 and #2 planers. If you are super lucky you may have a shot at a small mahi that has wondered into the relative shallows.
Now the deep is another story, with pelagic’s pulling drag. Most of the action has been mahi and yellowfin with a few marlin and wahoo to complete the experience. Most action has been in the canyons. However, I do know of a handful of tuna and 1 white that were taken on the 20 fathom line. Purple and black seem to be the best colors to leave a bruise on hungry tuna, but pink and blue skirts and chains are on the menu as well.
The Chesapeake has definitely been hit or miss. Sometimes it seems to literally be every other day. Unfortunately even the good days are cooling off in the summer heat. There has been some top water activity for specs early in the morning. Just remember, both Maryland and Virginia rock seasons are closed. Pups have been few and far between as we hope for their long awaited arrival. Cobia are still around but very spread out from the CBBT to the Mariner target ship. The most exciting news is from sightings of big blues and shoaled reds in the middle of the bay. While it feels like finding a needle in a haystack, it could be the start of a memory of a lifetime.
So the fishing is a little off and the temperature is a little hot. The best treatment is to let the grass grow for a bit longer and cool down with some salty spray coming over the gunwale. After all we have a responsibility to always enjoy this wonderful place that we call home!
The inshore wrecks, reefs and lumps off the coast of the ESVA have provided the most persistent path to a picture perfect dinner plate. Flounder are the main coarse in a fine fillet filled meal. The inshore reefs and wrecks in less than 100’ depths have been the stage where flounder and anglers wage battles that hopefully fill the fish box. When the current allows ,jigging 2-4 ounce baits tipped with curtail gulp or Z-man Doormator baits in an array of colors including white, chartreuse, pink, and orange are great choices . When the current is too strong, drifting baits on more traditional top and bottom style rigs have done the trick. A heavy sinker and cut baits like long strips of squid, flounder belly, and smelt are all you need to add to ring the dinner bell for unsuspecting flat fish. Around some of these same areas Cobia have been cruising around just looking for a live eel to be dropped in front of their noses. Blues and Spanish have also made their presence known as anglers tangle with these toothy trophies using Clarkspoons trolled behind #1 and #2 planers. If you are super lucky you may have a shot at a small mahi that has wondered into the relative shallows.
Now the deep is another story, with pelagic’s pulling drag. Most of the action has been mahi and yellowfin with a few marlin and wahoo to complete the experience. Most action has been in the canyons. However, I do know of a handful of tuna and 1 white that were taken on the 20 fathom line. Purple and black seem to be the best colors to leave a bruise on hungry tuna, but pink and blue skirts and chains are on the menu as well.
The Chesapeake has definitely been hit or miss. Sometimes it seems to literally be every other day. Unfortunately even the good days are cooling off in the summer heat. There has been some top water activity for specs early in the morning. Just remember, both Maryland and Virginia rock seasons are closed. Pups have been few and far between as we hope for their long awaited arrival. Cobia are still around but very spread out from the CBBT to the Mariner target ship. The most exciting news is from sightings of big blues and shoaled reds in the middle of the bay. While it feels like finding a needle in a haystack, it could be the start of a memory of a lifetime.
So the fishing is a little off and the temperature is a little hot. The best treatment is to let the grass grow for a bit longer and cool down with some salty spray coming over the gunwale. After all we have a responsibility to always enjoy this wonderful place that we call home!
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
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!
