Fishing season is in full swing, offering a range of opportunities for enthusiasts to catch all kinds of fish. Cobia are abundant in the Bay and the oceanfront, while Spadefish and Spot can be found in the bay’s tributaries and along the beachfront. Red Drums, known more commonly as redfish or channel bass, are also popular with anglers due to their impressive size and fighting spirit.
Catching Cobia
Fishing enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the fishing season is in full swing, offering plenty of opportunities to catch a range of fish. Cobia are especially abundant in the Bay and the oceanfront and can be caught using live eels or croakers as bait or by casting bucktails or large jigs and reeling them in with fast and erratic action. Sight-fishing Cobia from a tower boat or kayak is also an option but requires quick reflexes and stealthiness.
Catching Spadefish and Spot
Spadefish and Spot are the most popular fish in the Bay, its tributaries, and along the beachfront. Spadefish are attracted to complex structures like bridge pilings, wrecks, or artificial reefs and can be caught by anchoring up current and chumming with clam snouts or ground menhaden. To catch them, use small hooks with clam strips as bait, and drop them into the chum slick. For Spot, a two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and pieces of bloodworms, squid strips, shrimp, or artificial bloodworms will do the trick. Both species are delicious and fun to catch from a boat or shore.
The Best Way to Catch Red Drum
Red Drdrumsalso known as redfish or channel bass, are highly sought after by anglers due to their impressive size and fighting spirit. These fish can grow up to 50 pounds or more, and they typically feed on crabs and fish on shoals at night. The best way to catch them is by using a fish-finder rig with a large circle hook and a chunk of crab or cut bait. During the day, one may encounter large schools of Red Drums near the surface; casting spoons, jigs, or plugs is highly recommended.
Fishing for Tarpon
Tips for Successfully Catching Tarpon
1. Use Live Bait
2. Fish Near the Bottom
3. Use a Heavy-Duty Rod and Reel
4. Be Patient and Persistent
5. Enjoy the Reward of Seeing them Up Close
Tarpons, also known as silver kings, are majestic and acrobatic fish that can be seen jumping out of the water multiple times when hooked. They can be found in various spots, such as behind Cobb Island on the Eastern Shore or south side rivers. To successfully catch them, anglers should use live bait such as mullet, menhaden, or spot and fish near the bottom with a heavy-duty rod and reel. Catching tarpon requires patience and persistence, but the reward of seeing them up close is worth the effort.
The abundance of Fish in the OBX
The Outer Banks of North Carolina has been a prime destination for fishing enthusiasts, boasting an array of catchable species such as Big Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Bluefish, and slot Red Drum. Recent reports from piers in the area have revealed abundant fish, including Sea Mullet, Spot, Flounder, Croaker, Pigfish, Spanish Mackerel, Sea Bass, and even a King Mackerel at Nags Head Pier. With so much to offer, it's no wonder that the OBX remains a premier fishing destination for anglers everywhere.
If you want to get in on the action, an offshore fishing trip to Virginia Beach is the perfect choice. With plentiful Billfish, Dolphin, Yellowfin Tuna, and Tilefish, you won't be disappointed by the array of catches awaiting you!
Fishing has long been a popular pastime here on the Bay, and the current season is no exception. Anglers of all levels will find plenty of opportunities to test their luck and skill with an abundance of Cobia, Spadefish, Spot, and Red Drum. Different techniques may be employed based on the desired fish type and feeding habits. Still, regardless of the method, fishing remains an exciting way to enjoy nature and catch delicious local seafood.
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