Fishing Forecast: Nov. 1-7
By Lee Tolliver, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
Nov. 1–THE FALL SPECKLED TROUT season finally has kicked into high gear.
Anglers are catching specks around Poquoson, the mouths of Eastern Shore bay-side creeks, backwater areas of the Shore’s barrier islands, in the Elizabeth River, around the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, and in Little Creek, Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets.
Specks are providing good action in so many places that there really isn’t much of a need for the secrecy that typically surrounds this fishery.
As waters finally start to cool, most of these locations should see an influx of bigger fish, with numbers continuing to grow until it gets really cold.
Ditches and deep holes in Northeastern North Carolina sounds also are yielding more and more speckled trout. And many Virginia and North Carolina beaches are providing the opportunity for shoreline anglers to get in on the action.
Specks can be taken on live bait and a wide array of artificials. Slow-trolling, drifting, anchoring or casting all are effective methods for specks — although true aficionados of the species prefer casting around marshy shorelines and creeks.
Specks make for pretty good table fare and put up a difficult and often frustrating fight. They just love to come to the surface and shake their heads, easily tearing hooks from their tender jaws.
Many consider the species the most handsome of all the inshore fish available.
THE FORECAST
HAMPTON ROADS
This weekend could get off to a blustery start, especially if Tropical Storm Noel passes near the coast. Rough seas almost assuredly will ruin offshore plans.
There have been a few white marlin along the Norfolk Canyon, and action could be hot once the seas subside. Yellowfin tuna have become scarce.
Deep-drop bottom-bouncers will find good numbers of tilefish and some grouper once they can return to the canyon edge.
Closer to shore, a further drop in water temperatures is needed to get things more normal for this time of year.
Spot remain abundant, but big ones topping a pound have yet to show in any numbers. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, old oyster bars around Ocean View, and all three inlets are good places to look for spot.
Croaker, too, continue to be abundant.
Puppy drum and speckled trout are showing in good numbers in all three inlets.
Flounder continue to provide good action along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, around the edges of deep channels and at many inshore wrecks.
Tautog are starting to cooperate around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel islands and at many inshore wrecks. But the best action is yet to come.
This latest blow could mean the end of fantastic king mackerel action that has been taking place along the beach. Big red drum and cobia also could vacate the area after this blow.
Small striped bass and bluefish are abundant almost everywhere. According to reports from New England captains, most big fish remain well north. Chunking or using live spot in deeper waters has produced the bigger stripers locally.
EASTERN SHORE
Speckled trout have highlighted recent catches, especially around bay-side creeks. As usual, Hungars has been the top producer. But don’t hesitate to try others.
Backwater areas around Wachapreague and Oyster also are producing specks.
Big red drum most likely will be leaving the area soon if not already.
Big flounder continue to provide action along deep channel edges. Buoys around Kiptopeke have been producing good numbers of fish topping 3 pounds, with quite a few reaching 5 pounds.
Small- to medium-sized striper and lots of bluefish also are available, especially around pilings and piers.
Offshore action likely will have to hold for a few days. When trips can resume, big bluefish likely will provide most of the catches.
OUTER BANKS
Boats stayed in port through the weekend because of rough seas and likely won’t have much choice but to do the same this weekend.
Sailfish, white marlin and yellowfin tuna will top the list of possibilities when seas subside.
Inside the sounds, small stripers and decent-sized speckled trout will provide most of the action. Good numbers of puppy drum also could be caught in the sounds.
PIERS AND SURF
Action has been outstanding around the Ocean View Pier, especially for speckled trout as big as 3 pounds. There have been a few good runs of puppy drum. Spot as heavy as 14 ounces have been available at night.
The Little Island Pier at Sandbridge starts winter hours today, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m. Anglers still can work from the shore and will find spot, croaker, puppy drum, speckled trout and bluefish. The run of king mackerel most likely is about to end. Red drum could remain a possibility for a few more weeks.
Along the rest of Virginia’s beaches, casters could expect speckled trout, puppy drum, bluefish and a few striper to dominate catches.
Along the Outer Banks, lots of small stuff such as spot, croaker, sea mullet, bluefish and pompano could be available after the seas subside.
FRESHWATER
Cooling waters should really turn on lots of freshwater species, especially largemouth bass.
Recent rains sent lots of runoff into reservoirs, not necessarily raising the levels but changing surface conditions enough to make bass active. Waters also should be a few degrees cooler, thanks to recent chilly nights.
Shoreline cover is still the best place to look, with points and drop-offs a close second.
There have been a few reports of good crappie action in creeks draining into Back Bay and northern Currituck Sound.
Catches have been good only when water is high, and fish have been tight to shoreline cover.
—–
To see more of the The Virginian-Pilot, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pilotonline.com.
Copyright (c) 2007, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.