Saltwater Corner

In this section, we will discuss saltwater fishing according to whats in season for the time of year. As a saltwater angler, I spend most of my time fishing in the Outer Banks, so this section will be mainly geared toward North Carolina fishing. Fortunately, Virgina Beach is relatively close to the Outer Banks and therefore techniques and seasons are very similar. So please take a minute to read my seasonal update on the what, where, and how of saltwater fishing.

As always, be sure to check Lee Tolliver's Weekly Fishing Report for the Hampton Roads and North Carolina area

Spring: 
   Hampton Roads- Speckled Trout, Stripers, Puppy Drum
    Outer Banks- Rockfish, Speckled Trout, Puppy Drum

Pier Report:
     -Chris Powers
   The Outer Banks has seen a number of bluefish and spanish mackeral runs.  The sea mullet and croaker have been coming out in huge numbers as well as bunker and other baitfish.  The big game fish traditionally caught off piers such as cobia and king mackeral have been coming out in larger numbers toward the end of the summer with one cobia that I saw caught off Nags Head Pier that weighed 90.2 pounds! The blues and spanish have been caught on the traditional Gotcha Jerk-Jigger, green with green head has been most effective.  The kings and cobia have been caught off of the Outer Banks signature pin rigs.  Croaker and mullet can be caught with any cut bait on a bottom rig.
    The shark fishing has been fairly good as well.  I hooked about a 5 foot black tip and had it to the pier just before it took off and snapped the line.  A number of atlantic sharpnose and dogfish have been caught as well.  When the sharks aren't biting there have been a number of very large sting rays being caught. I caught one that weighed in at 110 pounds! Sharks and rays are being caught on fishfinder rigs with bluefish or spanish mackeral heads or filets.  They can also be caught on bottom rigs but they are not as effective as the fish finder.

This Season's forcasts and how to areticles are provided by "Kayak Kevin" of Virginia Beach, VA. Kevin is an avid angler and fish conservationist in the Hampton Roads area and prides himself on exploiting the sport of kayak fishing.