When your football team heads into the fourth quarter and time is running out, the pressure is on to produce and finish strong. Fishing is no different. Anglers want to score big catches before the year ends.
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This has been a productive year of fishing with cobia, Spanish mackerel, red drum and bluefish leading the way in the bay and rivers. October highlights in-shore fishing for speckled trout, redfish and striped bass. In the open waters, a few cobia and drum linger as they migrate south. Then chunky bluefish in the three-to-seven pound range will delight until we transition into the popular striped bass fishery.
Water temperatures are currently at 71 degrees—well above seasonal averages. When levels retreat to the lower 60s, fall migration will get into full swing.
Striped bass season officially opened on October 4 in Virginia waters. Regulations have changed this year. The new limits allow anglers to keep one fish, 19-24 inches long, per person.
In bay waters, schooling fish will likely be delayed until early November and I don’t expect many large rockfish to show until late in the year. For recreational anglers, rockfish over 24 inches will be catch and release this year.
Creek and river fishing provides good action throughout this month and into early November. Speckled trout are running strong in local creeks as well as in shallow, grassy protected river locations. Catches are ranging from less than the 14-inch minimum, up to the upper 20-inch class. The best results are by casting artificial lures but live offerings such as free swimming bunkers or spot are also working.
Striped bass have been schooling in-shore as well. The majority fall near the minimum 19-inch limit but are a blast to catch on light tackle. I recommend using only single hooks to reduce catch and release mortality that is common with treble hooks. The occasional 24-inch fish will become more abundant as the season matures. They will then move into the open waters of the bay.
It’s amazing how popular the in-shore fishery has become. We are running many more small boat charters this year. Casting light tackle in the shallows offers a nice alternative to our bay charters on our larger boat. With miles of shoreline holding a favorable environment, options are endless.
Bottom fishing, which has a mix of spot, whiting and grey trout, gradually slows with the close of October.
Let’s hope the weather holds out and allows for a strong finish to the season. When it comes to football and fishing, the fourth quarter is always exciting!
Until next time….Fair winds and Roll Tide!
