by Captain Billy Pipkin –
It’s that time of year again, when the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries come alive with action. Enthusiasm for fishing is growing faster than the weeds in my back yard.
The mild winter kept water temperatures above average, yet the cool, windy conditions in April have caused water temperatures to rise very slowly.
Many anglers have already gotten their “fishing fix” by hitting the water. Already this spring, there has been mixed action for tautog, drum, speckled trout and perch.
Tautog fishing continues to be very productive in the lower bay and ocean waters. In our local waters, there are more modest numbers available on wrecks and underwater structures like reefs and rock piles. Blue crabs or fiddler crabs are the best bait, but clam also works to entice bites. The average size tog is three to five pounds, but there are a few outliers that can double that weight.
Red drum into the 30-pound class are arriving on the shoals at the mouth of the bay and the shallow water on the eastern shore above the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Their numbers will continue increasing into May. By June, action will pick up in the Northern Neck region.
For best results, you may try trolling small spoons over and around the shallows or anchoring on top and setting out lines baited with peeler crabs, fresh spot or menhaden.
Black drum are already being caught along the shallow channel ledge running from Fisherman’s Island through Cape Charles and up to the lower Tangier Sound. Setting up on the top side of drop-offs with a live presentation like whole clam, peeler crab, or a combination of both, will result in good action. Running tides, late afternoons and evenings and full moons are considered the best time to fish for them.
The average size Virginia black drum is 20 to 50 pounds, but they can easily approach 100 pounds. I have landed several citations aboard my charter boat in late April and early May along the eastern shore waters.
Speckled trout have been available for several months in the creeks and feeder rivers off the Rappahannock and local rivers. They are now biting on both plastics and hard baits. Afternoons when the water temperature has warmed along the shallow water are a good time to target this species. Action should heat up throughout May.
White perch have been a good stand-by each spring for anglers wanting an early taste of the sea. They are not particularly large, averaging around 10 inches, yet they do break over a foot long in some areas. Striped bass are a member of the perch family, so you can imagine how tasty the little rascals are!
Striped bass fishing should be good during May. The brackish waters of mid to upper Potomac and Rappahannock rivers will offer action on 20- to 26-inch fish. Although they were thick last fall, I don’t expect the bay waters to hold many of the coveted striped bass this spring, due to migration changes.
Enjoy time on the water with family and friends. There is no better thing that pulls folks together than fishing.
Until next time … fair winds.
BLACKENED DRUM RECIPE
Ingredients include:
- Black or red drum fish filet.
- Olive oil.
- Fresh butter.
- Lemon.
- Seasoning.
Steps include:
- Season both sides of the black drum filets. Use your favorite blackened seasoning and apply generously.
- Place your cast iron skillet on a medium to high heat, coating the bottom with olive oil and two tablespoons of butter.
- Place the drum in the skillet. Cook for three to five minutes and flip. I squeeze lemon over the fish at this point.
- Cook for another three to five minutes and flip again. Squeeze more lemon.
- Cooking time is really contingent upon the thickness of the filets. Experience will be your guide. If need be, take a metal fork and cut into part of the filet to see if it is done. When properly cooked, the meat will be white and flaky and fork will easily go through fish.
Note: optional topping of sauteed shrimp, crabmeat, shallots and mushroom knock this dish out of the park, but remember this fish will speak for itself. Whether you keep it simple, or jazz it up, I’ll bet black drum becomes one of your favorite fish!
Capt. Billy Pipkin owns and operates Ingram Bay Marina and Capt. Billy’s Charter Service located in Wicomico Church. Visit his website at ingrambaymarina.com. His phone number is 580-7292.
