
	Weekly Sportfishing Rundown 21 October 2011 We are well into the fall saltwater season, and anglers are having no problem finding the action. Most are focusing on the incredible speckled trout bite, which is over the top lately. Although most of the specks are on the small side, enough of keepers ranging mostly from 16 to 21-inches are keeping anglers content. Any usual trout spot, most any style jig or lure, and most any color combination seems sufficient to interest the speckled trout right now. The most consistent action is happening in Rudee Inlet, Little Creek, Lynnhaven River, Back River, the Eastern Shore shallows, the Poquoson flats, and the Elizabeth River on a moving tide. Bigger fish ranging to over 5-pounds are coming from Rudee Inlet, Little Creek Inlet, and the Elizabeth River this week. A few puppy drum are also around in the same areas. Surf and pier anglers are also enjoying a run of speckled trout, with reports of fish coming from the surf from Fort Story to Sandbridge. As water temperatures continue to cool, striped bass are becoming more active. Casters are scoring with schoolie-sized rockfish between 18 to 22-inches along the Monitor Merrimack, the James River Bridge, the HRBT, and the CBBT. The bite is especially good during the night time hours along the light lines. A few larger fish pushing over 34-inches are responding to live bait at the Bay Bridge Tunnel and the MMBT. Wire liners are also boating fish ranging up to about 21-inches from the tubes of the CBBT this week. Lots of snapper bluefish are rounding out catches. Decent sized spot are still around. The folks at The Virginia Beach Fishing Center claim that nice fish are still coming from near the mouth of Rudee Inlet, although some days are better than others. Lynnhaven Inlet, the HRBT, and Ocean View are also productive lately, especially close to the tide change. Croaker catches are slowing, but a few big heardheads are still providing some action in Lynnhaven Inlet, Rudee Inlet, and near the lower Bay Bridge Tunnels. The inshore and Bay tautog activity is picking up, with nice fish ranging from 5 to 7-pounds caught along the artificial islands of the CBBT this week. Scattered late season sheepshead are also mixed in with the tog along the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Inshore wrecks are also harboring nice tog, along with good numbers of respectable trigger fish and seabass. You must wait a little longer to keep the seabass, though. Although the big red drum won’t be around for much longer, anglers are taking advantage of the action while they can. Red drum are still a possibility along the ocean front, along the Eastern Shore shoals, and near the 3rd and 4th islands of the CBBT. Many are hooking bulls by accident while targeting other species. Even though anglers are finding cooperative fish, the flounder bite has room for improvement this week. Drifting strip baits along the Baltimore Channel, near buoy 36A, and along the small boat channel are most productive lately. Working bait and jigs around the CBBT structure is also enticing a few big fish. These fish are plump right now as they fatten up in preparation for their migration offshore. Some of the deeper water wrecks are also giving up a few decent flatfish mixed in with many shorts. Amberjack are still available at the South Tower, but not for long. Chopper bluefish have also been available on the offshore wrecks for two weeks now, with the Triangle wrecks a favorite. Deep droppers are finding good sized tilefish and rosefish when they can get out. Offshore, it has been difficult to get out due to the weather. When boats can make it out, the action is slow. Wahoo are around, along with a few yellowfin tuna, and scattered bailer dolphin. The tuna bite further south out of Carolina is going strong this week. Once overnight trips resume with more regularity, swordfish are a possibility.





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Hook, Line and Sinker

Virginia Beach's Dr. Julie Ball - one of the top saltwater anglers in the world, with many top awards and world records - enjoys sharing her knowledge via seminars, radio, TV, articles and a weekly fishing report on her Web site, drjball.com. She is also the area's International Game Fish Association representative. Her passion is to inspire others to get out on the water. Join her as she shares her tips, hints and inspiration here.

Category: Saltwater Angler

■ 25 October 2011 | 11:45 PM

Record Sized Golden Tilefish, an Epic Trip

Rudee Inlet, Virginia Beach
By Dr. Julie Ball, IGFA Representative, Virginia Beach
October 22-23
All I can say is...AMAZING! Or, to quote the words of Captain Skip Feller, it was a “pretty epic trip!” I grinned as he told me this on the evening of October 23^rd, and he wasn’t kidding.

Golden tilefish for all, and then some! And not just plenty of goldens, big ones…even record sized! If that’s not enough, how about a few grouper, blueline tilefish, tuna, and even a swordfish to boot? All from the decks of a head boat!

Seldom does a trip like this come along. The crew of four, guided by Captain Mark Sterling and Skip Feller, aboard the ‘Rudee Angler’ out of the Virginia Beach Fishing Center, Rudee Inlet, Virginia made it happen.

According to Skip, the magic transpired while exploring the southern edges of the Norfolk Canyon in 300 to 800 feet of water. Pulling fish from these abysmal depths is no easy feat, but imagine hoisting these hefty bottom fish uphill for 20 minutes each round, for nearly 26 hours? Well, watch what you wish for. The Rudee Angler backed into her slip after a 36-hour journey with 25 weary, but content anglers toting coolers busting at the seams. The only thing bigger than their fish were their egos, as anglers and the crew bragged and told fish stories.

It all started Saturday morning as the ‘Angler’ headed out in manageable NE winds. After a four-hour ride, the crew began the day deep dropping in shallower water taking in their fill of nice grouper and blueline tilefish. The boat moved to the Norfolk Canyon as the sun set to set up for swordfish. During the night-time hours, anglers didn’t get much rest. Four rods went down, with a 25-pound yellowfin tuna, two big sharks, and a small swordfish to keep them busy. Not a bad night.

At first light, the boat headed for deeper water looking for golden tilefish and black bellied rosefish. As rosefish took up most available hooks, several lucky anglers struck gold. Anglers filled the deck with golden tilefish, one of the best-eating fish of the deep. Ten big goldens had everyone onboard excited. But no one was prepared for the golden egg; a true trophy golden tilefish pushing the scale to a staggering 69-pounds. This huge fish weighed almost five pounds heavier than the existing All Tackle record. Wide eyes and lots of “oohs and ahhs,” will have the fish tales will buzzing along the docks for weeks to come. Congratulations to the crew and the angler Anthony Criscenti of Chantilly, Virginia.
Yes Skip, I agree. It was a pretty epic trip.
www.rudeeinletcharters.com Photo courtesy of Captain Skip Feller

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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Weekly Rundown

Hook, Line and Sinker

Record Sized Golden Tilefish, an Epic Trip