by Dr. Julie Ball, IGFA Representative, Virginia Beach
June represents the first official month of summer, and the saltwater fishing scene is picking up momentum most everywhere.
Cobia is one of the most anticipated species in the Chesapeake Bay. Over the last two years, this fish has also become one of the most controversial topics in fisheries management. These stealthy brown fish will make a strong showing in June in the Chesapeake Bay. Some of these fish can weigh more than 80-pounds, while 20 to 40-pounders are common. This year, management guidelines have once again transformed, limiting recreational catches to three fish per boat measuring at least 40-inches, as long as you have three or more anglers onboard. One of the three fish can be over 50-inches long. Once again, gaffing is not permitted, so take a really big net with you. New for this season all participants involved in the cobia hunt must also obtain a free Recreational Cobia Permit, as well as report all catches and cobia fishing activity. The cobia permits can be obtained via the VMRC website at mrc.virginia.gov, or at any local MRC Licensing Agent. The official cobia season spans from June 1st to September 15th this year.
Although red drum are mostly old news by now, big reds will continue to bite along Fisherman’s Island, and the Nautilus and the Nine Foot Shoal areas. Most red drum catches will become incidental by-catches by anglers targeting cobia this month.
Flounder action usually becomes consistent this month in lower Chesapeake Bay waters, with The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel often becoming a hot spot for the larger flatties. Anglers fishing in Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets can also find some good luck with keepers this time of year, and the seaside inlets of the Eastern Shore and Back River Reef are always good a mainstay. This year, you can keep up to four flat fish stretching to at least 17-inches.
Spanish mackerel is another summertime favorite, with their debut usually occurring in June along the Virginia Beach ocean front and near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Trolling small Drone and Clark spoons along tide rips will entice strikes from mackerel and smaller bluefish. King mackerel will likely show up at the end of the month.
Spadefish will congregate around the Chesapeake Light Tower, over nearshore wrecks, and along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel throughout the summer. Sheepshead are also available along the bridge’s structure and on lower bay wrecks, along with lots of triggerfish.
Small croaker and small bluefish will hit at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, while croaker will also tend to congregate off Ocean view and around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in June. Some speckled trout and puppy drum remain available within the lower bay inlets, and within the back waters of Mobjack bay. The elusive tarpon is active during the month of June in the backwaters of Oyster on the Eastern Shore.
Amberjack will become active around the Southern Towers and on several offshore wrecks, offering a challenging battle for anglers. Deep droppers can still catch a good variety of bottom fish in over 300-feet of water at the Norfolk Canyon, including tilefish, black-bellied rosefish, seabass, and grouper.
Offshore, the scene will continue to build this month, with mostly yellowfin tuna and mahi as the target species. The occasional billfish could also make a showing, with blue marlin usually leading the way for this trend. Billfish action will evolve later in the summer.
Dr. Julie Ball IGFA Representative,Virginia Beach
For more information, go to www.drjball.com