What’s Biting

During the Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament back in late June, a bunch of buddies set out of Lynnhaven Inlet for the Norfolk Canyon, about 70 nautical miles offshore. Fishing on a 32-foot Regulator, they caught 11 yellowfin tuna and a few mahi-mahi. While they didn’t finish in the money, the memories they made were priceless. As fall sets in, the puppy drum and speckled trout will begin showing up in numbers along our beaches and inlets. Offshore, we can expect increase catches of tuna and dolphin, also known as mahi-mahi, as they head back south to warmer waters. Be sure to visit a local tackle shop for inside information, gear and a fishing license. Better yet, book a charter or reserve a spot on a head boat and let the experts take you to where the fish live. Either way, get on the water and see what’s biting.

~ Steve Bancroft

While he does not consider himself a master angler, he has an understanding of what fish are biting each season. “I know enough about fishing to be productive out there, but really I’m just a lucky guy that has two great friends who have boats and all the gear.”

Fighting shoulder to shoulder for six tuna at once

ABOVE: [L] Moonset at 5 a.m. and [R] sunrise at 6 a.m. on the Atlantic Ocean

LEFT: Catch of the day: yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi

During November, December and January you’ll typically reel in these catches:

NOVEMBER

Offshore

White marlin, bigeye tuna, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, bluefin tuna, swordfish, black sea bass, tilefish, flounder, black drum, triggerfish, wahoo, snowy grouper, bluefish, tautog

Chesapeake Bay

Bluefish, red drum, flounder, Spanish mackerel, spadefish, cobia, sheepshead, ribbon fish, striped bass, tautog, sheepshead

Tidal Rivers

Bluefish, flounder, speckled trout, spot, croaker, puppy drum, ribbon fish, striped bass DECEMBER

Offshore

Swordfish, bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, black sea bass, tilefish, bluefish, triggerfish, sheepshead, flounder

Chesapeake Bay

Bluefish, striped bass, flounder, tautog

Tidal Rivers

Speckled trout, striped bass JANUARY

Offshore

Tilefish, sea bass, flounder, grouper, tuna, tautog

Chesapeake Bay

Striped bass, tautog

Tidal Rivers

Speckled trout, puppy drum, striped bass

What have you reeled in?

We would like to publish your photos, information, prize catches and catches of note in our What’s Biting segment. Send us your favorite amateur photos with a description and the photographer’s name.