BY BILL HALL, Eastern Shore Post —
Local angling action has become a tale of two species, as increasing numbers of speckled trout have begun to challenge the reign of red drum for the attention of local anglers. And the good news is both species can often be found in the same waters and can be caught on the same baits.
Upper Shore
Captain C.L. Marshall, of Tangier Sound Charters, told me that the speckled trout action in Pocomoke Sound has been good, with fish oriented around submerged structure in depths of four feet and less. The best action has occurred for anglers casting swim baits on lead heads as well as Rapala Shad Raps.
Puppy drum have been aggressively attacking chunks of cut spot on fish finder rigs and light-colored soft plastics. A lot of the puppy bites have occurred in depths of less than two feet.
Slot-sized and larger red drum have taken up residence around deeper water wrecks and obstructions, where larger jigs and baits such as cut spot have been productive, according to Captain Marshall.
Chincoteague
Flounder, some exceeding five pounds in weight, have come from inside Chincoteague Bay — from the Curtis Merritt Marina and some of the local piers. Most local anglers have been using a combination of Berkley Gulp and live minnows or silversides.
A few puppy drum have been caught inside the mouths of the creeks. Larger red drum, measuring from slot-sized up to 47 inches in length, have been landed in the surf of Assateague and Wallops islands. Anglers targeting the larger reds in the surf have been using cut bait, primarily mullet and spot, as well as halves of peeler crabs.
Wachapreague
Captain Lindsay Paul, aboard the Almost Persuaded, reported that flounder fishing improved out of Wachapreague after the trend of recent winds subsided, with fish up to five pounds landed. The majority of the fish have been caught during the flood tide when the water has been the clearest. Berkley Gulp with silversides or large minnows has been the flounder bait of choice, and most of the keeper-sized fish have come from the area around the inlet.
Puppy drum catches have come from the surf, as well as inside the creeks. Limit catches of puppies have come on finger mullet while bait fishing and on Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet when casting artificials.
A few speckled trout have also been landed by anglers targeting puppy drum. Captain Paul had not received any reports from anglers fishing offshore.
Lower Shore
Jeb Brady, at Bailey’s Bait & Tackle, commented that the speckled trout action is “picking up,” with catches of large trout reported along the bayside. Both live and artificial baits have been effective in clean water. Brady expects the trout fishing to continue to improve with the falling water temperatures.
Anglers are reporting schools of puppy drum, measuring up to 26 inches, have been abundant along the beaches on the lower bayside. Artificial baits fished under popping corks have been productive rigs for the puppy drum.
Flounder fishing remains good along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, with some large fish being taken at the onset of their autumn migration. Drifting squid and Berkley Gulp baits have been effective flounder offerings.
Catches of croaker and spot have come from around the Concrete Ships and in the waters off Cape Charles. The lower bay piers are reporting catches of ribbonfish and spot.
The writer was the first Eastern Shore resident to achieve Virginia Saltwater Master Angler status. He has been named Virginia Saltwater Angler of the Year and Virginia Saltwater Release Angler of the Year. He has won numerous Virginia Press Association awards for his columns.
