BY BILL HALL, Eastern Shore Post, Aug. 22, 2025
The recent dip in water temperatures had produced an uptick in local angling action just in advance of the approach of Hurricane Erin into our far offshore waters. High waves and windy conditions were expected for a few days mid-week, hopefully followed by a return to the improving late summer/early fall angling opportunities.
EASTERN SHORE POST/BILL HALL // Elain Stitcher, of Captain’s Cove, released this white marlin while participating in the Poor Girl’s Fishing Tournament out of Ocean City, Md.
Upper Shore
Captain Matt Abell, at the Sea Hawk Sports Center, reported that the action over the shallows of Pocomoke and Tangier sounds has improved with the recent slight dip in water temperatures.
Anglers casting topwater and suspending artificials have enjoyed improved success on small rockfish and speckled trout, as well as a few of the long-awaited puppy drum. Captain Abell specifically cited the Mirrolure Mirrodean models, as well as the Lonely Angler line of hard baits, as productive lure choices. Just north of the state line, rockfish and perch have been hitting small jigs tipped with pieces of peeler crab in the Wicomico and Manokin river tributaries.
The late afternoon/early evening red drum run in the central portion of the Chesapeake Bay is gaining consistency from Onancock to the mouth of Westerhouse Creek. In addition to drum, there are plenty of bait-stealing bluefish and sharks. The best action has been occurring along the channel edge in 20- to 30-foot water depths.
Chincoteague
Pete Vasiliou, at Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle, commented that flounder, spot, croaker, kingfish (whiting), and a few speckled trout remain the inshore target species.
Grayson Shores won the shop’s croaker tournament with a 297-gram hardhead.
Flounder action over the ocean wrecks has improved for anglers dropping 2- to 4-ounce bucktails with large Berkley Gulp curly-tailed grubs.
Triggerfish, spadefish, Spanish mackerel, and black sea bass have also been taken on or near the inshore ocean wrecks.
Jordan Hoch registered an 8-pound, 6-ounce flounder caught on his first-ever flounder trip.
Bluewater action has also improved, with catches of yellowfin tuna dolphin (mahi mahi), wahoo, and white marlin releases.
Seth Eyler landed a 78-pound wahoo aboard the Swell Day with Captain Steve Eyler.
Wachapreague
PHOTO COURTESY BAILEY’S BAIT & TACKLE // Carter Fox boated this 47.7-pound wahoo while fishing aboard the Mercenaria.
Captain Lindsay Paul, aboard the Almost Persuaded, said the inside flounder fishing remains “decent,” with most of the fish caught in the vicinity of the inlet. Lots of the fish are undersized, with a few keeper-sized fish mixed in the catches. Berkley Gulp with a silverside or live minnow continues to be the most productive flounder bait combination.
The sand mullet (whiting) bite has slowed.
The offshore wrecks are producing limit catches of black sea bass, as well as a nicer class of flounder. The offshore fishing location known as Wayne’s World has been producing yellowfin tuna in the 40- to 50-pound class. The vessel Teaser recently returned with a catch of seven tuna, while the White Bite boated nine yellowfin. A few dolphin (mahi mahi) and tilefish catches were also reported.
Lower Shore
Jeb Brady, at Bailey’s Bait & Tackle, told me that the lower shore flounder fishing has improved over the last week, with anglers reporting good catches along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and over the offshore wrecks. Most anglers targeting flounder were using cut bait/Berkley Gulp combinations.
Anglers sight casting to cobia with live eels have enjoyed success.
Large red drum are being caught and released in the evenings along the bayside from Buoy 42 to Latimers.
Sheepshead continue to be caught along the pilings of the bridge-tunnel.
The area around the concrete ships is producing sand mullet (whiting), while the lower bay piers are reporting catches of small croakers and spot.
Speckled trout numbers should improve on both sides of the lower shore as the water temperatures fall. Jeb commented that the offshore blue water bite has been good, with catches of tuna, dolphin, wahoo, and tilefish.
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.
