BY BILL HALL, Eastern Shore Post, Sept. 5, 2025
This week’s angling action has been highlighted by two great catch-and-release fisheries, one on each side of the peninsula.
The Chesapeake Bay trophy red drum fishery has been excellent, with large fish encountered in the twilight hours from Onancock to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
In the ocean, the white marlin catch-and-release fishery has been off the hook, with multiple catches per trip being the norm. One vessel, the White Bite, out of Wachapreague, reported seeing 25 to 30 marlin over three days of fishing.
Upper Shore
Captain Matt Abell, at the Sea Hawk Sports Center, reported that the bayside red drum bite has been “red hot.” Abell said his charter clients have enjoyed an excellent week targeting reds, with fish being caught from the waters of Pocomoke Sound all the way down to Cape Charles. The bite has occurred in 15- to 30-foot depths. His red drum terminal set-up is comprised of 8/0 circle hooks on fishfinder rigs. The daily bite has been starting just before sundown, with action lasting well into the evening. A few cobia continue to be included in the bycatch.
Shallow water action was described as “lackluster,” with a few speckled trout and rockfish being landed. Gulp baits under popping corks, as well as both suspending and surface plugs, have put a few fish in the boat.
The puppy drum population continues to be a disappointment. A few sheepshead and bluefish have been taken around the target ships and the nearby sunken barge.
On the seaside, a great white marlin bite has occurred post-Hurricane Erin. Some double digit catch and releases have been made from the Poor Man’s and Washington canyons. Yellowfin tuna and dolphin (mahi mahi) catches have also improved since the storm.
Closer to shore, flounder fishing has suffered due to the recent high tides and dirty water conditions, but fish continue to be caught. Captain Abell was able to do some fishing off the beach over the weekend and was rewarded with a catch of large spot.
Onancock
The 2025 Onancock Bay Challenge Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Sept. 6. Entry forms and rules for this family-oriented tournament are available at www.esanglersclub.org
Wachapreague
Captain Lindsay Paul, aboard the Almost Persuaded, told me that the flounder fishing out of Wachapreague has improved since the hurricane passed offshore. Although there are still lots of undersized fish, anglers are finding increasing numbers of keepers. Most of the flounder have been caught just inside the inlet on Berkley Gulp and live minnow or silverside combinations. The recent most productive color combinations have included pink and white, as well as salmon red.
A few puppy drum have been seen, though no catches have been reported. A few small croakers have been caught. The ocean wrecks have produced limit catches of black sea bass and flounder, a few of which have qualified for a Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament citation.
Offshore fishing has shown major improvements since the passing of Erin. Wayne Greer released two white marlin, the Teaser released a white marlin and had a nice catch of dolphin (mahi mahi), the White Bite released a blue marlin and three white marlin during a weekday trip and released seven more whites over the weekend, and the Heat Wave had a good catch of tilefish and mahi mahi.
Lower Shore
Jeb Brady, at Bailey’s Bait & Tackle, said the “big reds (drum) are in abundance” during evening hours from Onancock to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and on the reefs hitting cut baits. Customers have reported reds as large as 52 inches.
Anglers are reporting schools of cobia moving south towards the mouth of the bay, with some fish being caught, though not in big numbers.
Flounder fishing remains good, both inshore and offshore, when clear water conditions can be found. Berkley Gulp and cut bluefish have been one of the most productive flounder bait combinations.
A few speckled trout have been taken on both sides of the lower peninsula by anglers casting Mirrolures. Sand mullet (whiting) are still being caught along and in front of the concrete ships off Kiptopeke. The lower bay piers are reporting catches of croaker 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.
