The Fishing Line
by Capt. Billy Pipkin
The heat is on… Chill out with some hot fishing
Hot weather and above-average water temperatures have made for an odd migration of fish this summer. Considering the swing between last winter’s frigid temperatures and the boiling heat of this summer, it has been an unusual year.
Last month began slowly with the number and variety of fish increasing each week.
Diversity of species is the Northern Neck’s drawing card during the month of August. Throughout the bay and rivers a number of fish are available this month, including Spanish mackerel, bluefish, cobia, spadefish, flounder, whiting, speckled trout, grey trout, spot, croaker and more.
Trolling action will continue to land bluefish in good numbers this month. Spanish mackerel fishing will also peak as they join the blues in mauling schools of shiners, bay anchovies and peanut bunker. These two species are often found schooling together in close proximity to shore. This offers an opportunity for small boat anglers to get into the action. Windmill Point, Smith Point and Coles Point are all near shore areas that hold these fish.
Our powerboat renters at Ingram Bay Marina catch both mackerel and blues trolling at the mouth of the Great Wicomico River. We’ve even had folks catching blues and mackerel while casting from our rental kayaks.
For best trolling results, I recommend using a small #0 Drone or Clark spoon either in chrome, gold or a variety of colors, including hot pink and chartreuse. Use a 15-foot long 20# leader behind either a #1 or #2 planer or light in-line sinkers to keep the baits down below the surface. You will be fishing in the 12-18 foot water table with those two planers.
If larger bluefish are encountered, I suggest increasing the spoon size or going to the old-time favorite, surgical tube eel.
Bottom fishing will gather the greatest variety of fish with a simple bottom rig donning two hooks. Squid strips, shrimp and bloodworms are all good choices for bait. For those anglers that prefer jigging and casting lures, the Berkley Gulp baits are producing results on a variety of species. The swimming mullets and the jerk baits are most popular. Bloodworm offerings are yielding good numbers of spot on in-shore oyster beds. Grass beds in skinny water are the home for speckled trout, puppy drum and larger croaker.
Locations holding the best populations are Mobjack Bay, both the North and East rivers, the Piankatank River, the mouth of the Rappahannock River near Gwynn’s Island, Dividing Creek, and Ingram Bay. Both the morning and evening hours are fish friendly when fishing in shallow water.
Flounder action has improved with The Cell, Tangier Sound, and the mouth of the rivers and creeks along the western shorelines holding nice samples of tasty flat fish. The best baits are live offerings such as tiny spot, but a 4-6 inch long strip of bluefish will also draw attention.
Chumming is popular for gathering catches of bluefish, cobia and spadefish. For blues and cobia, the standard grind of menhaden chum will suffice; the spadefish prefer a clam chum. Blues can be found on any of the numerous artificial reefs including Windmill Point, Asphalt Pile and Northern Neck reef. The S.W. Middle Grounds off of Smith Island holds good numbers as well. Spadefish frequent structure such as lighthouses, wrecks and reefs. Cobia are more free swimming and can be drawn to the boat with chum and take live offerings such as spot and eels.
Enjoy the Water
If you live down here in the Northern Neck, don’t be complacent. Get out and enjoy these local waters as much as possible. One way to beat the heat of summer is to spend time on the water. The temperatures on the water are always cooler than on land. Our gentle, refreshing Northern Neck breeze should be patented. During August the stinging nettles die off and many anglers split their time with other activities such as swimming, water skiing and just plain cruising.
Until next time…fair winds.
Capt. Billy Pipkin owns and operates Capt. Billy’s Charters and Ingram Bay Marina in Wicomico Church. (804) 580-7292, http://www.captbillyscharters.com. He also writes“The Fishing Line” in the Rappahannock Record.
