The Fishing Line
Fall: Fishing at it’s best
by Capt. Billy Pipkin
Fall arrived in classic style with a flood tide and a harvest moon. Yes, the days are shorter but fishing has come on strong with the promise of a superb season ahead.
Just as our children have all settled into their school routine, so too have the fish in our region. Many species will school heavily in anticipation of a southward migration for winter. Anglers always find that the fall months bring excitement and enthusiasm.
During the first part of the month we should find plenty of action both bottom fishing and trolling. Although rockfish (striped bass) draw the lion’s share of attention, don’t discount the great bottom fishing available this month.
Bottom fishing will gradually decline as this month progresses but will continue to provide good action. In-shore action was steady throughout the month of September and early October should be red hot. Spot, croaker, trout, red drum, bluefish and rockfish are all bending the poles at this time. The lower rivers and their tributaries are home to some of the best fishing of the year.
Speckled trout fishing should be good this fall. Action picks up in October. Grassy flats are great places to fish for these trout. Ingram Bay, Windmill Point, Gwynn’s Island and the Piankatank River are good bets for shallow water action. Grey trout remain small in size but we have been encouraged by the increased numbers this fall.
Flounder action will also continue into late month and should be available in the lower rivers and Cell area near Buoys 41 and 42.
Bluefish can be caught by several methods during the fall months. Trolling, chumming and casting can all be effective. Trolling is good in down-river locations, at the mouth of the rivers, along the channel edges, and on the flats of both the eastern and western shores of the bay. The schooling blues will continue to run in the 1-3 pound class and then, at month’s end, will decline in number.
Chumming will provide bluefish up to 5 pounds in Maryland on the Southwest Middle Grounds. In Virginia, the Northern Neck Reef and Buoy 62 area will provide nice bluefish hauls as well. As water temperatures moderate, rockfish begin to enter the mix with more frequency.
Rockfish will be the buzzword during October when they become more plentiful in chum lines in southern Maryland waters and in Virginia’s waters as well. With the season opening up in Virginia on October 4, anglers will have several locations to choose from. Areas of structure, such as the many artificial reefs, are popular among those chumming. As water temperatures drop we will see a greater number migrating into Virginia waters. Numbers of 18-28 inch class striped bass are on the increase and promise to provide anglers with good action this fall.
By mid-November, trolling begins for the larger migratory rockfish. These fish will average over 20 pounds apiece. This is when our charter schedule becomes chock full of wild-eyed anglers looking for a trophy to hang on the wall.
Overall, this will be a very exciting month as we step into our traditionally hot fall fishing. Enjoy this wonderful weather and until next time . . . fair winds.
- Fresh fillets of bluefish
- Slices of bacon
- Salt
Layer fillets in dish. Generously cover each layer with salt. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning, rinse salt off fillets and place them in a pot of lightly boiling water. Poach fish for 8-12 minutes or until meat is white and flaky.
Cook bacon while you wait on the fish.
Gently lift fish out of pot and onto plate with spatula. Lightly sprinkle bacon dripping over fillets. Serve with eggs, bacon and buttered toast.
In the Tidewater area this is a favorite breakfast food but it can be served anytime. This is a simple yet delicious meal. It’ll make you smack your lips thinking about it!
Capt. Billy Pipkin owns and operates Capt. Billy’s Charters and Ingram Bay Marina in Wicomico Church. (804) 580-7292. He also writes “The Fishing Line” in the Rappahannock Record.
