Weather has played a big factor in the fish bite in the last week. Strong winds have kept the meek at the docks - meek or intelligent?
The flounder bite slowed in the inside channels and creeks with the throwback ratio increasing to 50%. BUT you can still catch dinner. The smaller panfish, perch, croaker and whiting still filling in the gap when the flounder is slack. The usual puffers, oyster toads, juvenile sheepshead are in the mix as well as small trout navigating the Chincoteague Channel lingering in front of Capt. Bob’s Marina. Red drum reported being caught near Wallops Island and still a rewarding and exciting catch are the inshore Coastals not diminishing in numbers yet. But still same as last weekend Blackfish Banks artificial reef, aka Subway Cars, un-named wreck - whew so many aliases for this hot spot - producing coolers full of larger flounder, triggers and sea bass. If you know how to catch flounder you will max out in less than a couple hours from leaving the Inlet. More out in the ocean between The Parking Lot (25-27 miles off) and the Lumpy Bottom (35 miles out), gaffer mahi and decent yellowfin have blue water addicts forging out the Inlet before daybreak trying to beat the bite.
Also about 7/9 miles off the Inlet larger sharks still having hunters chase them. Surf fishing full of panfish, inshore shark, dogfish, skates.
Crabbing still a fun and cheap enjoyment for the family. Real cheap when you can catch half a bushel (market value from $50-100 depending where) for less than $5-10 if you already have your equipment, if not max $30 n you can crab everyday with a $5 investment for chix necks or bunker. So it’s all good in Chincoteague’s neighborhood. Come and enjoy!!
