John C. Banks asked:


These three magnificent fish are found in practically the same areas and it’s even possible to catch all three fish on the same trip, although triple headers of billfish are rare events.

White marlin tend to weigh around 30-60 pounds and feed on a variety of smaller baits. They are very intelligent fish. When hunting prey, white marlin display neon colors and change to an aggressive posture. A hungry or agitated marlin will charge and bat its bill at a baitfish or trolled lure.

Blue marlin are much larger, up to 1000 lbs, feeding on larger baits. Blue marlin are brightly colored and are known for their dramatic leaps and deep runs. Most local blue marlin are over 100 pounds and feed on fish such as small yellowfin tuna, false albacore, mahi mahi and other fish. A sign of potential for blue marlin fishing are pods of skipjack tuna. Skipjack tuna are the smallest of the Virginia tuna, ranging from about 3 to 18 pounds. The fish are sought after by fishermen because they are among the favorite prey of blue marlin.

Marlin migrate into Virginia waters in early summer with peak fishing usually occurring in late summer through early fall. The fish may be widely scattered but when conditions are right, marlin congregate around sources of food. Ideal conditions occur when Gulf stream water moves into the area, bringing weedlines, temperature breaks and pods of small fish on which marlin feed.

Virginia anglers fish out of Chincoteague Island, Wachapreague, Oyster, Norfolk or Virginia Beach. Chincoteague Island charter boats may travel about 40-70 nautical miles to reach marlin, While boats from more distant ports may travel as far as 100 miles to reach the fish. Anglers search for marlin and swordfish in deepwater areas such as the Baltimore, Poor Man’s, Washington or Norfolk Canyons.

These structures have amazing features which produce conditions that attract several types of fish and other ocean life. West of the canyon walls are shallower but still productive areas. Near the canyon walls, the bottom becomes steeper and rockier. Fish congregate along the dropoffs to catch food that is caught in the hard running current. Along the edges are lobster traps which are marked by orange buoys or “lobster balls”. The buoys attract mahi-mahi, also known as dolphin fish. Not only are the mahi-mahi excellent fish to catch, but they also attract the larger marlin which feed on them heavily. A trip by a buoy can be uneventful, or one or more lines might be attacked by mahi mahi, tuna, marlin or other fish.

Swordfish complete the trio of billfish that swim off the coast of Virginia. These fish have tremendous strength and stamina, testing the limits of the most experienced anglers. Swordfish may vary from perhaps 4-10 feet in length, reaching weights of several hundred pounds and rarely exceeding 1000 pounds. Swordfish are found in the deeper offshore waters, feeding in extreme depths during the day and coming near the surface at night. Like marlin, swordfish move with temperature changes, becoming most common in late summer and fall.

One of the only predators of swordfish are large mako sharks. Several cases of shark attacks on swordfish have been documented of the Virginia coast. Makos seem to be skilled at catching swordfish basking on the surface. The shark attacks from behind, biting off the tail which leaves the swordfish disabled. The shark then eats its fill and leaves the rest of the fish to scavengers.

Swordfish are caught mostly at night, in the deeper areas of the Virginia offshore canyons. On overnight trips, anglers typically set one or more lines at various depths. Nighttime swordfish rigs usually consist of a large circle or Southern tuna hook on a cable leader. Swordfish baits include whole squid, mackerel or other small fish. A glow stick is added to the leader a few feet above the bait. Inline weights may also be added on the line to control the depth of the bait.

Anglers fishing the waters off the coast of Virginia almost always release both blue and white marlin. In fact in some areas the arrival of a dead marlin to the dock is considered highly offensive. As for swordfish, the decision to kill or release a legal sized swordfish is usually a matter of personal preference. The American swordfish fishery is one of the few fishery management success stories, with a recent comeback of the fish after their stocks plummeted due to overfishing. Hopefully future harvests will remain within reason and Virginia will enjoy good fishing for all 3 species of billfish.



CALEB

wvwraith asked:


I do a lot of lake shore fishing. I see a lot of big bass but I can’t seem to get them to hit anything during the morning and afternoons. I’m looking for suggestions for artificial baits I could try out.

DANIEL

tyler k asked:


I need to know some good techniques for fly fishing a lake from shore. It just seems much different techniques than if you were in a river.

CORNELIUS

chump0 asked:


I was wondering what the best lures to use for either walleyes, northerns, or bass are from the shore at Lake Busse?

COLUMBUS

John C. Banks asked:


Inshore fishing begins in the spring as Virginia charter boats and guides begin to target flounder, croaker, bluefish and other fish that enter the bays and inlets. Meanwhile inshore wrecks hold tautog and sea bass. In May, many charter boats visit the lower eastern shore for a chance at catching black drum and red drum. Both of these fish migrate in the bay and may be caught for just a few days or for several weeks. Both fish may be very large, with black drum often exceeding 80 lbs.

Summer brings a wide range of inshore fishing to the area, with species such as spadefish, cobia, sheepshead and Spanish mackerel being caught. Flounder fishing continues and the main runs of croaker attract large numbers of fishermen.

In the summer months, offshore fishing is very popular. Fishing for tuna is typical off the Virginia coast. Yellowfin tuna like deeper water for the most part, often being caught in water from 30 to 100 fathoms. Charter boat captains watch the satellite shots to get a general idea of where the tuna are located. In addition to yellowfin tuna, anglers catch bluefin, bigeye, skipjack and longfin albacore tuna, dolphin fish, wahoo, billfish and sharks.

Fishing spots include the Norfolk Canyon, Cigar, Weather Buoy, Wayne’s World and others. These hotspots range up to 75 miles off the coast. Many fishing groups elect to charter a trip to Washington and Norfolk Canyons. Just before reaching the canyon walls are slopes that are often very productive areas. Near the canyon walls, the bottom becomes steeper and rockier. Fish congregate along the drop offs to catch food that is caught in the hard running current.

Along the edges are lobster traps which are marked by orange buoys or “lobster balls”. The buoys attract dolphin fish which in turn attract the larger marlin, swordfish and sharks which feed on them heavily. Fishing by a buoy can be uneventful, or one or more lines might be attacked by mahi mahi, tuna, marlin or other fish.

Some anglers stop in these deep areas and use special tackle to drop baits down into depths of 300 feet for more. Virginia deep sea anglers sometimes catch tilefish or even snowy grouper. Snowy grouper get very large and Virginia records have been broken recently on these delicious fish. Several charter captains specialize in this exciting fishery and offer trips to specifically target tilefish and grouper.

Late August and September often feature the best fishing with anglers seeing larger numbers of tuna as well as an influx of wahoo and bull dolphin. Offshore fishing continues into October, when windy weather and falling water temperatures make fishing less productive.

After the offshore season winds down, Virginia charter captains and guides switch over to striped bass fishing. Known locally as rockfish, these delicious fish migrate down the East Coast and congregate in the lower Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters from November thru March. Anglers sometimes catch monster rockfish, exceeding 50 lbs. The Virginia state record rockfish has been broken many times recently, with some of the biggest fish being caught out of Virginia Beach Virginia.

These beautiful game fish love cold and windy weather and feed in immense schools along the coast. Local charter boat captains keep watch on local fishing and are usually able to find the fish reliably when a winter weather window of opportunity becomes available.



BART

PrimeTime asked:


In a few weeks I am taking a trip to the Jersey Shore to fish off the surf. I have an Abu Garcia 5500 C3 baitcasting reel that holds up to 12 lb test. Will 10-12 lb test be sufficient? I am going for striped bass (and whatever else bites) by the way. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
Can I get away with using a higher lb test braided line since braided apparently is thinner than mono?

ANDY

Drifter asked:


what’s a good fishing lure for fishing on the shore in Florida(miami/eastern shore)
and what fish can be caught with the lure.

size/color/pattern/model/name(of the lure) would be greatly appreciated

ARCHIE