There are those in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina who would argue that the speckled trout is the best-looking fish swimming. Those who might not agree would have a difficult time in the debate.
Long and lean, the trout is covered with magnificent spots. Its mouth glows of orange, and its large set of chompers are impressive.
But there"s a lot more to the spotted sea trout than its looks.
When it comes to table fare, you either love them or you don"t. The meat is softer and more flavorful than, say, a puppy drum or striped bass.
I think it"s more the various methods for hooking specks, and the interesting fight they put on when you do, that makes speckled trout such a popular species this time of year.
Casting or trolling MirrOlure plugs or plastic curly tails on jigs are likely the most popular methods. Which one you choose is mostly a result of what you have had the most success with. Diehards of one or the other will tell you their choice is the only choice.
Trout also can be taken on live or imitation shrimp, and anglers have recently discovered that topwater plugs or spinners can provide some intense strikes — especially early or late, even at night.
Trout differ in their battle than puppy drum in that they like to thrash around the surface instead of digging deep.
Fighting a good-sized trout — prized by anglers from the mid-Atlantic all the way around Florida to the Gulf Coast — takes some angling skill and a very good reel drag because trout have a seriously tender mouth and rip easily when poked with a hook, making it easy for the fish to come unglued by shaking its head.
Southeastern Virginia
Big red drum continue to be found throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay and along the coast, but don"t expect that action to continue for much longer now that temperatures are starting to fall. Puppy drum will hang out a little bit longer, especially in inlets on the Eastern Shore, Peninsula and the Southside. Action as of late has been hit or miss, but that can be credited to the up-and-down weather.
Striped bass are hitting throughout the bay, especially along lighted structures like the three bridge-tunnel spans. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel always is the best place to find larger fish, but the Hampton Roads and Monitor-Merrimac will yield plenty of school-sized fish that are a blast on light tackle or fly. Bigger fish should start to show around the high-rise portion of the CBBT. Anglers wire-line trolling alongside the tunnel tubes also should find a bigger class of fish.
Flounder will start moving to deeper locations throughout the bay and along the coast, where they can be caught well into winter. Fish being caught in some of the area"s inlets won"t be there for much longer.
Tautog action is starting to kick into gear, with more and more fish being taken along the CBBT and at many inshore and coastal wrecks.
Spot and croaker catches should peak in the next few weeks as waters cool at a more rapid pace.
Many of the area"s other inshore species have either migrated south or are in the process of it.
Along the coast, king mackerel and bluefish could be a possibility for a few more weeks.
Bluewater action has been producing limited catches that include swordfish, with a few tuna and dolphin still in the mix.
Deep-droppers continue to enjoy outstanding action for golden and blueline tilefish, red-bellied rosefish and sea bass. It"s time for some really big sea bass to be taken.
Action along the beaches and piers should include spot, croaker, bluefish and a few puppy drum.
Northeastern North Carolina
Bluewater trollers have been reporting outstanding action for blackfin tuna, with some yellowfin and false albacore in the mix. Dolphin catches remain decent, with some wahoo and billfish still showing. A few swordfish also are being taken, especially by captains spending the night at sea. Action likely will be on hold for a few days because of rough seas.
This is surf-casting season on the Outer Banks and this is a big weekend, with the 10th annual North Carolina Beach Buggy Association"s Red Drum Tournament taking place on Hatteras Island through Saturday. Some of the best surf-casting teams on the East Coast will be participating.
Red drum, both big and pup-sized, could be difficult to catch, however, as a coastal low is expected to ride along the coast through Saturday morning. Small craft advisories already are in effect, and the surf could be plenty rough.
Once the seas calm down, surf-casters and pier fishermen can expect a variety of species including sea mullet, spot, croaker, bluefish and speckled trout. There has been an outstanding run of big pompano as of late, and hopefully the rough conditions won"t push them south.
In the sounds and inlets, look for puppy drum, croaker, speckled trout and small striped bass to dominate catches.
Freshwater
Largemouth bass action is at its seasonal best, with plenty of fish being taken on all fronts. Chickahominy Lake and Little Creek Reservoir in Toano have been yielding quite a few bass topping 5 pounds.
Look for bass to be working shoreline cover or schools of suspended bait throughout area reservoirs. Typically this time of year, some of the best catches will come from farm ponds and neighborhood water retention lakes. Bass this time of year can be aggressive, so a variety of lures will produce.
Catfishing, especially big blue cats, is outstanding. The Northwest, Chickahominy and James rivers are the best spots to land a really big blue. Some channel cats are being caught in area reservoirs. Fresh cut shad is the best offering.
Big shellcracker continue to provide plenty of action for anglers working reservoir waters around 10 feet deep. Pieces of nightcrawler or whole red wigglers will work best.
Crappie have moved into waters between 5 and 10 feet deep, and anglers should work bottom snaps and downed shoreline trees for the best action. Live minnows are a favorite, but don"t hesitate to throw small jigs and spinners. When casting to shoreline cover, remember that the bigger crappie will set up on the deepest part. Docks with sunken Christmas trees are a favorite haunt.
Lee Tolliver, 757-222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com
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