[fish on]

Went twice this weekend with no luck, caught one Skate, a bunch of Yellow Bellies on Fishbites, and medium sized Croakers. Tried chunked Bunker/Spot/Croaker nothing. But all the good runs were on the Menhaden chunks. The double breaking wave sets made holding the bottom rough until I switched to a 6oz clamshell sinker, it held really good, but I think because it was burying deep into the sand I may have missed a couple of hookups because the sinker did not free itself before the fished completely ingested the chunk, hard to tell with the tidal pull, and the wave action though. Did see a lot of bird activity right at dusk within 200-500 yards from the beach as Dolphins were herding bait just outside the sandbars. One of the local surfers did acknowledge kicking a large fish while surfing the outside set of waves 75 yards off the beach.

Fished the North End last week the day before the Noreaster hit us and caught one Red at 49" estimated (hooked pulled as the fish turned his shoulders down against a breaking wave right in the surf line) almost was able to tail grab him but got knocked off balance by next wave. Two more runs within an hour of the first fish, then the tide began to head out very strong. Caught the Red on a chunked freshly netted Bunker (about 12-14 inches) only one I caught besides a lot of Finger Mullet, and small Spots. Caught the incoming tide for the last 1 1/2 before full, then fished till about 1:00AM. I am surprised more folks aren't targeting Reds in the surf along the entire coastal area of the beach from Rudee to 88th Street, you just have to study the water and be there when they come in for feeding. They are definitely out there slow and far between, but they are there. Tight Lines

[BLACK ADDER]

Thanks for the report.
Back in the sixties that was a more popular area for surf fishing, especially around 84th street. I think that more folks don't go up there because of parking, surfers,and you have to walk a goodish distance.
I think you can look for company up there this weekend, what with the Refuge and False Cape closed for hunting.

[Andrew K]

Hey bill your mail box is full. got your message, not sure about this week, maybe later toward the weekend. if you head out tonight, where you headed?

[fishinfool14]

I would love to get some of this action of the BIG Red fish run. When would be a good time of the month to come and try it out? Went fishing in Lynnhaven this past Sunday and had a good time fishing but now I'm ready for the BIG ones. Any help would be greatly appreciated.....
Thanks Ryan

[fish on]

The typical "RUN" has been slow to happen this year, but if you look back at the whole Spring/Summer active season almost all of the usual "RUN" were an average of 2-4 weeks behind the typical time frame from past seasons. So my speculation is that the "RUN" of Bull Reds will be happening any time now. Last season my first solid beach catching did not start until the 2nd week of October (normally by the middle of September the RUN has started and in full swing), but when it started the fish were present for a solid 60-75 days. My thought on the RUN for this season is to expect an explosion of Reds being caught to begin any day now. Keep a good lookout for the signs associated with the RUN, a quick drop in water temp, a steady NNE wind for a solid 4-7 days, and lots of Menhaden moving south as they start their migration. Tight Lines

[stripezone]

Went twice this weekend with no luck, caught one Skate, a bunch of Yellow Bellies on Fishbites, and medium sized Croakers. Tried chunked Bunker/Spot/Croaker nothing. But all the good runs were on the Menhaden chunks. The double breaking wave sets made holding the bottom rough until I switched to a 6oz clamshell sinker, it held really good, but I think because it was burying deep into the sand I may have missed a couple of hookups because the sinker did not free itself before the fished completely ingested the chunk, hard to tell with the tidal pull, and the wave action though. Did see a lot of bird activity right at dusk within 200-500 yards from the beach as Dolphins were herding bait just outside the sandbars. One of the local surfers did acknowledge kicking a large fish while surfing the outside set of waves 75 yards off the beach.

Fished the North End last week the day before the Noreaster hit us and caught one Red at 49" estimated (hooked pulled as the fish turned his shoulders down against a breaking wave right in the surf line) almost was able to tail grab him but got knocked off balance by next wave. Two more runs within an hour of the first fish, then the tide began to head out very strong. Caught the Red on a chunked freshly netted Bunker (about 12-14 inches) only one I caught besides a lot of Finger Mullet, and small Spots. Caught the incoming tide for the last 1 1/2 before full, then fished till about 1:00AM. I am surprised more folks aren't targeting Reds in the surf along the entire coastal area of the beach from Rudee to 88th Street, you just have to study the water and be there when they come in for feeding. They are definitely out there slow and far between, but they are there. Tight Lines

Did u cast net your bait in the surf or buy it??

[Andrew K]

know of at least ten caught in the surf last weekend. water is still warm and this wind aint cooperating. my possee and I going to try this weekend somewhere, just not sure yet. last weekend was the annual red drum tournament up on AI, and only one drum was caught, i think they may have moved down this way already. they are catching them in the bay so they have got to be around.

problem with the menhaden, according to some sources close to lynnhaven fish place, the netters are not catching any bunker at all....that cant' be a good sign.

as it gets closer to friday and i figure out a spot, ill post on here if you want to join stripezone

[fish on]

HAVING OCCASIONAL LUCK BACK IN THE TRIBUTARIES HERE AND THERE, BUT THEY ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. ONLY THING IS YOU HAVE TO SEARCH, AND DRIVE AROUND TILL YOU CAN SPOT THEM FLASHING DEEP DOWN, THEY ARE NOT STAYING ON THE SURFACE NOW, HAVE TO LET THE NET SINK ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM SOMETIMES AS DEEP AS 20-30 FEET.

[Andrew K]

going to ruddee tonight to catch spot for bait for tomorrow/saturday. intel has told me ruddee is loaded right now.

if your out say high, ill be wearing a grey sweatshirt with a tagging hat on.

[BLACK ADDER]

Spoke to Connie up at Long Bay Point. Says he hasn't heard much from the North End, so either it is kept quiet, or it's a no go....Prelimanary plan is to do what I told you unless I hear some new info today..

[Andrew K]

caught a bunch of big spot last night in ruddee, good number of them. heading to sand bridge tonight with the crew.

[fish on]

Here is the latest from down south:

Another good day of fishing here in beautiful downtown Buxton. Drum last night and a few more early this morning. Bluefish just about anywhere you throw a bait. Spanish showed up again at the Point, Inlet, and in front of 43.
Flounder in the hook area and Inlet. Pompano, Spot, and Sea Mullet reported
on north and south beach. Blue skies, light winds, cool temps and lots of fish- What a life - Grumpy.

[Andrew K]

so if they are showing up down there i wonder how long our run up here will last..... you heading out tonight bill?

[fish on]

99% chance of going, depending on how I feel later. Call me later, Tight Lines

[Andrew K]

going to fish with the crew down in sand bridge till either sunrise or the front chases us out.

[fish on]

Went to Lesner, couple of small Specks, and a 17 inch Flounder. Nothing really going on there though. Front was fine after 10:30 or so. Talk to you later.