Offshore reports were slow out of Virginia Beach this week, mainly due to some high winds. Several boats did venture out during the calm days and managed to boat some fish. Tuna are still a no-show, but with approaching cold fronts and spinning warm water eddies, they will be knocking at the door any day now.

Several Norfolk Canyon overnighters managed to pull in nice bags of Blueline Tilefish and several Sea Bass. Day trollers produced some scattered Mahi action along with continued success with nice Wahoo. Most of the fish came out of an eddy that had pushed in over the canyons and ran down the 100 fathom line producing a nice temp break to hold bait and predators.

“Friendship” out of Rudee Inlet scratched a White Marlin on Sunday. These pointed-nosed fish are still around, so make sure you’re ready for them if they come crashing your spread.

Many of the VBSF Charter Sponsors have been working the excellent King Mackerel bite closer to shore. “Mega Bite” headed out several days last week and put his charter on the kings. They landed several paper fish including a 37 pounder caught by Jamal Esfahani of Hampton. Capt Keith Harlan even got on the rod and landed a 23 pound 5 ounce King. When conditions don’t allow offshore fishing, these captains can still put you on some great fish closer to home.

Oregon Inlet had a slow start this week, but managed some nice Yellowfin tuna a couple of the days. Most boats are returning with great bags of King Mackerel and some Blackfin tuna. Some big Yellowfin were boxed towards the end of the report week, some topping the 70 pound citation limit. A couple of the tunas scaled around 84 pounds.

Deep-droppers out of OI are cleaning house on the Tiles. “Little Jeannie” out of Pirate’s Cove brought back a limit of Bluelines.

Winds kept some boats in over the weekend down in Hatteras, but as soon as the weather window opened, it was game on. Mike Hill took to jigging over some bottom structure and managed a nice mixed bag of fish. Included in the catch was a 52 pound wahoo, four Kings up to 27 pounds, Blackfin tuna, Mahi, Red Snapper, Trigger fish, a Golden Tilefish, several Sea Bass and a Grouper. And that’s just what they kept. A great day jigging for sure.

The fleet out of Hatteras Harbor Marina had a couple great days chasing bills. Sunday saw 11 Sailfish releases along with a Blue Marlin. Monday followed up with 4 Blue Marlin and 12 more Sails being released. The Fall marlin bite is definitely on out of Hatteras. There were several nice Wahoo weighed in as well including a 45 pounder caught by Joseph Bittorie of West Virginia. Scattered Mahi and King Mackerel, some nearing 35 pounds, are also lining the docks.

The tuna are close. We just have to wait them out and hope that when they show, the weather is on our side.

Get out there and Catch ‘em Up!!

Great report Don, Thanks! Ready for the Tuna action.
Tight lines.
Dave

Here's hoping the next report has the word "tuna" repeated many times, over and over!

Great report, this is the first time we are going to venture into the ocean out of RI. We have experience in the ocean, but what are some of the key marks or areas to hit some Kings and Tuna? We are heading to RI this weekend so any advice would help....

This weekend isn't looking the best to venture too far out of Rudee Inlet. The kings are being caught fairly close to shore. Look for color breaks in the water...dirty brown to clear green and work those edges. You can also try the Ches Light Tower and troll around it.

As far as tuna, its a crap shoot. No one has had any great luck with them. Most will start hunting for them around the Norfolk Canyon, Waynes World, possibly the Fingers if water temps are right. Then as they head south, the Cigar will become a hot spot.