I may have a chance to fly into VB for the 4th of July weekend and make a trip (if the weather is good). I am also visiting, regardless of a July trip, in mid-August. I was a little bummed earlier at not being able to come out till August, because usually its kind-of late for the YFT (my favorite fish to go after). But it looks like ,maybe this is shaping up as a late season - sounds like the reports are coming from up-North in MD. Is this right, or am I way off? Can anyone give advice on how this next weekend (July 4th weekend) might be shaping up? Considering the trip.

Thanks!!!

4th of July weekend is shaping up to be a Bluefin/mackerel/Mahi hunt. Bluefin inside the Fingers with some Mahi at the Canyon. Lots of YFT have been caught north of the Washington up to the Spencer, so I'm hoping they haven't passed us by once again. OI's tuna bite has been off this year too. My advice, if you're here...go fishing. You never know how the days may change!

It's depressing I'll tell ya. The weather forecasts through the 4th of July weekend don't look promising. Plus the SST shots suck looking like the same water temps up and down the line. No YFT reports and scattered BFT reports. Mahi and billfish here and there. Price of gas keeps going up. I'm starting to wonder is it's even worth venturing offshore at all or just stayin the bay and fish inshore.

Somebody tell me something encouraging.

i just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to geico

Well, the billfishing has been very good out of Oregon Inlet. Also, there are some really good gaffers mixed in there with them, but I would not call them hot. My contacts are really doing well on sails and whites and ok on the blue marlins. Randy and I changed out the equipment this week to the TLD's. Looks like to me the band of good water went around Va Beach and provided a highway right to the Washinton canyon. The YFT bite was ok at OI in May and early Jun - the big eye bite was really good -but both are pretty slow now.

Kent

I bought lobster for about 4 bucks a pound.......saved enough on lobster to go offshore all season ....

Serioulsy....it's only the end of June....early early...the bite will happen.....Blue fin are right on time....YFT came early and left early but will be back as the Gulfstream water pushes in....they'll be in all the local hotspots.....

Billfish are turning on early east of the Cigar and the best is yet to come...

mahi fishing has been spectacular to say the least

Wahoo have not shown up yet but I"ll betcha it's gonna be a great Wahoo season.....

You gotta love this stuff to keep at it....and I know you do.....don't worry Mike things will pick up soon !.....I'll be out there sometime next weekend....flying back home thursday....spend friday getting my gear all ready for the Tuna Tournament on the 9th....it's all good....Bob

Going through my logs from last year and the year prior to that....July has been my best month for Yellowfin Tuna...June has typically been Bluefin and Mahi, come July the YFT start showing up pretty good with last year having multiple citation YFT (mid July) and Jeff got his Blue marlin along with YFT and Wahoo last year in July...So, I think next month is going to be pretty killer !....have faith....Bob

Yup, first week of July is usually the start of YFT out of VB. But I also don't recall all the northern canyon guys slaying them in June in years past like they are this year. I hope the tuna are not already north of us but my hunch says they may already be there. I'm going to try to find a weather window to fish this weekend.

Thanks guys.

Regarding the water temps, yep - looks pretty warm from the coast on out - no really clean breaks. But good advice - if you can go, then go.

I think I'm gonna' save some money and stay in St Louie this weekend - cookin' brats and just takin' it easy. Not as easy to fly anymore as I have to bring the family with, and it would take some pretty good reports and weather forecast for us to make the trip) Will pray for the best come August, and for tight lines for you guys that manage to make it out, as well.

See you in August! Don't forget the VBSF Bluewater Classic is August 14th-17th...come into town and fish and win some money!!