Does anybody have any experience with offshore fishing this time of the year....Is there any Yellowfin out at the Cigar or Fingers or are they all gone south. Debating on running out of Rudee or ORegon Inlet this weekend and just wondering as I haven't been offshore this time of the year in Virginia....Thanks....Bob

Bob,
I'd say go out of OI. They've been doing real well on tuna and hoos. I've never been offshore this time of year out of Rudee, but I think the temps(weather buoy is reading 59 ) have pushed the YFT south. Check out the Hot Shots sat shot for NC. They've got temp breaks from 69-81 degrees!
I saw that some guys on another board were saying that this time last year they were hooking up with big bluefin trolling and chunking out of Rudee.

Good luck!!

--Don

Big BlueFin sounds like fun !

I have not fished offshore this late out of Virginia Beach either but have a few friends from the NW coming to town and may give it a try Saturday. I come out of Lynnhaven. Any suggestions?

I haven't heard of anything in our offshore waters. I talked with a charter buddy of mine and he hasn't been out and I don't think a lot of the fleet has either. The action( YFT, Wahoo, Dolphin) has been down in North Carolina out of OI or Hatteras. Water temps have dropped big time. The only possibilities I think would be out past the 250 fathom line...there's 64-68 degree water on the other side of 58 degree as of Sunday at noon...or around the Lumps or the Hot Dog area that has some 64-66 degree water as of the same time (Check HotSpots...Hot Spots for recent Sat Shots)

It should be close to the time for bluefin to start showing up, but again...haven't heard of any. There's some good weather for this week, so may be some guys will be able to get out and test the waters before this weekend. So unless reports change, I would go striper fishing, or if you have a trailerable boat, try OI.

If I hear of anything, I'll post. Good luck!

--Don

I agree with Don. Water temps are too low for yellowfin. Bluefin have not showed up in our area. I have not heard from any of my buds in the OC area saying BF are there as well (an indicator). Perhaps 2-4 weeks away before we get cranked up again. I suggest making sure your tackle is in perfect condition, as its not unusual to hook 200#+ fish.

Great fishing out of OI now.

Yea...that's what I've been thinking...My gear is in immaculate condition....been a good month since I've been able to use the Gold Gear !....Unless I read something exciting this week looks like a OI Trip....weather permitting of course..thanks...Bob...Still Think'n

I fished out of Rudee last year up until late November,we had some nice Yellowfin,Wahoo and Kings.We tried the Bluefin Chunking but didnt have anyluck although some boats did.There were some huge Bluefish out there also we got several Citation sized ones but I never went for the papers.

Megabit,

Where were you getting the YF and Wahoo...Cigar or Fingers area ?....would definately rather run out of Rudee but want to get into some fish this weekend, something to put a bend in my rod.....

Bob,
I saw the first report of small schools of bluefin south of the Triangle wrecks and east towards the 21 Finger. I think they were chunking...no takers.

Heard of a couple caught out of OC and one caught out of Cape Lookout.

I just looked at the latest Sat shot from Hot Spots and it looks like that warm water that was around the 250 line has pushed way off. Everything between the Gulf Huslter and the 21 Finger is in the low to mid 60's.

tell ya what....after this blow for the last month I'm going somewhere and catching something this weekend...lol......boat needs to get wet !

The SST doesent look good,I would say Teaches might be your best bet.Once things get back to normal the warmer water should come back a bit to the north.I dont think its over for Offshore out of here yet.We were going out to the Canyon and the Fingers then we started fishing further and further south.Right now the Labrador seems to be pushing(assisted by the wind) the Gulf but that cant last for long.I expect to see some huge warm core Eddy`s pushing back this way any day.I hope this happens maybe not.

There is a report on the eastern shore board of yft and bigeye caught in the baltimore canyon on monday.

Some of that cool water has pushed off. Temps look to be in the 63-66 range from the Triangle Wrecks out to Waynes World. Somebody might be hanging out there??? Heard several reports of those big bluefish around the wrecks...the Giants gotta be close.

I've got a buddy offshore today....should have a report sometime this evening....will letcha know....Bob....Still Think'n

SKUNK at the Cigar out to 1000 fathoms for my buddy...said only boats he saw were trawlers.....Bob

Thanks for the report. I don't have enough time to run down to OI. May try the triangle and catch some bluefish.

Take something heavy!

Boats in the shop, I'm looking for a ride Sat or Sun, will pay, pray, and spray!!! 757-642-3873

-Mike

Gotta ride thanks!!