I was out last weekend and the waters were about 66 degrees. After this nice week of sunshine we should have some good temperatures out there in the bay. The rockfish were awesome around the islands, top water on light tackle is too much fun. I had my best luck around the 1st and 3rd islands. At certain times the fish were biting just above the tubes and other times they were more aggressive on the calm side of the island right up in the rocks. Unfortunately the largest fish was prob 24" but on light tackle that was a blast. My real question is concerning my friend in the brown suit. Do you folks think it's too early to try to throw some eels in a chum slick? I have done most of my chumming near Blue fish rock and I was wondering where the best bet would be near the CBBT. My guess would be to try and entice the cobia from the pilings or buoys of the baltimore channel. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I would say give it a couple more weeks and then try the grandview area

What time of day were you fishing for the stripers? I'm hoping to take my son out fishing this weekend. Which lures did you use?

Unfortunately, I can't answer your questions about cobia - I have only been fishing in the bay for a couple of years.

I would wait a while to try for cobia. Watch the reports for Hatteras and OI. When they are hot and heavy down there then start getting your gear ready because it wont be long before they make their way up into the bay.

The best time for the stripers was sunrise and sunset, but there was good action throughout the day. I caught a few, then headed out to the shoal and came back right where I left off. Large topwater poppers were good lures however my best lure was a topwater bunker prob. 9". Plastic shads were good producers as well but they snag very easily. My most effective method was casting right into the rocks and working the lure back to the boat. Any large topwater lure should be rather effective. Try the point of the 1st and third islands right where the tunnel begins, if that gets slow try the calm side of each of those islands casting like a freshwater bass. Get your cast as close to the structure as possible. Good Luck.

[quote=Wutangclanbrucelee,May 17 2007, 04:29 PM][quote=rjmariano,May 17 2007, 09:09 AM]What time of day were you fishing for the stripers?  I'm hoping to take my son out fishing  this weekend.  Which lures did you use?

Unfortunately, I can't answer your questions about cobia - I have only been fishing in the bay for a couple of years.
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The best time for the stripers was sunrise and sunset, but there was good action throughout the day. I caught a few, then headed out to the shoal and came back right where I left off. Large topwater poppers were good lures however my best lure was a topwater bunker prob. 9". Plastic shads were good producers as well but they snag very easily. My most effective method was casting right into the rocks and working the lure back to the boat. Any large topwater lure should be rather effective. Try the point of the 1st and third islands right where the tunnel begins, if that gets slow try the calm side of each of those islands casting like a freshwater bass. Get your cast as close to the structure as possible. Good Luck.

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Thanks for the help.

When I was down in Hatteras last weekend there were lots of guys fishing the channel looking for cobia. Heard several 3rd hand reports that some were being boated. Teach's Lair usually gives a good report about cobia...you can check their site or even give them a call.

from the water temps and Hatteras reports i think we are still 2 to 4 weeks out.

checked the internet fishing reports they've made it to georga strong im thinkin mid-june, the carolinas had that cell sit on them for at least a week. my guess is mid-june to the first of july which sounds like there normal time to me...

The Cobia wont Snap around Virginia Beach until the 1st week in June its been a warm winter but a cold spring.There might be a few strays here and there soon but the bite aint going to happen until we get a week of hot weather.

theyre hitting in wilmington from what ive heard.

I have been fishing the bay only about a year and a half, and not that often since my ship spends a lot of time at sea (about 75%). I have never fished for cobia anywhere, and I was deployed during the season last year. I have heard a bit about places to go, but I don't know anything about how to fish for cobia. Can anyone help me out with tactics?
On a more general note, I have been having real trouble finding fish of any kind since I rarely get to go more than once a month. Would love to take wife and daughter and get on just about anything. Daughter is starting to get bored with fishing since we don't catch much. I know people are hesitant to give up secrets, but any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

best bet would be to go for croaker or spot when they come. they arent huge but when u get into em u can usually catch a zillion and kids will have a blast. use fishbites or bloodworm or cut squid on a double dropper spot rig. where do u launch?

for cobia info use the search feature, u will get more than enough info to get started.

[quote=gus,May 19 2007, 08:04 AM][quote=TheNewGuy,May 19 2007, 04:56 AM] Would love to take wife and daughter and get on just about anything. Daughter is starting to get bored with fishing since we don't catch much. I know people are hesitant to give up secrets, but any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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best bet would be to go for croaker or spot when they come. they arent huge but when u get into em u can usually catch a zillion and kids will have a blast. use fishbites or bloodworm or cut squid on a double dropper spot rig. where do u launch?

for cobia info use the search feature, u will get more than enough info to get started.

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I launch at Ft. Monroe. I've had a little luck off the pier there, but can't seem to find a decent spot for croaker/spot from the boat.

from fort monroe there should be plenty of flounder towards the willoughby side of the bridge by now. there are probably some bluefish and stripers in the area too when the current is moving especially near dusk and dawn.

[quote=TheNewGuy,May 19 2007, 03:19 PM][quote=gus,May 19 2007, 08:04 AM][quote=TheNewGuy,May 19 2007, 04:56 AM] Would love to take wife and daughter and get on just about anything. Daughter is starting to get bored with fishing since we don't catch much. I know people are hesitant to give up secrets, but any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
[/quote]


best bet would be to go for croaker or spot when they come. they arent huge but when u get into em u can usually catch a zillion and kids will have a blast. use fishbites or bloodworm or cut squid on a double dropper spot rig. where do u launch?

for cobia info use the search feature, u will get more than enough info to get started.

[/quote]

I launch at Ft. Monroe. I've had a little luck off the pier there, but can't seem to find a decent spot for croaker/spot from the boat.

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My wife and I have had good luck with croaker back up the James from where you launch. We do alittle @the MMBT but have ended up around the James River Bridge each time.

Jdog

I've had great luck with the Hampton bar area. The folks telling ya that croker and spot are great for kids are right it seams that someone forgot to tell the croker not to strike like a bigger fish. Set up a drift to run you across the bar and you can never be certain what will come up. As said before fishbites, squid, and bait shrimp.

hate to say it, but if the wife and family is bored because ya'll don't catch much, then cobia is not really the fish you want to target. dont get me wrong i am a hard core cobia fisherman, but it means spending allot of time looking for the chance at a nice one.

i agree with these guys target spot, croaker and trount. get on them, and get consistent ... then strike out at some cobia or other shoal fishies.

my 2 cents - bo

Where is the Hampton Bar?? I have heard it mentioned a few times. But I couldn't run to it if I had to.

Jdog

[quote=JDOGHUNTS,May 21 2007, 08:36 PM][quote=STSC,May 21 2007, 11:51 AM]I've had great luck with the Hampton bar area. The folks telling ya that croker and spot are great for kids are right it seams that someone forgot to tell the croker not to strike like a bigger fish. Set up a drift to run you across the bar and you can never be certain what will come up. As said before fishbites, squid, and bait shrimp.
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Where is the Hampton Bar?? I have heard it mentioned a few times. But I couldn't run to it if I had to.

Jdog

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The Hampton Bar is on the Hampton side of the James River from the HRBT west up the James to almost the MM. The hot spot seems to be from the red # 14 to the Red # 18 buoy along the edge of the channel.
Send me a email and let me know you are doing

Salt Shaker

I have caught all my bigger Cobia on a Large to medium Live Menhaden.Live Bunker are hard to beat.

Thanks for that bit of advice

Jdog

There is tons of croaker and a few throwback flounder at the red #14 bouy,

-Chris