You may have heard folks say, “We had a big time.” It is an old term I hear often from my more seasoned charter customers. The fact that I too use that phrase lands me in the ‘seasoned’ status as well. It is defined as having a good or enjoyable time. The month of July offers a “big time” catching “BIG fish”.
Cobia
Our headliner this month continues to be cobia. These aggressive fish that fight with a Rocky Balboa swagger have become the go-to species among both recreational and charter captains. The heavyweights weigh in at 40-60 pounds, while the lightweights—less than 40”—offer a surprisingly good challenge at only 15-20 pounds.
The firm meat of the cobia resembles tuna in texture and has become a popular dish for anglers as well as being served in local restaurants.
The two most popular methods of catching them are chumming and casting.
Chumming is by far the most productive method overall. It lends itself well to novice anglers as well as professionals. These fish are often found in relatively shallow water of 12 feet up to 30 feet deep. These fish feed along contour lines, edges, lumps and drop-offs.
The best bait to use when chumming is ground menhaden tossed out in spoonfuls as a teaser to draw them near the boat. You will want to put an eel, live spot, chunk of menhaden or piece of crab on a large 8/0 circle hook, with a 40-60# leader. Rig it on a fish finder rig and wait for the fun to begin.
Casting has become popular with anglers that like to hunt them down, cast live eels or bucktails near the free swimming fish and watch them devour the offering. It is essential that you can get up on a fly bridge or small tower so that you can see fish in the distance and allow time to slow down and not spook them.
These fish are also caught while trolling, sometimes while targeting drum, blues or mackerel on the channel dropoffs. Typically a surgical tube eel is used as enticement.
Cobia are most actively feeding between the hour prior and after the slack tide.
Bluefish
Bluefish have made a great showing this season, particularly along the western side of the shipping channel. Running a chunky 3-7 pounds each, they have been available from the San Marcos wreck, along the islands to the S.W. Middle Grounds. Both chumming and trolling are producing limits. Smaller specimens have been found mixed between the Rappahannock River mouth and the lower Potomac River. These fish are running a modest 1-2 pounds.
Spanish mackerel
Spanish mackerel have been trickling through the Northern Neck region over the past few weeks. Some larger samples came up the bay early, then gave way to the smaller 14-16 inch fish. Large schools are rolling through the Outer banks and Virginia Beach and should begin filling our waters this month. Drone and Clark spoons in various color combinations will be an asset when they arrive.
Red Drum
Red Drum have arrived in good numbers already. Dare I say they are as strong a number in our rivers and creeks as boasted by some of the gulf coast states. This folks, may become a staple of our Northern Neck fishery. Live bait as well as artificial lures are equally effective in putting a few in your cooler.
Of course bottom fishing should be strong all summer. Find an oyster bed, grassy bottom or channel edge and dunk a few worms, squid, shrimp or artificial bait to enjoy mutiple tugs on your line, keeping the whole family busy.
It’s time to answer the bell and give it your best shot against the heavyweight champion cobia and then work over the other species prowling throughout our region.
Remember, don’t just tell fish stories, create them!
Until next time… Fair winds.
