Along the Barrier Islands of Virginia, shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans are eaten by flounder. Although small in size, grass shrimp are preyed on by flounder. The sand shrimp, a larger species is another important food source for Virginia flounder. Both species are found in shallow areas among vegetation, shell beds, and other structure.

In some areas, flounder move into shallow flats to feed on shrimp. During outgoing tides, flounder often lurk along drop offs, waiting to ambush prey that gets swept by.

Although artificial shrimp lures have been around for decades, recent advances in technology have revolutionized the use of shrimp-type lures in saltwater fishing. Traditional shrimp imitations consist of jigs equipped with soft plastic bodies. Saltwater flies are also available in shrimp patterns.

One of the most popular lures for catching flounder in Virginia is the Berkley Gulp Shrimp. Combining traditional lure elements with impregnated scents, this product can be used as a lure or simply fished like traditional cut baits. Gulp shrimp baits are durable and do not need special care or refrigeration.

One of the most common ways to fish Gulp shrimp is to rig the body on a simple jig head. When rigging up, it is important to orient the shrimp body in a natural position so that the rig swims properly without spinning. In most situations, it helps to carry an assortment of jig heads from 1/8 to 3/8 oz. or more.

Gulp shrimp can also be fished with a range of specialized hooks for soft plastic baits. As with jigs, these hooks must be placed properly in the bait or the rig may spin and tangle. Weight can be added in the form of a Carolina rig, allowing anglers to reach the bottom. One advantage of these rigs is the ability to employ a weedless style hook in order to minimize fouling.

Imitation shrimp baits can be especially effective during the late spring and summer when flounder move up onto sandbars and flats. They can also entice flounder along the edge of sandbars where drop offs occur.

Another application for Gulp shrimp often arises around near shore artificial reefs. In these areas, deep water and strong currents often call for heavier jig weights. In addition to drawing strikes from flounder, Gulp shrimp baits can be effective for catching black sea bass, bluefish, seatrout, red drum, cobia, and other species that may be present.

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Artificial Shrimp For Catching Flounder is a post from: Chincoteague Island Charter Boats

A white marlin chases a trolled lure off the Virginia coast.

Off the Virginia Coast, the fall season usually brings outstanding offshore fishing. From 20 fathoms out to the canyons, anglers catch tuna, marlin, dolphin fish, wahoo, and other gamefish.

Labor Day weekend usually marks the beginning of the fall offshore fishing season. As the weeks pass, fewer boats leave port as outdoorsmen turn their attention to hunting, inshore fishing, family commitments, work and other activities. During some seasons, good fishing occurs well into October, with sporadic catches being reported as late as early November.

Because so many fish species are on the move during the fall, trolling is one of the most popular techniques. Anglers fish with both artificial lures and natural baits.

One of the most popular rigs in the fall is the tuna spreader bar. Anglers fish one or more spreader bars rigged with brightly colored squid bodies or other lures.

Tuna spreader bars are usually equipped with a snap on the center line which allows lures to be changed quickly. Some models use all matching squid, while others are rigged with a contrasting tuna lure a short distance behind the spreader bar.

When tuna appear behind the boat, anglers often jig spreader bars in order to incite a strike. If several tuna are traveling together, jigging often results in multiple hookups.

Another setup is sometimes called “death from above”. These specialized outfits are thought to be an invention of North Carolina offshore fishermen. The system includes a short, heavy rod, heavy duty reel, braided line, and wind-on planer.

These special rigs are used for deep trolling ballyhoo or artificial lures at high speeds. They are particularly effective for catching large yellowfin tuna and wahoo.

Trolling natural baits such as ballyhoo also produce well during the late season. Anglers often fish a spread of baits that may include naked ballyhoo as well as skirted versions in a number of colors.

When wahoo are known to be present, anglers often rig ballyhoo on wire with colored skirts. In Virginia, the most popular colors for wahoo fishing include purple and black, all black, red and black, red and white, blue and white, and pink.

As with summer fishing, anglers often choose a bird and green machine for the center line. This rig has been a known producer of fish for decades and works on a wide range of species. A number of variations exist, including daisy chain rigs and other setups.

Virginia Late Season Offshore Fishing is a post from: Chincoteague Island Charter Boats

Inshore, spot are caught sporadically as early as June. A few fish sometimes appear in July or August mixed in with runs of Atlantic croaker. By Labor Day, they begin to show up large numbers in the surf, around the inlet, and along many of the near shore hot spots.

In order to be successful catching spot, small hooks and downsized pieces of bait should be used. Bloodworms are the best bait for spot, although expensive. Other local baits for catching spot include squid, clams, shrimp, or processed baits which require no refrigeration.

In addition to catching spot for fun or the table, these fish are extremely valuable as bait. Small spot can sometimes be caught in the shallows with a cast net or seine. Bait-sized spot also be caught around pilings using sabiki rigs and tiny morsels of bait.

Live spot make excellent live or cut baits for striped bass, red drum, seatrout, sharks, and other predator species.

Cleaning and Cooking Spot

Spot are usually scaled and rinsed well, and then headed and gutted or carefully filleted with a small, sharp knife. After filleting, fishermen lay the fillet down flat and cut a v shape in the front of each fillet in order to remove several small bones that occur along the flank. Fillets or whole spot should be refrigerated overnight with a dash of sea salt before cooking.

The following is a traditional recipe for cooking spot fillets:

Pan Fried Spot

Ingredients:

12 spot fillets
1/2 cup peanut oil
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup corn meal
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse fillets and allow to drain.
2. Mix together egg and milk; dredge each fillet in the mixture, then place in a plastic bag of flour and cornmeal and shake well.
3. Simmer fillets in hot peanut oil until browned on each side.
4. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.

How to Catch Spot is a post from: Chincoteague Island Charter Boats

Flounder fishing by kayak is popular on the island. The salt marshes on both sides of Chincoteague Island are intersected by creeks and shallow bays which are accessible by kayak.

Kayak anglers have an advantage in many of these backwater coves and small creeks. These areas often have excellent fish habitat such as aquatic grasses, tidal rips, oyster colonies, or other structure.

In addition to flounder fishing,  kayakers can fish for croakers, sea bass, tautog, sea trout, striped bass, kingfish, swelling toads, pigfish, and other inshore species.

Kayak launching areas are available in several areas on Chincoteague Island, including the public boat ramp at Queen Sound, city facilities, private marinas and other locations.

It is advisable to study potential kayaking areas before launching. A navigational chart and is essential due to the maze of creeks that meander thru the backwater areas.

Topographical maps or maps.google.com may also be useful for previewing waterways before exploring Chincoteague Island.

In addition, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission website lists the most current fishing regulations, safety tips, and other information.

Chincoteague Island Kayaking is a post from: Chincoteague Island Charter Boats

Atlantic Croaker

Croakers are one of the most popular fish caught in the waters surrounding Chincoteague Island. They range from about 10-20 inches, with fish of the same size often schooling together in large numbers.

Croakers are mostly silver in color with bars and specks along their flanks. Their body shape is very similar to red drum fish. Other names include Atlantic croaker and hardhead.

These hard fighting fish are sometimes caught in great numbers along Chincoteague Channel during their summer runs. Croakers also caught in the surf at times. As water temperatures cool in the fall, croakers move into the near shore ocean shoals, where they can be caught by bottom fishing.

Most fishing charters and guides offer croaker fishing trips. Boats fishing out of Chincoteague usually target croakers in Chincoteague Bay and along the channel edges during their mid-summer peak. A few boats also offer ocean fishing trips in the fall to catch croaker, trout, flounder, spot, kingfish and other species.

Chincoteague Island Croaker Fishing is a post from: Chincoteague Island Charter Boats