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

Chincoteague Island Virginia is a wonderful destination for birdwatching. Both Chincoteague and Assateague offer a wide range of habitats, from swamps and woodlands to beaches and ocean access. Birders can view birds by vehicle, on foot, or take a birdwatching tour by boat.

Birdwatching Tours

A variety of local guides and tour boat operators offer birdwatching trips or nature cruises. Birding enthusiasts can choose from pontoon boats, open skiffs or classic cruisers. Some boats offer trips around the island, which cover a wide range of habitats.

Another excellent opportunity for birdwatchers is a guided or solo kayak trip. Kayaks are small enough to get into shallow areas where waterfowl, shorebirds and other species are most abundant.

Most guides are familiar with many species of aquatic birds and several offer custom trips. For waterfowl enthusiasts, several local guides are experienced in finding waterfowl and know the best spots for observing ducks, geese, swans and other birds.

Birdwatching Tips

Time of day is important. Many species of birds are particularly active in the early morning and around dusk.

Birdwatching around Chincoteague Island varies seasonally. Important periods for birdwatching include spring and fall migrations, periods of food abundance, mating seasons and other events.

Many bird species occupy very specific environments and are seldom seen outside of feeding and nesting areas.

For birds such as waterfowl and shorebirds, it is important to recognize and the food sources which attract birds. Areas where submerged aquatic grasses are abundant are likely to attract ducks and geese.

Birdwatching equipment is important in the field. Essentials include field guides, binoculars, digital camera, tripod, sunglasses, sun block, insect repellent and a birdwatchers journal.

When visiting Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, having the right clothing is important. Birders may want to dress in layers during the cooler months. Weather often changes in the field, especially near the ocean. A lack of warm clothes or too much clothing during the warm season can make birding uncomfortable.

Birdwatchers should avoid brightly colored apparel or shiny objects, which may agitate birds. Earth tones and clothing that blends into backgrounds are usually a good choice.

Chincoteague Island Birdwatching Trips is a post from: Chincoteague Island Charter Boats

The new program is designed to encourage the conservation of North Atlantic shortfin mako sharks. Scientific research shows many of these sharks are being caught and kept, damaging the long-term sustainability of the population. The most recent assessment of North Atlantic shorfin makos found that the population had declined about 50 percent from the 1950s.

Commercial and recreational fishermen can submit an online form to NOAA with information about where and when they release shortfin mako sharks, and their information will be posted on an online map. The map will enable fishermen to see how they are making a difference in the conservation of shortfin mako sharks and encourage others to release sharks. By charting how and where fishermen release sharks, NOAA hopes to encourage other fishermen to do the same.

“We are working with the fishing community to encourage fishermen to voluntarily release these sharks alive to help sustain the shortfin mako population,” said Eric Schwaab, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “By releasing sharks that are unintentionally caught or caught for sport, U.S. fishermen will be leaders in encouraging fishermen from other nations to conserve this shark species.”

Shortfin mako sharks, like other shark species, grow slowly, mature late, and produce few young, making them vulnerable to fishing. The average female shortfin mako shark becomes sexually mature at 18, while males are mature at 8. This highly migratory species is managed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, to which the U.S. is a member. The U.S. has been a leader in urging the international commission to adopt conservation measures to help rebuild the species.

Shortfin makos are often caught unintentionally by commercial fishermen who are targeting swordfish and tuna with longline gear. They are also caught by recreational fishermen and are a popular catch in shark tournaments. An increasing number of these tournaments encourage the live release of sharks to promote conservation. It is legal for commercial and recreational fishermen to retain the sharks. However, recreationally caught sharks must not be smaller than 54 inches from the tip of the shark’s nose to the fork of its tail. While some fishermen continue to retain shortfin makos for food, fins, and jaws, NOAA’s Fisheries Service encourages fishermen to consider the effect on the stock in the long-term and choose to release them.

NOAA encourages fishermen to learn how to safely release sharks so that they are not injured and the sharks are released in good condition. Fishermen may obtain a brochure at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Compliance_Guide/index.htm on the safe release of sharks and other highly migratory species.

For more information about the program, to view the interactive map and learn how to submit information on a live shark release, go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/shortfinmako/index.htm

source: NOAA press release

Mako Shark Catch – Release – Report Encouraged by NOAA is a post from: Chincoteague Island Charter Boats