Two species of drum fish lurk in the waters around Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Both fish migrate along the coast in spring and again in fall, and are sometimes found together. In addition to more familiar spring and fall fishing, a few drum of both species take up residence in the bays and coastal waters [...]
The Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is one of the largest jacks found off the coast of Virginia. Although typical adults weigh 20-30 pounds, trophy fish may exceed 100 pounds.
They define the classic shape of the jack family, having a rounded head, large pectoral fins and a moon-shaped tail. Amberjacks have a distinctive [...]
Cobia are one of the largest saltwater fish found off the Virginia Coast and waters of Chesapeake Bay. Each spring, large numbers of these beautiful fish migrate Northward, providing a challenge to anglers from the inlet out as far as 30 fathoms. While cobia are not a sure thing, they sometimes take [...]
Among the most popular seafood dishes is a milk based white clam chowder. Basic chowder recipes combine a few basic vegetables with a single selection of seafood or perhaps a combination of fish and shellfish.
This chowder is a good way to get comfortable with creating diary-based seafood meals. After the basic recipe is [...]
Spot
Spot are named and identified by the distinctive dark spot above the pectoral fin. The species is also known as lafayette, goody, or Norfolk spot. Spot are common from Cape Cod to Florida and through the Gulf of Mexico. Spot rarely exceed 10 inches in length, making them highly sought after as [...]
When cleaning fish it’s important to decide if you will scale or skin the fish as well as choosing to fillet the fish or simply gut and remove the head, tail and fins. Smaller fish may not be suited for filleting but most larger fish can easily be filleted in order to [...]
The famous salt oysters of Chincoteague Island are Virginia oysters (Crassostrea Virginica), also known as Eastern or Atlantic oysters. They are designated as the state shell of Virginia. Virginia Marine Resources Commission regulates oyster harvest and production of oysters in Virginia waters.
Chincoteague Island supports a successful oyster aquaculture industry. Small [...]
Visitors to Chincoteague Island often choose Christmas ornaments which display their favorite species of fish. Modern round or oval ceramic ornaments are among the most popular styles as they are suitable for display all year and match a variety of settings.
Shoppers will find a wide array of designs to choose from by visiting local shops [...]
Fish and chips is a popular way of serving fish in Virginia and much of the East Coast. The meal, which originated in the United Kingdom consists of battered, deep-fried fish and sliced, deep-fried potatoes. The meal gained a strong urban following that continues to present day.
The original British fish and chips used cod or [...]
To comply with federal law, unless states have a marine license or other program that supplies NOAA Fisheries Service with an accurate count of marine anglers, most saltwater anglers will need to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry beginning January 1, 2010.
The Registry is an important part of the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) [...]