Fishing forecast for the week of June 4-11

A LITTLE MORE THAN 20 years ago, a small group of anglers first discovered the secrets to catching spadefish.

Until then, curious anglers either foul-hooked or speared saltwater's version of an angelfish.

Figuring out that jellyfish were the species' main food source was the key.

At first, anglers would tie a small piece of clear plastic bag to a small hook. In the water, the plastic resembled, sort of, a piece of jellyfish.

Bingo! Spadefishing in Virginia waters was born.

Not long afterward, someone tried a small piece of clam, wondering if it might fool the hard-fighting spadefish.

It did, and today's most popular method for taking this tasty species was found.

Since then, catching spadefish in late spring is one of Virginia's most popular fishing pas times.

Spadefish are now swarming around most inshore wrecks and structures. The Chesapeake Light Tower is the most popular early season location, but it gets pretty crowded.

Inshore and Chesapeake Bay buoys and wrecks also hold fish.

Once anchored around a structure that is holding spadefish, most successful anglers start chumming with canned minced clam and its juices. Discarded pieces of chowder clams and shells also are tossed in.

Anglers using medium-weight spinning tackle or small bass casting tackle either use an in-line weight or a bobber system to hold small pieces of clam on strong No. 1 or No. 2 sized hooks. Red "bleeding" circle hooks have become very popular.

Light-tackle and fly-rod anglers have an even greater challenge with spadefish, which use their roundish bodies to turn sideways to the pressure. They're real fighters.

And if you want to catch some of the biggest spadefish in the world, this is the place.

The International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record is a 14-pounder caught from The Cell in 1986 by George Brace. Mark Ottarson tied that mark at Wolftrap Light in 2007.

The Virginia record is a 14-pounder caught at The Cell in 2006 by Austin Edwards. North Carolina's top fish is a 9-pounder caught off Oak Island in 2001 by Spencer South.

And all but one of the 14 IGFA line-class world records - seven for men and seven for women - are from either Virginia or North Carolina waters.

Neither state has a size limit on spadefish. Virginia has a four-fish-a-day limit. In North Carolina, the spadefish is grouped into "reef complex species" with sheepshead, triggerfish and others. Anglers can keep a combined 20 fish a day from this group.

HAMPTON ROADS

The mixed bag of late spring and summer angling opportunities is about full.

Once more cobia arrive inshore, and more billfish, tuna and dolphin show offshore, the picture will be complete.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel likely is the best location for a variety of fish, including flounder, drum, sheepshead, cobia and croaker.

Striper are abundant along the span, and anglers have until June 15 to find keeper-sized fish.

Bluefish are everywhere.

Puppy drum and a few speckled trout should be available to anglers working inside Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets.

EASTERN SHORE

Big red and black drum likely will continue to garner most angler interest, at least for a few more weeks.

But flounder, cobia, croaker and offshore trips soon will rise in popularity.

Drum can be found from Fisherman's Island around the Shore's southern point and up past Kiptopeke and Cape Charles. Any of the shoals should hold fish, but areas around buoys 13 and 16 are favorites.

Anglers working some of the shoals, especially Latimer, will start to find increasing numbers of cobia that have started to migrate into the Bay. The same anglers also can expect a few sheepshead.

Flounder catches have continued to be good throughout most of the barrier island backwaters, especially around Wachapreague and Oyster.

Oyster bottom anglers also could see an increase in croaker in the coming weeks, if not already. Croaker also should be available around Kiptopeke and Cape Charles.

Anglers heading offshore should find increasing numbers of tuna and dolphin.

OUTER BANKS

The late spring/early summer bonanza of offshore opportunities is in full swing.

Yellowfin and bluefin tuna are abundant. A few bigeyes can be expected to be in the mix.

Billfish, dolphin, wahoo and king mackerel are also there for the taking.

Inshore, cobia are attracting nearly all angler attention. However, bluefish and trout also are available.

PIERS AND SURF

The usual mixed bag of mostly small stuff is readily available along the Virginia and North Carolina coasts.

Pier anglers can expect to find croaker, spot, trout, flounder, bluefish, sea mullet, dogfish shark, skate, spadefish and puppy drum.

Along the Outer Banks, it's about time for pompano to show.

FRESHWATER

Bluegill and shellcracker highlight the best possibilities on most rivers and water-supply lakes. Many panfish will be 5 feet or shallower as they prepare for the spawn. Bigger bream usually work a little deeper, but don't be surprised to find a few topping a pound anywhere along a shoreline.

White perch continue to cooperate around the mouths of creeks spilling into rivers, and in Currituck Sound and Back Bay.

Largemouth bass catches from around shoreline cover and points likely will be best early and late in the day.