Fishing forecast for July 10-16

Sheepshead didn't become one of the Chesapeake Bay's more popular gamefish until recently.

The boom catches of a couple of years ago - largely the result of accidental catches by anglers seeking other species - sparked greater interest and increased awareness about how to catch sheepies.

Catches two and three years ago were the best in state history. But when the interest got high, catches slowed.

Researchers at Old Dominion University have been studying sheepshead populations in the Bay since 2006 because so little is known about the species in local waters.

Sheepshead have been here for years. They are found in almost all coastal waters - from Nova Scotia to Florida, into the Gulf of Mexico and south to Brazil. They like to take up residence around structure that is encrusted with barnacles. Sheepshead also will eat small crabs and crustaceans, using big, flat teeth and powerful jaws to crush the hard shells and suck out the meat.

Aside from that, nobody knows much about them except that sometimes they appear in good numbers and other times they don't.

A couple of things are for sure - sheepies fight like crazy and are excellent table fare.

The all-tackle world record of 21 pounds, 4 ounces was caught off New Orleans in 1982. Virginia's standard is a 20-12 fish caught in 2005 from the Sea Gull Pier on the first island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. North Carolina's biggest recorded sheepshead weighed 19-4 and was caught near Oregon Inlet in 1999.

In Virginia, it takes a 24-incher to win a state release award, or a 10-pounder for a catch award. In North Carolina, an 8-pounder will earn paper.

Hampton Roads

While fishing opportunities are fantastic on all fronts, the offshore scene is really heating up.

Bluewater trollers are finding increasing numbers of billfish, a steady bluefin tuna bite, and plenty of dolphin. Wahoo also have started to show, while yellowfin tuna have become hit or miss.

Several boats last week reported boat grand slams - blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish - caught the same day.

Hurricane Bertha could push in pretty large ground swells. But they will be slow rollers, and could result in a better marlin bite.

Inshore anglers are finding an incredible mixed bag.

Cobia appear to be abundant throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay - with Bluefish Rock, the York Spit, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and area buoys being great places to start looking.

The flounder bite has again gotten good. Good numbers of small spot to use for live bait has helped. Excellent catches of big flatties have been reported all along the CBBT, and around inshore bottom structures. Anglers should remember that the flounder season is closed from July 21-30.

Triggerfish have been abundant along the CBBT and at many inshore wrecks.

Black drum and red drum continue to be available in the southern Bay, with the islands of the CBBT and nearby shoals as the top locations.

Spadefish are abundant at just about every inshore structure.

Amberjack have been found in amazing numbers at many coastal towers and wrecks, with the South Tower as the best chance to do battle with one of these big brutes. Amberjacks also have been seen around the Chesapeake Light Tower.

Spanish mackerel action around most tidal rips and at Cape Henry has been outstanding. Spanish also have been caught along the coast, where anglers could also expect to hook into a few kings.

Bluefish, croaker and puppy drum have been abundant in lots of locations.

Eastern Shore

Again, offshore action is taking center stage. Bluefin tuna have been available at the 26-Mile Hill, the Lumpy Bottom and around 20 Fathoms. Billfish and dolphin have been available farther out along the northern edges of the Norfolk Canyon.

Flounder action is good along the edges of deep channels leading into the Bay, with good catches also coming from seaside waters around Cedar Island.

Flounder action also is good around Buoy 42 and the Cell.

Spadefish are abundant at most buoys and navigational towers, and at the Cell.

Croaker numbers are good and getting better around Oyster.

Cobia and red drum always are a possibility around most of the shoals and along the barrier islands.

Outer Banks

Billfishing has been fantastic.

Throw in lots of dolphin and you've got a good shot at having a great day of fishing. Also possible are wahoo and king mackerel. Tuna catches have been sporadic.

Closer to shore, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cobia - even a few dolphin around floating grass beds - are available.

Trout and puppy drum can be had from inside the sounds.

Pier and surf

A wide array of possibilities awaits coastal anglers in Virginia and North Carolina.

Catches in Virginia have included sea mullet, croaker, spot, flounder, puppy drum, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Anglers working the two ocean piers also could expect a few king mackerel or cobia.

Along the Outer Banks, shark, pompano, skate and trout also play into the mix.

Freshwater

Bluegill and other members of the bream family again will provide the most consistent action during hot summer days.

They can be found along most shorelines, especially those with structure and a shadow line. Crickets and red wiggler worms are good baits, but small jigs and spinners also will induce strikes.

Largemouth bass don't disappear in the summer. They can be found roaming shoreline structure early and late in the day, and around deep structure and points in the middle of the day. Topwater baits fished at night can produce great action where night fishing is allowed.

Bowfin, white perch, yellow perch and chain pickerel always are a possibility.