Fishing forecast for week of Aug. 21-27

Blue marlin catches in the mid-Atlantic never have been as incredible as they are in other parts of the world. But every so often, action in Virginia and North Carolina, and neighboring states, is something to talk about.

This is one of those times.

Two weeks ago, a nearly 1,000-pound blue marlin was caught in the White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Md.

Last weekend, a 1,228-1/2-pounder made huge waves in the 25th annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament. The angler who caught it - Trey Irvine of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - won nearly $500,000.

With such big fish being caught, and several others being seen, it's easy to see why there is a mood of excited anticipation as 75 teams open competition today in the fifth annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament.

Big marlin are out there, and somebody who catches one can get rich quick.

Irvine's fish has been certified as the North Carolina record. The old mark of 1,142 had stood since 1974. Jack Herrington was the angler. Irvine's fish isn't too far off the International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record of 1,402.2 caught in 1992 off the coast of Brazil.

Virginia's standard - a 1,093-pounder caught by Ed Givens - has stood since 1978.

Whether there is another big blue lurking along the edges of the Norfolk Canyon this weekend remains to be seen.

But with all of the recent blue marlin excitement, it's a sure bet that plenty of teams will be swinging for the one-fish fence - using the biggest tackle, with the heaviest line, and pulling the biggest mackerel and horse balao (ballyhoo) they can find.

HAMPTON ROADS

Earlier forecasts for Tropical Storm Fay to possibly come up the East Coast have faded, and it looks for sure like the storm will have no impact on anglers competing in the big billfish tournament out of Rudee Inlet.

So catches could end up being outstanding. There have been big blue marlin, quite a few white marlin and some sailfish. Meatfish division standings could be filled with plenty of dolphin and some wahoo. Anybody who catches a tuna has a good shot at winning. They've been extremely scattered.

Bottom-bouncers working the edge of the canyon continue to find grouper, tilefish and wreckfish.

Closer to shore, amberjack are swarming around many wrecks and navigational towers. As usual, the South Tower is the hot spot for jacks. There also is a possibility of catching a barracuda.

Along the coast, king mackerel are getting most of the attention. Anglers also can expect to encounter cobia, red drum and possibly a tarpon. The Spanish mackerel run continues to be one of the best in recent years.

Inside the Chesapeake Bay, flounder are making a strong showing, with most big fish being caught from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and around inshore wrecks and artificial reefs. Spot and small croaker are the go-to baits for big flatties.

Red drum, black drum, spadefish, sheepshead, bluefish and croaker all are available around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Croaker, smaller flounder, bluefish and small spot can be had around the Hampton Roads and Monitor-Merrimac bridge-tunnel spans.

Inside Little Creek, Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets, anglers are finding good numbers of puppy drum. A mixed bag of croaker, bluefish and small flounder also could be available. A few speckled trout have been caught in Lynnhaven and Rudee, but it's a little early to start talking about good numbers.

 EASTERN SHORE

Anglers venturing to the Buoy 42 area off the western coast of the Shore are finding fantastic numbers of big flounder. Spot and croaker are the ticket to catching big fish. Flatties also can be caught from the edges of the deep channel running the high-rise spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, westward past Kiptopeke and up to the Cell.

Spadefish also are available.

The run of big croaker keeps teasing anglers into taking trips to Cape Charles, Kiptopeke and Oyster. Some days there are big fish available, and others there are not.

Tarpon and big shark are still roaming the backwaters of the barrier islands. Big red drum can be caught along the islands.

 OUTER BANKS

Blue marlin have been causing quite the commotion recently. But white marlin, sailfish and incredible numbers of dolphin are getting most of the attention. Tuna are being caught, along wahoo and king mackerel.

Along the coast, cobia, red drum, king mackerel and lots of Spanish mackerel are available.

PIERS AND SURF

The Ocean View run of pompano could be waning, but a few smallish fish are still being caught. Aside from that, the typical action from spot, croaker, small flounder, bluefish, puppy drum and Spanish mackerel should be available from nearly every southeastern Virginia pier. At Virginia Beach and Little Island, shark, cobia and king mackerel always are possible this time of year. A red drum run on those two piers can't be too far off.

Along the Outer Banks, the story is the same - with the addition of sea mullet and trout.

 FRESHWATER

It's not going to be too much longer until largemouth bass patterns migrate from summer to fall. And that can mean outstanding action. Anglers who stay on top of things on lakes and rivers will be the first to cash in.

In the meantime, stick with early and late, and work shaded shorelines and long points with structure. Boat docks usually hold a few fish.

Bluegill catches have remained steady, with bigger fish holding just off the shoreline in slightly deeper water.

White perch can be found schooling in deeper channels and around old duck blinds in Back Bay.

Speaking of Back Bay, don't be surprised to tangle with a flounder while fishing. G.W. Turner of Franklin landed a 4-pound, 22-inch flounder while using Beetle Spins to fish for perch.

Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com