Fishing forecast for week of Aug. 28 - Sep. 4

Mmore children cut their angling teeth on bluegill fishing than they do with just about any other species.

Even a vast majority of saltwater anglers can trace their fishing roots to this beautiful and energetic member of the sunfish family.

The reason so many people get their introduction to fishing with bluegill is because they are plentiful for much of the year along the shallow shorelines of most lakes, ponds and rivers.

That's important when building an angling foundation. If the action isn't fast, young anglers quickly lose interest.

This is one of the best times of the year to catch bluegill. They're feeding heavily in preparation for a move to deeper water when the weather turns colder.

Bluegill can be taken by a variety of methods - everything from a basic cane pole and bobber rig, to fly-rod poppers, to fancy micro-light spinning gear and the tiniest of jigs.

Keep in mind, however, that bluegill are - pound-for-pound - quite bullish when hooked. On extremely light tackle, their spastic, circular fight will test even a skilled angler.

Also remember that bluegill can get pretty big.

The International Game Fish Association's all-tackle world record of 4 pounds, 12 ounces came from an Alabama lake in 1950. North Carolina's biggest bluegill weighed 4-5 and was caught from a Henderson County farm pond in 1967. Virginia lumps all sunfish into one category, and the leader is a 4-12 fish caught from a private pond in 1986. But that fish was a shellcracker.

There also are several well-documented catches of bluegill topping 5 pounds. A South Carolina angler caught one a few years ago that reportedly weighed 5-7. But that fish and others exceeding 5 pounds have failed to meet strict IGFA record guidelines.

Anglers in North Carolina and Virginia can get an award for any bluegill that either weighs 1 or more pounds, or measures at least 11 inches.

HAMPTON ROADS

Blustery weather the past few days has fouled more than its share of outings. But when people can get on the water, there's plenty of action awaiting them.

Cobia are staging around structure and buoys - and roaming under rays - in preparation for their migration south. They're susceptible to bucktails and swim baits, as well as live croaker or spot.

Spanish mackerel continue to be abundant around many tidal rips. Fast-trolled spoons and jigging will work.

Big flounder are available all along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and around inshore wrecks. Spot and croaker are going to entice the biggest fish.

There are sheepshead along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel span, but numbers haven't been great.

Small schools of big red drum continue to show around the mouth of the Bay and along the Virginia coast. King mackerel could be a possibility in the same areas.

Bluefish are abundant just about everywhere. Puppy drum action inside Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets continues to be outstanding.

The South Tower and other navigational towers off the coast are holding good numbers of anxious amberjack.

Off the coast, white marlin numbers are outstanding. And the current easterly blow could enhance catches. While yellowfin tuna are scarce, bigeye have shown in pretty good numbers. Wahoo and lots of dolphin also are available.

Deep-water bottom-bouncers are finding lots of tilefish and grouper, along with several other species. Wrecks and rubble piles are holding sea bass.

EASTERN SHORE

Croaker numbers continue to be outstanding around Wachapreague and Little Machipongo inlets, and around Oyster. Bottom-bouncing drifters also are catching plenty of undersized flounder.

Bigger flounder are being caught along the channel leading into the Bay and passing along the Shore's western shoreline up toward the Cell.

Cobia could be a possibility around any navigational structure inside the Bay. Offshore, bigeye tuna, white marlin and dolphin top the list.

OUTER BANKS

Bigeye tuna, white marlin, sailfish and outstanding numbers of dolphin lead the list of offshore offerings. Wahoo and king mackerel also are possible.

Along the coast, look for bluefish, some trout, cobia and a few red drum.

PIERS AND SURF

Cooler temperatures and easterly breezes bring to mind the fast-approaching arrival of surf fishing's peak season. It's still a little more than a month away, but a pickup in action could start any minute.

The usual bag of smallish stuff - bluefish, pompano, spot, croaker, flounder, puppy drum, trout and skate - is readily available from most piers.

King mackerel, cobia, shark and red drum always are possible on piers jutting into the Atlantic.

FRESHWATER

Largemouth catches are only going to get better in the next few weeks as waters start to cool. Action will continue to be better early and late, at least through mid-September.

White perch have schooled over deep channels and around creek mouths in many of the area's river systems. Spot them on your graph, then jig small spoons or sink a few minnows.

Crappie could be starting to move to less-deep structure and soon will move to shallow haunts for an early fall feed.