Fishing forecast for week of Sept. 18 - Sept. 25

While considerable emphasis is put on catching the big red drum that show from spring to fall along the coast and in the Chesapeake Bay, it would be a huge mistake to ignore the young 'uns of the species.

Puppy drum - as smaller channel bass are known in Virginia and North Carolina - are a mainstay in the shallow-water fishing scene.

The past several years, there has been some outstanding action from these bronze brutes that feature one or more blueish-black spots on or near their tail.

While the current population is comparable to recent seasons, what has been so exciting about this year is an increase in the size of fish.

"Two or three years ago, there were lots of fish about 12 to 14 inches," said Al Bunnell, a diehard puppy drum fisherman who spends countless hours in Lynnhaven Inlet. "Now we're seeing them up to 30 inches. Our biggest in Lynnhaven this year was 34, and we had one at 29 last night."

A puppy drum of about 30 inches really isn't a pup anymore, and usually leaves the school to join bigger fish on the shoals of the Bay and along deeper coastal sandbars.

Bunnell said that recent action is cause for excitement for this weekend's second leg of the 2008 Puppy Drum Series. Anglers can fish anywhere in Virginia. Registration is $50 per team. There is a captains' meeting Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Oceans East 2, and fishing starts Friday at 7:30 p.m. Teams must be in the weigh-in line by 6 p.m. Saturday. There also are divisions for the biggest fish and for the fish with the most spots.

Puppy drum are delicious to eat, but it is their tackle-busting fight that makes them a favorite.

In Virginia, anglers can keep three puppy drum a day that each measure 18 to 26 inches. In North Carolina, it's one fish a day that measures 18 to 27 inches.

HAMPTON ROADS

The incredible offshore action taking place around the Norfolk Canyon the last couple of months continues to produce some outstanding catches of white marlin.

Several Rudee Inlet charter boats the last few days have returned flying five, six and as many as nine release flags.

There are no signs that action is waning. In addition, dolphin catches remain excellent, and yellowfin tuna rejoined the mix. And don't be surprised to raise a blue marlin or sailfish.

Deep-water bottom-bouncers are cashing in on excellent numbers of tilefish, grouper, wreckfish and sea bass.

Inshore wrecks are producing more and more flounder as flatfish begin their move out of the Bay. Still, look for flounder around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and along channel edges.

Cobia and big red drum are gearing up for their southerly migration and can be found around the Bay and along the coast.

Spanish mackerel are about as thick as they've been all year. Look for them in just about any tidal rip, but concentrate on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel islands and Cape Henry.

Spot are starting to show in better numbers and bigger size. Even a few "yellow bellies" have been caught. The Hampton Bar and Ocean View areas are good places to start. There also is action inside Little Creek, Rudee and Lynnhaven.

Speckled trout also have started to appear inside Lynnhaven and Rudee. But the best action is still several weeks off.

Bluefish are everywhere, and anglers can expect to see more commotion from schoolie stripers as the Oct. 4 start of the fall Bay season rapidly approaches.

EASTERN SHORE

Much of the focus on shore waters is centered on the western coast, where speckled trout numbers are increasing in Bay-side creeks.

Specks also are showing in backwater areas around Oyster, where there still is some interest in a waning croaker fishery.

Big red drum are working the outside edges of sandbars along the barrier islands.

Flounder are still around, with areas of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and edges of the main channel the likely best spots. Artificial reefs and some wrecks along the coast also are holding fish.

Tuna and white marlin spark a hot offshore scene, with the southern portion of the Washington Canyon and the northern part of the Norfolk as the best spots.

OUTER BANKS

Dolphin are dominating most offshore catches. But increasing numbers of tuna and white marlin are being reported as fish migrate south. Blue marlin, king mackerel and wahoo also are in the mix

Along the coast, cobia and red drum will hold most angler attention. But Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, bluefish and trout are available.

Puppy drum and speckled trout are the ticket inside the sounds.

PIERS AND SURF

The hottest time of the year for coastal action is rapidly approaching.

Big red drum and cobia can show at any time at Virginia's two ocean piers - Virginia Beach and Little Island.

Virginia anglers also should expect puppy drum, speckled trout, bluefish, spot and croaker.

In the Carolinas, add sea mullet, Spanish mackerel and shark to the mix.

FRESHWATER

With cooling waters, largemouth bass action really should be heating up on all fronts.

Top-water baits will produce big strikes early and late. Switch to spinnerbaits and plastics for the rest of the day. A crankbait run along the edges of drop-offs also will produce. And there's nothing like dipping big shiners into shoreline cover to get a bite or two.

Crappie should be hustling into any laydown or other cover in 10 or less feet of water.

Bluegills are migrating toward deeper water, and white perch can be found schooling at the mouths of creeks and in deeper channels.