Fishing forecast for the week of Oct. 30 - Nov. 6

RAPID CHANGES in weather the past couple of weeks have sped up the speckled trout migration. The beautifully spotted trout with the orange mouth and razor fangs has been reported in growing numbers in Lynnhaven Inlet, around the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, and in the Hot Ditch area of the Elizabeth River. More fish also are starting to show inside Rudee and around the jetties leading into the Oceanfront inlet.

The season, while it hasn't officially ended, seems to be about over around Eastern Shore creeks.

Windy weather, muddied water and decreasing water temperatures are to blame.

Mark Snook at Chris' Bait and Tackle said Wednesday that not many anglers are reporting catches from the normally trout-rich waters of Bay-side creeks. Catches have been minimal around backwater areas of the lower seaside barrier islands.

But that's not the case on southern shores, where trout action has turned on. Catches are reportedly pretty good in the sounds of North Carolina, as well.

Live shrimp and finger mullet under popping corks can be a deadly method for cold weather specks. But the old standbys of plastics on lead-head jigs, and suspending hard plastic baits work pretty darn well.

There's always a debate on rising or falling tide, and what colors to use. Many of the area's best trouters, however, insist that when specks are feeding, just about everything will take them.

HAMPTON ROADS

Stripers, speckled trout, sea bass and tautog are the hot species as of late.

School-sized stripers are abundant around most bridge-tunnel and pier structures. And with cooler waters, bigger fish are starting to move in and will continue to do so.

Chunkers and live-baiters are finding the larger fish so far.

Sea bass are starting to migrate to wrecks and bottom structure closer to shore, with many showing around the reefs of the Chesapeake Light Tower and Triangle Wrecks. Don't hesitate to be set up for big bluefish while bassing. Several, including a new state tournament leader, have been landed recently.

Smaller bluefish are abundant throughout the lower Bay and along the coast.

Tautog are showing in better numbers around inshore structures and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Fiddler crabs work best, but are becoming hard to find with cooler temperatures. Cut blue crab and clam also will work. In shallower waters, toggers have had success with chunks of squid. Fishbite artificial bait in crab and clam works well and makes it more difficult for the bait-stealing species to get an apparent meal off a hook.

There are spot around, but it's going to shape up as another disappointing year.

Puppy drum catches continue to be outstanding, especially in Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets.

Bluefin tuna should at any day be making a showing off the coast. Deep-droppers should find grouper and tilefish around the Norfolk Canyon. Yellowfin tuna, wahoo and swordfish also could be available.

EASTERN SHORE

Flounder catches have been outstanding near Wachapreague and Oyster, with Bullshead, Green and Drawing channels the best locations. While most fish are not meeting the 19-inch length minimum, officials at Capt. Zed's Bait and Tackle have reported that enough keeper-sized fish are being caught for anglers to keep their 5-fish allowance. Also look for flatfish around coastal wrecks.

Puppy drum numbers also are good in the inlets, where a few speckled trout continue to show.

Small bluefish and lots of school-sized striped bass are available.

There have been reports that stripers caught around ocean inlets are sporting sea lice - an indicator that ocean-going fish are starting to migrate from northern waters.

OUTER BANKS

Yellowfin and king mackerel are highlighting most catches. Dolphin, billfish and wahoo also are available.

The fall-winter run of bluefin tuna could start any day. But fish haven't as of yet been seen off Virginia.

Striped bass are starting to show along coastal waters, but real action is a few weeks off. Big red drum, bluefish and trout will dominate the scene until then. King mackerel could show.

School-sized striper, puppy drum and speckled trout are the top targets in the sounds. Striped bass are showing in good numbers in the mouths of rivers feeding into the sounds.

PIERS AND SURF

Action hasn't been great along coastal piers in Virginia. Things are slightly better at Ocean View, where striped bass dominate the scene at night. Puppy drum and speckled trout are available.

Stripers and tog have been had by anglers working the Sea Gull Pier at the first island of the CBBT.

Along the Outer Banks, bluefish, trout and puppy drum are the most sought-after targets. But smaller stuff like sea mullet and croaker are still available. Big red drum will show from time to time, especially at night at Cape Point.

FRESHWATER

Small stripers have invaded most of the river systems. Look for them around creek mouths and over deeper channels. Always watch for birds feeding on bait chased to the surface by rockfish.

Largemouth bass action can be great at this time of year, especially if weather patterns will settle. Drastic changes tend to turn things off for a day or two.

Crappie are being found in most fall haunts, including shoreline brush piles and fallen timber, and around bridge pilings. Slow is the way to fish for slabs this time of year.

White perch should be available in many creek mouths, and don't forget to look around old duck blinds - especially in Currituck Sound and Back Bay.