Fishing forecast for June 11 - 17

It is rare to find a bottom-bouncing angler who has not encountered a dogfish shark.

To most serious bottom fishermen, smooth and spiny dogfish are a nuisance.

But they also can be a serious problem, especially when fishing for drum in the Chesapeake Bay, or for grouper and tilefish along the edges of the Norfolk Canyon.

The two species of shark can be so plentiful that catching anything else is difficult.

While there are federal regulations governing the taking of these species of shark, there are no size or bag limits in Virginia.

Technically, anglers can take home as many as they want.

What nonsense is this, you ask? What would I do with them,

Eat them.

Dogfish are delicious when cared for properly at the time of catch.

As soon as one is brought into the boat, it should be gutted and the body cavity washed out. Then make a cut or two along the sides where the body meets the head to allow the fish to thoroughly bleed. The shark needs to bleed while on ice. Better yet, give the shark an ice water bath.

Once at the dock, cut the body into steaks that will reveal four small medallions of meat. Dry rub the meat with a Cajun or blackening seasoning and let the steaks marinate for at least 24 hours.

Then dip the steaks in melted butter and cook on the grill. The meat is firm with a mild fish taste - not too different from the mako shark.

HAMPTON ROADS

Cobia have arrived in the Chesapeake Bay in a big way.

Anglers working around the Bluefish Rock area near Buckroe Beach on the Peninsula have been enjoying pretty good success. Cobia also can be had by drum fishermen working around the shoals and channel heading northwest.

Cobia could be a possibility for anglers working the coast. Those anglers have encountered large schools of big red drum swimming north toward the Bay.

Drum fishing should pick up significantly in coming days.

More good news comes in the arrival of sheepshead along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. These battlers can be caught from around the islands and hugging the pilings.

Many anglers are spending time on the ever-increasing spadefish bite. These tasty, overgrown angelfish look-a-likes can be found around most coastal structure and wrecks, the islands of the CBBT, and at many area buoys.

Flounder action continues to be hit or miss because of dirty river runoff caused by recent storms.

Striper numbers are good along the CBBT.

Flounder and puppy drum are available inside Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets.

Offshore, things are slow for bluewater trollers - who might encounter a few bluefin or yellowfin tuna, and possibly a few dolphin where warmer waters can be found.

Deep-drop bottom-bouncers continue to find good numbers of blueline and golden tilefish, and grouper.

EASTERN SHORE

Cobia and drum grab most angler attention, with fish available all along the channel running from Fisherman's Island to the northwest up to Cape Charles and the Cell.

Flounder continue to bite in the Green and Drawing channel areas of barrier island backwaters. But bringing home a limit of keeper-sized fish is tough.

Coastal wrecks and area buoys should be holding good numbers of spadefish.

Bluefin tuna, bluefish and a few mako shark have been caught around the 26-Mile Hill and Lumpy Bottom areas offshore, but catches are not consistent.

OUTER BANKS

More blue marlin are figuring into the mix, which could spell good news for offshore tournaments. White marlin and sailfish round out the billfish picture.

Yellowfin tuna, dolphin, wahoo and king mackerel also are available.

Bottom fishermen continue to find triggerfish, snapper, tilefile, and grouper.

Cobia numbers have spiked along the coast, with lots of sight-casting action available. Bluefish, Spanish mackerel and red drum also could be had.

Puppy drum, speckled trout and small flounder make up the mix in the sounds.

PIER AND SURF

Action along both coasts has come mostly from small stuff such as croaker, spot, sea mullet, bluefish, pan-sized trout, small shark, skate, puppy drum and flounder.

Cary Jarvis at Ocean View reported Wednesday that anglers were catching a few Spanish mackerel. He said several cobia also were seen.

Anglers working from the ends of coastal piers in both states should be prepared to encounter cobia or big red drum. Along the Carolina coast, king mackerel are an increasing possibility.

FRESHWATER

Hot summer days spell bream time. Bluegill and shellcracker numbers are good on most water supply reservoirs - with Prince, Meade and Western Branch annually the top producers of trophy fish topping a pound.

Summer patterns of early and late in the day are best for largemouth bass fishermen. Catches along points and shorelines that have cover can be outstanding.

Anglers wanting to fish during the heat of the day should try bottom-bouncing with minnows or nightcrawlers along the edges and bottom of creek channels. The fun of this technique is that you never know what you might catch.

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