Fishing Forecast for June 18 - 24

One of the most anticipated species of the summer fishing season has returned to coastal waters from North Carolina to the Chesapeake Bay.

The cobia is one of the area's most exciting fish to catch for a variety of reasons - few of which are overshadowed by the species' intense fight and outstanding taste.

Affectionately referred to locally as the "Man in the Brown Suit," the cobia is found in warm waters worldwide and therefore has many different monikers - sergeant fish, runner, lemonfish, ling, cabio and crab eater.

While the cobia is a thrill to catch, it can be equally frustrating to anglers because it often is unwilling to bite.

Any angler who has spent more than one trip fishing for cobia knows the anxiety caused when one swims around the boat but refuses to take any offerings.

While the cobia prefers crustaceans, squid, shrimp and eel fished on the bottom, it also will accept a live spot or croaker tossed its way. It can be fooled with a large bucktail jig coupled with a curly-tailed plastic grub.

Sight-casting to cobia cruising the surface is one of the most exciting angling experiences going.

And when one hits, the angler had better hold on. The cobia is a powerful fighter that sometimes saves its most fierce display for when it finally is in the boat.

Cobia can be found this time of year around many types of structure. Wrecks and rubble piles on the bottom, buoys, bridge pilings - even swimming under schools of rays - are good places to look.

The International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record cobia was a 135-pound, 9-ounce beast caught from Australia's Shark Bay in 1985.

Virginia's standard was a 109-pounder caught in 2006 from waters near York Spit. North Carolina's biggest cobia was a 116-8 fish caught the same year just outside of Oregon Inlet.

HAMPTON ROADS

There's plenty to keep area anglers excited these days.

Some of the biggest news comes from offshore, where bluewater trollers have been enjoying increasing numbers of yellowfin tuna. Fish haven't been huge - with lots of them ranging from 20 to 40 pounds - but the bite is getting more consistent.

The offshore fleet also can expect an increase in dolphin.

Adding to the thrill is the outstanding showing of cobia inside the Chesapeake Bay. Fish are being found at the mouth of the Bay and along the coast.

And while most anglers are keeping it hush-hush, sheepshead numbers along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel have gotten considerably better.

Add to the mix that more Spanish mackerel are showing in tidal rips throughout the Bay.

The spadefish bite has gotten better, with fish being found around most inshore structure, including the fan favorite Chesapeake Light Tower. Quite a few inshore wrecks are holding spadefish.

Flounder action hasn't been consistent, but fish are available up and down the CBBT.

Red drum still are available around the 9-Foot Shoals and Inner Middle Grounds. Black drum should be starting to school around the islands of the CBBT.

Croaker and bluefish are abundant throughout the Bay, especially around the Hampton Roads and Monitor-Merrimac bridge-tunnels.

Puppy drum and small flounder can be found inside Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets.

EASTERN SHORE

Spadefish catches from around the Cell and other navigational structures have turned on. Of note was a 14-pound, 14-ounce spadefish that is the pending IGFA world record.

Flounder catches from barrier island backwaters have been outstanding. Unfortunately, anglers are having to weed through lots of undersized fish to find a few keepers of 19 inches or more.

Trout, sea mullet and croaker are starting to show in the inlets around Oyster.

Anglers working the Hot Dog and 26-Mile Hill areas offshore are finding big bluefish and scattered bluefin tuna.

OUTER BANKS

It's the usual almost-summer action along the Carolina coast, with tuna, dolphin, wahoo and billfish available offshore.

Cobia, red drum, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel and bluefish are available closer to the beach.

In the inlets, anglers are finding triggerfish and sheepshead around bridges.

In the sounds, look for speckled trout, puppy drum and small flounder.

PIER AND SURF

Anglers working the ends of Virginia piers should be on the lookout for cobia and red drum. Spanish mackerel and bluefish also are possible.

Aside from that, small stuff like croaker, sea mullet, bluefish, trout and small flounder can be had.

Along the Outer Banks, the bag includes croaker, spot, sea mullet, bluefish, trout, flounder, puppy drum and small black drum.

Bigger bluefish and cobia are possible for distance casters.

FRESHWATER

While bluegill and shellcracker should provide the best possibilities, largemouth bass anglers should remain diligent.

Action can be great early and late in the day on most waters. Catches also can be good around the mouths of small creeks immediately after afternoon thunderstorms and rain showers that sweep all sorts of worms and grubs into the water.

The water-supply lakes in Suffolk have been yielding plenty of panfish such as bluegill, shellcracker, white perch, yellow perch and crappie.

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