Fishing forecast for July 2 - 8

While those who like sushi prefer to use bluefin tuna for their favorite meal, most tuna fans prefer the yellowfin.

Prized for its tasty, pinkish-red meat, the yellowfin also is both an outstanding battler on hook and line and a delight on the grill.

Virginia's yellowfin season got off to a rousing start several weeks ago, with some of the best numbers in years showing up around the 100-Fathom Curve.

Although the number of fish has decreased slightly, the number of bigger fish is on the rise.

Bluewater trollers are reporting more and more fish topping 50 pounds.

Big yellowfin - those weighing more than 100 pounds - haven't been seen in good quantity in a number of years.

The International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record was caught in 1977. The fish caught near the Revillagigedo Islands weighed 388 pounds, 12 ounces.

North Carolina's standard was caught two years later off Cape Lookout and weighed 237 pounds. The Virginia record is a 203-12 caught at the Norfolk Canyon in 1981.

Those are giant yellowfin for sure. But it's doubtful you will hear anybody complain about the 50-pounders currently lurking off the coast.

HAMPTON ROADS

The list of holiday weekend possibilities is impressive.

Bluewater trollers are having a field day with big yellowfin, dolphin and increasing numbers of billfish around the 100-Fathom Curve. Anglers working the Norfolk Canyon are finding bigeye tuna and better numbers of wahoo. Baits trolled at the Fingers and Cigar are scoring with a few bluefin tuna. Big shark are being encountered at many locations.

Bottom-bouncers at the Canyon can expect good numbers of blueline tilefish.

Closer to shore, anglers working the Chesapeake Light Tower, nearby wrecks and area buoys are finding spadefish. Some of the wrecks are holding triggerfish. Keep an eye out for cobia around some of the buoys.

Amberjack are swarming the South Tower.

Sight-casters along the Oceanfront should find a few cobia. Anglers should start to find a few king mackerel.

Spanish mackerel are available in good numbers in most tidal rips - especially around Cape Henry. Expect a few bluefish in the mix.

Flounder catches have picked up, with good numbers of fish topping the 19-inch keeper minimum available along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The span's pilings are holding a few sheepshead. The islands are producing spadefish and a few triggerfish.

Cobia and black drum should turn up along the CBBT span.

Small croaker can be found throughout the lower Bay.

Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets are holding puppy drum, flounder, croaker and a few spot.

EASTERN SHORE

Flounder catches continue to be incredible in barrier island inlets. Many charters are reporting catches of 50 to 200 fish a day. But the number of keeper-sized fish is far less impressive.

More croaker are showing around the inlets, especially at Cedar Island and the old Coast Guard station.

The Cell and other navigational structures on the Bay side are producing better numbers of spadefish. Flounder also are available around these features.

Offshore trollers are finding bluefin at the 26-Mile Hill, but numbers are not great. Yellowfin and dolphin are being caught along the northern edges of the Norfolk Canyon.

OUTER BANKS

The typical summer mixed bag of offshore catches is available - billfish, dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel and big shark. Tuna are more scattered but are available.

Along the coast, cobia, red drum, Spanish mackerel and lots of bluefish are there for the taking.

In the inlets, anglers are finding cobia, bluefish and Spanish.

It is rumored - and it's about that time - that a few tarpon have been caught and released in the sounds. Proof is as hard to find as the fish are to catch.

Otherwise, anglers in the sounds can expect puppy drum, speckled trout, flounder and croaker.

PIER AND SURF

Action along Outer Banks beaches has been outstanding. Catches include trout, flounder, croaker, bluefish, pompano, sea mullet, Spanish, sheepshead and triggerfish. Anglers working the ends of piers should look for cobia and king mackerel.

In Virginia, the catch mostly consists of croaker, bluefish, puppy drum and a few small trout. Spanish and cobia could show around pier ends.

FRESHWATER

Largemouth bass action in Back Bay is as good as it's been in years. Areas along the east side where grass is becoming more abundant are the best locations. But fish can be found in many of the canals and ditches leading into the Bay on all sides.

Perch can be found around old duck blinds.

Flounder have been caught from around the Knotts Island Causeway bridge - especially when water is flowing.

Bass catches should be good at most streams, rivers and water supply lakes. Rivers and streams also are producing bowfin and white perch.

Bluegill and shellcracker will provide the best action for anglers working the shorelines of just about all waters with worms, small jigs and light spinners.

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