Fishing forecast for the week of July 23 - 29

When the fleet in the 13th Virginia Beach Invitational Marlin Tournament hits the offshore grounds Friday through Sunday, there will be one purpose.

Catch a blue marlin.

Sure, they'll take a white marlin or a sailfish. They'll even be happy with a big tuna or dolphin.

It's all about trying to win prize money.

But the big dough and all the prestige will come from those who do battle with the mighty Atlantic blue marlin.

While this hasn't been a banner season for blue marlin, things are just getting started. According to the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, nine have been fought and released.

So the chance is there.

And who knows, the big bite could start right in the middle of the tournament. It has happened before.

Blue marlin aren't just valued for their potential to win an angler money. The fish put up amazing battles and thrill anglers with their spectacular acrobatic aerial shows.

While most blue marlin that show off at Virginia Beach aren't huge - averaging a few hundred pounds - there have been big ones caught throughout the years.

The Virginia record is a 1,093-pound, 12-ounce giant caught at the Norfolk Canyon in 1978.

North Carolina's standard is a 1,228-8 caught last year off Oregon Inlet.

The International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record was caught off Vitoria, Brazil in 1992 and weighted 1402-2.

HAMPTON ROADS

What to do, what to do? Fishing in coastal Virginia is a veritable buffet of opportunities this time of year.

Offshore catches should increase this weekend with a greater number of boats trolling the blue waters in the annual marlin tournament. Catches should include blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dolphin and possibly a few wahoo and bluefin tuna.

Deep-droppers working the edges of the Norfolk Canyon should find blueline and golden tilefish.

King mackerel, bluefish and possibly a few cobia should be found closer to shore.

The Chesapeake Light Tower is holding plenty of spadefish and a few amberjack. The best amberjack fishing is southeast of Rudee Inlet at the South Tower.

Coastal wrecks should hold spadefish and triggerfish.

Spanish mackerel are available along the coast and in most tidal rips - especially at Cape Henry.

Flounder catches are improving. Anglers seeking bigger flatties are using live mullet and spot. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel typically is the best location.

The CBBT also is holding spadefish, sheepshead, red drum and black drum.

Cobia also are patrolling around the CBBT, and at many buoys inside the Bay.

Bluefish can be found throughout the lower Bay.

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

EASTERN SHORE

Flounder fishing on the western side is improving, with catches coming from around the Cell and Buoy 42 areas. Edges of the channel around Latimer Shoal, Kiptopeke, the Cabbage Patch and Cape Charles Reef also are producing flatties.

Flounder catches also are good around lower east side inlets, but big fish continue to be scarce. Croaker also are showing in these areas.

Tarpon and big shark can be found in several deeper guts and channels behind the barrier islands. But hooking and landing a tarpon remains a challenge.

Anglers working offshore are finding outstanding numbers of bluefin tuna, especially around the 26-Mile Hill, Lumpy Bottom and the Crotch. Dolphin also are possible in these areas.

OUTER BANKS

Bluewater trolling continues to produce good numbers of sailfish and white marlin - with scattered blue marlin. Dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, big bluefish and yellowfin tuna also are possible.

The inshore scene is dominated by bluefish, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel and a few big red drum. Cobia are a possibility, and a few tarpon might be spotted along the coast.

In the sounds, speckled trout, puppy drum, croaker and small flounder head the list. Tarpon also are possible.

PIER AND SURF

Along Virginia's beaches, anglers should expect to find spot, croaker, small flounder, bluefish and a few puppy drum. Pier anglers also could find Spanish mackerel and maybe a king.

In Carolina, there are more opportunities. Look for spot, croaker, bluefish, puppy drum, speckled trout, small black drum, sea mullet, pompano, skate and shark.

Check with authorities, because many beaches currently are either closed or allow only foot traffic.

Pier experts also will find a few cobia and king mackerel.

FRESHWATER

Largemouth bass action has remained decent on most streams and water supply lakes - thanks in part to the mild summer we've been having. Many anglers are returning to Back Bay, where grassbeds on the eastern shoreline are producing a few bass.

Bass fishermen working Virginia and North Carolina tidal waters can expect a few bowfin.

White perch are available on many tidal creeks. Look for them schooling around the mouths of smaller tributaries. Duck blinds in Back Bay and Currituck Sound also are holding good numbers of perch.

Bluegill can be found around most shorelines or just about any fresh or brackish waters.