Fishing forecast for week of July 30 - August 5

While blue marlin is the prized catch for serious offshore anglers, it is the white marlin that typically serves as the payoff in many billfish tournaments.

In Ocean City, Md., they've built an entire competition around this species.

The 36th White Marlin Open is Aug. 3-7. About $2 million in total prize money is at stake - the bulk of which goes to the angler who catches the biggest white marlin.

John Frankos of Virginia Beach - and his team - banked $1.394 million for his 83-pounder in 2007. Brett Jamison - also of Virginia Beach - and his team won $1.3 million in 2004 for an 84-pounder.

This year's winner will bank similar cash rewards.

In last weekend's 13th annual Virginia Beach Invitational Marlin Tournament, seven white marlin releases helped bring home the gold for Team Tippecanoe. While their winnings were less than $20,000, it wasn't a bad take for a couple of days of trolling the offshore blue water.

The scenario typically is the same up and down the coast - white marlin can help a team rack up the points.

White marlin can be found in Atlantic waters from New Jersey to South America, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

It's numbers over the past couple of decades have been severely depleted by commercial longliners, whose gear isn't intended to catch white marlin. Thusly, the species is under the scrutiny of animal rights activists and federal fisheries managers - some who have pushed in recent years to have the fish listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Recreational anglers have lobbied against that move - which would have a major impact on offshore fishing.

HAMPTON ROADS

Bluewater trollers witnessed an increase in billfish activity over the weekend, with almost 50 fish caught and released in the Virginia Beach Invitational Marlin Tournament.

Most fish being caught are white marlin, but blue and sailfish also are available. In the mix are bluefin and yellowfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo.

Offshore deep-droppers continue to find blueline tilefish, along with rosefish and seabass.

Anglers have been scoring pretty easily with amberjack at the South Tower, but jacks also can be found at numerous coastal wrecks.

Those wrecks also are producing good numbers of spadefish and triggerfish.

Shark are abundant along the beaches and in the Bay.

Look for good numbers of Spanish mackerel in many tidal rips, especially at Cape Henry.

Spadefish are abundant now throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay. Look for them around buoys and all along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

The span also is producing better numbers of sheepshead than in recent years. Black and red drum also are available along the span.

Cobia numbers are good throughout the Bay, with most of the effort turning to sight-casting around structure and buoys. Don't hesitate to work around schools of rays.

Flounder action has been good throughout the Bay, with the best catches at the CBBT.

The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and surrounding waters are producing good numbers of large croaker - which are available throughout the Bay.

Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets are holding good numbers of puppy drum, along with some flounder and croaker.

EASTERN SHORE

Offshore action has been good for white marlin and bluefin tuna. Dolphin, yellowfin and wahoo also are available.

Flounder catches are good on all sides of the peninsula. Bigger fish are coming from the west side - from the CBBT high rise bridges up to the Cell.

The Cell also is producing spadefish and triggers.

Croaker are becoming larger and more abundant around Oyster.

Tarpon and big shark can be found in several of the deeper backwater areas of the barrier islands, but action isn't great because waters are not as warm as they usually are this time of year.

OUTER BANKS

Bluewater trolling has been dominated mostly by sailfish, but white marlin and a scattering of blue marlin can be found. Dolphin and wahoo are yielding the bulk of meatfish action, with various species of tuna mixed in.

Closer to shore, bluefish and Spanish mackerel make up most of the catches. King mackerel, shark and cobia should be available.

Inside the sounds and along the beaches, speckled trout catches have been good. Puppy drum and bluefish are abundant.

PIER AND SURF

Action along Virginia's beaches has been steady for lots of small stuff like croaker, flounder, puppy drum, bluefish and sea mullet. Cobia and Spanish mackerel are a possibility at the ends of most piers, especially those along the Oceanfront. King mackerel should show soon.

On the Outer Banks, the mixed bag is significantly better. Speckled trout, pompano, shark, bluefish and skate join the action. Big bluefish, cobia, Spanish mackerel and king mackerel also are available.

FRESHWATER

Consistent rains throughout the summer have helped keep waters from getting too hot. Thusly, bass fishing probably is better at this time of year than it has been in the past. Even so, morning and early-evening action typically is best.

White perch catches have been outstanding around duck blinds in Back Bay and Currituck Sounds. Bass can be had from both waters where grass is prevalent

Bass anglers working area streams and rivers also can expect action from a few gar and bowfin. Both are brutal combatants.

Bluegill and other bream species are abundant around most shorelines, especially those near deeper water.