Fishing Forecast: Week of July 15 to 21

One of bluewater fishing's mainstays, the sailfish holds a dear place in the heart of offshore anglers.

Similar in size to the white marlin, sails are distinguished by their namesake dorsal fin.

Known for speed and acrobatics during a fight, sailfish in Atlantic waters can grow as big as the world record of 141 pounds. The world record for Pacific sails is 221 pounds.

Most Atlantic sailfish, though, average around 40 pounds. Still, they provide an energy-charged experience.

Anglers fishing off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina during the summer have a pretty good chance of catching - or at least seeing - a sail, especially for bluewater trollers working off Oregon Inlet and Cape Hatteras. Outstanding numbers of sailfish have been recorded by both fleets the past couple of weeks. Reports from points south of Ocracoke are that good numbers of fish are schooling this way.

FORECAST

Hampton Roads

Fishing in Virginia waters is at its absolute finest these days.

Big flounder head the list of the most attractive possibilities. After a slow start, big flatties are showing around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, around inshore wrecks and artificial reefs, and from any number of rubble piles and ditches that dot the lower Bay's bottom. Live spot and croaker from 3 to 7 inches long are the preferred bait.

Elsewhere in the Bay, anglers can look for sheepshead along the CBBT. Black drum are swarming the structure's four islands. Triggerfish and spadefish also are abundant along the span.

Red drum can be found working shoals of Fisherman's Island, the Inner Middle Ground and Latimer Shoal.

Bluefish are abundant throughout, while numerous cobia can be found roaming the Bay. Anglers working cut bait and chum can find cobia along the Bay's western shores and at some of the shoals.

Spanish mackerel are available along the Oceanfront, and in tidal rips at Cape Henry and the CBBT.

Offshore action is really heating up, with increasing numbers of yellowfin. Dolphin, bluefin tuna and bigeye tuna are available. Billfish numbers aren't fantastic yet, but fishing is good. Wahoo and shark always are possible.

Eastern Shore

Flounder action has picked up nicely around the Cell and Buoy 42 areas west of Onancock. Flounder can be found along channel edges heading south to Fisherman's Island, then back north to Oyster and Wachapreague. Bigger fish are in deeper water.

Croaker action has yet to start off Oyster.

Look for continued red drum catches along barrier island sand bars.

Tarpon have shown in backwater areas around Oyster, but few anglers are reporting catches in an attempt to keep the fishery hush-hush. Tarpon hunters will have to deal with plenty of big shark.

Offshore, bluefin tuna continued to show around Sam's Hill, the 26-Mile Hill and surrounding waters. Dolphin also are being caught.

Outer Banks

Sailfish lead the way, but plenty of white marlin, blue marlin, tuna and wahoo are available. The best numbers of fish are coming from dolphin ranging in size from chickens to gaffers. Expect to see a few shark.

Inshore anglers are finding steady action from bluefish and Spanish mackerel, with decent numbers of cobia, red drum and kings showing from time to time.

Inside the sounds, anglers can expect bluefish, croaker, flounder, trout and possibly a tarpon.

Pier and surf

Good action for mostly small stuff is consistent on Virginia and North Carolina beaches.

In Virginia, catches should be provided by bluefish, croaker, spot, puppy drum, sea mullet and small flounder. Crabbing is steady.

In North Carolina, add to the list some trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano, blow toads, skate and small shark. Anglers working piers could see some king mackerel and cobia.

Freshwater

Surprisingly, largemouth bass action on many tidal waters remains good - especially early and late in the day. With good southerly winds, waters are high and fish are finding comfort near wood and grassy shorelines.

Deep edges and holes of milfoil grass beds in Back Bay and Currituck Sound also are holding bass.

Tidal water bassers can expect aggressive bowfin to challenge their skills.

Bluegill and shellcracker are abundant along water supply reservoirs - with bigger fish being in waters between 5 and 10 feet deep.

Look for big gar sunning near the surface.