Fishing Forecast: Week of June 2-8

The redear sunfish easily could be seen as the big bully of the freshwater panfish scene.

It grows faster, is usually bigger and has a little more punch to its fight than its brothers and sisters in the bream family.

The redear in Virginia and North Carolina is more commonly referred to as a shellcracker because it feeds mostly on freshwater clams, mussels and snails - crushing the shells with a mouth of grinder-like teeth.

Good shellcracker haunts often are divulged by the scattered broken shells that have washed up on shore.

Redears also will take red wigglers, pieces of nightcrawlers, insects and crayfish.

In northeastern North Carolina, good concentrations of shellcracker can be found in the Roanoke, Chowan and Meherrin river systems.

In southeastern Virginia, it's hard to beat the Suffolk lakes - especially Prince and Western Branch.

In both states, a 1-pound fish earns a state-sponsored award.

Many anglers fish their baits under corks, but the top fish usually are produced by bottom-bouncing. Anglers either tie a simple bottom rig using a drop-loop knot for the hook, or they tie the hook to the end of the line and place a split shot about 2 feet above.

While 2-pound fish are common, bigger ones are caught around the Southeast every year.

The International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record for the species is an amazing 5 pounds, 7 ounces. It was caught from South Carolina's Diversion Canal in 1998.

North Carolina's standard isn't far behind at 4-15, caught three years ago in Edgecomb County.

In Virginia, all bream subspecies are lumped together. The state record was 4-12 from a private pond in 1986, but that fish was a bluegill.

FORECAST

Hampton Roads

There have been reports of cobia seen along the coast and even a few small ones caught inside the lower Bay by croaker anglers.

It's way early yet, but even a sighting or two is enough to distract cobia hunters from all the other opportunities. That is because the past few summers have been outstanding for cobia.

Meanwhile, red drum continue to migrate into the Bay, with fish starting to be more available around the inner middle grounds.

Black drum also are plentiful.

Flounder catches should be on the rise as waters heat up. One of the best locations is the bend between the second and third islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Also look for them around many inshore wrecks, artificial reefs and various bottom features in the Bay.

Croaker continue to provide good action around Fort Monroe, as well as the mouths of the James and Nansemond rivers.

Bluefish numbers are on the rise everywhere.

In the inlets, look for croaker, small spot, bluefish and puppy drum.

Red drum and possibly cobia could be had by sight casters working the coast.

Spadefish have started arriving, but waters aren't warm enough for a bite.

Offshore action has been outstanding for bottom-bouncers. They can expect golden and blueline tilefish, snowy grouper, rosefish and - now that the season is open - plenty of jumbo sea bass.

Bluewater trollers should start to see increasing numbers of billfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Don't be surprised to find a few bluefin and big bluefish around the Cigar.

Eastern Shore

Flounder should continue to be available in backwaters of Wachapreague and Oyster. But look for fish to start moving to the inlets.

Also look for more flounder to move along the channels heading to the northwest past Cape Charles and Kiptopeke.

Around Oyster, speckled trout action should be waning, with some croaker likely to move in.

Red drum are moving more toward the inner middle grounds, but many fish will continue to patrol the barrier island breakers.

Black drum can be found around buoys off Cape Charles and Kiptopeke.

Spadefish are showing around buoys and navigational structures, but likely won't be biting for another week or two.

Outer Banks

Billfish action is steadily increasing, with blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish cooperating.

Trollers can expect outstanding numbers of dolphin, along with wahoo, amberjack and scattered tuna.

Closer to shore, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, red drum and cobia are available.

Look for flounder, bluefish and puppy drum in the inlets.

Pier and surf

A small cobia was caught last week at the Ocean View pier, increasing anticipation of things to come. Otherwise, look for croaker, spot, flounder, puppy drum, striped bass and bluefish all along Virginia's beaches.

Down on the Outer Banks, add pompano, sea mullet, toad fish, skate and shark.

Pier fishermen along the island could tangle with cobia and red drum.

Freshwater

While largemouth bass continue to show well, this is fast becoming bream time on most waters as fish move to the shorelines to bed.

Anglers seeking bigger bluegill and other bream should continue to look for them in waters between 5 and 10 feet deep.

In northeastern North Carolina, bream fishers will find good numbers of warmouth.

Bowfin and chain pickerel will provide action for bassers working tidal waters.

Bass fishermen should start thinking early and late for the best action, looking for fish around shoreline cover closest to deeper dropoffs.

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