Fishing Forecast: Week of July 7 - July 13

The world record sheepshead weighed 21 pounds, 4 ounces, and was caught off New Orleans in 1982.

Don't be surprised to see a Virginia or North Carolina fish supplant that fish.

The Virginia standard is a 20-pound, 12-ounce giant - a half-pound shy of the International Game Fish Association mark.

Last year's Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament winner weighed 14-10. It takes a 10-pounder to earn an award from the Virginia angler recognition program. Anglers took home 179 of those last year, along with 34 more for released fish meeting the 24-inch minimum.

In North Carolina, it takes an 8-pounder. The state offers no release award. The state record is a 19-4 caught off Oregon Inlet in 1999.

Also called a convict fish because of black vertical stripes that resemble a prison uniform, sheepshead feed around areas that make them susceptible to anglers. Sheepshead work bridge and pier pilings for mollusks or crustaceans, and their broad, flat teeth and powerful jaws are perfect for crushing.

Anglers typically use fiddler crabs, sand fleas or clams to catch sheepies.

Expect a tough battle when you hook one - especially from the pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Sheepshead also are tremendous table fare.

FORECAST

Hampton Roads

Offshore action for billfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo has been tremendous the past few weeks and was fantastic during the holiday weekend. Bluewater action should improve.

Bigeye, bluefin and yellowfin tuna have been available, with several bigeye topping 200 pounds. Blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish - even a swordfish exceeding 200 pounds - have shown.

Dolphin catches have improved. Expect a few mako when things really get heated.

The Navy Towers are yielding amberjack and a few dolphin.

Closer to shore, cobia, tautog and flounder are garnering attention.

Cobia action isn't great, but they are available off the Back River and around Latimer Shoal.

Tautog are hitting along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and at many inshore wrecks and artificial reefs.

Flounder can be found at many of the same locations as tog, with the bridge-tunnel stretch between the second and third islands a favorite. Live spot produce the biggest fish, but jigs and strip baits always work.

Spanish mackerel and bluefish are available along the Oceanfront and in many tide rips throughout the Bay - especially at Cape Henry.

For spadefish, try the Chesapeake Light Tower, many inshore wrecks, the bridge-tunnel or most navigational structures.

The inlets are holding croaker, spot, flounder, puppy drum and trout. The best flounder action has been around the mouth of Lynnhaven.

Eastern Shore

Flounder continue to provide good catches along the channel from Fisherman's Island to the Cell, with solid action around buoys 42 and 36A.

Tarpon are showing in the backwaters around Oyster. Expect plenty of sharks.

Spadefish can be found around structure, especially the Cell.

Bluefin tuna and big bluefish are at the 26-mile Hill.

Outer Banks

Bluewater trolling continues to produce fantastic dolphin action. Trips also are producing consistent tuna, billfish and wahoo.

Many bottom species are available around inshore wrecks, but Eugene Goodenough of Hatteras points out that bottom fishing outside 40 fathoms is off-limits, and possession of red snapper is against the law.

Along the coast, Spanish mackerel and bluefish are showing, with king mackerel, cobia and red drum always a possibility.

In the inlets and around coastal structure, look for sheepshead. The sounds should produce puppy drum, flounder and speckled trout.

Piers and surf

Along Virginia beaches, expect to find small bluefish, croaker, spot, flounder, sea mullet and plenty of crabs.

On the Outer Banks, pompano and sea mullet can be caught. Also available are spot, croaker, sand perch, blow toads, flounder, bluefish and skates. Puppy drum and speckled trout always are possible, as are cobia and big red drum.

Freshwater

Scorching temperatures and hot waters make bass fishing tough. But fish are hitting early and late, even at night when there is more than half a moon shining. Baits worked deep and slow during the rest of the day can produce. The Northwest River has given up quite a few bass topping 5 pounds the last few weeks.

Otherwise, panfish are the best bet. Look for bluegill and shellcracker along deep shorelines.