Fishing Forecast for Nov. 17-23

Arguably fishery management's biggest success story, the striped bass is the most beloved saltwater species that swims local waters.

At one point so abundant that nobody worried about populations, then at another almost non-existent, striped bass again thrive from Hatteras to Maine.

A world record was caught a couple of months ago off New Jersey - ending the 29-year-reign of Albert McReynold's 78-pound, 8-ounce giant. The new record - an 81-8 caught in Long Island Sound by Connecticut's Greg Myerson - will be tough to beat.

Many, though, are more than a little sure that bigger fish winter off the coast of Virginia.

Trouble is, lots of those fish head outside the legal line of 3 miles and spend a couple of months in waters where they are illegal to target.

This fall's Chesapeake Bay season is off and running. Reports are that action is picking up along the area's bridge-tunnels, where school-sized rockfish have been abundant for the past few weeks.

Bigger fish have started to show, albeit slowly, over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel tubes and in the channel running through the high-rise spans. Anglers likely will start drifting eels around Kiptopeke when waters cool a few more degrees.

The best is yet to come, with the ocean season around the corner and waters filling with bigger and bigger fish.

FORECAST

Hampton Roads

It's that time of year when cold fronts pose problems for most local anglers as they can produce howling winds, serious temperature changes and rain.

Temperatures and rain we can deal with. Those winds, though ...

The good thing is that the season's best fishing is taking place in protected waters of Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets, where speckled trout action has been outstanding. The Elizabeth River is less protected, but at least the shorelines are close enough that swells can't build. Trout numbers are good in all three locations, and bigger fish seem to be more abundant as waters cool. Don't hesitate to also look for trout in Little Creek Inlet, around the southern island of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and adjacent Fort Wool, and at the mouths of the Nansemond River and the Western Branch of the Elizabeth.

It's been a disappointing season for puppy drum, but some are available in Lynnhaven.

When winds aren't too bad, anglers are finding outstanding numbers of tautog along the CBBT and at most inshore wrecks and artificial reefs.

Flounder can be found at inshore features, but the best fishing is around structures such as the old railway cars near the Chesapeake Light Tower, and the Triangle Wrecks. Wrecks and reefs from the Triangles eastward are producing quality sea bass fishing, with plenty of jumbo-sized fish in the mix.

Anglers working offshore wrecks can also expect big bluefish, and should have tackle at the ready for migrating bluefin tuna.

Along the Norfolk Canyon, anglers can expect sea bass, tilefish, grouper and other deep-bottom species.

Eastern Shore

It's all about speckled trout right now, with fish biting in most Bay-side creeks and inlets, and along the deeper marsh shorelines. Also look for specks in backwaters around Oyster and Wachapreague.

Anglers can find decent tautog action around many near-shore wrecks and artificial reefs. Also look for tog around the CBBT high-level spans and at the Concrete Ships at Kiptopeke.

Striper can be found at many lighted piers and docks. Bigger fish should be showing in the middle Bay for trollers, while eel-drifters around Kiptopeke should start to see things picking up soon.

Outer Banks

Wahoo catches are as good as they have been in years, with fish plentiful and big.

Bluewater trollers also are finding limits of yellowfin tuna. Look for blackfin tuna to show in the mix. The possibility of billfish is waning rapidly, but not out of the question.

Along the coast, big red drum and bluefish are the best opportunities.

Speckled trout, puppy drum and small black drum are the best bets in the inlets.

In the sounds, speckled trout garner most angler attention. But a few puppy drum could show.

It's about time for school-sized striped bass to enter the sounds, and there have been scattered reports that fish already have been caught.

Pier and surf

Action has been good along southern Bay beaches, where speckled trout, bluefish and striped bass are the best bets. Quite a few speckled trout and rockfish have been showing around the Ocean View and Lynnhaven fishing piers. Also, look for them from the beach at Lynnhaven Inlet, and at the foot of the CBBT. Sandbridge should start to see better action from specks, spot and croaker when the water temperature dips a couple of degrees.

It's much the same on the Outer Banks, with the exception of a few more species. Look for sea mullet, puppy drum, big red drum and flounder to join in.

Freshwater

Crappie are spending their last few weeks - if not days - in waters less than 10 feet deep. Look for them around any structure and at bridge pilings. They'll migrate to deeper haunts when the water temperature drops a few more degrees. That's when anglers adept at deep-water vertical jigging can catch them.

Largemouth bass will continue to make forays into shallow water during the day as they feed for the winter. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits worked around deep shoreline cover will find them. Also work deeper drop-offs and ledges with swimming jigs, crankbaits and plastics using a slow presentation.