Fishing Forecast for Nov. 23-30, final edition for 2011

It's that time of year, when The Virginian-Pilot brings to a close another Fishing Forecast season.

Today marks the final forecast of 2011.

But it does not mean the end to The Pilot's coverage of fishing until the forecast returns in April.

Because of the Internet, anglers can find plenty of information on the Pilot's interactive forecast map located at the top of our outdoors channel at www.hamptonroads.com/outdoors.

So just because Thursday's forecasts have concluded for a few months doesn't mean it's the end of fishing. Quite the contrary.

That's the beauty of being an angler in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. We live in one of the few places on the planet where fishing opportunities are awesome throughout the year.

Among the most important for area economics is the winter striped bass fishery, which draws anglers from up and down the East Coast.

Anglers also can enjoy what arguably is the best big speckled trout fishery in the country, with more double-digit fish caught from the waters of the Elizabeth River than from any of the supposed trout hot spots in Florida and the Gulf coast.

Tautog and sea bass fishing are other bonuses for angers willing to go out and brave the winter.

Freshwater anglers can find outstanding "grab bag" action by bottom-bouncing minnows and worms along the edges and on the bottoms of creek channels. They also should look for schools of suspended fish over deeper waters.

We live in a place with year-round opportunities. Take advantage.

forecast

Hampton Roads

With the bulk of striped bass season looming, anglers throughout the southern Bay are enjoying another fantastic speckled trout season. While most fish are still borderline keeper size, specks are plentiful and more big fish are showing every day. Look for them in Rudee, Lynnhaven and Little Creek inlets. They're available all along southern shorelines of the Bay as well.

But throughout the coming weeks and into next year, the place to catch more and bigger fish is in the Elizabeth River - and not necessarily the famed Hot Ditch. Until waters get really cold, fish will be swarming around lots of shoreline structure, especially anything around old oyster beds.

It's been a less-than-productive year for puppy drum in many of the same waters.

Tautog action is outstanding along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and just about any inshore bottom structure.

Striped bass action is getting better and better around the three bridge-tunnel spans, and at just about any pier or dock that has lights. And the best is yet to come.

Look for flounder around mid-range wrecks like the Triangle, and many bottom features near the Chesapeake Light Tower.

Anglers working the Triangles and beyond can also expect good numbers of large sea bass.

Deep-water bottom-bouncers working around the edges of the Norfolk Canyon can expect continued success with grouper, tilefish, sea bass and other bottom dwellers. While patrolling blue water, anglers should keep an eye out for migrating bluefin tuna.

Eastern Shore

While speckled trout currently rule the roost, anglers soon will shift to an emphasis on striped bass.

Specks should be available around Bay-side creeks for a few more weeks.

Striper will begin to show in better numbers from Fisherman's Island through the high rise spans of the CBBT, around Kiptopeke, and up towards Cape Charles. As waters get cooler, schools will start to show along the Atlantic coast.

Look for tog around near-shore wrecks and artificial reefs.

Outer Banks

It depends on what inlet you're leaving out of as to what you'll catch, but fishing is good for this time of year on both fronts.

Yellowfin tuna action has been outstanding out of Oregon Inlet. Some of the schools should start to show off Hatteras soon. Currently out of Hatteras, king mackerel and wahoo action has been tops. Blackfin tuna and a few dolphin have shown.

Inshore up and down the OBX, look for speckled trout in deep coastal shorelines. Puppy drum and small black drum could be available. Big red drum and bluefish should be available around the Point until waters get really cold. Also look for striped bass to begin to show in the coming weeks.

In the sounds, the best bet is going to be speckled trout. Look for them around the inlets and along most deeper marshy shorelines.

School-sized striped bass, if not already, should be showing around bridges as they move into tidal river systems.

Pier and Surf

Along Virginia beaches, striped bass and speckled trout are the best bets. Any locations on the Elizabeth River where you can wade the shoreline could produce a few quality specks. Look for striper around any structure with lights.

Also look for fish around the mouth of Lynnhaven Inlet and at the base of the CBBT.

In North Carolina, bluefish and big red drum could move shallow enough for anglers at the Point to enjoy action. And there are times during the winter when striped bass also move in close. There also could be a few puppy drum and speckled trout until waters get too cold.

Freshwater

Largemouth can be available all winter long, but anglers must slow their presentation around deeper structure. Live bait is a good bet.

Crappie will be around deeper hurdles or suspended over deeper waters.

Bottom-bounce live baits along the edges and in the bottoms of creek channels in water supply reservoirs.