Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker or "hardhead" are popular saltwater fish common in the waters off Virginia Beach. Croaker get their names because of the "croaking" noise the make when removed from the water. Croakers are hard fighters and prolific feeders. They are caught on baits such as squid, crabs, clams or bloodworms. Croakers are often found in large schools and may be caught in large numbers. Tidewater area anglers catch them around the Hampton Tunnel, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, along the ocean front and other spots.

Striped Bass

Striped bass are the most popular inshore saltwater fish in Virginia. Also known as striped bass or stripers, these are very hardy fish, and even take to life in freshwater and are stocked in some Virginia lakes. Rigs and baits for Virginia striped bass vary with location and season. Anglers troll, jig, cast artificial lures and fly fish for striped bass around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel nearly year round.

Bluefish

Bluefish are an exciting fish to catch while fishing in Virginia. They are found off the Virginia coast, sometimes in large schools. Bluefish are aggressive feeders and are known for their sharp teeth and ability to destroy even the strongest tackle. Anglers troll, jig, cast artificial lures and fly fish for bluefish. The fish have dark, oily meat but are excellent smoked.

Sea Bass

Sea Bass are among the most popular fish caught off Virginia Beach and the Tidewater area. Anglers fish year round for this exceptionally delicious fish, although the fish migrate to deeper water in winter. Peak fishing is usually May and early June and again in the fall. In the spring, wrecks, reefs and rough bottom in depths of 50 - 80 feet usually hold the most fish. Bigger fish can sometimes be enticed by using larger baits. Favorite rigs for bigger fish include single hook rigs with a whole squid for bait, large bucktail jigs with squid strips and large metal jigs. The larger baits often catch fish with a higher average weight. Black sea bass are excellent cooked. The meat is firm, white and delicious and can be fried, grilled, baked or broiled.

Spot

Spot occur in the Chesapeake Bay and along Virginia estuaries and coastal waters. Spot are fun to catch and a great fish for anglers of all ages. Spot are caught using standard 2 hook rigs, using small hooks and small pieces of bait. Popular baits include bloodworms, shrimp, clam and synthetic bloodworm type baits. Spot may also be caught with small jigs or Sabiki rigs. Anglers seek spot both as a baitfish and because of their excellent value as a seafood delicacy.

Summer Flounder

Summer flounder are highly sought after by Virginia anglers. They are caught around inlets, bridges, wrecks, artificial reefs and other structure. In the lower Chesapeake Bay and the coastal waters off Virginia Beach, anglers drift live baits, large bait strips or slowly troll or jig artificial lures along the bottom in areas where flounder congregate to ambush prey.

Flounder are not born with both eyes on one side. During growth, the "bottom" eye migrates to the upward-facing side of its body. This allows the flounder to lie on one side, burying in the sand where it can ambush its prey. Flounder feed on a variety of small fish and crustaceans.

Tautog

Tautog live in structure such as rocky bottoms, wreckages and reefs. Their preference for structure makes them an ideal inshore species when fishing in the lower Chesapeake Bay and along the Virginia coast. Tackle and techniques are simple and no prior experience is needed to catch these tasty fish. They vary in size from about 12 inches to perhaps 12 lbs or more. They are very tough fighters and excellent table fare.

Red Drum

Red drum can be caught in a number of ways out of Virginia Beach. A popular technique for catching red drum along the coast is to anchor along a channel edge or shoal and bottom fish with cut spot, menhaden, peeler crab or other baits. Anglers use a fish finder or other rig and sometimes fish into the evening for large bull red drum. A second fishery around Virginia Beach and the lower bay exists for "puppy drum" which are smaller red drum. These fish are exciting to catch, usually by casting artificial lures around structure or by fishing baits in shallow water areas.

Black Drum

Black drum are heavy bodied fish with barbels or whiskers under the chin. Younger fish have four or five dark vertical bars on their sides but the stripes tend to fade with age. The coloration of backs and sides varies. Black drum are behemoths of the Chesapeake Bay sometimes exceeding 100 pounds.

Black drum are members of the croaker family and are related to the Atlantic croaker, red drum, and seatrout. A characteristic of this family of fish is the ability to produce croaking or drumming sounds with the air bladder, which is the reason for the common names croaker and drum. This ability is most developed in the black drum and anglers can sometime hear sounds from schools passing near their boats.

Black drum are most plentiful in May when they migrate into the lower Chesapeake Bay. They are caught near the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel and other areas where mussel beds exist. Anglers fish with clam or crab baits during the day and into the night. Black drum are sometimes caught together with red drum using the same baits and tackle.

Gray Trout

Gray trout are among Virginia's most beautiful inshore fish. They are sometimes called "weakfish", a name that refers to the fish's fragile mouth. Gray trout have a dark olive back, iridescent blue and copper sides and a silvery white belly. Other identifying features are yellow fins, large canine teeth in the upper jaw and dark spots on the upper part of the body, sometimes forming diagonal lines. In Virginia, gray trout range from 12 to 30+ inches and weigh from 1 - 12 pounds. Gray trout are members of the drum family, which includes spot, red drum, back drum and Atlantic croaker. This family of fish make a drumming or croaking sound by vibrating its swim bladder using special muscles.