With recent breezy northeast winds pushing anglers to seek sheltered waters, Virginia’s inshore and nearshore fishing scene was still buzzing with opportunity. From the creeks and inlets around Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Hampton to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), the fall bite is on! Here’s the latest scoop on what’s biting, where, and how to make the most of your time on the water.
Shrimp Bonanza: A Bait Goldmine
Each year, white and brown shrimp are becoming more abundant in the Chesapeake Bay, with peak season running from late September through October. These tasty crustaceans are a favorite meal for nearly every inshore gamefish, including red drum, speckled trout, stripers, flounder, and more. For anglers looking to stock up on prime bait, grab a cast net and head to creek mouths or marsh banks in protected waters. Areas like the Lynnhaven River and the Hampton River, rivers near Yorktown are prime spots to net shrimp.
Red Drum: The Star of the Show…