CNU Fishing Club
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Saltwater Corner
Capt. Jason Peters
Capt. Jason Peters
Hey Everyone!
In this section, we will discuss saltwater fishing according to whats in season for the current month. As a saltwater angler, I spend most of my time fishing in the Outer Banks, so this section will be mainly geared toward North Carolina fishing. Fortunately, Virgina Beach is relatively close to the Outer Banks and therefore techniques and seasons are very similar. So please take a minute to read my monthly update on the what, where, and how of saltwater fishing.
In this section, we will discuss saltwater fishing according to whats in season for the current month. As a saltwater angler, I spend most of my time fishing in the Outer Banks, so this section will be mainly geared toward North Carolina fishing. Fortunately, Virgina Beach is relatively close to the Outer Banks and therefore techniques and seasons are very similar. So please take a minute to read my monthly update on the what, where, and how of saltwater fishing.
MARCH:
Virginia Beach- Rockfish, Speckled Trout
Outer Banks- Speckled Trout
Virginia Beach- Rockfish, Speckled Trout
Outer Banks- Speckled Trout
OK, So....whats the outlook?
The rockfish have begun the next phase of their annual migration and are on their way back North of the Outer Banks to the Chesapeake Bay. Once there they will head into the rivers and estuaries to spawn during the spring, then head back out of the bay and contuntue North to New England. In March, the larger schools of big rock are becoming few and far between around Oregon Inlet, NC but getting plentiful near Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach. Boaters in this area should expect to land a limit of fish from 20-50 pounds in short time. As March progresses, and the water temperature begins to increase slightly, the Speckled Trout will begin to show up in numbers, both in the Outer Banks and Virginia Beach. These fish will range anywhere from under a pound to over 6 lbs. Some Specks are being taken from the beach now when conditions are right.
Now that I know what, the question becomes how....
Rockfish From a Boat-
When fishing for rockfish from a boat, there are several effective techniques that anglers use to trick big "cows." When fish are scattered, that is, they aren't densely packed in one area, trolling becomes the best method. Most boaters pull five lines rigged with weighted or plug-type lures. The most common colors for catching a rock on the troll are white and chartreuse but yellow, blue, black and purple have also proven effective. Now, if you ask any seasoned striper fisherman, he (or she) will tell you that a "mojo rig", an "umbrella rig", and a "stretch" are all essential to a good spread. Below are photos of these rigs. Click on each image for a bigger picture.
Mojo Rig
The "mojo" is the part on the bottom. It is weighted up to 60 ounces, depending on the depth. This rig should be dragging on the bottom, or just off the bottom, as close to the boat as possible. An umbrella rig may also be used in place of the spoon behind the mojo.
Umbrella Rig
The trailing lure, called a parachute, is usually set between 4 and 6 feet behind the umbrella rig. The only hooks on this rig are on the parachute. This rig is often pulled behind a mojo or with an inline weight.
The "Stretch"
This lure, made By Mann's Bait Company, is run down the center of the spread. Most people use a Stetch 25. While everyone has their favorite color, the most preferred are the red and white (shown above) and the "firetiger." The firetiger is a green and chartruse color with black stripes and an orange belly. Recently, the Virginia state record Rockfish, 73 pounds, was caught near Rudee Inlet on a red and white stretch 25 such as this one.
Troll these baits at 2.5 to 3 knots, making sure to keep things on the bottom, or slightly above it. When you are trolling, be sure to keep your eyes on the sounder and on the horizon for birds. If you're to come upon a large school, jigging could be your best bet. Rig up a spinning outfit with 20 pund test and a flourocarbon leader. On the end of the leader put a bucktail or a metal jig. Position the boat over top of the fish (using your fish finder) and drop the jigs down. Once your lure is at the desired depth, lift the rod tip, rather quickly, then lower it being sure to keep slight tension on the line. Most fish caught jigging will bite when the bait is falling, so you dont want to miss the hit!
Speckled Trout From The Beach
Speckled Trout, or "Specks," can be very tricky. They prefer water temperature above 50 degrees and are known to strike very lightly. To find these fish, you must first know how to "read the beach." Reading the beach involves looking at the ocean and surf to determine where the water is shallow and where it is deep, where the current is and where bait might be. It is a very careful process and takes some practice to fully understand it, but once you get it, it's like riding a bike. Ideally, specks like a calm area with clear water, meaning a very light East wind is the best. When reading the beach, you want to look for a deep area, a slough, that is close to the beach. Specks tend to feed off little minnows that are feeding on the small particles churned up by waves on the beach. Naturally, the bait you want to use should somehow mimic a minnow. During the day, I like to fish a 3/8 oz jig head with an "electric chicken" color shad on it. My retrieve is slow, so as to keep it on the bottom, and erratic to look like it is injured. At night, my favorite lure to throw is a black or purple mirro-lure.
Alright well I hope you learned a lot and look forward to my next post in April! Tight Lines....
The rockfish have begun the next phase of their annual migration and are on their way back North of the Outer Banks to the Chesapeake Bay. Once there they will head into the rivers and estuaries to spawn during the spring, then head back out of the bay and contuntue North to New England. In March, the larger schools of big rock are becoming few and far between around Oregon Inlet, NC but getting plentiful near Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach. Boaters in this area should expect to land a limit of fish from 20-50 pounds in short time. As March progresses, and the water temperature begins to increase slightly, the Speckled Trout will begin to show up in numbers, both in the Outer Banks and Virginia Beach. These fish will range anywhere from under a pound to over 6 lbs. Some Specks are being taken from the beach now when conditions are right.
Now that I know what, the question becomes how....
Rockfish From a Boat-
When fishing for rockfish from a boat, there are several effective techniques that anglers use to trick big "cows." When fish are scattered, that is, they aren't densely packed in one area, trolling becomes the best method. Most boaters pull five lines rigged with weighted or plug-type lures. The most common colors for catching a rock on the troll are white and chartreuse but yellow, blue, black and purple have also proven effective. Now, if you ask any seasoned striper fisherman, he (or she) will tell you that a "mojo rig", an "umbrella rig", and a "stretch" are all essential to a good spread. Below are photos of these rigs. Click on each image for a bigger picture.
Mojo Rig
The "mojo" is the part on the bottom. It is weighted up to 60 ounces, depending on the depth. This rig should be dragging on the bottom, or just off the bottom, as close to the boat as possible. An umbrella rig may also be used in place of the spoon behind the mojo.
Umbrella Rig
The trailing lure, called a parachute, is usually set between 4 and 6 feet behind the umbrella rig. The only hooks on this rig are on the parachute. This rig is often pulled behind a mojo or with an inline weight.
The "Stretch"
This lure, made By Mann's Bait Company, is run down the center of the spread. Most people use a Stetch 25. While everyone has their favorite color, the most preferred are the red and white (shown above) and the "firetiger." The firetiger is a green and chartruse color with black stripes and an orange belly. Recently, the Virginia state record Rockfish, 73 pounds, was caught near Rudee Inlet on a red and white stretch 25 such as this one.
Troll these baits at 2.5 to 3 knots, making sure to keep things on the bottom, or slightly above it. When you are trolling, be sure to keep your eyes on the sounder and on the horizon for birds. If you're to come upon a large school, jigging could be your best bet. Rig up a spinning outfit with 20 pund test and a flourocarbon leader. On the end of the leader put a bucktail or a metal jig. Position the boat over top of the fish (using your fish finder) and drop the jigs down. Once your lure is at the desired depth, lift the rod tip, rather quickly, then lower it being sure to keep slight tension on the line. Most fish caught jigging will bite when the bait is falling, so you dont want to miss the hit!
Speckled Trout From The Beach
Speckled Trout, or "Specks," can be very tricky. They prefer water temperature above 50 degrees and are known to strike very lightly. To find these fish, you must first know how to "read the beach." Reading the beach involves looking at the ocean and surf to determine where the water is shallow and where it is deep, where the current is and where bait might be. It is a very careful process and takes some practice to fully understand it, but once you get it, it's like riding a bike. Ideally, specks like a calm area with clear water, meaning a very light East wind is the best. When reading the beach, you want to look for a deep area, a slough, that is close to the beach. Specks tend to feed off little minnows that are feeding on the small particles churned up by waves on the beach. Naturally, the bait you want to use should somehow mimic a minnow. During the day, I like to fish a 3/8 oz jig head with an "electric chicken" color shad on it. My retrieve is slow, so as to keep it on the bottom, and erratic to look like it is injured. At night, my favorite lure to throw is a black or purple mirro-lure.
Alright well I hope you learned a lot and look forward to my next post in April! Tight Lines....
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