| Spring can be windy but when a calm day | | | | oversand vehicles. |
| presents itself, anglers can catch tautog or sea | | | | Basic surf rods and spinning or bait casting reels |
| bass over local shipwrecks and artificial reefs. | | | | are typical for surf fishing. Common setups use |
| By June, bluefish arrive and are often present in | | | | 17 - 20 lb test monofilament line. |
| large schools along the 20 fathom line. This fishing | | | | Most anglers use just a few basic rigs for bait |
| is 25-30 nautical miles from the inlet. | | | | fishing. A hi-lo rig catches smaller fish, while the |
| Sharking begins in June, with anglers fishing for | | | | finder rig is used for larger catches. The hi-lo rig is |
| several species of sharks, the most sought after | | | | a leader with a weight snap at the bottom and |
| being the mako. Sandbar, tiger, thresher, blue, | | | | two dropper loops about 16" apart. The fish finder |
| blacktip, bull, hammerhead and other sharks also | | | | consists of a 7/0 - 8/0 circle hook (or larger) tied |
| begin to appear about this time. Local anglers | | | | to 20"-30" of leader which in turn is tied to a |
| attract sharks by chumming with ground fish, | | | | 3-way swivel, which has a weight and the main |
| then using wire leaders baited with whatever bait | | | | line attached. A variation uses the same size hook |
| can be attained. | | | | tied to the end of a 12-20+" leader with a weight |
| By early summer tuna usually arrive. Bluefin tuna | | | | slide above the swivel end of the leader. The |
| prefer cooler water and usually move into the 20 | | | | second fish finder rig casts farther and easier and |
| fathom depths. In the early spart ofthe summer, | | | | the fish can pick up the bait and go further |
| bluefin are caught by trolling. By July, many | | | | before noticing the weight. Using circle hooks help |
| anglers switch tactics and fish for tuna with cut | | | | prevent deeply hooked fish and don't require |
| butterfish. About the same time, yellowfin and | | | | setting the hook. |
| dolphinfish begin to appear and many anglers troll | | | | Local tackle shops will have a variety of baits for |
| for them from 20 fathoms out to Washington, | | | | surf fishing. General baits for a variety of fish will |
| Poorman's and Norfolk Canyons. Some of these | | | | include squid, bloodworms and clams. Fresh or |
| trips can exceed 70 nautical miles although good | | | | frozen bunker, cut into chunks and heads are a |
| fishing is often just 25-30 nautical miles from | | | | good bait of choice for drum, bluefish and striped |
| home. | | | | bass. |
| By late summer fishing heats up as tuna school | | | | Fishing begins in March but most anglers |
| up. Marlin, wahoo and Mahi Mahi are caught as well. | | | | concentrate on fishing from Mid April-thru late fall. |
| Hurricane season has effects on fishing, | | | | Species vary from week to week. Local fish may |
| sometimes keeping anglers from fishing, and other | | | | include red and black drum, flounder, striped bass, |
| times bringing fish closer to the island resort. | | | | trout, croaker, spot, kingfish, bluefish, small sharks |
| Patient anglers wait for a few nice days and | | | | and others. |
| enjoy good offshore fishing into the fall. | | | | Flounder Fishing Chincoteague Island is well known |
| By October, most ocean fishermen fish for sea | | | | for it's flounder fishing opportunities. Many |
| bass, flounder and tautog. As the waters cool | | | | vacationers try their hand at the sport, and some |
| further, red drum and striped bass or "rockfish" | | | | anglers come to the island specifically to fish for |
| migrate down the coast. By this time offshore | | | | these fish. Anglers may target flounder only at |
| fishing has ended and most anglers either end | | | | certain times. or choose to fish the entire season. |
| fishing, begin hunting, or fish for striped bass | | | | Fishing varies with the weather, tides, time of |
| which goes on throughout the winter months. | | | | year, location and water quality. |
| One of the advantages of Chincoteague's location | | | | Flounder fishing is done by drifting the bays and |
| is the easy access to surf fishing in nearby | | | | creeks around Chincoteague and Assateague in |
| Assateague Island. Surf fishing is relatively | | | | search of a good days catch and an early season |
| inexpensive, peaceful, requires little in specialized | | | | tan. The first flounder arrive in late March or April, |
| tackle and no boat is needed. Anglers can reach | | | | with the main spring run usually coming from the |
| the surf on foot from Chincoteague National | | | | end of April and into May. Mixed in with flounder |
| Wildlife Refuge, or drive on designated areas with | | | | are bluefish, gray trout, kingfish, rockfish, black |
| a 4 wheel drive vehicle. A permit is required for | | | | drum and red drum. |