Contents Giant Taugs from Virginia Beach /// 10 Cobia Town, AKA Hampton, VA /// 22 Spade Fishing with Spears from Norfolk /// 34 Chesapeake’s Species Jackpot /// 46 Flounders at the Bridge /// 58 Tackle Shop Spotlight /// 70 Marina Spotlight /// 72 Boat Ramps /// 74 Coastal Virginia Fishing Calendar /// 75 Guide to Catching Virginia Species /// 76 Online Resources /// 78 Produced by Harry R. Hindmarsh /// Cabin Fever Communications www.FishCoastalVirginia.com /// 757.965.7799 Coastal Virginia Destination Virginia Beach, Virginia TAUG-ZILLA If catching a giant tautog is on your bucket list, then you better book your trip to Virginia Beach as quickly as possible. Few people have ever seen a 20-pound taug and even fewer people know where to catch them. After reading this article, you’ll have the hardest part of the equation figured out. Find Captain Neal Taylor and you’ll find Taug-Zilla. “Virginia Beach Taugs are some of the biggest in the world... ” Captain Neal Taylor | Seaduction Charters PHOTOGRAPHY BY | Harry R. Hindmarsh BY PHOTOGRAPHY Every fish loves structure, which makes the wa- you can find fish from 5 to 9 pounds. Your best booked during the hot season. waters are normally clearer and con- 60 pound braided fishing line. You’ll ters off Virginia Beach, Virginia the best place chance at catching one over 15 pounds starts by tain more oxygen. When the winter is want to stay away from monofila- (perhaps in the world), for these fish to call home. calling Neal Taylor. One of the reasons taug are so pop- at it’s coldest, these waters become ment, as mono tends to bow and Taugs love fast running water and spend their life ular is because they can be caught the only game in town as the warm- cannot withstand the sharp, jagged under and around rocks or any underwater debris. Captain Neal Taylor has spent a lifetime catching all year long. To catch a wall-hanger er water will be located closer to the structure. Braid will cut through the Inshore, the Concrete Ships, the Cell, the Tower just about every fish imaginable, but has perfect- taug, you’ll need to focus your ef- gulfstream. water, remain vertical, and allow you Reef and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are ed the art of catching giant taugs. With boats forts from October through May and to feel the bottom with every bounce. loaded with respectable taugs. On any given day, ranging from 17’, 31’, and 48’, Neal can reach move to the off-shore waters. Water When prepping your tackle for taug, Remember, the success of this fishery 2, 3, to 4 pound fish are caught in most condi- taugs in all the area’s hot spots. But if you want a clarity and temperatures play a major it’s recommended that you use 20 depends on your ability to pull the tions. Move around the bridge-island pilings and charter, you’d better call fast because Neal stays role in targeting these fish. Offshore to 30 pound class gear with a 50 to fish away from the structure before it 10 FISH COASTAL VIRGINIA WWW.FISHCOASTALVIRGINIA.COM 11 “The best time is any chance you can go. The taugs are big, old, TAUG and have been there for over 50 years. ” - Captain Neal Taylor | Seaduction Charters dives down and hides within the structure, so a solid braid and a rod with a firm, fast action is required. Should you lose the battle with the hooked fish taking cover, give the fish some slack line and often they’ll swim out of the hole for you. When it comes to leaders, most experts agree that fluorocarbon is the way to go because of the water clarity you’ll be fishing. A single hook rig on 50/60 pound fluoro is the preferred method as double hook rigs just result in losing twice the bait. You’ll want to have about 3’ of leader, with a dropper loop for the hook and a surgeon’s loop on the end for your smooth 12-ounce sinker. If you’re not losing sink- ers, you’re not getting to the right places. So what’s the secret bait? The truth is, taug love crustations. Find some fresh clam or squid and you’ll find the taugs. But to really gain the interest of the big- ger taugs, you should use cut-crabs or sand fleas. Sand fleas (or mole crabs) are found on any beach all summer long. Just visit the water’s edge of any surf line at low tide and dig in the wet sand. They don’t have claws and they’re the perfect size for your hook. Once you’ve found the wreck, the challenge then focuses to find- ing the bigger fish. The most experienced taug experts will swear that fish of a certain size congregate on specific portions of the wreck. One piece might be infested with small taugs, while an- other chunk will be covered in monsters. This theory has been observed and witnessed by reef divers for many years confirming what old-salts have often debated. On a recent trip with Neal Taylor, Justin Wilson, Jamal Esfahani, and 9-year-old Jordan Nester, Jordan landed a giant 21lb., 6oz. taug that sent him to the record books for the Youth Anglers Small Fry world record. Just about every taug we caught was over 12 pounds and all anglers received Virginia Citations for our catches. While some think this is luck, the truth is, the giants are here. Call Neal Taylor today and catch one for yourself. 12 FISH COASTAL VIRGINIA WWW.FISHCOASTALVIRGINIA.COM 13 “It’s such a pleasure to fish Virginia Beach. We’re so lucky “They’re so big, that when they come into the boat, they almost to have these fish and so many other speices too.” don’t look natural. They’re true giants of their species.” - Angler Jamal Esfahani | Virginia Saltwater Fisherman - Captain Justin Wilson | Just Right Charters Regardless of the season, even the most dedi- sures fun for the entire family of fishermen. Stay Virginia and explore the teachings of famed psychic and holis- cated anglers hang up their rods occasionally in close to the water aboard a seasonal dolphin or tic pioneer Edgar Cayce at the Association for Research and search of other activities, if only for a distraction whale-watching boat trip, sign up for a summer Enlightenment. from the hunt. The resort city’s wide selection of surf camp, splash around at Ocean Breeze Water indoor and outdoor amenities and activities en- Park or scuba dive around a coastal shipwreck. Virginia Beach’s reputation as a premier, year-round fishing desti- nation is second only to its southern hospitality and easy access. A four-hour drive southeast from Washington, D.C, the resort city welcomes anglers to explore its waters and shores any season of the year. For more information about deep-sea sport fishing, boat charters, ramp access, pier fishing and other waterborne adventures, visit www.vbfun.com or call 1-800-VA-BEACH (1-800-822-3224). Immerse yourself in the Virginia Aquarium and or tee up a round of championship golf on any of Marine Science Center, brimming with more than the city’s nine courses boasting designs by some “It always makes me smile when visitors 700,000 gallons of aquariums, a towering 3D of the world’s leading architects including Arnold IMAX theater, and more than 300 interactive and Palmer, Rees Jones, Fred Couples, George Cobb educational exhibits. and more. discover how amazing the fishery is in Explore the great outdoors on a kayak tour, hike Learn legends of the sea of the Old Coast Guard Virginia Beach. Just about everything or bike along meandering interpretive trails, camp Station and the skills of a carver at the Atlantic under the stars, and blade down the famous Vir- Wildfowl Heritage Museum. Peruse the chang- that swims can be caught here.” ginia Beach Boardwalk. Practice your putt-putt ing exhibits of the Contemporary Art Center of - Captain Justin Wilson | Just Right Charters 14 FISH COASTAL VIRGINIA WWW.FISHCOASTALVIRGINIA.COM 15 VIRGINIA BEACH Directory Listings CHARTER FISHING HEADBOATS BOAT RAMPS Backlash Sport Fishing Native Girl Dockside Fishing Center Bubba’s Marina 757-481-4545 | www.FishingVaBeach.com 757-286-0711 757- 427-3357 Drum Point Boat Ramp First Landing State Park Boat Ramp VacationVirginia Beach In Capt. Cheryl Ocean Pearl Rudee Inlet Charters 757-639-8363 757- 481-7517 757-422-5700 | www.RudeeInletCharters.com Lynnhaven Inlet Boat Ramp Munden Point Park Boat Ramp Fin Chaser Charters Okee II Charters Off the Boat: Owl’s Creek Ramp (Rudee Inlet) 757-729-2072 757- 237-4298 The city offers four piers: Little Island Fishing MARINAS Seashore State Park Ramp Pier in Sandbridge features complimentary Frog Pile Sportfishing Paige II Non-motorized boats only: 757-641-3900 757- 672-9381 fishing for children 8 and younger; Virginia ■ Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Boat Ramp Beach Fishing Pier, at 15th street in the heart Gannet Pretty Work Bubba’s Marina Pungo Ferry Marina ■ Harbour Hill Landing 757-619-6655 757-464-3974 757-481-3513 757-721-3299 ■ False Cape Landing of the resort area, and Lynnhaven Fishing Pier, ■ Wash Woods Landing stretching 1,500 feet into the Chesapeake Bay, Gulf Stream Charters Rebel Sportfishing Fisherman’s Wharf Marina Rudee Inlet Station Marina ■ Little Island Park 757-717-7676 757-761-6402 757-428-2111 757-422-2999 are open 24/7 from Memorial Day to Labor Day; Sea Gull Fishing Pier off the Chesapeake Bay His Doghouse Too Rest Assured III Long Bay Point Marina Virginia Beach Fishing Center BOAT DEALERS 757-572-9236 757-285-4652 757-321-4550 757-491-8000 Bridge-Tunnel puts anglers in the middle of the action 3.5 miles out in the Bay.