We Virginians are very fortunate because very few months, if any, go by that something cannot be hunted. As you read this article the September goose season has arrived. Sept. 1through Sept. 25 is the time to get the most bang for your buck on geese. There is a daily limit of 10 birds per day. These are resident birds and their numbers need thinning. I sure wish I knew someone with a goose problem. Geese are notorious for “messing” the entire bank of a farm pond, city lake or other bodies of water. They literally graze over acres of crops to include new sprouts of any vegetation, spinach and others. When their numbers get out of control, as they are in some very localized areas, they can be a menace and even a health threat.
Some farms try using sound cannons to repel geese, but sound cannons are only somewhat effective. Farmers can lose thousands of dollars to a few dozen geese. Thinning their numbers if the most effective way to cut down on losses.

As summer winds down the fishing is still picking up for many species, particularly in saltwater.

Rappahannock River
Anglers are catching catfish like crazy. The best fishing is occurring while using fresh cut perch or bluegill.
Bass angling has been very good but the fish are smaller with 1.5 to 2.5 pound fish prevalent. Spinnerbaits on the woody structure on an outgoing tide has been the best shot on bass.

Potomac River
Shady Lane Seafood, (804) 224-7878, reported that croaker have been caught on squid and shrimp on the Virginia side at daybreak. Crabs are getting bigger and prettier and a few small spot have been caught too. Perch are biting small jigs pretty much anywhere.

Inland waters
All good things must come to an end. At Motts, (540) 786-8989, the bass bite dropped off considerably after weeks upon weeks of great angling. Now the bluegill, shellcracker and perch bite is red hot. Right with it is the catfish action. Use chicken liver for the cats and nightcrawlers or red wigglers for the bream.

Saltwater
Capt. Rogers from the Midnight Sun reports that Spanish mackerel came on stronger and he put several clients on them. Big red drum are also in the area with some nice catches of them while trolling. The larger class of bluefish hit the big trolled eels too.
Shady Lane reported some Spanish down around Coan River. Troll flashy spoons at 5-7 knots to get some of these tasty fish. 

Mark and Missy Fike