We were able to enjoy some respite this week from the heat. It is hard to believe that opening day for hunting season is coming down the road within a month!

Rappahannock River    
Ken’s Tackle (898-1011) reports that down at Tappahannock the croaker are biting shrimp. Ken’s Tackle also reported croaker being caught at Leedstown and Carters Wharf.
Pern’s (775-7817) reported that anglers were taking plenty of crappie. They are also selling lots of bloodworms, night crawlers, squid and slam snouts.

Potomac River
Shady Lane Seafood (804-224-7878) reported that croaker are hitting best on shrimp right near the shoreline while perch are scattered everywhere. Try fishing just before dark. Rockfish 28-29 inches were hitting at dark near Swan Point and they are particularly fond of peeler crabs. Hopefully with the weather change they won’t disappear. Elgin has some frozen peelers and a small batch of fresh ones on hand. Catfish up to ten pounds are raiding his pots and going for the bunker.
Ken’s Tackle also reported small bluefish near the 301 Bridge, while croaker and perch seemed to have slowed according to her customers. Further downriver the spot bite picked up near Callao.

Inland waters
Motts 786-8989—Josh reported that largemouth were once again the focus of the week. Many were caught on plastics to include Senkos. One citation bass was caught with several near misses. Many in the 2-3 pound range were reported too. Plenty of catfish were taken on chicken liver mid-morning on Saturday.  
Hunting Run Reservoir reported good action on smaller bass this week. Some nice bream were caught too. Small crankbaits and spinnerbaits tended to the work best.
A private pond near Callao produced many bass for a customer of Ken’s Tackle.

Saltwater
Some spadefish are being caught around the CBBT. Sheepshead are also present. A few cobia are around. Spanish mackerel have been hitting well at Deltaville and should be in and around Smith Point soon. Bluefish are being caught on the oceanfront all the way up the tidal rivers now. Flounder of keeper size are more regular now. The Cell and #42 are popular areas. Some VERY nice bluefish and rockfish are being caught by Capt. Ryan Rogers (804-580-0245) of The Midnight Sun.

 Mark and Missy Fike