| The waters off Chincoteague offer a variety of | | | | cut butterfish. About the same time, yellowfin and |
| opportunities for offshore fishermen. Spring | | | | dolphinfish begin to appear and many anglers troll |
| weather is usually very windy and boats don't | | | | for them as far out as Washington, Poorman's |
| often get to fish outside the inlet in the early | | | | and Norfolk Canyons. Some of these trips can |
| season. When a calm day presents itself, anglers | | | | exceed 70 nautical miles although good fishing is |
| can catch tautog or sea bass over local | | | | often just 25-30 nautical miles from home. |
| shipwrecks and artificial reefs. | | | | Late summer usually brings changes to offshore |
| By June, monster bluefish arrive and are often | | | | fishing. Better fishing is likely as tuna school up and |
| present in enormous numbers along the 20 | | | | develop a bigger appetite. Marlin, wahoo and large |
| fathom line. This fishing usually amounts to a | | | | dolphinfish are also more likely. Another big factor |
| 25-30 nautical mile trip from the inlet. | | | | is hurricane season. Some years we enjoy good |
| Days behind the bluefish are several species of | | | | late season weather and others we wait as |
| sharks, the most sought after being the mako. | | | | systems work off the coast. Patient anglers |
| Sandbar, tiger, thresher, blue, blacktip, bull, | | | | usually get a few nice days and enjoy good |
| hammerhead and other sharks also begin to | | | | offshore fishing into the fall. |
| appear about this time. Local anglers attract | | | | By October, most ocean going anglers turn their |
| sharks by chumming with ground fish, then using | | | | attention back to sea bass, flounder and tautog. |
| wire leaders baited with whatever bait can be | | | | As the waters cool further, red drum and striped |
| attained. Fresh baits like bluefish, trout, mackerel, | | | | bass or "rockfish" migrate down the coast. By this |
| bonita, or false albacore are preferred. | | | | time offshore fishing has ended and most anglers |
| By mid-June, tuna often appear off the coast. | | | | either retire, or begin fishing inshore for striped |
| Bluefin tuna prefer cooler water and usually arrive | | | | bass which goes on throughout the winter |
| first. In the early season, bluefin are caught | | | | months. |
| among the vicious bluefish by trolling. By July, | | | | For more on local fishing and outdoor recreation, |
| many anglers switch tactics and fish for tuna with | | | | visit Maryland and Virginia Saltwater Fishing. |