Special Tautog Report

Fishing Report
Seabass and Tautog
18-19 April 2008

For the first time in over two months, the winds subsided long enough for us to hit a few wrecks for some long awaited angling action. On the first day, our crew was supplemented by Larry and Joshua Regula. We departed from The Fishing Center at 6:00am into light SW winds, and headed offshore off Virginia Beach at 30 kts. We anchored up on our first wreck and immediately began bailing nice black seabass using crab, Fishbites, shrimp, and squid with most of the fish ranging 3 to 4-pounds. We had a good limit, with a few seabass over 5-pounds. The biggest fish were caught while using Braid’s 5-ounce Slammer jigs on 30lb Power Pro line. The best jig colors were blue/yellow and chrome. The shape and action of the Slammer jigs is some of the best I have used, and the braided Power Pro line magnifies the sensitivity to feel every strike.

When we pulled the anchor to move to an inshore wreck for some tautog fishing, we had a surprise attached to the anchor. We pulled up a nice anchor blob, which consisted of a net entwined with rigs, rope, and a dogfish and 12-pound bluefish!

Once anchored the inshore structure we had pretty good action, with a limit of tog to about 5 pounds, more seabass to 5-pounds, as well as a 30-inch puppy drum.

The next morning, we were joined by Steve Kendall and followed a similar game plan. Again with light winds, we headed to our offshore location to load up first with jumbo black seabass. After filling the box with nice fish, again pushing over 5-pounds, we shot inshore for more tog action. Once again we were not disappointed. We rounded out the day with another limit of tog, with one tagged fish which we released. The biggest tautog was my citation fish which tipped the scale at 9.5-pounds at 25.5-inches.

It was a great day on the water with great folks!

Julie

Jig:
Braid Slammer
Line:
Power Pro 30lb
Leader:
Yo-Zuri Disappearing Pink, 40lb
Boat:
Cape Horn 31 from Virginia Beach Boats
Power:
Twin 250 E-Techs
Bait:
Fishbites, Crab and Bloodworm Flavored; Crabs/squid from Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle
Rod:
Shimano Tallus
Reel:
Shimano Tekota 600
Eyewear:
J Kruz
Vehicle:
Ford Expedition from Wynne Ford, Hampton

Sponsors/Pro Staffs:

Shimano
Fishbites
Virginia Beach Boats
Old Point National Bank
Wynne Ford
Power Pro
Braid Products
Yo-Zuri
The Virginia Beach Fishing Center
Long Bay Pointe Bait & Tackle
Mountain Breeze Taxidermy
Aqua Skinz
J Kruz Eyewear
The Sportsman’s Magazine
Ocean Pearl Charter Fishing
Chum Churn
Secret Spoons