A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing in any tidal waters of Virginia, except the Potomac River tributaries, with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four summer flounder.
Are there flounder in the York River?
Summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus, (Figure 7A) is a lefteye flounder and a popular sport fish in the lower York River.
What month is the best time to catch flounder?
The best time to catch flounder is during their fall migration to the Gulf, typically from October to December, in the channels and passes leading to the Gulf. Flounder may be caught using rod and reel but most people prefer gigs.
What fish are biting in the York River?
About York River The most popular species caught here are Atlantic croaker, Red drum, and Striped bass. 126 catches are logged on Fishbrain.
What fish are running in the York River?
The estuary’s saltmarshes provide excellent spawning habitat, and twenty-eight species of estuarine and freshwater fish have been documented in the York River, including rainbow smelt, alewives, eel, bluefish, winter flounder, striped bass, and Atlantic herring.
Where is the best flounder fishing in Virginia?
Virginia’s Chincoteague and Wachapreague islands are two the more popular spots to target spring flounder, particularly in the guts, flats and channels. Since it’s been a cold spring, don’t be surprised if flounder fishing kicks into gear later than usual.
What bait is best for flounder?
Using live bait is essential for many flounder (fluke) fishermen around the country, and can be extremely effective for picky flounder (fluke). Shrimp, crabs, smaller flounder, sardines, shad, mullet, and mud minnows can all be great options for live bait.
Where do flounder go during the day?
Inshore, flounder are the most active swimming and feeding at high tide. You can find them searching for food near grasses, channels, flats, and at the mouths of feeder creeks. The middle of the day is when flounder tend to really hunker down to avoid getting spotted by ospreys hunting overhead.
Where is the best place to find flounder?
How deep is the York River?
The York River below West Point has an average width of two miles and average depth of 20 feet. The channel is 80 feet deep beneath the George P. Coleman Bridge, which is 90 feet above the river at its highest point. Map courtesy of Center for Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
Where can I fish on the York River?
The York River, where catfish, spot, croaker, striper and crabs are plentiful, is accessed at Croaker Landing. The landing has a boat launch dock, a 360-foot fishing pier, parking and restrooms. Those fishing from boats and the shore must have a Virginia saltwater fishing license.
Is the York River saltwater?
Coleman Memorial Bridge. The York River is known for its rare and delicate environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a habitat rich in marine and plant life.
Can you swim in the York River?
The York River is so wide that it feels like you’re on the shore of a lake. No swimming is allowed in this spot, but you can wade in the water, walk along the shore or even bring a picnic lunch.
What fish are biting at the Yorktown Pier?
Depending on the time of year, you’re likely to catch anything from Chesapeake Bay blue crabs to puppy drum. In late spring (March-April), the crabs are abundant, along with striped bass. As the water warms leading into the summer months, you’re also likely to see croaker, flounder, and speckled trout.
What fish are biting in the Chesapeake Bay?
Our primary targets are Cobia, Red Drum, Spanish Mackerel, and an assortment of bottom fish. This is by far some of the best fishing of the year as we chase the Cobia and Red Drum that average between 30 and 60lbs.
How do you rig for flounder?
What is flounder season in Virginia?
In Virginia, it is primarily an April through November fishery though some are caught in March and December. Early season action is found in the seaside inlets of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Wachapreague has a world class fishery that is at its peak April through June.
What is legal size of flounder in VA?
A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.
Where are flounder in Chesapeake Bay?
They live in the Bay’s shallow eelgrass beds, which serve as protective nursery areas. Summer flounder can live up to 20 years; females tend to live longer than males.
How do you catch flounder in Chesapeake Bay?
How do you troll for flounder?
Trolling for Flounder Slow-trolling is just that: going super-slow and hovering over, and frequently passing over, the areas that are productive. Dropping the engine in and out of gear when covering areas such as rockpiles or pilings is especially helpful in generating hookups.
What size hook is best for flounder?
A 5/0 to 7/0 circle hook is a good size for summer flounder fishing, where a traditional J-hook would be size 1/0.
What is a flounders favorite food?
Summer flounder eat a mixed diet of fish and invertebrates throughout their life. Larval and post-larval flounder feed on zooplankton (tiny floating animals) and small crustaceans. Juveniles eat crustaceans and fish.
Will flounder take lures?
Lure choice: in my harbour the flounder seem to prefer worm imitations, with other options like crab or prawn type lures being ignored. With enough patience and luck I’m sure they could be tempted with any small lure, the trick is to find one that is awake and switched on, then they will take anything.
What tide is best for flounder fishing?
The outgoing high tide is the best tide to catch flounder. Flounder rely upon the outgoing tide to bring them shrimp, crabs and fish to their hidden ambush points. They like to hide in strategically located spots that will make it easy for them to catch their prey as the tide brings the food right to them.