Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 18, 1991 TAG: 9104180015
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Their return, beginning last week, has raised expectations for a productive fishery in the bay, which has been void of big blues the past two years. But it remains too early to tell for certain.
"There are some big bluefish in the Chesapeake Bay. Whether there are a lot or not, I don't know," Claud Bain, director of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, said Wednesday.
Even in their gaunt, early spring condition, several of the fish have weighed more than 15 pounds.
The bay fishing is good news for Virginia anglers, but it is disconcerting for fishermen along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The blues now in Virginia, of course, have bypassed the Outer Banks. While another concentration is reported off Ocracoke, N.C., some of the experts don't expect them to crash the surf of North Carolina.
"I don't foresee any of them coming to the beach," said Damon Tatem, who operates a Nags Head Tackle Shop.
The Nags Head surf was 58 degrees Wednesday, and at Buxton it was 59, plenty warm for bluefish. But keeping them offshore is a barrier of cold water just beyond the surf, Tatem said.
Surf and pier fishermen now must be content with modest-sized gray trout, a few croaker and small blues.
"I would generally categorize it as slow," Tatem said of the surf fishing.
One exception, when the wind blows from the southwest, is that red drum are being caught by night fishermen working the rugged surf that crashes against Cape Point.
Offshore, limits of tuna and dolphin are being landed.
\ CLOSER TO HOME: Spawning striped bass are pushing up the Roanoke River from Kerr Lake. Fishermen are enjoying catches even though the river is higher and more discolored than many like it.
Operation of the state hatchery near Brookneal began Monday, with hatchery workers finding the best concentrations of fish near Clarkton Bridge. Last week, the river temperature jumped to 62, then fell to 56 when it rained. By Wednesday it was back to 58.
Smith Mountain Lake fishermen are catching bragging-size striped bass on both bait and lures. One of the heavyweights was a 35 1/2-pounder on a shad for James Norman of Ferrum. Mike Scott of Moneta hooked a 33 1/2-pounder on a shad.
At Lake Gaston, largemouth bass weighing 5 to 7 pounds are being caught, along with an occasional trophy striper. Robert Silcox caught a 29-pound, 2-ounce striper.
The water level has flooded the shoreline willows at Kerr Lake, a condition that normally provides excellent largemouth action. But this time, the fishing has been slow. The lake remains muddy, but the feeder creeks are clearing.
Eric Reynolds and Andy Stilwell of Martinsville caught seven walleye at Philpott Lake, the largest a 3 1/2-pounder.
Gatewood Lake produced a 6 3/4-pound largemouth for Barry Gilbert of Pulaski, who was casting a pig'n'jig.
Greg Cully of Warm Springs landed six smallmouth bass up to 4 1/2 pounds at Lake Moomaw, where rain and wind have been foes of fishermen.
Bill Stanley of Clifton Forge docked with 11 slab-size bluegill from Lake Robertson. Some weighed as much as a pound.
Bill Rose used salmon eggs to hook several Smith River brown trout up to 4 pounds.
Keysville angler Elton Rogers caught a 7 3/4-pound largemouth from Briery Creek, where good numbers of 8- to 14-inch fish are being landed.
\ TOURNAMENT: The B.A.S.S. Kids Championship scheduled Saturday at the Veterans Administration Hospital lake in Salem has reached its quota of 250 fishermen. The youngsters who signed up should be at the lake for a 10 a.m. registration. They will not be notified by mail.
Youngsters who failed to sign up are welcome to watch and will be eligible for prizes, said Lyn Wheatly of B.A.S.S.
by CNB