DATE: Thursday, July 3, 1997                TAG: 9707030798

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON

                                            LENGTH:   29 lines

FISHING FORECAST A WEEKLY GUIDE TO THE REGION'S HOT SPOTS

The Fourth of July weekend signals a change of seasons for many anglers. With summer in full swing, some fish have left for cooler climes and others have arrived.

The change is most notable offshore. While marlin have been available off North Carolina for some time, more and more billfish will be following warming water temperatures to points off Virginia. Dolphin action also can soar, with yellowfin tuna making a strong showing and a few wahoo scattered about.

Inshore, croaker numbers will increase throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay as the area readies for what may be one of the best hardhead seasons in years, at least for big fish. Hot weather also sees cobia swarming into the lower Chesapeake Bay, while tarpon return to their hot-weather haunts in interior waters of both states.

But not all will be great. Summer also means that while a few lunkers, including king mackerel and cobia, will linger, small stuff will dominate the surf and pier scene.

And freshwater anglers will find that the best action now will be early and late in the day, especially on creeks, small ponds and small lakes. Many freshwater fish move to the deeps and become lethargic during the hottest part of the day.

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