DATE: Monday, September 15, 1997            TAG: 9709150153

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR 

                                            LENGTH:   33 lines

WEEKEND FISHING

Recent angling efforts along the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina have been marked by catches of big croaker and flounder, and terrific action from white marlin.

Several boats sailing from ports in Virginia and North Carolina have claimed eight or more white marlin a day. All the fish were released.

The hottest flounder action has been along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, where numerous catches met the 6-pound minimum for citation awards from the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament.

Waters around Cape Henry, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, produced several big flounder and many of the week's biggest croaker, including some meeting the contest's 3-pound minimum.

Lewis Gillingham of Norfolk tied for the biggest king mackerel caught in Virginia this season, a 31-pounder taken off Rudee Inlet. However, Larry Campbell of Virginia Beach, who had a 31-pounder a few weeks ago, will keep the lead in the tournament's king mackerel category because his was the first catch.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Beach Anglers Club has announced a one-week delay in its king mackerel contest, until Sept. 27-28, with a skippers' meeting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Beach.

Here's a rundown of other recent catches by anglers from Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina. [for complete listing, see microfilm]

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