| Virginia saltwater fishing becomes more than just a | | | | Fishing in Virginia in the early season is particularly |
| pastime when May brings the spring weather back - | | | | good in the Smith Point area, located at the |
| it becomes a way of life. In the month of May, the | | | | uppermost portion of Virginia's western shore. This is |
| anglers at and around Chesapeake bay begin to | | | | a peninsula referred to as the Northern Neck, which |
| rejoice and congregate as the large game fish | | | | is perfectly situated for the interception of the infuse |
| specimens begin to filter into the largest estuary in | | | | of fish returning from the Potomac and |
| North America in numbers that seem like an | | | | Rappahannock rivers and Maryland's bay waters after |
| impossibility. Most of the saltwater fishing anglers are | | | | their spawning is completed. Interestingly enough, |
| looking to the south, where red and black drum are | | | | because of the setup of licenses for Virginia |
| returning from winters in southern waters. However, | | | | saltwater fishing and Maryland fishing, when the |
| there are still a number of individuals anxiously | | | | waters are cooler and striper don't return to the |
| awaiting the migration of striped bass from the north | | | | southern waters as soon as normally expected, |
| to infuse the Bay with their great numbers. | | | | anglers from Virginia are allowed to fish the waters |
| Having just completed their yearly spawning rituals in | | | | of Maryland, which are already quite productive in |
| the upper reaches of the Bay tributaries, this species | | | | terms of quantity of striped bass available. |
| return in mass quantities and sizes reaching 40 inches | | | | Trolling tends to be the most popular and productive |
| that make anglers giddy with anticipation. Of course, | | | | method of saltwater fishing for striped bass, since |
| there are severe restrictions through the first six | | | | they are moving rapidly and not holding in one place |
| weeks of Virginia fishing for striped bass that make | | | | for long. Menhaden are the preferred bait, as well, |
| the early season difficult to comply with, considering | | | | and if fresh fish cannot be found, use lures that |
| the itchy feeling anglers get at the thought of reeling | | | | imitate these, including bucktails and spoons in similar |
| in a huge catch. From May 1st through the 15th, | | | | sizes. Preferred coloring is white or chartreuse. You |
| there is a Virginia fishing mandate on the stripers, | | | | might first try the main shipping channel down the |
| limiting the catch to one fish per person with a | | | | bay, where the water is warmer, trolling along the |
| minimum length of 32 inches. From the 16th through | | | | edges at staggered depths between the surface and |
| the 15th of June, the limit per person is two fish | | | | twenty feet, though this is simply a suggestion and |
| between 18 and 28 inches or one of this size | | | | not a guarantee of productive Virginia saltwater |
| accompanied by one fish at least 32 inches in length. | | | | fishing for stripers. |