Both the tarpon and haddock have been biting aggressively. Mako sharks have responded well to size 18 Blue Winged Olive flies (when they’re hatching), and the cobia have come and gone for the season – I hope you hit it hard while they were here around Saint Patrick’s Day. (This comes out on April 1st – what did you expect?)
April is one of the best months of the year to be out on the water in Virginia. Despite a barrage of winds and ample rain, the warming temperatures bring us some fantastic fishing. March in Virginia decided that “in like a lamb and out like a lion” was more apropos than the standard pattern, and this has held off some of the fish behavior that we expect to see heading into April, but it certainly won’t be long.
The puppy drum that have been schooled up continue to break apart, but it will take some much warmer temperatures before we get back to singles exploring our marshes. The shallow coves near deep water continue to be the go-to location, particularly on warmer days. We are, however, warm enough that they seem to have made the switch from wind-protected to wind-blown areas. These fish will appear much more aggressive for two reasons: 1) their metabolism is up due to water temperature, and 2) the fish on these banks are already there to eat – so you’re not limited to reaction bites. This month, we are expecting several big tides, so if those come during a warmer spell, don’t be afraid to throw gold or copper spoons with a weed guard into the flooded grass. Take advantage of the good sight-fishing while it lasts. We will lose some, but not most, of our water clarity during April, so with dirtier water and more aggressive fish, consider adding some more powerful colors to your presentation. Chartreuse, Pink, or Black/Gold are the usual favorites. Good numbers of striped mullet are already in our backwater, though, so if it has a forked tail, save your energy and keep looking for the blue tails!
As I’m writing this, the bull redfish have made their way past Avalon Pier, so with any assistance from the weather, they should be arriving in their springtime haunts soon. Early in the season, they tend to stay close to the bottom, so big, heavier jigs (3/4 oz up to 2 oz) fished rapidly with a soft plastic trailer are ideal. Likewise, flies need to be larger (at least 2/0 and up to 6/0) and capable of getting down in the water column. Using an intermediate line or tip in conjunction with that heavy fly certainly helps.
The trout fishing continues in their most common places of residence, and the warming temperatures should intensify the action. Banks below creeks on an outgoing tide are fantastic spots for spring trout. Their depth will reflect the day's temperature. Stay shallower on warm days, and look deeper during or after a cold front. Topwaters, Paul Brown lures, and hard baits will work well. The specks will be moving out closer to the inlets as the water warms, so focus your hunts closer to the inlet or the mouth of the river if your old spots aren’t working on a nicer day.
The early season for striped bass up the Bay has been fantastic, with reports of several 50-inch fish. Our biggest stripers are upriver, making the next generation right now, and should be targeted if you find yourself closer to the “fall line” of Richmond or Fredericksburg or feel like fighting your way through the line to the boat ramp in Weldon, NC.
Bluefish will start to really show up in the Bay and inside Rudee this month, so be sure to have heavy test mono or wire leader material on the boat when you come across these. Initially, the islands of the CBBT are a good spot to check, and they’ll eventually move closer to shore. If you fish soft plastics for blues – you have two routes to go… either very cheap lures, as you’ll go through them on every bite, or stepping up with Zman elaZtech lures that handle more abuse than most. Pearl and variants of pearl with flash in them tend to do well. The morning and evening action that blues provide fly anglers with is a blast. Crease flies are a great option when bluefish are blitzing on the surface.
Roundheads (whiting, kingfish, sea mullet, whatever you want to call ‘em) will be showing up in the surf for our beach and pier-going friends, as well.
Finally, the April full moon is on the 23rd. If our backcountry waters are 60F+ for the week leading up to that, fly anglers should absolutely be prepared to head out before sunset, prepared to fish into the night the 22nd-24th. Areas with muddy bottoms will likely offer the annual cinder worm hatch on one or more of those nights. This leads to redfish and striped bass gorging with reckless abandon and something worth planning to be a part of. Cinder worm patterns abound. I’m a fan of the foam ones, but local angler Chris Viano has a synthetic chenille pattern on Instagram (slingin_V) that he prefers, and it’s tough to argue with some of the fish he’s caught during that hatch.
No matter what you want to target, spring is here, and in April, a good number of fish will get back into the spirit. While Virginia didn’t have a brutal winter, it always seemed long enough for anglers. Go refill your Vitamin D and get out on our water (if you want some help, you know who to call!).
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