Reeling In From an Incredible Fishing Trip in Coastal Virginia
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Catching Trophy Virginia Cobia and Red Drum
Last weekend, my dad and I trekked down to coastal Virginia to embark on a fishing adventure unlike any other: chasing after cobia (Rachycentron canadum) and bull red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in the Lower Chesapeake Bay.
Without traffic, it’s about a three hour drive down to Tidewater Virginia. (Due to traffic and one stop, it was closer to five. Yikes!) We stayed in Norfolk and fished where the Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Other than that description, I’m not giving away fishing spots. Angler Code 101.
My dad and I previously fished the middle section of the bay in 2020 near Kilmarnock, but didn’t have much success then. Yet, that experience was a teachable moment in learning how to sight fish and anticipate these monster fish.
Two years later, we chose Captain Shawn Shapiro and First Mate TJ Williams with the Sea Mee after learning about the bite being better in the Lower Chesapeake.
Sight fishing entails spotting fish in the water and enticing them with bait, lures, or flies.
Cobia and red drum are migratory fish that inhabit this fishery throughout the summer months. The typical season runs annually from June 15 to September 15th. Unlike the Virginia freshwater trout I often pursue, these fish are managed under the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
The former (cobia) is in a category of its one. It’s a pelagic fish. They are also highly regarded for their meat and a popular choice among grocery store shoppers. To legally possess cobia, anglers can only possess those over 40 inches and/or be limited by a two-fish slot (possession) limit per fishing vessel. That means these fish are highly regulated.
The latter (red drum) is more ubiquitous and a familiar game fish in South Carolina and Louisiana. (But also here in Virginia.) The blue crab is a major part of their diet and they get their name for the “drum” noise they make. The slot limit for red drum is three per person per day between 18 to 26 inches. Anything large or smaller must be immediately released.
Our group - consisting of me, my dad, and my friend Amy Lockhart - boarded at 8:30am on Sunday morning and finished until 4/4:30pm. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for endurance seekers who can hold their bladder it’s doable.
For the first couple of hours, the guys were “hunting” for cobia and reds. Going from spot-to-spot and see fish schools, small groups, or lone fish is typical. Oftentimes, you won’t see fish.
In our case, the first couple of hours were marked by no bites or fish sightings. The sun hadn’t peered out and we needed clouds to dissipate. We did, however, marvel at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (which is being expanded) and enjoy the cruise around the bay. In my decade of living here, I hadn’t seen it until now.
As we traversed the Bay and moved to sunnier spots, our luck started to improve.
Around 11:00am ET, a turning point came. Captain Shawn spotted some cobia, hooked in one, and then handed the rod to me to get the job done. Sight fishing is a collaborative endeavor requiring team work. The captain spots the fish, hooks them, then hands off the rod to anglers. Anglers work with captains to execute the line and sinker. Listening to our guides, I started reeling down and kept my rod tip up to not lose the cobia. Personally speaking, I was also not going to allow another Chesapeake trophy fish outsmart me again.
Keeping at it, I continued to reel and let the fish play with my line until it reached a point of exhaustion. After a few minutes, the fish tired out and cooperated with us. FM T.J. netted my cobia and brought it on board. We proceeded to measure it to make sure it exceeded the minimum length to keep it. 43 inches—a keeper!
Joy overcame me to land my first-ever cobia and first angler in our group to successfully be on the board with a fish.
Then my dad was next up to reel in a cobia a little bit later. His fish, unsurprisingly, would be bigger. And the battle it waged against him was predictably longer.
My dad fought his cobia for nearly ten minutes. After their battle commenced, the fish leapt from the water in a sign of defiance. While it put on a good show, it wasn’t enough to deter my dad, the ever-persistent fisherman, from winning. He was determined to bring it to the boat and take it with us if it measured right.
Nearing the nine minute mark, the fish gave out and relented. After putting on a valiant fight, it surrendered, was promptly netted and safely brought to the boat.
My dad, high off of the catch, was beaming with pride. I hadn’t ever seen him, a notorious talker, rendered speechless by a fish catch in all our years fishing together. He was partly exhausted from the battle, partly stunned by the creature’s magnificence.
The guides measured his cobia and reported its size: 56 inches. A (keepable) behemoth!
When we collected our strength, it was time to find a red drum honey hole. Captain Shawn was on it and soon located a great spot.
My friend Amy, whom I met at a ladies tarpon trip in Tampa, Florida several years ago, first hooked up a monster red drum measuring close to 50 inches.
Soon, my dad hooked up a drum. Then I did.
All three of us were handling red drum all at once. Miraculously, Captain Shawn and FM T.J. were prepared for the assist and helped us net our fish.
In the end, all three of us got citation (trophy) fish that’ll go in the 2022 VMRC Record Books for our catch and release red drums. (Let’s just say I’m very proud of this accomplishment.)
We moved to another spot and replicated our efforts with red drum again. This time, Amy and my dad had nice catch-and-release drums while I landed a slot drum to take home with us.
As we made our way back to the marina, I couldn’t help but think of our milestones that day. My dad and I each caught cobias for the first time, while breaking personal bests (PBs) for red drum.
It was not about the quantity but the quality of our catch. Fishing isn’t just the fish caught. Fishing is all-encompassing: memories made on the water, lucky dragonflies landing on our hats, and cooperating weather.
Beyond our catches, we saw an Atlantic sturgeon leap from the water. I regret not capturing it on camera. It disappeared before I could snap one. Seeing dolphins, an indicator species making a huge comeback, play from a distance was heartwarming. And best of all, I loved the cool temps we had. It’s unusual to have low humidity in mid-August.
I’ll be documenting the full experience on YouTube soon. Be sure to subscribe to my channel to see all the catches and moments from our trip when it becomes available.
If this motivated you to fish this incredible fishery, book a charter with the guys at Sea Mee Sport Fishing. Trust me: you won’t regret it.
Must-See Interviews
This week, I published interviewed with two up-and-coming state lawmakers. Here’s video of our conversations.
Missouri Senator Holly Rehder
Arizona State Representative Quang Nguyen
States Should Follow Arizona's Lead on School Choice
Arizona has set the standard for educational freedom. Other states, especially red ones, should follow their lead if they desire to reform education.
Earlier this month Governor Doug Ducey (R-AZ), who is term-limited, signed House Bill 2853 into law. It’s been lauded as first-in-the-nation universal school choice legislation.
Starting September 24th, every eligible Arizona student K-12th grade can apply for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs).
“Arizona is now the gold standard for educational freedom in America,” said Governor Ducey at Phoenix Christian Preparatory School this week. “Our kids will no longer be stuck in under-performing schools. We’re unlocking their educational potential and advancing a bold new era of learning opportunities. Parents and teachers know there is no one-size-fits-all model to education. Kids and families should be able to access the school or learning program that best fits their unique needs — regardless of income or where they live. In Arizona, we’re making sure they have that choice.”
ICYMI
Articles/ commentary/media appearances from the past week.
MEDIA MENTIONS:
Interview with Fox Business: Small businesses, freelancers fear IRS agents will target them first: Hurts 'the smallest among us’
ARTICLES/BLOGS
Podcasts You May Have Missed
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
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—Gabriella