![]() ![]() The 2017 saltwater season began with reports of tautog boat limits and some citation-size trophies including a 2017 tournament-leading 21-pound, 2-ounce beast caught by Michael Spiteri. Bluefish Rock, CBBT, Fisherman’s Island, York Spit light, Buckroe Pier, Windmill Point, Smith Point, Inner Middle ground, Plantation Light and Cape Henry provided a large percentage of the Cobia action. The open and closing dates may have influenced this decrease given our geographical location and the timing of the migration. ![]() Reports indicate that while the catching was steady, the fish were smaller than in 2016. The total registered for the season was 216. Eighty-four were entered into the tournament that month. The season opened with a decent amount of large cobia caught in the month of June. Virginia, which does not necessarily have to abide by the federal cobia rules in state waters, chose to tighten the rules to one cobia per angler and a total of three per boat with a minimum size of 40 inches with only one onboard over 50 inches and a June 1 to September 15 season. In June, Virginia opened its Cobia season under the cloud of a recreational fishing closure in federal waters by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The tournament was saved and we all got a reminder of what a great thing it is. ![]() The angling community rose up to remind everyone that the funding for the tournament comes from fishing license revenue, and the result is a world-class year-long event that brings boatloads of money to the waterfront from in-state and out-of-state anglers in pursuit of Virginia’s excellent fishing and hospitality. Photo by Steve Droter/Chesapeake Bay ProgramĢ017 started off with the state-run Virginia Saltwater Tournament on the legislative chopping block in order to shift funding to general state expenses. Two Chesapeake fishing experts look back on 2017 and ahead to 2018. ![]()
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