Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay estuary on Virginia’s coast, the combination of these two bodies of water create the perfect recipe for supporting a wide range of saltwater species. Here you’ll find everything from deep-water giants to shallow flats predators. Get to know them, their feeding habits, habitats and more.
The options are vast, and with some effort, you might target giant game fish and baitfish in just an afternoon if you knows where to look. We’re going to discuss some major saltwater fish found in Virginia waters and what makes them important to the state’s marine identity. One of the most sought-after species to catch along the coast of Virginia, The Red Drum is known for it’s signature black spot located on the posterior dorsal fin.
Popular Saltwater Fish Species Found in Virginia
1. Red Drum
The red drum will use the same types of structure, such as channel edges, grass beds and oyster reefs where they can ambush small fish and crabs. One unique characteristic that sets Red Drums apart is its lateral line which allows them to feel changes in water pressure. This enables the fish to identify vibration from moving prey, even when visibility is poor.
This means they can feed effectively in low-visibility conditions that would stump other predators. Although not overly fast, these fish put up quite a battle for anglers, making them one of most popular targets. Because the red drum is able to adapt to different salinity levels, they are a common catch from the Chesapeake Bay down to the Outer Banks.
2. Striped Bass
Another test for the Virginia coast is Striped Bass; these sleek predators is often referred to as rockfish by locals and migrate through the state’s tidal rivers and bays during specific seasons. A sleek predator, striped bass are visual feeders and depend on clear water that allows them to see schools of herring or menhaden before attacking. Their fight, both in jumping and strength.
Excites anglers, which makes this species popular with sport fishermen. But tight controls exist over how many and what size can be caught due to strict protection measures designed to preserve the spawning population. Because of habitat alterations and intensive commercial fishing pressure, striped bass face significant pressures.
To hook one, you’ll need to understand the tides and find out where bait fish gather around points of land or under bridges. While bigger gamefish may get more attention, the humble Atlantic Croaker is an important part of our local marine ecosystem, as well as our culinary heritage here in Virginia. An interesting fact about croakers is that they are named for the unique vibration they make from their swim bladder to produce a croak-like noise.
3. Atlantic Croaker
You will frequently hear this sound on dark nights out on the shoreline. Bottom-dwelling animals, they’re adept at sifting through sand bottoms in search of mollusks, crustaceans and worms. Because of their relatively small size and fairly mild fighting characteristics, these drum-family cousins aren’t often sought after by anglers.
However, they’re extremely common in back-bay areas and are good indicators of healthy bottom habitats teeming with other prey items. Easy-to-catch on basic rigs, they make a great intro species for kids/families or casual anglers. Virginia’s sound systems and coastal bays is dominated by Spotted Sea Trout.
4. Spotted Sea Trout
These trout love shallow seagrass beds as opposed to deeper channels favored by striped bass. They tuck into the stems of sea grass and wait patiently for an unsuspecting meal to come along. Their spotted pattern provides excellent camouflage against dappled sunlight filtering through the water.
In comparison to their size, these are some formidable fighters. Lighter tackle rigs will be tested to their limits as they go into a frenzied struggle. Their numbers is threatened due to habitat loss.
This is why their spawning grounds have become centers of conservation efforts. The key to success when targeting them is patience; your casts need to hit specific structures within the grass where they ambush small fish or shrimp. The Bluefish One of the most erratic fish in Virginia’s coastal waters, bluefish are aggressive fish that live up to their name.
5. Bluefish
They come in compact schools, which will quickly rip your bait away before you feel a bite. Not only are their teeth serrated like a saw blade, but their cutting power is such that unless you’re fishing with wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon, they’ll chew right through it. They’re speedy predators that attack anything moving by them.
They hunt in areas like jetties and beaches where currents concentrate prey items for them to pick apart. Because they move so quickly, an angler needs to be lightning-fast on the trigger. Any hesitation translates into a tangled mess and lost fish.
Every fish caught here is earned, not given, making each fish even more special. For those who fish the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, tarpon are the holy grail. As impressive silver giants, these beauties attract interest from anyone lucky enough to see them roll on the surface near bridge pilings and along shore lines.
6. Tarpon
By day, they largely lay down, but at night, they will stir the bottom and turn over rocks, shells, etc., to find crabs and other invertebrate prey buried under sediment. When hooked, their famous runs will challenge both the angler and their equipment. Tagging programs allow scientists to monitor population health and migration patterns throughout several states, which is why most are practiced as catch-and-release.
Seeing them jump completely out of the water is just icing on the cake and a thrill for anyone who gets to witness this beast in action. Depending on your skill set and preference, there is a fish for you in Virginia’s saltwater waters. From battling giant tarpon to sitting quietly with some croaker, every species has a unique tale to tell regarding the life cycles of our local marine animals.
This not only helps increase catch numbers on the water, but it increases your understanding of the complexity found within our coastal systems. So next time you’re out fishing, pay attention to which one comes to greet you first. What might that say about what’s going on in the environment?