THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 20, 1995 TAG: 9508200197
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
The presence of Hurricane Felix along the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina is likely to have some profound effects on hunting and fishing.
Felix is probably going to cause some quick moves by the area's fish and wildlife.
Any northeaster at this season can chase a lot of doves to the west. Any chased by Felix probably will not have returned by the time the dove season opens Sept. 2 in both Virginia and North Carolina. Of course, that's not too bad if you normally hunt in Western Hampton Roads.
As for the fishing, the storm most certainly will mix up ocean waters as they haven't been mixed since last spring's series of northeasters.
This might not be all bad. Marlin action can be incredibly hot on the heels of any August or September northeaster. But marlin action was already incredibly hot.
Changes could also be evident in inshore fishing. Croaker probably speeded up their departure from the Chesapeake Bay, already under way. Some cobia probably also moved out.
But spot numbers in the lower bay almost certainly improved, although the season doesn't hold much promise of greatness. Red drum numbers probably also improved along the Eastern Shore bayside between Nassawadox Creek and Cape Charles.
Beach and pier fishermen along the Outer Banks should also find more fish interested in their offerings. Stirring up the surf always brings in some game fish.
Even freshwater anglers should benefit. For one thing, the blow stirred some hot lakes. Unfortunately, it didn't raise water levels, as much as 4 1/2 feet below normal on some lakes and reservoirs.
RECORD CATCH: Anglers on the Virginia Beach charter boat No Problem, skippered by Steve Richardson, had themselves a record day Monday.
They caught 27 billfish, including 24 white marlin and three blue marlin. Only one white was brought in. The others were released.
It's the most marlin ever landed on the East Coast by a trolling boat. The old record of 20 marlin was set in 1978 by anglers with skipper Monte Howell of Virginia Beach on the Temptation.
David Wright on the High Hopes had 19 billfish and John Fleet on the Poor Girl 18 on Richardson's big day. The three Rudee Inlet charter boats were fishing just south of Norfolk Canyon.
``We must have seen at least 80 billfish,'' Richardson said. ``Whenever we slowed down to fight a fish, the other baits would sink and when we started trolling again, they'd have fish on them.''
WATERFOWL HEARINGS: What are expected to be the most liberal duck-hunting seasons in years are about to be approved in Virginia and North Carolina.
Both states are expected to give thumbs-up to seasons running 50 days, 10 more than normal, with bag limits increased from three birds to five.
In Virginia, that approval is expected Thursday, when the board of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries meets in Glen Allen, a Richmond suburb. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in the board room of the Department of Environmental Quality, 4900 Cox Road.
In North Carolina, the board of the Wildlife Resources Commission plans a series of public hearings before finalizing its season later this month in Raleigh.
One hearing will be Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo.
Unfortunately, action is expected to be taken at the Glen Allen and Raleigh meetings officially banning all hunting for migratory Canada geese in the two states. Those votes would be merely formalities, since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service already has ordered up ``No Hunting'' signs for Canada geese along the entire Atlantic Flyway.
REEF PROJECT: Expenditures of more than $300,000 from the state's saltwater fishing license fund are expected to be approved at Tuesday's meeting of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
Projects include:
$114,000 for a new artificial reef near Occohannock Rock off Nassawadox Creek on the Eastern Shore.
Up to $100,000 for the state's shad-restoration program.
$55,321 for the second year of a gamefish-tagging program.
$40,000 for the state's artificial-reef maintenance program.
ALLEN KICKOFF: This year's Hunters For the Hungry program in Virginia has been kicked off with a $1 donation from Gov. George F. Allen.
The program collects venison and other edible wildlife from hunters and contributes it to the needy.
Allen's $1 is more than symbolic. All Virginia deer hunters are being asked to contribute $1 to the program. The request comes with a self-addressed envelope when they buy a hunting license.
SHORT CASTS: The Little Creek Marina billfish release tournament in Norfolk, planned for Aug. 18-20, has been rescheduled for Aug. 25-27. Details, 362-3600. ... The Pirate's Cove Marina billfish tournament at Nags Head has been canceled. Details, 1-800-367-4728. ... Troy Pond of Norfolk has earned a citation award from the Virginia Fresh Water Fishing Program by boating a 22 1/2-inch largemouth bass. He was at Lake Bradford on the Navy's Little Creek base. ... Possible changes in recreational size and bag limits for bluefish and gray trout will be aired at a series of public hearings before the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. One will be Thursday at 7 p.m. in the North Carolina Aquarium. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Anglers on the Virginia Beach charter boat No Problem, skippered by
Steve Richardson, caught a record 27 billfish on Monday.
by CNB