Google Earth view of Virginia Beach and surrounding waters.

About Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is located on the shores the Atlantic Ocean, just south of Cape Henry, and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Striped bass on their fall migration often stop by the Cheasapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, then head back out into the ocean, passing by Cape Henry and Virgina Beach. From about early December, and well into January, the Virgina Beach area is a striped bass hotspot, producing some really outstanding striped bass fishing.

On January 23, 2008 Fred Barnes, from Chesapeake, VA caught the 73 pound striped bass shown on the right, while trolling off of Cape Henry. This fish set a new Virginia state rockfish record. The previous record was a 68-pound, 1 oz. fish caught in 2006 by Clay Armstrong.

Fred's huge striper hit a red and white Mann's Stretch 30 trollng lure, while trolling extra fast, about 5 knots, while hurrying to get to some bird action.

Trolling large plugs, spoons, parachute rigs and umbella rigs are all popular teqniques used to catch large stripers in the waters around Virginia Beach. Also many fishermen drift live eels, both with and without bobbers.

In 2008, the American Striper Association held its tournament series finale during December at Virginia Beach with weigh in stations established at both Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets. The ASA also held its 2009 tournament series opener at Virginia Beach with the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout.

Credits: The photo, and information about Fred Barnes and his 73 pound striper, are from David B. Hollingsworth and the Virginia - Pilot.