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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Bluefish in Virginia Coast & Eastern Shore may fishing.

Pomatomus saltatrixMigratoryPeak

Peak spring run — choppers in bays and along beaches.

Year-round calendar

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Tap a cell for the month-specific note and water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Wintering offshore. Typical water temp: 42–50°FFeb — Absent Few fish present. Typical water temp: 44–50°FMar — Possible First spring arrivals possible in southern part of region. Typical water temp: 50–56°FPossibleApr — Good Spring run beginning; chopping bunker in the bays. Typical water temp: 54–62°FGoodMay — Peak Peak spring run — choppers in bays and along beaches. Typical water temp: 60–68°FPeakJun — Good Spring run thinning as fish push north. Typical water temp: 66–74°FGoodJul — Fair Resident summer fish; numbers down from spring. Typical water temp: 72–80°FFairAug — Fair Same — scattered summer fish. Typical water temp: 74–82°FFairSep — Good Fall return with cooling water and bait. Typical water temp: 66–74°FGoodOct — Peak Peak fall blues with bait migrations through the bays. Typical water temp: 58–66°FPeakNov — Good Fall run continuing south; biggest fish of the year. Typical water temp: 52–60°FGoodDec — Possible Last stragglers leaving the region. Typical water temp: 46–54°FPossible

Migration pattern

Spring choppers arrive April–May with the bunker, push north through June. Resident summer fish thinned out; fall return September–November tracks bait migrations through the bays.

Best locations

  • Hog Island flats
  • Wreck Island bar
  • Oyster inlet
  • Little Wachapreague

Top lures

  • Metal-lipped poppers
  • Diamond jigs
  • Cut bunker chunks (wire leader)
  • Gotcha plugs
  • Surface plugs
Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year to year. Cross-reference NOAA marine forecasts and a local source the week of your trip.

Bluefish in other regions

Get a notification when bluefish show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Virginia Coast & Eastern Shore.

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