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In this week’s Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, host Luke Barton welcomes Capt. Mike Robey of Hooked on Hope VB, Capt. Josh Bourne of Wingman Guide Service, Capt. Eric Meyers of Heads N Tails Charters, and newly crowned Hooked on Hope belt winner Capt. Tripp Seed of Bay Roamer Charters. The group celebrates another year of taking families affected by pediatric cancer fishing, then looks ahead to speckled trout, striped bass, sea bass, triggerfish, waterfowl season, and the arrival of winter bluefin tuna.
Tripp shares what the belt and Spanish mackerel tournament win mean to him, Mike outlines the next goals for Hooked on Hope, and Josh explains how his guide service shifts between Lower Chesapeake Bay fishing and Maryland waterfowl hunts. Later, Eric returns for a detailed account of the Mid-Atlantic swordfish tournament, where his crew landed a 226-pound swordfish, and explains everything from deep-drop bait preparation and changing drifts to electric reels, pulled hooks, and bringing a giant fish alongside the boat.
Conditions Recap
The Lower Chesapeake Bay is moving into its fall pattern, but unsettled weather has limited the number of days anglers can comfortably get on the water. Luke describes a recent nor’easter that pushed unusually high water into the Lynnhaven Basin, followed by a more favorable stretch that allowed several crews to fish offshore. Cooler water has also begun changing the inshore and nearshore bite, with speckled trout becoming a primary target around grass beds and the tidal rivers.
In the Lynnhaven River, Luke recently caught several small trout around grass beds, while Capt. Tripp Seed reports catching eight speckled trout and a striped bass from his dock on the Elizabeth River. Capt. Eric Meyers has also been finding smaller trout that provide good action for families and less experienced anglers. The bigger winter trout have not fully established themselves in the report yet, but the smaller fish are providing a starting point as the water cools.
On the ocean side, sea bass and triggerfish are producing on wrecks when the forecast allows boats to reach them. Tripp reports that water temperatures on some of those grounds have fallen considerably since late summer, and he is still working out how that affects the depths holding the better fish. Farther offshore, the swordfish bite produced a major tournament catch for Eric’s crew. Looking ahead, anglers are watching for tautog, larger striped bass, and bluefin tuna as temperatures continue to fall.
Hooked on Hope Recap with Capt. Mike Robey
Capt. Mike Robey opens the conversation with an update on Hooked on Hope VB, the Virginia Beach organization that provides fishing and outdoor experiences for families affected by pediatric cancer. Mike estimates that the group completed about 65 charters this year, bringing its total to more than 360 since the organization began. Each trip depends on captains, mates, volunteers, donors, and local businesses who contribute their time and resources so participating families can enjoy a day away from their normal worries.
The recent captain and volunteer appreciation event gave Mike a chance to recognize the people who make those experiences possible. The evening included prizes donated by supporters, including Maui Jim sunglasses, Turtlebox speakers, Smith Optics sunglasses, and fishing rod-and-reel combinations. Luke says the event also made clear that Hooked on Hope has created more than a fishing program. Families dealing with similar challenges have developed friendships and a support network through the outings and gatherings.
Mike emphasizes the importance of remembering the organization’s “angel anglers,” the children who have passed away, and continuing to include their parents and siblings in the community. Those families remain a meaningful part of the organization rather than being forgotten when a fishing trip ends. The appreciation event, Spanish mackerel tournament, and other group activities all help keep those relationships going throughout the year.
Mike also shares a story about a young supporter who heard about Hooked on Hope through the podcast and helped raise approximately $3,000 along with donated items. It is an example of how sharing the organization’s mission can bring new people into the effort. Those interested in donating, volunteering, sponsoring an event, or connecting a family with the program can visit Hooked on Hope VB or follow Hooked on Hope VB on Facebook and Instagram.
Capt. Tripp Seed Wins the Hooked on Hope Belt
Capt. Tripp Seed of Bay Roamer Charters is this year’s Hooked on Hope belt winner, adding the honor to his crew’s victory in the organization’s Spanish mackerel tournament. Tripp, Josh, and Eric have developed a friendly rivalry over the annual recognition, but Tripp says the real winners are the children and families who get to go fishing. He regularly sets aside charter dates for Hooked on Hope trips and says those outings are among his favorites each year, whether the fish cooperate or not.
The Spanish mackerel tournament drew 82 boats this year, and Tripp would like to see the event reach 100 boats next summer. He also wants to defend both his tournament title and his new belt. Mike appreciates the captains who provide designated dates in advance, because it gives the organization a dependable schedule for arranging family trips.
Looking ahead, Mike hopes to expand Hooked on Hope beyond the immediate Hampton Roads area by bringing pediatric cancer families from other parts of the country to Virginia Beach. His vision includes accommodations, meals, and fishing trips that allow families who may never have visited the coast to experience the local fishery. Tripp suggests that camping could also be part of those visits, giving families several days to enjoy the outdoors together.
The organization is also preparing for its October 24 “Let’s Fish Again” event at a private pond in Suffolk, where families will be able to catch bass, bluegill, and catfish while spending time together. More information about its mission and future events is available through Hooked on Hope VB.
Elizabeth River and Lynnhaven Speckled Trout Fishing
On the fishing side, Capt. Tripp Seed has been finding speckled trout close to home on the Elizabeth River. He recently caught eight trout off his dock along with a striped bass that appeared to be keeper-sized. Luke has also found small trout around grass beds in the Lynnhaven River, and Eric was targeting those same grass-bed areas while joining the show. Those catches are encouraging signs for anglers hoping to get into a dependable fall and winter trout pattern.
Tripp says the colder months are traditionally some of his favorite times to fish the Elizabeth River. He has several seasonal areas he checks each year, including spots that often become productive around Thanksgiving. He is particularly interested in what happens to this year’s younger trout after the severe cold weather experienced during the previous winter. Some fish appear to have survived, and he hopes the smaller trout now being caught will contribute to better fishing in the next year or two.
Eric says the small-trout bite has been good for family trips, particularly for children who are happy to stay busy catching fish. He has also seen encouraging striped bass fishing recently. As temperatures continue to drop, he expects to spend more time on striped bass and tautog while still offering sea bass and wreck-fishing trips when the ocean conditions cooperate.
Sea Bass, Triggerfish, Striped Bass and Cobia Tagging
Tripp has continued fishing offshore wrecks for black sea bass and triggerfish, with both species providing good action when weather permits. He mentions a substantial drop in water temperature since early September and says finding the best sea bass has become a matter of experimenting with depth. The productive zone may differ from the areas he fished during summer, and he is looking at wrecks and bottom structure in roughly 70 to 110 feet of water while learning where the larger fish have moved.
He is also hoping to see larger striped bass return along the Eastern Shore as the season develops. Tripp remembers an enjoyable trip with Eric when they caught several large fish while trolling planer boards. With a trolling motor now installed on his boat, he expects it to be easier to control speed and position without constantly shifting the main engines in and out of gear.
The conversation also turns to cobia tagging and the information it can provide about fish movement. Luke describes catching a 44.5-inch tagged cobia near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on September 5, 2026. The tag information showed that it had been caught and tagged within roughly a mile of that location on September 7, 2023, when it was about 10 inches shorter. Tripp shares a similar story about a fish that had been tagged in 2024 and caught again in 2026 at a considerably larger size.
Those stories reinforce how much there is to learn about seasonal movements, growth rates, and the importance of returning tag information. Luke also encourages anglers to think carefully about the future of local fisheries, including the value of releasing larger speckled trout and cobia when appropriate. Tagging records and long-term catch data can provide useful clues about how fish populations respond to fishing pressure, seasonal patterns, and changing techniques.
Fall Fishing and Waterfowl Season with Capt. Josh Bourne
Capt. Josh Bourne of Wingman Guide Service joins the conversation while traveling to North Dakota for a waterfowl trip. His Lower Chesapeake Bay bull red drum charters have recently wrapped up, and he is shifting toward ducks, geese, and the colder-weather fisheries. Josh also operates waterfowl hunts in Maryland and plans to move his boat north around the middle of November for striped bass fishing.
That move creates an opportunity for customers interested in combining hunting and fishing. Josh offers outings that pair Maryland waterfowl hunts with striped bass trips, allowing visiting sportsmen to pursue both in the same trip. The North Dakota hunt gives his crew a chance to enjoy their own time afield before the busier Maryland season arrives.
Josh also discusses his long-standing interest in traditional archery and his goal of taking a duck in flight with a recurve bow. For information about his fishing charters, Maryland waterfowl hunts, and combined trips, anglers can look up Wingman Guide Service LLC on Facebook or Instagram.
226-Pound Daytime Swordfish with Capt. Eric Meyers
One of the biggest stories of the episode comes from Capt. Eric Meyers of Heads N Tails Charters, whose crew landed a 226-pound swordfish during the Mid-Atlantic swordfish tournament. At the time of the interview, the catch had them sitting in third place, with the tournament still underway. Eric says sharing the experience with his mother and the other members of the crew made the trip memorable regardless of the final standings.
Eric explains that daytime swordfishing begins several days before the boat ever leaves the dock. Baits must be rigged carefully and packaged so they are ready to fish when the crew reaches the grounds. He generally prefers a bait around eight to 14 inches long that will move naturally in even a relatively light current. Barracuda belly and other fish baits have worked for him over the years, but he says that a feeding swordfish can strike a wide variety of offerings.
Deep-Drop Rigs, Electric Reels and Line Selection
Getting that bait into the strike zone is one of the most technical parts of the operation. Eric describes fishing depths that can reach roughly 1,200 to 1,800 feet, using a long leader and substantial lead weight to keep the presentation down. The amount of weight can be around five pounds or more, depending on the conditions. The crew attaches the weight with a short section of line and longline-style clips, allowing the system to be managed as the rig goes down and comes back up.
Electric reels make those long drops more manageable, especially when a bait comes back without a fish. Eric uses both electric and conventional approaches, including a detachable electric-drive system that lets anglers remove the motor and fight a hooked fish by hand. He mentions using approximately 65-pound main line on some hand-crank setups and 80-pound line on his electric reels, balancing line capacity and diameter against the amount of lead needed to control the presentation.
Eric explains that swordfish hooks can pull even when anglers do many things correctly. A fish may strike the bait, circle back, and eventually eat it, while the angler has to interpret subtle signals coming from deep water. Swordfish have areas of comparatively soft tissue, and a hook lodged in the wrong location may tear free during a fight. His crew commonly uses substantial drag to come tight, then eases back during the fight to reduce the risk of losing the fish.
Finding Productive Swordfish Bottom and Managing the Drift
When choosing where to fish, Eric likes muddy plateaus and bottom features near the continental shelf. Some of his productive swordfish areas are near places where he has caught golden tilefish, with squid, mackerel, lancetfish, and other deepwater forage available in the same general habitat. Rather than dropping at a random waypoint, he looks for bottom contours and plateaus that give fish a reason to feed.
Even after finding the right area, maintaining the drift can be difficult. Current and wind can change enough between drops that a productive track becomes impossible to repeat exactly. Eric sometimes uses the engines to adjust the boat’s movement while keeping a buoy rod and a rod fished from the tip separated. He may give a promising area two or three hours of fishing before moving several miles to another location. When he was learning this fishery, the crew sometimes went seven or eight trips without a swordfish bite, illustrating how much persistence is involved.
The Tournament Catch and a Fish That Got Away
Eric says the 226-pound swordfish came to the surface after a relatively manageable fight, even though smaller swords have given his crew much longer battles. Another fish hooked that day initially seemed less impressive, prompting the crew to switch from the electric drive and let members of the group crank it by hand. Once they brought the weight up, however, the fish made a blistering run back into deep water. They fought it for more than another hour before the hook pulled free.
The contrast between the two fish showed how unreliable a swordfish’s behavior can be as an indication of its size. Some come up quietly and others race to the surface or fight for hours. Eric also discusses the difficulty of securing a large swordfish at boatside, where anglers may need gaffs, a harpoon, and a tail rope while carefully managing the main line. He emphasizes that the tackle and crew need to be ready for sudden changes even after a fish appears nearly beaten.
For Eric, one of the best parts of the day was having his mother aboard to see the brilliant purple coloration of a live swordfish beside the boat. The crew’s 226-pound fish was large enough to contend on the tournament leaderboard, but the opportunity to share the catch with family was the part of the experience he valued most.
Cooking Swordfish and Preparing the Catch
Luke also shares how he prepared some of Eric’s swordfish for the crew at his office. He sliced the meat into strips and used Kinder’s Cowboy Butter seasoning, serving the cooked fish in tacos with lime, cilantro, cucumber, a spicy mayonnaise mixture, avocado, and tomato. He particularly enjoyed the dense, clean texture of the meat after cooking.
Cleaning a fish of that size is a substantial job. Eric says he first divides the swordfish into more manageable sections before cutting portions into steaks. For a fish weighing more than 200 pounds, working in sections makes handling and processing the catch much more practical than trying to fillet the entire fish at once.
Bluefin Tuna and the Late-Fall Fishing Outlook
As October gives way to November and winter, both Eric and Tripp are looking ahead to bluefin tuna. Tripp hopes to finally land one after previous unsuccessful attempts, and Eric has considerable experience with the fishery. They explain that a bluefin can reveal tackle weaknesses immediately, from a poor connection or damaged leader to a reel that simply does not have enough capacity or drag for the fish that bites.
For anglers interested in casting to bluefin, the conversation includes large Shimano Stella SW spinning reels and heavy-duty Daiwa spinning gear in roughly the 20,000- to 30,000-size class. Eric recalls the excitement of seeing an enormous tuna leave the water to attack a surface popper beside the boat. The captains caution that a bluefin trip requires appropriately matched tackle and adequate preparation, even when the fish are found relatively close to shore.
For most Lower Chesapeake Bay anglers, the immediate options remain more accessible. Grass beds and protected tidal creeks offer speckled trout, the rivers are producing some striped bass, and offshore wrecks can offer sea bass and triggerfish when conditions allow. Tautog and larger striped bass should become increasingly important as the fall pattern develops, followed by the anticipated arrival of bluefin tuna.
Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast
The Lower Chesapeake Bay is in a transitional period where each round of cooler weather could bring a different group of fish into range. The most dependable near-term inshore opportunities in this report are smaller speckled trout around grass beds and tidal rivers, along with scattered striped bass. When the ocean settles, wreck fishing for sea bass and triggerfish provides another option, while the deepwater swordfish fishery remains available to crews prepared for the distance, equipment, and technical demands.
For the coming weeks, the best approach is to stay flexible. Protected river fishing may be the practical choice when weather limits offshore access, while a calm window can open the door to a wreck trip or a more ambitious offshore run. As the water continues cooling, the focus will increasingly shift toward tautog, larger winter stripers, and the bluefin tuna fishery that has become one of the region’s most exciting late-fall opportunities.
