Powered by RedCircle
This week, host Luke Barton checks in with Capt. Robbie Bryan of Reel Release Sportfishing and jet ski angler Brian Lockwood. They cover everything from wreck fishing and trigger fish tactics to cobia strategies, flounder tips, and the unique world of personal watercraft fishing.
Conditions Recap
Northeast winds have settled in, making offshore runs tough for many anglers. When seas get too rough, inshore waters around Lynnhaven have provided solid backup action on puppy drum. Warmer late-summer water continues to hold hungry fish in the bay, but anglers are waiting for calmer weather to expand offshore opportunities.
Offshore & Nearshore Report – Capt. Robbie Bryan
Capt. Robbie Bryan of Reel Release Sportfishing has been mixing offshore wreck trips with inshore contingency plans when seas get too rough. Triggerfish and sea bass action has been outstanding, with trips producing upwards of 40+ triggerfish and quick limits of sea bass. He notes that while triggerfish are often bycatch, they can be specifically targeted with tiny No. 1 live bait hooks and small cut baits like squid, clam, or mullet strips. Wooden wrecks especially hold concentrations of triggerfish.
Flounder around wrecks have also been steady, though tricky to hook. Capt. Bryan emphasized patience—giving a flounder 10–15 seconds to eat before setting the hook—and cautioned against pumping the rod, which often creates slack and loses fish. Proper netting technique and using momentum to swing fish aboard also improve landing ratios.
Cobia fishing has been strong, with Bryan reporting multiple big fish days, including a two-fish, 116-pound stringer. His key advice: pass on the smaller 45-inch fish and keep moving until larger cobia show. This strategy has consistently produced fish in the 50–70 lb class for his clients.
Looking ahead, Capt. Bryan expects September and October to bring trophy bull drum in the bay, catch-and-release cobia, and inshore puppy drum and speckled trout. Offshore, sea bass and triggerfish will remain strong through December, with tautog becoming the prime target as water temperatures drop.
Jet Ski Fishing Report – Brian Lockwood
Jet ski angler Brian Lockwood has pioneered personal watercraft fishing for over two decades, and his late-summer cobia game has been red-hot. Fishing solo from his customized Sea-Doo Explorer Pro equipped with a trolling motor and lithium battery system, Lockwood covers dozens of buoys in a day, casting eels repeatedly until fish reveal themselves.
He emphasized persistence—casting up to 10 times per buoy—and rotating fresh eels every few stops. Most cobia strikes occur 5–10 feet below the surface or just past the buoy chain. He prefers 7/0 circle hooks, occasionally adding a sliding egg sinker when currents rip. One key advantage of fishing from a jet ski is maneuverability; if a cobia wraps around a buoy, Lockwood can quickly spin around and free the line without losing the fish.
Beyond cobia, Lockwood looks forward to fall tautog and sheepshead action on wrecks and bridges, plus the upcoming striped bass season. His trolling motor’s spot-lock function has transformed his wreck fishing, allowing him to hold position without anchoring. For anglers curious about this unique approach, his Facebook page regularly features impressive catches, innovative rigging ideas, and on-the-water photography.
