FISHING REPORT: May 21, 2026
Weather/Water Conditions
Summer showed up quick this week with temperatures pushing into the 80s and even low 90s on some days. Water temperatures have now consistently climbed over the 60° mark, and the fish are responding fast.
One of the biggest signs of the seasonal shift has been the large numbers of cownose rays moving through the bay and oceanfront.
Overall conditions are improving rapidly, and the bite across Hampton Roads is really starting to turn on.
What's Biting Inshore
The inshore action is firing up this week.
- The bluefish blitz is still holding steady around the area, although we are seeing fewer 26"+ compared to the prior weeks.
- Striped bass are still hanging around in schools, with a few larger stripers mixed in.
- Drum fishing continues to improve daily as water temperatures rise quickly.
- Expect more smaller red drum to begin pushing deeper into the backwaters and inlet systems over the next week or so.
- Sheepshead are still in full swing and absolutely crushing frozen sand fleas around structure.
Most consistent setups:
- Frozen sand fleas for sheepshead
- Soft plastics and smaller presentations for schoolie stripers and puppy drum
What's Biting In The Bay
This week belonged to the cobia bite.
We are now seeing cobia consistently off the oceanfront, with everything from smaller fish to full citation-class cobia being caught. Numbers are still building, but there’s no question the season is officially underway.
The cobia bite has been absolutely crushing these:
- Live eels
- 8” NLBN Split Tails
- Invincible Jigs Split Tails
- Gettin Jiggy and Cobia Killer Bucktails
All of them have been getting crushed by cobia of all sizes.
Offshore action has also been impressive this week:
- Gorgeous mahi mahi brought to the scales
- Some huge golden tilefish checked in as well
Best Bite Window
Timing has rewarded people a lot this week:
- Early afternoon has been the prime cobia window
- Striped bass bite is still best during nighttime hours
- Bull drum have been feeding best early in the day and later in the afternoon
Tide influence:
Moving water continues to be key, especially around structure and current lines.
If you’re targeting cobia, spend time looking carefully before blind casting; there are plenty of fish cruising right on the surface ready to eat.
Fishing Tips
What’s been getting it done lately:
- Live eels for cobia
- NLBN 8”/9” split tails
- Invincible Jigs split tails
- Gettin Jiggy and Cobia Killer bucktails
- Frozen sand fleas for sheepshead
We’ve got rigs, tackle, bait, and everything you need ready to go for this current bite.
Looking ahead
As temperatures continue rising quickly, expect:
- More red drum flooding into backwaters and inlets
- The cobia bite to continue improving week by week
- More consistent inshore action overall
- Offshore pelagic activity continuing to build
The transition into full summer fishing is happening fast, and this upcoming stretch should only get better from here.
- More sheepshead should start showing up around the bridges and pilings
- The inshore bite overall should continue getting more consistent week by week
Things are definitely starting to turn on around here and the next few weeks should only get better.