A sign near Wachapreague once put it simply: Flounder Capital of the World.
Whether the sign still stands is not important. At this time of year, anglers from up and down the coast migrate to the Eastern Shore to catch the year's first push of shallow-water flatfish.
Flounder have started to show in the backwater sloughs around Chincoteague, Wachapreague and Oyster just in time for the annual flounder tournament out of Capt. Zed's Marina.
The week-long event continues through 3 p.m. Sunday, with the owner of the single biggest fish declared the winner. Several fish topping five pounds already have been entered.
While flounder have been available around deeper coastal wrecks, this is the time of year that historically has been highly anticipated.
If you've never fished for flatties in the pristine waters around Wachapreague, it is an experience that should be added to any fishing bucket list.
Aside from the beautiful scenery, flounder fishing in these waters is a simpler endeavor than at other locations.
Most fish are caught using a basic two-hook bottom rig, with strips of squid the preferred bait. Many tip that offering with minnows.
Some veteran anglers also work these waters with lead-head jigs combined with plastic grubs with curly or paddled tails.
Flounder early on tend to bite on a sunny falling tide, when waters warmed in the marshes spurn an interest in feeding as they recede into the sloughs - often taking small crabs, fish and grubs along for the ride.
FORECAST
Southeastern Virginia
The big news is that as of midnight Wednesday, the tautog season is closed, bringing to an end what has been an outstanding spring. Fish still can be taken by catch-and-release, but doing so can have a high mortality rate from deeper waters.
Sea bass season doesn't open until May 19.
Deep-water offshore wrecks and the edge of the Norfolk Canyon are holding tilefish, grouper and other bottom-dwellers.
Anglers willing to make long offshore runs have started to find decent numbers of yellowfin tuna, some big dolphin and a few stray bluefin.
With the tog season closed, puppy drum will provide the best opportunity. Look for fish along the coast, in the Elizabeth River and in Little Creek, Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets. Speckled trout also could be found, but they are only for catch-and-release action.
Flounder also are starting to show along sections of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, but catches have been hit-and-miss. Some also have been taken in Rudee Inlet.
Look for croaker around any rock jetties or old oyster beds along Ocean View. They are starting to show around the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel and the mouth of the Nansemond River.
Croaker also are showing around many piers, with Ocean View and the old James River being the top locations. Sea mullet and some blow toads are being caught at Little Island.
Look for big red drum to be taken from the breakers of Eastern Shore barrier islands. As the golden giants move into area waters, they often can be taken by sight-casters working the mouth of the Bay.
Outer Banks
Yellowfin tuna and big dolphin have started to show out of both inlets, with scattered wahoo and billfish joining in off Hatteras. Blackfin tuna also have been caught out of Hatteras, while big bluefin remain off Oregon Inlet.
Wreck fishermen out of both inlets are finding sea bass, grouper, triggerfish and tilefish. Sea bass are off-limits from Hatteras to the north until May 19. Some snapper also are harboring wrecks off Hatteras, where scattered amberjack have arrived.
Along the coast, red drum provide the best opportunity. Action remains better to the south. A handful of cobia have been taken, with the best action to the south of Ocracoke.
Inside the sounds and inlets, puppy drum, gray trout, speckled trout and some croaker have been taken. Speckled trout season is closed.
Along the beaches, trout, pups, croaker, sea mullet and blow toads have been available.
Freshwater
Extreme fluctuation in water conditions can make largemouth bass fishing a challenge. But fish this time of year can be eager to participate when things settle.
Look for small males along shallow shoreline cover as they prepare beds for spawning. Larger females won't be far off, lurking in slightly deeper water and often heading to the shallows to feed.
Topwater baits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and crankbaits with lots of flash and vibration are good choices. Keep other rods rigged with jigs or plastics to toss near missed strikes.
Crappie and yellow perch likely remain in the shallows because water temperatures have been slow to warm.
Many anglers also are starting to find big bluegill and shellcracker as those panfish begin to eye the shallows.
The number of flounder citations registered last year with the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Entries have declined the past year with 101 (captures and releases combined) registered in 2012, 203 in 2001, 259 in 2010 and 380 in 2009.