Top fish species at The Narrows

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The Narrows fishing reports

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Summer flounder

10 in · 5 oz

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Spanish mackerel

length · weight

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Spanish mackerel

length · weight

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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length · weight

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General info

The Narrows is an inshore water located in Mathews County, Virginia, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Black sea bass, and Summer flounder.

Location

37°29′15.7″N 76°18′46.7″W
Directions

When are Striped Bass biting on The Narrows?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at The Narrows. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at The Narrows, VA

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Virginia can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: May 16 - April 30
Striped bass

Striped bass

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size28" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size31" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

NJ No Gaff

It is prohibited for any person to gaff striped bass when fishing recreationally.

Additional information
Regulations provided here are for the Virginia Coastal Season. Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Leesville Dam and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Union Street Dam (Danville) October 1–May 31: 2 per day in the aggregate (combined) No striped bass or hybridstriped bass less than 20 inches or greater than 26 inchesJune 1–September 30: 4 per day in the aggregate (combined) No length limit Claytor Lake and its tributariesSeptember 16–June 30: 2 per day in the aggregate, no striped bass or hybrid bassless than 20 inchesJuly 1–September 15: 4 per day in the aggregate; no length limit Lake Gaston4 per day in the aggregate (combined)October 1–May 31: No striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 20 inchesJune 1–September 30: No length limit Smith Mountain Lake and its tributaries, including the Roanoke River upstream to Niagara Dam 2 per day in the aggregate (combined)November 1–May 31: No striped bass 30 to 40 inchesJune 1–October 31: No length limit Striped bass in the Meherrin, Nottoway, Blackwater (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers and their tributaries plus Back BayCREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT = No possessionGEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS = None applyCREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS = None apply Anadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and Crane Lake (City of Suffolk)CREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT = Creel and length limits shall be as set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for recreational fishing in tidal watersGEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS = None applyCREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS FOR EXCEPTIONS = None apply The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) maintains a database of wildlife locations, including threatened and endangered species, trout streams, and anadromous fish waters that may contain information not documented in this letter. Their database may be accessed https://services.dwr.virginia.gov/fwis/ or contact Amy Martin at 804-367-2211 or amy.martin@dwr.virginia.gov.
Synonyms
Morone saxatilis
Season open: May 11 - December 31
Black sea bass

Black sea bass

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit15

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size13" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Additional information
The 2026 recreational black sea bass measures in Virginia waters or federal waters whenlandings in Virginia are established as:o Season: May 11 through December 31o Minimum size limit: 13"o Bag limit: 15 fish per person Regulations for black sea bass caught in federal waters are subject to change. Please contact NMFS.For more information, see Virginia Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations.Black sea bass total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.Citation 5 lbs
Edibility
Excellent according to Adam L.
Synonyms
Centropristis striata
Season open: year-round
Summer flounder

Summer flounder

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit4

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size17.5" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Additional information
Jan. 1 - May 31: minimum size = 16-inchesJune 1 - Dec. 31: minimum size = 17.5-inchesOpen year-round.The above flounder restrictions apply to Virginia tidal waters, except that in Virginia's Potomac River tributaries the minimum size limit, closed season, and possession limit will be the same as established by the PRFC for the mainstem Potomac River.Federal regulations are waived for Summer Flounder, and recreational anglers shall follow regulations for the state in which their catch is landed.Citation 6 lbs or 26 inches.
Synonyms
Fluke, Paralichthys dentatus
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Local laws and licenses

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Cities nearby

Mathews

3.6 miles away

Deltaville

4.6 miles away

White Stone

11.6 miles away

Gloucester Courthouse

13.0 miles away

Kilmarnock

16.0 miles away

Saluda

17.4 miles away

Urbanna

17.8 miles away

Yorktown

20.7 miles away

Lancaster

20.8 miles away

Eastville

22.4 miles away

Cape Charles

23.1 miles away

Franktown

23.9 miles away

Poquoson

24.7 miles away

Williamsburg

26.4 miles away

Boston

26.9 miles away

West Point

27.1 miles away

Willis Wharf

27.7 miles away

Newport News

28.7 miles away

Tangier

29.0 miles away

Hampton

30.0 miles away

Quinby

31.9 miles away

Scotland

34.0 miles away

Rushmere

34.6 miles away

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FAQ about The Narrows fishing

📍 Where is The Narrows located?
The Narrows is an inshore water located in Mathews County, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:
37°29′15.7″N 76°18′46.7″W
.
🎣 Where on The Narrows is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on The Narrows by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in The Narrows?
The most common species in The Narrows are:
📢 What are the latest The Narrows fishing reports?
The latest The Narrows fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at The Narrows right now?
According to fishing regulations at The Narrows, some of the species in season this November include: Striped bass, Spotted seatrout, Blacktip shark, Black sea bass, and Bonnethead shark. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at The Narrows?

Fishing in Virginia requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination options, available online or from licensed agents.

In Virginia, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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