Top fish species at South Bay

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Check which species have trophy potential in South Bay

South Bay fishing reports

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Spot croaker

length · weight

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Channel darter

2 in · 2 oz

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Red drum

28 in · 6 lb

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Atlantic croaker

length · weight

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Striped bass

28 in · 10 lb

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length · weight

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General info

South Bay is a part of an ocean located in Northampton County, Virginia, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Atlantic croaker, and Spot croaker.

Location

37°14′29.3″N 75°50′34.2″W
Directions

When are Striped Bass biting on South Bay?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at South Bay. 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 South Bay, 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: year-round
Atlantic croaker

Atlantic croaker

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit50

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.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Additional information
Possession Limit = 50 fish each species (spot and croaker) additional 50 live bait per customer capacity on for-hire vessels. No minimum size. Citation 3 lbs or 20 inches
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Micropogonias undulatus
Season open: year-round
Spot croaker

Spot croaker

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit50

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.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Additional information
Possession Limit = 50 fish each species (spot and croaker) additional 50 live bait per customer capacity on for-hire vessels No minimum size limit Citation 1 lb or 13 inches
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Leiostomus xanthurus
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Local laws and licenses

Virginia fishing license

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Cities nearby

Cape Charles

9.2 miles away

Eastville

9.3 miles away

Franktown

16.4 miles away

Willis Wharf

19.2 miles away

Quinby

22.3 miles away

Boston

25.0 miles away

Poquoson

29.3 miles away

Mathews

29.7 miles away

Savageville

30.8 miles away

Hampton

31.4 miles away

Norfolk

33.2 miles away

Tasley

33.5 miles away

Deltaville

34.4 miles away

Virginia Beach

36.8 miles away

Yorktown

36.9 miles away

Newport News

38.4 miles away

Gloucester Courthouse

39.2 miles away

Portsmouth

39.2 miles away

White Stone

40.9 miles away

Carrollton

43.0 miles away

Kilmarnock

44.0 miles away

Benns Church

45.9 miles away

Rushmere

47.3 miles away

Williamsburg

47.6 miles away

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FAQ about South Bay fishing

📍 Where is South Bay located?
South Bay is a part of an ocean located in Northampton County, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:
37°14′29.3″N 75°50′34.2″W
.
🎣 Where on South Bay is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on South Bay 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 South Bay?
The most common species in South Bay are:
📢 What are the latest South Bay fishing reports?
The latest South Bay fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at South Bay right now?
According to fishing regulations at South Bay, 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 South Bay?

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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