Rudee Inlet — Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach County, VA
Spanish Mackerel fishing today
Marginal conditions for Spanish Mackerel.
43/100
Why today scores 43
- 63°F water — Below Spanish Mackerel's active range (65–82°F)
- incoming tide — Spanish Mackerel prefers incoming tide
- 7 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
Right now at Rudee Inlet — Virginia Beach
- Water temp
- 63°F
- Air temp
- 74°F
- Wind
- 7 mph N
- Tide phase
- incoming
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:20 AM / 7:43 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 12:40 AM - 1:40 AM · 4:40 AM - 6:40 AM · 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM · 5:10 PM - 7:10 PM
- Forecast
- Sunny
About Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus. Fast-running summer migrant. Runs the lower Chesapeake and VA Atlantic coast in schools from late June through September. Targeted by casting small metal jigs (Kastmaster, Hopkins) into busting fish, or trolling #1-#2 Clark spoons behind planers at 6-8 knots. Wire leaders not required — just use long-shank hooks and fluorocarbon.
Preferred water temp: 65–82°F (ideal 74°F). Preferred tide: incoming.
VA regulations
- Minimum size
- 14"
- Daily creel limit
- 15
Virginia Atlantic coast: 14-inch minimum fork length, 15 per day. Same VMRC regulation as tidal Bay. Summer fishery — fish present roughly mid-June through September.
Source: VA regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.