Need some advice/info please

[NoCountMule]

My friend and I are planning to fish cbbt area the 6th - 9th next month.He has a 18.5ft
Crestliner. It's a walley fishing boat many people use around the great lakes.Seems to
set pretty high in the water.I guess I'm a little nervous about it being safe enough.He's
a safe boatman but new to the bay and quite frankly I've only fished the bay twice.We
plan to launch out of Lynnhaven and go no further than 3rd island.I'm thinking if it's less
than 2ft waves we'll be o.k. but I would rather hear from some guys that would know.
Also, where (close by) can we find a boat friendly,clean hotel that wouldn't cost a arm,leg or tank a gas? Thanks so much for any response.

[jhmorgan]

As long as you check the weather BEFOREHAND, know how to handle a boat in some chop, and play it safe, you should be fine. Stay at a safe speed, if you start to get super nervous, always remember you can turn around to fish another day. No fish is worth ones life.
If you call some hotels at the Oceanfront, you will find that many of them offer "Striper Season Rates" to fisherman. If I am not mistaken, some of those deals are for around half off. Dont know the hotel names but I know they are down there.

[bugeater]

I also have an 18.5 ft Crestliner but have never used it at the CBBT. I do fish the HRBT regularly and have not had any problems at all. That being said, I pick my days wisely, ensuring that the winds are not out of the N N/E and less than 15. Let me know how you fare at the CBBT. I plan on fishing there soon.

Bugeater

[hookinfinger]

This Days Inn at the Oceanfront has Striper specials. You can park your boat and trailer there.

You have to ask for the special price. I think it is around $29.00.



Days Inn | Virginia Beach Virginia Hotel | Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Near 3 Miles of Sandy Beach, Moto World & Ocean Breeze Waterpark & Motor World (http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=09178&brandInfo=DI)




Dennis:))

[David24]

Does anyone fish down near the northern Neck in Virginia.?.I hear that the water is to warm for Rockfish yet..

[striper_on]

Does anyone fish down near the northern Neck in Virginia.?.I hear that the water is to warm for Rockfish yet..

:jackthread: :jackthread: :jackthread: :jackthread: :jackthread: :jackthread:

[RickyG]

I have an 18' Lowe that is advertised as a "Great Lakes" boat - wide, high side. I've fished the CBBT many times in it and did just fine, comfortably. However I burn up the weather (namely wind) forcasts before I even think about it. A 15mph wind forcast is my absolute limit for the bay. A go-bay-day for me comes with a forcast of 5-10 or less. Accordingly, I fall back to the rivers quite often. If NOAA says 15+mph winds, in my opinion, it's too much, you're gonna (at least) get beat to death.

Alternatively, you'll see folks out there in a skinny little john boat with 15+mph winds. Most survive.

Rick

[arrow1]

You will be OK on that boat if the wind is less than 10kts. 3rd island is a pretty long run from Lynnhaven especially if the water is choppy - 2ft waves can pound you pretty good or make you drive so slow its a pain. You need a backup plan if the wind is over 10 (which is likely). There are 3 other bridges in much more protected waters you can fish and get excellent results. For the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) there is a public launch right off 64 at the Willoughby Spit exit. You can also fish the Monitor Merrimack (M&M) bridge tunnel and the James River Bridge (JRB) - Launch at Hunnigton Park in Newport News basically at the foot of the JRB for both of these areas. Productive simple technique is to anchor up current and fish chunks of bunker on the bottom on a 3way swivel rig next to the bridge pilings (you can get boxes of fresh frozen bunker at any bait shop). You will need pretty much weight when the current is running - maybe 8oz to hold it down. It also helps a lot to use a braided line such as 20lb powerpro. You can also troll various lures. From now until you come here keep checking this board for reports on the HRBT, M&M and JRB. Study a chart/maps to learn about these areas before you come so you are not scrabbling at 0 hour. Don't be too fired up on the mystic of the CBBT - these other bridges are pretty darn good and more suited to your size boat. After you have been out and know where you are going you may want to go at night when the stripers are more active. Check the article on this site about fishing the "light line". Good luck!

[NoCountMule]

Thanks to everyone !!!!! We're coming from Grottoes Va, does anyone from near this area
fish the bay? Thanks Arrow1 for the tips.We need all we can get.We wanted to fish the cbbt
mainly because we want to fish at night some and I have a little experience there although
it's very little.Hopefully, we are picking a good date if the weather will comply.

Thanks Again
Les

[mike cozzens]

Have fun and be careful.
If you are fishing after dark, check out the area between the first island the the beach. Oftentimes I leave Lynnhaven and run about 1/2 way between the first island and the beach. After I get to the bridge, I turn left (south) and usually do not have to go far to find plenty of fish.
I think there are some barges and work boats out that way, so I would highly reccomend scouting the area in the daylight.

Mike