Kayak Fishing Dividing Creek & Kilmarnock area

[tallpaul0579]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and I am really enjoying the posts. My folks live on Dividing Creek and we will be coming up from SC to visit them for a week and while I have a lot of experience kayak fishing here in SC, I have yet to do any out of my kayak on the bay. When I come up to visit, I usually just jump on the power boat and bottom fish in the summer, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on where to fish either on Dividing Creek or Indian Creek using a kayak. I usually paddle 4-6 miles on a normal outing here. I was looking online and thought it might not be a bad idea to hit Hughlett's Point and give that a try. Also. I just usually use the Fishbites artificial bloodworms for spot and croaker on a bottom rig, but I would like to try to catch some trout or other species....any advice on what rigs or lures I should use would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance, and if you can offer up any advice on locations or lures that would be great! :fishing2:

[grover123]

Hughlett point is a great place to start. Dameron Marsh is just a little north of dividing creek and there is a place to launch kayaks there. Unless it's the weekend (between 9 and 5) you will have to park in the small lot and carry you yak about 100 yards to the launch site. Bugs are bad so DEET up and be prepared for it. In The summer both Dameron Marsh and the area around Hughlett point are good places to fish for speckled trout, puppy drum, and anything else that swims in the Bay. If your from SC then you probably are familar with that type of fishing and already have the gear. As for specific places to fish, well people get pretty protective about that but if you get out and paddle those two places it's not hard to figure it out. Gulp chartreuse 4 inch mullet curly tail on a jig head is a popular lure choice. If you're willing to travel a little there are plenty of other places to try just a little south, including Gwynn's island which I hear great things about but haven't tried yet. If you check the kayak board on this site you'll see some other places you might want to try. Good Luck

[marstang50va]

You will be fine in that location. Hit up the creek and river mouths, pier pilings, and points early morning. Look for any submerged vegetation. grover123 gave some good points.
This chart may help you.. Chart 12235 (http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12235.shtml)
Let us know how you do.

[TNBoyd]

The kayak launch at Dameron Marsh Natural Area Preserve will be accessible at sunup every morning - no more waiting for me to open the gate. We decided to leave the gate open, but close the cable immediately past the launch area.
Yes, the bugs are terrible, but good spray with lots of DEET will help. I suggest wearing long pants, socks and shoes, all sprayed with something with Permethrin - ticks are bad, too.
Fishing is pretty decent, with croaker, some small blues and a few specks being caught around the SAV out on the point. It's a long paddle, but I think you'll do fine - Just watch the wind/weather. Remember - all sandy beach areas are closed to human traffic.
Hope this helps.

Tracy N Boyd
VA Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage Division
Chesapeake Bay Region Technician for Dameron Marsh and Hughlett Point Natural Area Reserves

[jeffc]

The beaches are off limits at both of those places? Really? Are there signs stating it?
I see people walking those beaches, with picnic baskets and dogs regularly...

[TNBoyd]

The beaches at Dameron Marsh NAP are closed, but the beaches at Hughlett Point NAP are open. Yes, there are signs at all the sandy beaches, but I saw last week where another one at Dameron Marsh was taken down. I personally sunk that sign about 30" deep halfway up the dune. It was taken down by a person for the second time. I will keep replacing the sign and will continue to keep an eye out for the person(s) responsible for taking this sign down.
Thanks for your cooperation.
T

[Friday]

I am also very interested in kayak-fishing the area. But I am not familiar with the launch places. I am from the Kayak Message board (TidalFish). Can anyone provide me with exact name of launch places near Dividing Creek and Indian Creek? Address, names of park or marina will help.
Thanks,
Joe

[grover123]

TN Boyd I noticed the gate was open when I fished a week or so back. I thought it was just my lucky day. Makes life easier so thanks.

[TNBoyd]

We will probably continue to leave the gate open, as long as the kayakers and fishermen continue to be the true sportsman I know they are. I write weekly reports to my supervisor, and am always writing to say how courteous and respectful everyone is who uses the NAP. The State was able to purchase the land in order to be able to protect the rare species there, but also the State has allowed people to enjoy the resources of the area.
Thanks!
T

[Bob G]

You may not hear it often, but that access has been a real boon to some of us kayak fishermen. I've only been once, but have plans to return. It's just so hard to find good access in that area.

[davewvu86]

Haven't made it out to Dameron to use the kayak ramp yet this year...the wife keeps dragging me to Cedars. However, I want to thank the state and local officials for the work they put into this. You included Tracy.

Hopefully I'll make it there over the holiday weekend.

[marstang50va]

I am also very interested in kayak-fishing the area. But I am not familiar with the launch places. I am from the Kayak Message board (TidalFish). Can anyone provide me with exact name of launch places near Dividing Creek and Indian Creek? Address, names of park or marina will help.
Thanks,
Joe

I wish I had some good news for you but there really arent any public launch spots there besides chesapeake boat basin at the head of Indian creek. I think they charge a ramp fee but not too sure. Sometimes its all about doing some research of where you want to fish and getting to know people in the area. Counties have had tough time trying to get access in some of these areas.

[marstang50va]

I for one am glad to see the gate open!!

[ducking_out]

What is the SAV out at the point?

[tallpaul0579]

Thank you all for all the helpful information!!! I will be heading out from around the Lawrence Cove area on Dividing Creek if I don't use the park area on Hughlett's Point that you guys are talking about...that might be a shorter option for good fishing I would guess instead of paddling from Lawrence Cove. Down here in SC we have been doing well with DOA popping cork rigs with the artificial shrimp...any of you guys use these on the bay? Well, I am just looking forward to time on the water fishing....catching fish is a bonus! Thanks again guys.

[kintla25]

SAV- Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

[roryocon1]

Should be a fair number of bluefish and maybe a few spanish out in front of Dividing creek. We'll be out there in a yellow key west. have fun!

[TNBoyd]

Thank you all for all the helpful information!!! I will be heading out from around the Lawrence Cove area on Dividing Creek if I don't use the park area on Hughlett's Point that you guys are talking about...that might be a shorter option for good fishing I would guess instead of paddling from Lawrence Cove. Down here in SC we have been doing well with DOA popping cork rigs with the artificial shrimp...any of you guys use these on the bay? Well, I am just looking forward to time on the water fishing....catching fish is a bonus! Thanks again guys.

Tallpaul,
Hughlett Point NAP does not have any access to the water for kayaks. It has a lot of beautiful beaches, and there is a bunch of SAV on the Dividing Creek side, but still no access for kayaks.
T

[eilybird]

Some one told me they have run up on alot of nude/topless sunbathers at huglett does anyone have any confirmation on this. I would hate to take my kids and run up on this. I just need to know if I should leave them at home:rolleyes:

[marstang50va]

Down here in SC we have been doing well with DOA popping cork rigs with the artificial shrimp...any of you guys use these on the bay?

They are used and Ive used them but doesnt seem to be the most productive rig here. Jigs, twitchbaits, and topwater lures, and of course live bait fish seem to produce better. Having said that, this one ate a artificial shrimp, gulp, but nevertheless artificial...
Give me a PM when you get ready to go out on the water here, I may be nearby.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m137/marstang50/FISH/101308spec001.jpg

[grover123]

TN BOYD
Can you drag your kayak from the parking area at Hughlett the 200 yards to the beach or is this not allowed. Just wondering, I have a friend who lives on Dividing Creek but I hate pulling up to his house at 0 dark thirty to fish. Have they rebuilt the observation deck? Eily all I ever see there are families and bird watchers.

[tallpaul0579]

Damn marstang50, that is a nice fish! Thanks again everyone for the info.

[TNBoyd]

TN BOYD
Can you drag your kayak from the parking area at Hughlett the 200 yards to the beach or is this not allowed. Just wondering, I have a friend who lives on Dividing Creek but I hate pulling up to his house at 0 dark thirty to fish. Have they rebuilt the observation deck? Eily all I ever see there are families and bird watchers.

Grover,
I will check into the option of dragging a 'yak to the beach from the parking area. I don't think it would be a problem, but I could see where 6 guys dragging 'yaks along the boardwalk and running over some bird watchers might cause quite a stir...
Rebuilding the observation deck is in the planning stages.
I haven't seen any nude sunbathers, but I did have the unpleasure of walking up on a man changing out of a wet bathing suit into his shorts way out on the point...:eek2:
T

[BLUEYZWAITN]

I was at the Marsh last week and did'nt see any signs that said to stay off the Beaches...... We considered looking around but the bugs were to bad we just fished... It's a Beautiful place and I understand why you should not be on there but we could have easily ran into trouble not seeing any postings...

[TNBoyd]

I found 2 signs that had mysteriously fallen over. They were sunk at least 2 1/2' deep in the sand in late Spring, so I guess it was a pretty high tide and high winds...
I put them back up to avoid confusion. Yeah, the bugs will suck the life out of anything that moves near the marsh. Midges, blackflies, deerflies, greenheads, mosquitoes, and to top it off, ticks...I hate ticks.
The State closed the beaches to protect the Federally Listed Cicindella dorsalis dorsalis.
T

[davewvu86]

Hey Tracy,

Good to meet you on Saturday. I noticed one of the signs on the beach was down. It was the one closer in land by where we launched. The one at the end of the beach was up.

We ended up trying that pond across the way and then paddling up Mill Creek. Not much to report in the pond, just a bunch of rays. The croaker were all over the place in Mill Creek with the largest being 13-14"

We were going to try to paddle up the point to look for specs but the wind made us decide otherwise.

You were right about the ticks. I pulled 6 off myself while loading the boats back in the truck.

Thanks again for all the work you guys put into places like this.

Dave

[tallpaul0579]

I have paddled out to Hughlett Point 2 times since Monday and have had some luck. At sunset I have been catching stripers chasing baitfish in 2.5 feet of water near the grass on the Dividing Creek side of the tip of the point. I also got into some trout but all were right around 12-13 inches. It is about a 5 mile paddle round trip, but well worth it and the fishing has been good. I have picked up more spot and croaker than I can keep track of around in the area as well. Again, thanks for the heads up. :fishing2:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/tallpaul0579/River%207-6%20Monday/P7060281.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/tallpaul0579/River%207-6%20Monday/r.jpg