HELP! goin out of Wachapreague

[Chipraynor2]

I ALWAYS GO OUT OF OC, I'M LOOKING TO GO OUT THIS WEEK DOWN Wachapreague, CAN ANYONE ADVISE ME ON THE INS AND OUT, OF THIS BOAT RAMP.

IS IT FREE?
IS THERE GAS CLOSE, LIKE THE ROYAL FARM IN OC?
LOCAL SHOP TO GET ICE....
HOW FAR TO THE OCEAN INLET?
IS IT EASY TO NAVIGATE?

LOOKING TO RUN TO THE PARKING LOT OR CROTCH, MAYBE NORFOLK (WEATHER PERMITTING) ANY OTHER SPOTS, HAVE A 26FT HARDTOP PENN YAN BOAT, GOING TO BE DOWN TUES - SUNDAY IN OC, THE wmo IS A MESS THERE

I MAY CHUNK ANY TIPS FROM YOU EXPERTS DOWN THERE

THANKS & ALWAYS A REPORT WILL FOLLOW!!!!!!!!

[tksmitty]

Do not use the free ramp on the left side of the Island House resturant, it has a nasty drop off and is not going to be deep enough to launch your boat. There is a pay ramp (pretty cheap, I forget how much) on the other side of the resturant at "Wachapreague Marina". I would use that but watch the marks on the pier that show you where the concrete ends.

Get gas on Rt.13 before you get there, no gas stations in Wacha but, there is fuel on the water . It's probably 3 miles or so to the Cost Guard Station, it's not too bad to navigate out there just stay in the channel it can be very shallow just on the other side of the markers.

[StepChild]

I believe its @ 8 miles+/- to the inlet from the ramp.

You will want to use the "City Ramp"....cost is 5 bucks/day.

Gas-- you'll wanna fill up before you get there.

Capt Zed's is in town...he should have ice.

As for navigating...for me, the 1st 1/4 mile is the "tricky" part. Since it's your 1st time down, I would follow somebody thru. After that, just keep it between the "navigational beacons!!" :))

BTW- if the wx holds, we may be down there with ya!!


Good Luck!!!

Andy

[Mark1234]

No it's not as convenient as OC, was there two weeks ago for the first time. Make sure you fuel up and stock up on breakfast and lunch the day before. We lost about two hours trying to get food at 4:30. The bay trying to get to the inlet is tricky, definetly try to follow someone out. My GPS showed some areas there were supposed to be 3' but boats ran right over it. Turns out it was 15'.

It is a nice, quiet fishing town and would certainly go back, but I would just no to stock up prior to getting there. Have fun, and I also covered the same ground as you.

[homey]

I've been outta there several times and I agree with stepchild. Use town ramp the other ramps are crap and get fuel on rte 13...

When you take the road into Wacha It dead ends into Capt Zeds, make left turn go approx 600ft - 800ft and the ramp is on right. There is a freshwater hose there as well...Its $5 which you leave in an envelope and drop in box, parking and bathrooms across street.

The inlet is approx 8 miles but goes pretty quick as you run the "Marsh Slalom". If there is no one to follow out, line yourself up on the channel marks and you'll be fine. It does get very shallow if you are out of the channel....Continue to run the channel outside the inlet because its shallow on both sides a good ways out, I cut it short once and found myself running through the surf watching the depth go from 2' - 6'....

The fishing has always been good out there for me, good luck and post a report when you return.

Mike
_____________
Contender 23T
Verado 275

[Hillbilly Boater]

As others have said, get everything, including ice the night before on RT 13. One thing to watchout for that was not mentioned is the oyster shoal on the left as you leave the harbor. They are marked by white poles with red tops. You can run close to them, but don't go insde. Another thing is to watchout for the Innercoastal Markers. They have three numbers, while the ocean to port have two numbers. As you are leaving the harbor on your right there is a red marker and it's innercoastal so keep it on the right not left. It's nice to follow someone the first time especially in the dark. Once you learn the way it's an easy run. I usually do it at close to 40 to make time, but would not do it the first time. It's a great place if you like quiet small towns. It's my favorite place to fish, whether offshore or in the back bays. Enjoy

[chipraynor]

thanks to all of you,it sounds a bit like an opitacal course, but with the WMO going on i'll be waiting to follow somebody out at 4:30-5. Thanks again, hope this weather holds up, an overnighter, in the full moon, is very rare. Thanks again

[Balt.Pursuit]

Don't rule out a trip to the Washington Canyon out of Wach. if the weather is right..........sometime good fishing just inside and around the lobster balls at the tip.......everyone else's assessment is right on.....I like fishing out of Wach.......the natives are friendly!

[Get the gaff]

If your going to the lot/crotch why not chinco? Much easier inlet and royal farms is on the way.

[teasersportfish]

Not sure when you are going. I'm headed Fri, Sat, Sun depending on how my trips
materialize. If I have a trip will be leaving around 4 am. If you're going jump in behind me and I'll try to keep us off the bars.

Capt Keith Neal
Teaser
Wachapreague, VA