[Friday]

I went to Coleman bridge because the wind was forecasted at 15-20knots at the lower bay. From TKAA forum, I learned that Coleman Bridge could be a good back up place for HRBT and Kiptopeke for kayakers coming from the Nothern VA. I launched from a state park next to the bridge. the place was well protectd from wind. There was no white cap by the bridge @ 10-15MPH NE wind. I fished four hours along the bridge. The boaters seemed very nice to kayakers. I bought 3 eels from Groaften/s Fishing supplies. I had 2 pullages but I Icouldn't land them. I though stripers were small. And I forgot to set the hook. I forgot that I was not using a circle hook. Though one guy on a jon boat landed a 35incher (it seemed to me) on a Stretch 25. I saw one under sized striper caught by a boater. This area is similliar to RT 2 bridge by Solomons, except the water is clear and very deep (70'-80'). Also the area is very narrow. The water temp was 47F. The state park comes with boat ramps, personal craft launching area and Port-o-jons. Coleman bridge a good backup place for me, in November and December. Since I have the backup place I am willing to drive to Kiptopeke before the end of the season Even though wind forecast is over 15mph.

Joe

 

[ictalurus]

Hey Joe, nice report. Where is the state park at? While I was a grad student at VIMS, I used to fish that area often from late October to mid December at night. The lights are almost bright enough to tie a knot without a flashlight. I used to wade out from the Yorktown side, but I heard it changed since I last fished there. Massive schools of weakfish (only 12-14" long, though) would surface and work there way around, and there would be stripers under them if you could get your lure down fast enough. Some nights were incredible--I could catch a fish every 3 or 4 minutes for hours on end when the action was hot, and there were enough 24-26" stripers mixed in to keep things interesting.

There used to be a public fishing pier on the Gloucester Point side where you could catch blues, flounder, and the odd speck at night. It got hit by one of the hurricanes, so I'm not sure if it was repaired.

 

[Friday]

Bill,
The park is right under the bridge on the Gloucester Point side. It looked the park was new (must have been rebuilt). The port-o-jons are under the bridge and boat ramps are both (west and east) side of the bridge. There is a sandy area next to the east side ramp. I did not use a kayak kart because not many boats were launched that time. After visiting the Kiptopeke and monitoring the HRBT, I like Coleman bridge area a lot. I heard there is a kayak launch site at Wormley Creek (south east of the bridge) but i do not know the exact location yet. The wormley creek site is usually closer to the breaking fish.

here is the chart:
Chart 12241

 

[wkfa.org]

Joe,

Check out the WKFA forums to learn more about the area. You might be surprised at the info the guys on there have on the York River.

Fishyaker

John "Toast" Oast
Fishyaker.com
Ocean Kayak Fishing Team

 

[Friday]

John,
I signed up and looked at some threads. some guys are still fishing the area. I never knew there are many kayak-fishermen in winter.
Joe

 

[wkfa.org]

One of us is out around Yorktown most every night.