[DaveHuz]

Guys, Just passed through the area this PM on my way bk to Annapolis and spent a little time exploring the park and the ramp down there- looks like an easy in/out for a small CC skiff- perfect for skinny water LT stuff. I have a 16' CS skiff that I run in the back bays and rivers up here and bring it to the Chincoteague/Lynhaven areas a couple times a year so I'm not looking for big water advice. My question is about the available species and fishing conditions behind the outer islands and the ease of getting around on the ocean side of the shore. I know there are some Poon hunters out on that side so I won't pry for info but I'm interested in other species like flounder, hardheads, redfish, maybe some larger sharks on lighter tackle. Also interested in other species that might be available. I understand the issues of running small skiffs in easterly wind conditions and Kiptopeake provides a safety value when I'm down there. The ships also provide an alternative to the ocean side. I would appreciate some input or perhaps some general areas that I might target without going in blind and doing a lot of searching due to the limited times I can get down there.

DaveHuz
Magothy River, MD

 

[DaveHuz]

Anyone use this ramp?

 

[ko]

Flounder redfish and seatrout and some sharks. There is a LOT of very shallow water that is not marked at all or is incorrectly marked. Very difficult area to fish on an occasional basis as it takes time (and groundings) to learn your way around.

 

[DaveHuz]

I understand the shallow water deal hence the CS rig with a Minn Kota trolling motor. I can get around in 12-15" of water with the OB engine down or on tilt and probably a little less with the TM. Trying to get some local knowledge of the area so I can be successful the first few times out.

 

[wrenchturner]

I will also add that at low tide the shallow water becomes less of a problem.:scratchchin3:

To get to any of the outer islands from there, other then Smith and Fisherman’s, it's takes some running. The only real tricky part is making in from stick to stick around Mockhorn to the creeks. Once in the creek channels the trick is just not getting turned around and figuring out which channel goes where. Then there are the Clam beds and Oyster rocks, but those arent hard to find.

FWIW, in the 15 or so years I have been fishing the area I have ran across quite a few people who have ended up high and dry waiting out the tide change, fed the skeeters and green flies for a few hours on a mud flat, and then took their toys and went home.
I can not imagine anyone running the area for the first time and not having a rough time of it

To answer your question of what species are available, depending on the time of year, just about anything found in our waters can be found here.

 

[DaveHuz]

Thanks wrenchturner. That is the kind of info I'm trying to get. I run with a GPS which has been helpful. Roger on the skeeters- I spend some time in the marshes and with 100% Deet and a good cigar, I can keep them off me. Just trying to get some ideas of where it would make the most sense to fish without some of the wasted time. I have a knack for exploring skinny water and know the consequences of an ebbing tide.

 

[wrenchturner]

If you would like to check out the area and make the most of your time then I would suggest going out of Oyster first.
There are markers here, though not always reliable, and there is a pile of good fishing right around the main channels in this area.

heck here's an old freebie to get you going:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i135/x-wrenchturner/oyster.jpg

 

[ko]

Markers and GPS will only get you so far. That place will teach you that mother nature is still boss. Huge open beautiful bays at mid-tide DRY UP at low tide. I have seen day markers surrounded by 100 feet of mud. Not trying to be a jerk but you need to proceed carefully and on a rising tide. Just as many fish and less hazards on the bay side.

 

[Jet Ski Brian]

I wish I could use it, but no PWC's allowed.

 

[BobG]

Great fishing and beautiful scenery to boot.
IMHO I would put in at wise point on an outgoing tide and fish the ditch (channel) in front of the ramp, this is a popular spot but hard to find clean water
that the flounder prefer. When the tide gets low start exploring.
At low tide you will be able to see where there is water and you will eventually run aground once you think you have it down pat.
Look on a chart for Pudding Creek and find your way to Ship Shoal Channel (it always changes, so the charts may not be 100% accurate). As you are moving,
watch your depth finder for deep spots (flounder holes).
In the spring many of the guts are great on an outgoing tide. The back bays are very shallow and if you get a nice sunny day and an afternoon outgoing tide all the
warm water from the shallows washes out the guts making for some exciting flounder fishing.
You have an excellent boat for exploring the area. Yes you will be getting out of your boat and pulling it off the shoals but we all do it (you can tell the flounder
pounders, we have shiny skegs).
I have been fishing there for about 15 years and I still run aground.
I mainly fish for flounder, but trout, croaker, drum, shark, tarpon and other fish are there as well as clams.
Most are pretty tight lipped about location X, but if you put in your dues, you will be rewarded.
Now for the rest of the story.........
When I first started fishing there with my brother we put in at Oyster and followed other boats to the OC buoy and buoy 226. When we got back to the fish
cleaning station there would be a few guys with big flounder (for the seaside). Well, after filling there bellies with beer we eventually found out about Ship Shoal.
They were naturally reluctant to tell us how to get there. So one fall day, we were doing our exploring and took a trip to what is now Wise Ramp. It was a cold, windy,
Eastern Shore NE blow and we came across 2 commercial guys who had left Oyster but due to the weather pulled in at Wise because they could'nt get back to Oyster.
Not one to miss an opportunity, I offered them a ride back to Oyster to get there truck. Again offering beer and liquor (for medicinal purposes of course) I proceeded
to pick their brains. How do you find this mystical place called Ship Shoal I asked? Well they replied in their ES twang, if you're not from here I would'nt try it (ES for
got another beer)? Finally they spilt the beans, come out of Running Channel and stay close to the trees. To make a too long story short we came out of thechannel,
stayed close to the the trees only to run aground over and over for the next 9 hours. Only later did we find out they were talking about the small s takes they use to
mark the shallow areas, not the trees on shore!!!
Enjoy the ES, the land that time forgot.

 

[litehook1]

I used the ramp over Christmas its a nice ramp!ten dollars to launch
15 Min's to high rise,watch out and stay in marks, very skinny water on either
side.

 

[Al B]

Red/Black Drum, Gray/Speckled Trout, Hard Heads, Spot, Flounder, Sharks and maybe you'll see a Tarpon roll... all within 5 miles of Wise Pt. Ramp. That being said, you may spend 10 years learning the waters within 5 miles of the ramp.

You got some good advise on going out at dead low; and on looking at some of the seaside inlets (Ship Shoal, Sand Shoal, Cobb, New Inlet). Be sure to carry an extra aluminum prop/cotter pin... you may need it.

 

[Guest]

I run a Grady 208 - too shallow for me?

 

[Al B]

There's places that are too shallow for a skiff... just depends on where you go. Too shallow to launch? No. To shallow to run the channel? No.

The only thing I don't like about a bigger boat running over there for the first time (or 20) is that if you run aground, they're a lot harder to push off.

 

[TDAU]

There's places that are too shallow for a skiff... just depends on where you go. Too shallow to launch? No. To shallow to run the channel? No.

The only thing I don't like about a bigger boat running over there for the first time (or 20) is that when you run aground, they're a lot harder to push off.

I fixed it for you Al.

 

[Al B]

Thanks... don't know what got into me.

 

[boats]

I have run big boats over there but they always belonged to somebody else, My self I don't like anything I can't push off. Best tide for learning the bottom is dead low you can see what it looks like there is almost always a drain with some water in the middle. High tide with a light skiff you can run over problems, Half tide is were you can get into big trouble, go fast and break something when you hit. Other thing at dead low can't see over the marsh grass and it's a maze for sure,

Used to keep a bearing book but now rely on the GPS a lot, it lets me run at night when I used to wait it out. As far as fish plenty but lack of effort makes it important to be able to find them on your own. Big obstacle on the seaside is wind which makes it hard to position the boat for casting and working the banks. I am after Puppy drum most of the time so move and cast a lot. Flounder can be good but the Va Regs are slanted against the Eastern Shore fisherman. Specs can be good too. Tarpon for my money are not worth the effort. One time I am going to have a couple of weeks to stake out and bait fish for them though. And if I do have less than a slim chance of hooking up and landing. Sharks are a nusance but some like to fish for them. My trolling motor is pretty useless against wind and tide. I mostly pole or anchor up. Only time I take the troller is if I see a light wind conditon and plan to work the outside of creeks and drops on falling tide, Big range of tide over there that varies a lot depending on wind direction.

Give it a try hit big on the Drum and you will be glad you did.

Boats

 

[calpn trayt]

i just used it twice. if you can read buoys, then you;l be fine , in and out of there.
but....the last two times(last week), the ramp area was full of lawntrayt, and it has even stopped up my p hole on engine. will not use this ramp anymore, altho it knocks off a good 4 miles from using kipto ramp(if you are feeshing the tunnel).
plus... there is a closing time to the ramps, and was told that it is now at 10pm. was told last june that ramps closed at dark, and that all gates were locked then, too.