I'm new to the area and am thinking about trying out Blue Fish Rock. I've heard that this artificial reef exist although it being reporting by http://www.mrc.state.va.us as a planned project not yet complete. Anyhow, does anyone have any advice on what to use for bait and how to fish this reef or the back river reef that is due north of bluefish rock? I'm curious if trying to drift for cobia is it still productive or do I bottomfish, troll, etc.? Like I said, I'm new and am looking for ANY advice anyone can provide. I'm mostly interested in trying to haul something in larger but will settle for taylors, some nice sized croakers if that's all that is biting this late in the season. I understand that bluefish rock is pretty productive in the next coming months for stripers and am looking forward to that, but I can't wait that long to go out...got to try and catch something since this will be my first offshore trip this year!

Thanks!

Hey,
I fished back river 2 weeks ago and we did great. bottom fishing, a lot of croaker, some of good size , 1 keeper flounder and a few flounder dinks. bottom fishing fish finder rigs with a hunk of sqid or shrimp and a 6 to 8 inch stip of cut bait. drifed from the bouy south east on slack and eb tides caught over 100 croaker in about 3 hours. Good luck ,Mark

The reef on Bluefish Rock has not been constructed as of yet. There is, however, a reef just north of the rock--Bank River Reef that holds a lot of nice fish. If you go out of Back River, head out at about 65 degrees and look for the yellow reef marker buoy. It is about a couple of miles out.

The cobia fishing is switching over to casting eels and/or small bait fish to the big ship buoys vs. stationary bottom fishing. The cobia tend to lie in behind the buoy out of the current waiting for a meal to come along.

Is Blue Fish Rock by Fort Monroe

I appreciate the information. BTW, I talked with the Virginia Fishery Commission and they are awaitting approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to start the Bluefish Rock reef.

As far as the cobia go, I'll be renting a boat out of Fort Monroe and can only go 3 miles out...anyone have any good spots (preferably for cobia and floudner) that they recommend within this 3 mile range? I would appreciate GPS coordinates as I'll be taking a handheld GPS out with me. I've heard there are a few bouys within this area that might have some cobia hanging around. Would I have any luck using a big float with a small blue or croaker on it to try for the cobia, or do you recommend floating a live eel? Also, does anyone have any recommended place to buy a couple of bags of chum that are reasonably priced?

Thanks!

[quote=Brook,Aug 28 2007, 06:52 PM][quote=Getaway,Aug 28 2007, 07:07 PM]The reef on Bluefish Rock has not been constructed as of yet.  There is, however, a reef just north of the rock--Bank River Reef that holds a lot of nice fish.  If you go out of Back River, head out at about 65 degrees and look for the yellow reef marker buoy.  It is about a couple of miles out.

The cobia fishing is switching over to casting eels and/or small bait fish to the big ship buoys vs. stationary bottom fishing.  The cobia tend to lie in behind the buoy out of the current waiting for a meal to come along.

[/quote]


Is Blue Fish Rock by Fort Monroe

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North of it. Kind of off Salt Ponds.

Me and my dad used to rent those boats, its a bit further than 3 miles to back river reef, but if you're after flounder I've heard of keeper fish coming from the hampton bar and HRBT pillings this year, there is also some spots near Thimble Shoal Light that hold some really nice sized fish I am told, but have never fished there myself, all of those are within a short ride of Ft Monroe.

Good Luck

I slip my boat at Ft Monroe. For flounder you can fish the Hampton Bar. As you come out of the boat ramp with the Navy Test vessels on your left, turn right past the HRBT rocks. Fish between the rocks and the ammo dump which is about a mile upstream. We caught over a dozen keepers on Saturday. You can also catch striper, croaker, etc in this area.

If you turn left out of Monroe and head out into the bay toward Thimble Shoals Light you will see three yellow bouys known as three sisters. This is a good place for flounder.

Thimble Shoals Light area is also good for flounder, spade, and striper (schoolies).

Blue Fish Rock is N37 04.623 W76 13.182
Back River Reef is N37 08.176 W76.13.534

Good Luck

I will be out around the Hampton Bar tomorrow (Thursday), somewhere between the ammo. pier and the M & M tunnel. Give me a call on the radio.

"Getaway"

Let us know how the fishing went Getaway. I will usually putout real close to there.

Jack, Lucky Dawg

Do you think its possible to land a cobia from the 3 sister bouys? Should I use a kingrig or just free flot a bluefish or spot...or use a large float with a baitfish? Appreciate any advice from you PROS out there! This rookie would like to bring something home to the wife to eat so I can get more kitchen passes to go out next time! I guess if worse came to worse I could alway swing by the fish shop and bring some home...just tell the wife I caught it - ha!

The bait shop at Old Point Comfort Marina sells chum, and it is about as reasonable as I have found around Hampton. That's where I put my boat in, and I usually get my chum on the way.

walmart actually sells chum now. i always make my own so i dont know if its any good but its always an idea

Thanks for the information. I'm going out Thursday...can hardly wait. I hope the fishing is good and the nice weather continues.

I'll be down there tomorrow.

"Papio II" on the radio.