I live in Virginia Beach and usually launch my boat at Lynnhaven Inlet and fish the
CBBT. It seems to me that condtions might be calmer on the water at the HRBT
compared to the CBBT. Does anyone know?

Where is the best place to launch; I have a 20 ft center console? Is there a boat ramp that is open at night?

How is the Striper fishing at the HRBT compared to the CBBT?

The best place to launch is the free state ramp, just east of the HRBT. If you see it to your right as you come off the bridge heading toward Norfolk, you went to far. Take the first exit, and head down to the water that faces the Navy bases. The ramp is at the end of the road before you go under the overpass of 64.

I took my 230 WorldCat out there this evening with my wife and boy. We went to the ocean side of the bridge, the bay side, and trolled a bit over the tubes. Threw a variety of colors of bucktails, plus I drifted a very agitated eel into the pilings, and also on the bottom. One nibble, and that was it after four hours.

Bloody cold and windy, with 3-4' swells trying to push us into the bridge. We gave it our best shot, and called it about 7:45. Came back to our house in OV and had a cold one or two, some spicy jambalaya and turkey... and are going back out in the morning.

Ocean's East had some nice eels... very large and active.

We are going back out around 9 AM, and probably heading to the 3rd or 4th island, possibly the high rise if the water is cooperative..

I am on the Eureka, and listen to 68 most of the time. Give me a shout if you are out there.

Roger

The HRBT is great for small schoolie action. Launch at the Norfolk City Ramp in Willoughby. It is on 13th View.

http://www.norfolk.gov/rpos/BoatRamp.asp

As for fishing, I have fished the HRBT twice in the last two weeks and probably caught over 100 stripers. I go at night and fish the light line from the bridge lights. When the current is moving the action can be nonstop. Mostly 18" Schoolies with the occasional 20-22" fish. You also get the occasional blue and trout. Fun on light tackle. I use 10 lb power pro with a 12 lb mono leader to a 4" storm (chartreusse or pearl). I anchor my boat and cast up current, then I let the storm drift back with the current, then I SLOWLY retrieve it. The other night they would only hit when I was barely turning the reel, anything faster and they ignored it. Sometimes you have to wait for the bite to turn on but it will, have patience.

I look at this as my "preseason" until the big hawgs start to show off the oceanfront, Cape Henry area.