Doesn't the bay season end 12/31?

Where is the ocean/bay line? Up in CT it's usually a bridge (like the CBBT).

I caught my first Chesapeake striper with my 6 year old son Friday night around 8pm at Lesner. They were ripping up the shadow lines, but they were small. Mine was only 16", but we got what we came for...

Bay season does end onthe 31st.

A good rule of thumb I use is east of a line from Cape Henry Light to Cape Charles Light for the ocean line.

Be careful with that "rule of thumb". What you are referring to is the COLREGS line of demarcation (designates where International vice Inland rules apply wrt "rules of the road") The fishing line you are looking for begins on the south end about 3/4 of a mile to the east of CH light and extends to the eastern edge of Fishermans Island on the northern end. Since I don't have a high end GPS w/chartplotter, I picked a point along that line and made a waypoint. The line runs 015/195T so I pull up that waypoint and if I am S of it I make sure it bears less than 015T and if I am N of the point, I ensure it bears more than 195T. Hope this helps. BTW, both lines are clearly marked on any chart. Please make sure you know the difference. If you don't, it can get expensive really fast.

--Brett

A GPS with a chart that shows the lines for the bay/ocean and the 3 mile line is real handy.

Here is a link to an online chart that shows the line.

Wes

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12221.shtml

On that chart, it shows a "red sector" around the cape henry light. I noticed this red light one evening coming back from the eastern shore. Does anyone know what the significance of the red is?

[quote=eportfolio,Dec 15 2007, 05:00 PM][quote=Wes,Dec 15 2007, 12:31 PM]Here is a link to an online chart that shows the line.

Wes

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12221.shtml

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On that chart, it shows a "red sector" around the cape henry light. I noticed this red light one evening coming back from the eastern shore. Does anyone know what the significance of the red is?

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The Red Sector on some Lighthouses indicates the danger sector if you continue navigating towards the light with only red showing. Don't put the Red Light "on your bow", you will be heading for shallow water.
Dave

I always go by - The ocean water is saltier !

So what happens if you fish out in the ocean and return through the bridge to kiptopeake? Are you going to get in trouble for different size fish?

You can transit the bay, but not stop and fish. I do not think you can even stop and tog fish.

Ct????

What part. I moved here 2 years ago from Colchester.

Here is the map directly from the VMRC page. I used to think it was Cape Henry Light to Cape Charles but it's not that, close but not exactly. If they just used those 2 landmarks as references, it would make it a lot easier. Now it gets a little tricky when you are around buoy 4a and your a long way from land but still 3 miles from the bay / coastal line. My navionics chip shows the lines so I always know where I am. If your chartplotter does not show the line, then make one yourself using waypoints. The "man" often patrols the line and will give tickets if you have striper in your box past 3 miles. After 31 Dec the bay is closed so you if you want catch and release, do that before you go into the coastal area. Once you have a fish in the box, you can transient the bay, just like mentioned, don't stop to fish, for any fish, just run home to clean your catch.

[quote=Knot Too Fast,Dec 15 2007, 07:08 AM][quote=Wes,Dec 15 2007, 08:41 AM]Bay season does end onthe 31st.

A good rule of thumb I use is east of a line from Cape Henry Light to Cape Charles Light for the ocean line.

[/quote]

Be careful with that "rule of thumb". What you are referring to is the COLREGS line of demarcation (designates where International vice Inland rules apply wrt "rules of the road") The fishing line you are looking for begins on the south end about 3/4 of a mile to the east of CH light and extends to the eastern edge of Fishermans Island on the northern end. Since I don't have a high end GPS w/chartplotter, I picked a point along that line and made a waypoint. The line runs 015/195T so I pull up that waypoint and if I am S of it I make sure it bears less than 015T and if I am N of the point, I ensure it bears more than 195T. Hope this helps. BTW, both lines are clearly marked on any chart. Please make sure you know the difference. If you don't, it can get expensive really fast.

--Brett

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This post is VERY good advice.
I noticed last year that the enforcement folks are losing their sense of humor on "rules of thumb" type navigation. This approach may earn you a visit from the orange RIB. We have had 3 such visits over the years -inspections only and no fines -but even running west of the line will sometimes get you stopped. Every fish box opened and inspected. --moral of story-don't guess and stay legal

Just because you are with the other boats does not mean your legal either. I ran down to Coralla a few years ago, saw boats and birds working, ran out to them, looked at the GPS and I was 4 miles out from shore, a mile past my red line on my GPS. I was the closest boat to shore. The coasties showed up real quick and everyone ran.

[quote=chefish,Dec 17 2007, 12:51 PM][quote=eportfolio,Dec 15 2007, 08:35 AM]Doesn't the bay season end 12/31?

Where is the ocean/bay line? Up in CT it's usually a bridge (like the CBBT).

I caught my first Chesapeake striper with my 6 year old son Friday night around 8pm at Lesner. They were ripping up the shadow lines, but they were small. Mine was only 16", but we got what we came for...

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Ct????

What part. I moved here 2 years ago from Colchester.

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I lived in Essex for 8 years. Then moved to Boston, then Salem, and am now in VB to stay... Used to go striper fishing with a buddy over off Plum island. Lots of fun!

For me the season ends when the fish stop biting and move on!