How do you get to the hot ditch via boat? I know its on the Elizabeth about where 64 crosses it, I think, right, so I have heard anyways. Other than that, what boat ramp should I use, any spots I need to watch out for, i.e., being shallow, etc. I want to go get some specks, and according to the map, its real skinny river, or area where 64 crosses it, and also 1-3 feet deep.

Thanks!
Johnny

The hot ditch is just off the intercoastal waterway. If you launch at Great bridge Locks Park, it is just north a couple of miles. Their are all kind of big boats that use the river everyday.

The main river and the inter-coastal waterway are plenty deep for any size boat. The side inlet that runs to the hot ditch out of the power plant is not very deep.
If you go slow you should be ok in your boat. Plenty of good fishing also in the cove off the inter-coastal waterway.

good luck lets is know how you did
David

there is also a nice public ramp buy the Jordan bridge in south Norfolk

go south ( left) about 3 miles in the main river to you see the high rise

gb 4 miles jordan 4.5 mi

I am more than likely going to ask someone on the board if they would like to go anyhow, I just sort of wanted to know for my own purposes. It will probably be within the next two weeks.

Thanks.
John

I believe Justin has gone several times with Jimbob. Just remember to bring extra Anchors.
Todd

There is a boat ramp in the boat yard just South of the 64 bridge. 2 minute run from hot ditch. Chesapeake yachts. Just mapquest that area and you can determine the route by road.

Is anybody eating fish out of the Hot Ditch. A recent VP article showed that anything south of Craney Island on the Elizabeth river is highly polluted?



Anthony

By those same reports the bay and all its tributaries are polluted so eat what you want they taste fine to me I only have the shakes twice a day.

Is this a public ramp with a charge? I looked it up on google earth, but it looks like a single ramp, maybe for just the yacht company, don't know?

Public ramp with charge

How much is charge?

$10 to launch $5 to just park a truck without launching. The ramp is okay put is a pain with current and wind cause there in no dock on the sides of the ramp its only a 10min run from great bridge besides there aint any fish in they ditch anyway.

Justin no giving out secrets

Dont worry Jim, I told him I caught my specks in the lake behind my house.

That's good because I thought you guys were lying again about actually catching fish in the mythological place commonly referred to as "the hot ditch".

--Brett

You can find it and a slight explanation on google earth, "hot ditch virginia"

Now brett you know that I wouldn`t do that

Not you

It seems like the specks have slowed down lately or is it just my lousy fishing abilities ? Seems like last year I was catching more pups than specks in feb. but with this crazy weather ???

I dont think there are any fish there until July

Hey John,

I use to run up there with my little Whaler. The free ramp at the Great Bridge Lock's is pretty convenient and no real traffic this time of year. Plenty of parking room and plenty of deep water. Only takes about 15 minutes to make the run by water. I know the commercial ramp is right there and see alot of jet skiiers using it in the summer but do not have any personal experiences to speak of with it. If you need any additional info or directions, give me a call

No, I think the southen Elizabeth is considered especially vile. Also, you can imagine what the power plant dumps into the Hot Ditch other than hot water.

Ive fished the hot ditch twice.We put in at Chesapeake Yacht, its $5 to park, $5 to launch a boat. Hot ditch is like 60-70* water, with the cove being like... 48* or so. Plenty deep, most of the water in the area is 10-18 ft deep. Live mullet on bobbers, mirrolures, and trolling fake shad kinda slow seems to do ok. Water flow through there is pretty strong, so i dont think you have to worry much about toxic fish, ive ate one, and havent turned green. That warm water discharge is pretty neat. Have fun.

Robert

Herer we go the plant only uses the river for a condenceing loop so the water never touches anything but pipes anyway it is a coal burning plant anyway no chemicals. The one in surry is the nuke plant and that water is more regulated than your tap water

Brett I don`t have lie about not being able to catch fish that is a known fact

I would never fish the Hot Ditch.. It's haunted by SPOOKS !!!!!! And it's a known fact that big foot lives there. Stay Away !!!

Jeff you are not right.

Not to mention the Luck Less monster. I've seen some mighty strange things on that river... makes me spine go all ashiver...
STAY AWAY! No good can come of it...

[quote name='jimbob' date='Feb 13 2008, 07:38 AM' post='78762']
I eat Puppy Drum, Stripers, Speckled Trout, and Bluefish from the Ditch, worked there 7 years ago, still kicking. I say enjoy.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A BOAT YOU CAN FISH THE HOTDITCH FROM THE BANK RIGHT BEHIND THE POWER PLANT.
THE TUBES ARE CONSTANTLY PUSHING HOT WATER THROUGH AND THE FISH ARE HEAVY IN THERE. NICE PUPPY DRUM IN THE 24IN RANGE I'VE CAUGHT SOME SPECKS BUT MOSTLY SMALL. I DID SEE A COUPLE MID 20'S CAUGHT FRI NIGHT.

Yes you can also get a trespassing ticket also

That's how I understand it. If you know someone that works at the plant, thay can take you back there. If Jimbob and I are wrong on this, someone please speak up. I would prefer facts on this (not "I have been back there before and never had anything said to me"...you just didn't get caught.)

--Brett

Went and talked to them about a 4 weeks ago if you know someone that works there they have to be with you or you have to have there pass with a copy of there badge and written permission

hahaha...the good ol hot ditch. its funny at least once a year the discussion comes up about it....the river is very polluted, fish are mutated. me and jimmy caught a 8lb spec with two tails a month ago. it was funny. if you do catch fish and eat it make sure you take 1oz of penicillin for every 8 oz of fish you eat.

LOL, im still alive

actually u have to have worked for va power to fish leagally above the pipe in the hot ditch, and now they have hired a marine rescources guy to check if you have a permit to fish there