I'm confused. While striper fishing today (Wed.) I heard over the radio that some boats were having success off Cape Henry but were told the ocean season doesn't begin until January 1. The VMRC website says the ocean season is from Jan. 1 to Mar. 31 and from May 16-Dec. 31. I seem to remember several years ago catching a lot of fish off VB in December. What gives? Is the ocean now off limits until January?

You answered your own question. Read the bolded part above. It's pretty much year round.

The January 1st part is when you HAVE to start fishing the ocean, the bay is closed (unless C&R).

I guess what confused me is the skipper who said over the radio that the ocean season doesn't begin until January is a well respected local charter boat captain who should know the rules. Maybe he was deliberately trying to deceive someone. NO. SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!

The season does begin on Jan 1st, but it ends on Dec 31st.

With a gap between march and May along with a trophy season stuck in there also. But that gap is like I said, in the spring and the only time its fully closed is april.

I heard that conversation I almost jumped in but I figured I behave myself today.

Thats why I keep a printed copy of the VMRC rec rules and regs onboard. You never know when you may need it. I also keep a copy of the citation regs. i never trust the radio. You can print a copy at

http://www.mrc.state.va.us/regulations/regcard2008.pdf

or pick one up at a local tackle shop.

Virginia Coastal Seasons ..................................................................January 1 through March 31 &
................................................................................
.......................................…May 16 through December 31
........................................Minimum Size Limit............................................... 28 inches
........................................Possession Limit.................................................... 2 per person

Note that there is a coastal trophy season from May 1 to May 15; the regulations summarized below for Virginia Trophy Seasons apply to the coastal trophy season.

Coastal regulations apply in Virginia's Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northhampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland) and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry). Click here for map of coastal boundary near the CBBT.

Virginia Trophy Seasons: Coastal Area (May 1-15); Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries (May 1 through June 15)

........................................Minimum Size Limit................................................32 inches
........................................Possession Limit.....................................................1 per person

Additional Trophy Season Regulations: Catch Report Required; no possession of 32" or greater striped bass in the Spawning Reaches May 1 through June 15. Trophy Season regulations apply in Virginia's Territorial Sea and the Chesapeake Bay and its Virginia tributary rivers, except for the tributary rivers emptying into the Potomac River (see note below for more information on Potomac River striper regulations).

Quick question: In January, If I put in at Lynnhaven Inlet and head out to the Ocean (within 3mi limit) to fish for striper, upon returning to boat ramp would I have any issues transporting striper through the bay back to Lynnhaven Inlet?

No as long as you don`t stop on your way in once you have stopped inside the bay

Like jimbob said, You can put in wherever you choose. Lynnhaven, littlecreek,wallaces etc. Just don't stop and fish for ANYTHING after you cross back over into the bay. If they come up to you and check you and you are fishing, you WILL get a ticket! I have heard some people say that they can argue the point that the fish were caught in legal waters, but I am sure that there is a few people on here that could tell you what happened to them when they tried it. Be safe... Don't Stop!