Hey all,

I just got bit by the saltwater bug about a week ago. I'm a long time catfisherman, and have boated some huge blues in the Chickahominy and James River, but after reading about cobia and drum...man I'm ready to leave work NOW!

Anyway, my questions is I fish out of an 18' Larson with a 90HP Evinrude that is fairly stable. I had it out at the HRBT this past weekend, and it was surprisingly nice. The boat rocks good, but it was still pretty stable. How do think she would do at the CBBT? I hear it can get really nasty out there, but those cobia and drum are callin' my name. I'm putting a bilge pump in this weekend since the boat doesn't have one, but other than that, is there anything else I should worry about. The boat is very old, but the hull is still structurally sound and motor is dependable. I have a depth finder, but no marine radio, etc.

Thanks,
Terry

pick your days, pay the toll for the cbbt and use the ramp on the eastern shore, go ahead and get a vhf, take your cell phone. no matter how calm it is when you put in and head up to the 9 foot shoal or the 3rd and 4th, it's going to get sloppy on you some day, youre going to have to grit your teeth and hope your boat can take it.

now your biggest worries are saltwater on your boat, if you have a trolling motor or other electrical stuff made for fresh water, its prolly going to get messed up.

Thanks for the info. The salt doesn't bother me. The guy who originally owned the boat fished all over the York River, so it's no stranger to saltwater.

Thats like a fish and ski Right?

Ive seen guys out there fishing in 14ft john boats, ive seen people in bass boats off cape henry on 5ft days. Shoot, people kayak out there.

Ive been out there in flat bottomed skiffs on 4ft days, just got very wet.

I would just pay close attention to the weather. On flat days every sort of boat is on the water.

I believe we dove off a boat similar to yours at CLT, the weather changed on us and it was a long ride home.

if you are looking to go after drum, pay the toll and head over to the eastern shore. I wouldnt want to get caught out there if the weather changes in a boat not built to handle it. Ive seen some people do so pretty stupid stuff in undersized boats out there. I would stick to the 9 foot shoal and the inner side of the bridge, the outer shoals might be a little much. just pick your days, 1-2 foot days would be alright.

That's exactly what it is. I'm gonna keep an eye on the weather and hopefully in the next couple weeks I can get a trip out there.