MYy family and i are going to first landing state park in virgina at the Chesapeke Bay/Virgina Beach area for the 4th of july. I want to bring my fishing stuff with me, but i'm not sure what type of fishing stuff to bring or what i would be fishing for. I have light tackle and surf tackle. I only plan on fishing from shores becasue i will have no boat. We also want to try crabbing. I'm interested in any type of fishing, saltwater, or fresh. Any help/guidence would be greatly appreciated appreciated. What types of lures, lines, rods, bait, etc. should i have. I know i have to get a license to fish , and i found out how i can buy it online. Thanks in advance for your help

-Joe

If you are used to surf fishing then you already know what to bring: spinning rods to cast and retrieve metal for blues and bucktails for flounder. Bait sticks to throw bottom rigs for croaker, spot, and trout. A big casting rod with a fisfinder rig to tempt drum, cobia, shark, and unfortunately skates and rays. Baits include squid strips, cut menhaden, shrimp, clams, and artificials.
Lynnhaven pier is right around the corner if you go for that sort of fishing.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thank you for the reply beechtym. What is a fisfinder or fishfinder(sp?) Is it a weight or something? Or is it bait?

If you're in the Va beach area one of the best places to fish from the shore is at the end of the strip in Va Beach at Rudee Inlet. Light tackle will be great should be plenty of croaker, by then spot and flounder (even the occasional keeper 18.5"+) all on bottom rigs with squid or cut bait, add a minnow to that to tempt the flounder or if you can get one a 4" to 5" or bigger live spot on a fish finder rig for big boys. Good Luck hope you enjoy the area.

Keep His Head Up

p.s. fish finder rig is a slip sinker, basically its a snap for holding your sinker attached to a little hollow tube that you run your line through and then tie on a swivel, so you can let line out to your bait fish to swim and he doesn't have to pull on the sinker.

If you are fishing from shore use a bottom rig with about a 2 ounce weight on it with squid on each hook and you will catch a lot of croaker and even some flounder.

Thanks for the help guys

Great info guys.

Green there are a lot a very nice guys and gals on here that will help you out like they have already done for me. I’m up here in CT and will be down next week for my second year in a row. LOVE IT! Even going to look at some land.

I suggest you just take a few minutes and read a lot of post in this area of the forum. There is TONS of info here already. Search for a type of fish or a location and you’ll get plenty. I also suggest you search for and go to and support some local tackle shops in he area you’ll be visiting. They are always a huge help to their customers with the latest info.

Good luck fishing and I hope you have a great time.

Jay