I'll be coming down to VA Beach this weekend with my bass boat, it's a 17'6" boat, it handles pretty well, a little rocky now and then tho. I've had it out on the lower potomac, the patuxent and the bay. How far would i be able to go offshore if at all? Which direction should i be looking for the wind to blow so i can have a nice ride? Also, since i'm new to fishing this area, where can i find a good site with fishing locations? Ex the cbbt locations to fish and reefs and such?

Thanks all!

Lee

I have seen guys Striper fishing in 2-3ft seas at Cape Henry in Dec in a Bass Boat.

I would think twice about going out in a bass boat in the ocean at all. Even if its a lake out there. If a navy sub comes by they produce 6ft vertical swell as wake. It is kind of dangerous for them to do that in the channel, but I stood my boat up on one of those last summer. A bass boat would probably flip. You also have T-Storms that can make things nasty in a hurry.

You would be better off staying in any of the inlets. But if you still want to go in the bay. The safest deal is to put in at the Oceanview ramp and fish the HRBT.

I was thinking about fishing the inlets, and fishing behind the surf on the beach side. I thought about going out to the CBBT and fishing there as well but i dont know what islands are better for each type of fish. What is the HRBT?

Thanks

Lee

Really good advice. I happened to be down at Rudee Inlet a couple of winters back when two guys came thru in a 16' bass boat. Huge breakers at the mouth of the inlet. The boat flipped bow over stern like it was nothing. Unfortunately one of the men didn't make it. Most of you probably heard about that I'm sure. I would like to erase that scene from memory. Be careful.......Richard

Don't do it, just don't do it, either in the ocean or the open waters of the bay. You might be OK in, say Back River on a slick calm day, but even then bigger boats will throw big wakes.

Hampton Roads Bridge tunnel. It is the part of I64 connecting Hampton and Norfolk.

The CBBT is 13 connecting VB to the Eastern shore.

Lynnhaven is a good inlet to fish, as is Rudee. You will need to ask someone else about fishing them, Im not the one to ask.

What about goin right out of the inlet and fishing behind the waves? I mean you guys are making it sound like it's so horrible?!?!?! I've been out in the bay with 2-3ft waves and it's not that bad on this boat. It's not comfortable but it's not bad. I'm thinkin about just anchoring up about 50 yards past the waves and fishin for shark and blues and such. That wouldn't be that bad would it?

Thanks!

Like I said people do it, I would just pay real good attention to the winds and weather. When I grew up my dad had a 16ft bow rider, we shrimped, fished all over Mobile bay which is much smaller, but got real rough at times. If I remember right we never took that boat into the Gulf.

Im not sure it's worth risking for a blue or shark. Whenever you see someone out there in a bass boat it just looks funny.

This is for the mouth of the bay.

http://www.wavy.com/Global/link.asp?L=41618

Well, you're question was asking about safe distances OFFSHORE. Which most people may consider say 15/20 miles on out to Gulfsream and beyond. So 50 yards or probably more would probably be O.K. Just as long as you could get back in if the weather threatens. Also sometimes if the tide changes on you, the wind direction coming back in Rudee can make some pretty steep swells. Fishing inside Lynnhaven or Rudee can be productive,safe, and fun. Enjoy your visit.

All of you have been a big help thanks! Where would a good spot to catch some sharks be around there? I've fished up in ocean city and caught quite a bit just behind the breakers using bunker or mullet. I might try using some live spot to get them and maybe a blue or two.

I personally wouldn't take a Bass Boat. I'm sure its a great boat, but not built for the conditions of the Bay and Ocean. Storms, fog, wind changes...etc. can make for a long day if you're caught out. Wouldn't go far if I were you. Not worth it to me. Good luck!

Bandit

People take bass boats, pontoon boats, skiffs, ect miles out in the ocean and bay every single day. If your bass boat is like most you have no VHF radio but you do have a 200 H.P. engine that will push you at 60 mph. Only you know your boat and boat handling ability. If it you see a dark sky or the wind starts to kick up you can run back in the inlet if you are close. If you have to ask how far you can go out it is probably not very far. As far as you wind question…… The farther the wind blows over water the rougher it is so it depends on rather you are in bay or ocean but essentially an easterly wind is going to make it rough and any strong wind will make it rough.

I also own a 17ft bass boat. I fish inside Rudee inlet all the time but have never ventured outside as I only have a 9.9 (80% of all my fishing is bassin' on hp restricted lakes). There have been some dead slick calm mornings where it was tempting, but I'm so slow (10mph tops) I could never outrun a sudden squal, or a fast moving fog. My best friend goes outside all the time in a 16ft V-bottom w/25hp motor targeting spanish mackeral and kings. Naturally he picks his days and the breakers on the beach never come into play as you are easily 100yds offshore upon exiting the inlet. Targeting sharks? No clue. There are some bouys within a half mile from Rudee entrance and another pair about 3-4 miles (?) out. I'm sure you have been in some rough conditions and have no problem with it (in fact, on TV I've seen some footage of some BASS tornament anglers in some insane stuff), but as Eric (peejcj8) alluded to, the HRBT is a great starter spot.

BTW I would check the local regs on chumming (I assume you do that to target sharks). I know it is not allowed inside Rudee. The man is always out there checking boats for licences and safty gear at the HRBT.

Hope you have some great luck.

Mike

I wouldnt even consider taking a bassboat outside the inlet.... your asking for trouble.

I cant stress enough how foolish a move that is. All its gonna take is 1 wave, and your done with.......

6ft my a$$ them waves were like 8-10ft!!!! i was with him last year, out of no where 2 - 8ft vertical waves. scared the @#$@ out of me and im pretty sure all of us.

Yeah

I was on edge also. I will never take on a sub wake like that again, I tried to pass ahead of him but he was moving too fast, next time Ill run down wake even if I have to turn and run away for a few miles.

The bow of the boat, when it came off the second wave, went completly underwater. It was crazy.

yeah. i remember george saying "oh @#$@#, im sitting down for this one!!

thats not cool at all.

This is a Question that has been asked alot lately.It depends on the level of experience of the Captain,the hull type and the predicted sea state.You need to watch the weather and become comfortable with the boat for a while.I wouldnt go out of the bay or not too far out of Rudee with an 18 foot boat.If you stay with in a few miles you can make it back if the wind kicks up.On a calm day you could run the CB line but dont stay out if the wind starts picking up.Rember that it takes a 13 MPH wind gust to create as white cap and an 11 MPH gust to blow sand on the beach if you see either one happening stay home.Areas where deep water meets a shoal like Lattimar shoals or the 9 foot shoals can get ugly fast in a thunder storm.A 19 foot Seacraft is able to go alot more places than an 18 foot carolina Skiff two totally different hulls.Usually the deeper V the hull the better they can handle a head sea.The wider Flat bottom Carolina Skiff is a stable platform in a canal or the flats but will beat the snot out of you out in the bay in 3 to 4 footers,

just pick your days i was off capehenry yesterday in my 14 carolina skiff, it does have a 30hp on it though, i live on the lynnhaven and fish this boat mostly in the river but will run to the tunnel no problem on nice days, experience and confidance in yourself and the boat also as previously mentioned, also common sense is the most important one if you think its too rough, it probably is, stay inside.........

Three weeks I ran 30 miles out of Oregon Inlet in my 18 ft. Angler Center Console , which I have done several times before in the summer months .If I plan to go beyond the inlet I check all inshore,offshore,and inlet current prediction reports . I also double check both bilge pumps , both VHF radios , and all other safety equipment . If winds are over 15 kt or seas are more than 3 ft. then I wont go. My two cents worth anyway.