Great Day Fishing at the CBBT

It was something about this Saturday I had a good feeling about the day before. As some of you may have seen in my last few reports, I've been getting skunked pretty bad. Well, my luck finally changed! Departed Crab Creek at Lynnhaven Inlet right at 0650 to great conditions on the water. I headed towards 4th island in search of any schooling red drum but didn't see any. It was CROWDED on 4th island. With the tide change in full swing, It wasn't prime time for Sheeps fishing yet so I ran some buoys in search of Cobia with no takers.

I had plenty of fiddlers with me, but this time I had a lot of them die on me, nearly 80% of them, which is unusual. I'm pretty sure it was my fault though, something in my cooler I believe was smashing into them and I had no idea. I decided to fish over the tubes first, trying different depths in search of a Sheepshead. On the bottom something stole my bait, then again, and again. The fish were even taking dead fiddlers at this point. I had hooked into one but the made it for the rocks and cut me off. I was then able to hook up again and horse the fish up of the structure. I thought I had a Sheeps, but I was still excited as I saw this tog come to to the ski. First tog I've ever caught! He was barely legal to keep, so I put him back.

13 1/2 inch Tog






At this point I was out of fiddlers. Still wanting to Sheepshead fish, I called Long Bait and Tackle to see if they had any, because I'd be easy just to moor to their dock to snag some. They said they didn't have any, but I still made a pit stop to get something to eat and some clams.


I departed again and while fishing for Spades, I bumped into Kayak Anglers Justin Mayer and Rob Choi and chatted with them for awhile. I was told my presence brought the Spadefish bite back, the Spades were right under the ski. Now I understand why people enjoy catching these fish so much! It took me awhile to hook into one, but once I head my rod flew to the other end of the ski and was BENT, constantly tapping the ski at the as the Spade made several powerful runs.

First spade caught on rod and reel.




Not long after, I returned back to Lynnhaven Inlet around 6pm. Didn't get that Sheeps but I felt if I had more fiddlers I probably would have. I was on a roll, had a couple "firsts." It was a great day to be out fishing, and I was glad to had bumped into some fellow anglers to talk about what we love doing most.

Cape Henry, Oceanfront, Lynnhaven Inlet on 8/6/10

Last week I was able to go on a fishing boat with another guy who's in the Navy (so close to getting Cobia!), but it'd been about two weeks since I took the Sea-Doo out and I wanted to take it out. Wasn't sure about the weather, but I figured it was worth a shot and after departing from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp it didn't look as bad as predicted.

Not that I had given up sheepshead fishing (5 outings so far, no sheeps), but the weather was too rough to stay near pilings, so I didn't even set myself up for targetting them. Instead I cruised over to Cape Henry and the VB Oceanfront area. I've had great sucesss twice in the past, but there weren't as many schools of Spanish and Blues when I was out there, plus I stepped up my lure size in hopes of a larger one. Looked like everything was real small.

But, I did see a Spanish jump up about 6 feet high right next to the jet ski, It was almost within arm reach haha. After awhile,  on the way back towards Lynnhaven Inlet I saw some Dolphins, and took some clips and photos. They got very close to the ski just like last time, but there were many more out there this time around.

Once I got back to Lynnhaven Inlet, decided to try for the some Specs. This is something that I've never done before. I thought Spec trout fishing started later on in the year, but after reading two reports saying people were having lots of luck in Lynnhaven, I'd figure it'd be worth a shot since it was still calm in the inlet. I set myself up with a jig head on a gulp 3' swimming mullet, and began to work the jig near docks and grassy areas. Figured I was doing something wrong just by being out there. Didn't see any kayaks or anyone fishing at all as I made my way further back into the inlet.

No fish but it was a nice ride, saw a lot of nature. Figured the weather would improve fishing but I guess not. I'll be underway for a week or so with the Navy but look forward to some more fishing when I get back!