Chesapeake bay croakers in July????

General Fishing Discussion
1

My father has always wanted to catch the croakers up there, he is 73 now and I have talked him into letting me take him up there over the July 4 weekend.

Anyone willing to help me out on locations, places to stay, places to eat and any other helpful info??

Thanks

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2

Oceans East on Northampton Blvd. or Princess Anne Distributers will be able to supply you with all the intel you need. Also, check out www.tidalfish.com. Google Julie Ball and Jet Ski Brian for their fishing reports. Plenty of lodging on Northampton Blvd. or Shore Dr. Chick’s, Surf Rider, Croakers, Citrus (breakfast & lunch) and Uncle Al’s Hot Dogs is all you need to know about dining. Should be able to catch all you want in the Lynnhaven River or Chesapeake Bay small boat channel on squid. PM if you have more questions. I called that area home for 20 years.

“Temptation may lean on the doorbell… opportunity may only knock once”

3

Thanks springtide!!

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4

i went on a head boat out of Rudee Inlet and caught a sack full of nice onces. been awhile

5

If you go out of Rudee Inlet make sure your on one of Capt. Skip Feller’s boats. I’d also find out where they are fishing. If they are running to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge I’d hop a boat out of Lynnhaven Inlet as it is way close to the bridge. Less ride more fishing time.

“Temptation may lean on the doorbell… opportunity may only knock once”

6

Thanks for the additional info, I will be taking my own boat though.

Any.boat friendly motels??

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7

Back when we used to do it we would stay at the Peacock Inn or the Rittenhouse Inn. Our fishing was either in the bay or the soundside. For bay fishing we would put in at the big public ramp in Cape Charles. Fishing the soundside was done out of Oyster, east of Cheriton.

We usually fished the bay side on larger boats although many of our friends fished it with their skiffs…staying closer to shore. The biggest flounder I’ve ever seen came from out in the bay. A guy fishing with us pulled one in that had to be 30"…can’t remember exactly, but I do recall it being very impressive (and it not fitting in the net we had at the time).

When carrying a smaller boat, like my Jones Brothers CF 1910LT, we found it plenty enjoyable in the sound just outside of Oyster. Drifting the channel between two marsh islands yielded a ton of fish. Calm, protected, and more shallow water, I favored it over the bay.

Regardless where you fish…it’s fun pulling those suckers up 2-3 at a time. The big ones look like small puppy drum.

Oh…and the fish fry afterwards is EXCELLENT!!!

8

Oh…I seem to remember squid being the bait of choice.