4th

Today we only had two private boats fishing today.  They said they were able to catch a few fish before getting tired and heading back in. The one boat was able to be back to the docks after being gone only for a little bit, having gotten their fill of fishing for the day.  Hopefully this crazy weather that is forecasted will change or miss us, to give us a good sunny weekend of fishing!  The fish are still out there, it is just a matter of getting rid of the snow showers now! 

With the weather being a little crazy lately, we have kicked it up into full gear planning and getting things together for the February 24th rally in Washington, D.C.  Each Day we are getting more and more calls concerning this and are excited to hear that the news is spreading!  We still have room available on board the bus from our Marina that is heading up to D.C. for the rally!  Make sure to call and get your name on the list! The bus will be leaving the Virginia Beach Fishing Center PROMPTLY at 7a.m. on February 24th and will be leaving Washington D.C. after the rally at 4:00p.m. to return to the marina around 8:00p.m. No stops will be made, and no drop off or pick up points can be accommodated. To all of those who are not familiar with what is going on concerning the rally, make sure to read the front page of our website, or call for more details! 

For a little more perspective on the fish that have been closed and ones that are at risk of closing, we decided to take this time to give some more details!!  These fish are specific to our area, but there are MANY fish that are being closed throughout the country!

Black Sea Bass: Along the U.S. Atlantic Coast from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Canaveral, FL into the Gulf of Mexico

This fish is a popular catch for us here at our marina by our head boats.  Our head boats go out fishing for this fish regularly through the year.  It is a fish that they catch both on their half day inshore trips, as well as deep drop trips.

This species is wide spread and if closed for the time period that is now being set forth it will affect a large population of fishermen both recreationally and commercially.

{Currently, these fish are closed.  Their season for 2010 will be June 1-30, 2010 and September 1-30, 2010. }

Summer Flounder:  The southern Gulf of Maine to Florida

This fish is a popular catch here by recreational and commercial fisherman.  It is an inshore fish that is caught by both head boats and charter boats as well as along the coast line and in Rudee Inlet.  It is one of the main fish caught by shore fishermen both in our inlet as well as along the coastline throughout Virginia.  There are current regulations in place for size of the fish and number.  The size for possession has increased over the years and is currently standing at a 19" minimum size limit and a 5 per person bag limit.

Amberjack:  Both inshore and offshore waters in the Mid-Atlantic to Florida and Gulf of Mexico.  It also is seen all the way down to parts of South America. 

Our charter boats fish for Amberjack and see them on both their inshore and offshore trips.  We saw tons of them this summer and they are a popular catch!

This fish has seen closures down in Florida already.  It is a fish that is becoming more popular to fish for locally and many enjoy the flavor the fish has to offer as well as the fight it puts up.  It is a fish that has been closed elsewhere and eventually may face closures locally.

(Other fish that have been closed include Red Snapper and Salmon.)

There are tons of fish that are at risk of closing and lots of them are ones many people enjoy going out catching and making a living off of off!  Many fish are not just a state specific fish, but a fish that if closed could affect entire fishing communities state wide and coast wide!  This rally is not about doing away with conservation, but making sure the conservation methods are done at a point in time that is fair and that there are precautions being made to help try and prevent closing entire species, but regulating them to ensure the continued fishing and livelihood of the fish.

Closing fish without legitimate reason or proof is the problem.  The problem is also closing fish without timely measures in place or previous actions to try and prevent the closures.  These closures don't just affect the fishermen, but the marinas, tackle suppliers, fuel companies, boat companies, mechanics, bait suppliers, restaurants, consumers, tourists and more.  We have numerous people who travel to our area for a night of two just to fish for certain species.  In that respect hotels and other businesses are affected by those customers not coming.  It is a chain effect that might hurt one more than the other, but needless to say, the problem will trickle all the way down and start to hurt everyone involved in the fishing community.

Fishermen, anglers, Captains, mates, boat owners, marina owners, etc want nothing more than to make sure that the proper regulations are in place. Afterall, this is their livelihood. Without the fish there for them to catch their income and business is in jeopardy. However, consistent and informed limitations should be put into place after research is completed to support the decisions and regulations.

Make sure to contact us with further questions, or to make a bus reservation.

757-491-8000

800-725-0509