| If you're ever in the Tidewater Virginia area, you | | | | You don't have to worry about licenses, bait or |
| simply must take a way offshore fishing trip from | | | | even a rod and reel for that matter. At the |
| the Virginia Beach fishing Center at Rudee Inlet. | | | | Virginia Beach Fishing Center, they've got it all |
| They're located at 200 Winston Salem Ave. | | | | covered. All you need is about $120, some guts, a |
| (757-491-8000). Ask about Rudee Tours. You'll | | | | cooler for lunch, beer, or whatever you require, |
| find a full service marina which offers head boats, | | | | and it's on. Oh, and a few extra bucks for the |
| daily fishing charters, beach parking, and a full | | | | mates. They work hard for your tips. |
| service store. You can also find and book a | | | | These captains are safety first. They won't take |
| decent hotel close by. | | | | chances with your life to make a buck. I learned |
| These way offshore trips are different than | | | | this first hand when I booked a way offshore trip. |
| regular offshore trips. The most noticeable | | | | I paid the man, climbed aboard, and off into the |
| difference is the price, but when you see the size, | | | | cold dark and misty December morning we |
| and quality of your catch, you'll see it was money | | | | motored. About 1 hour into our 3-4 hour trek, the |
| well spent. These trips usually start in late winter, | | | | captain informed us that due to rough seas, |
| and continue through February (depending on | | | | (which we hadn't run into yet), we would be |
| what the captain says). | | | | returning to Rudee Inlet, where he would refund |
| The head boat fleet is the finest in Virginia Beach. | | | | our money, and take us out another day. Well, I |
| The targeted fish on this particular trip is the | | | | don't know about you, but given the choice, I |
| coveted Black Sea Bass, an excellent dining choice. | | | | choose the captain who doesn't wait until he's 55 |
| The meat is flaky and white. I like them fried, | | | | miles off the coast of Virginia Beach in rough seas |
| grilled, or stuffed with shrimp, crabmeat and | | | | to realize he's more than way offshore, he's in |
| baked. This popular bottom fish can be caught in | | | | way over his head. Frankly speaking, if it's rough |
| and around wrecks, and on rocky bottoms. Its | | | | seas, or bad weather ahead, and El Capitan |
| appearance is black with bluish green specks. You | | | | knows this? That's not the time to be profit |
| should handle these fish with care because of | | | | driven or ruled by the male ego. Lord knows I |
| their stiff dorsal fins. They can really hurt. They | | | | love fishing, but at the end of the day, I wanna |
| average 1-2 pounds, but the way offshore trips | | | | go hooooome! So, go book yourself a nice hotel, |
| will yield larger catches. I have caught fish in the 5 | | | | (because after one of these trips you won't feel |
| pound range. You'll work plenty hoisting them off | | | | like driving) and upon your return, shower, have |
| the bottom, but what fun you'll have doing it. (A | | | | dinner, check out the high energy night life, get |
| helpful hint) Don't wait until the boat stops to get | | | | good nights sleep and head home the next day. |
| your rigs tied, and hooks baited. When the captain | | | | You will have had a safe and adventurous fishing |
| says, "drop'em," make sure you're ready to do | | | | trip off the coast of Virginia Beach, with plenty to |
| just that, and you won't regret it, especially on | | | | show for it. |
| the first 2 or 3 stops. That's when you really | | | | Finally, check out the fish cleaning station to the |
| catch'em. Also, if you get hung in the wreck, just | | | | right as you disembark. For a nominal fee they'll |
| let out about 8-10 ft. of line, then start reeling it in | | | | clean your catch so all you have to do is put'em |
| like crazy. If that doesn't work, yell for the mate. | | | | on ice. Happy fishing! |