Once on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the best thing to do is nothing. Just relax and enjoy the laid back atmosphere and scenery. Kicking back and relaxing is the number one activity for all us “shore-birds. The number two activity is best accomplished with a fishing rod and reel. There are lots and lots of great fishing opportunities.
The best way to explore the fishing grounds along the Eastern Shore is in a boat. If you have your own, you’re in luck. Great, great spots are at the Bridge Tunnel itself, just a couple miles from the Cape Charles ramp. There is also a boat ramp behind the Wildlife Refuge just north of the Tunnel that is just a hop, skip and a jump to the High Rise at the tunnel. This is some of the best drum water in the world. Other hotspots include the Concrete Ships at Kiptopeke and The Cell to the north. All the buoys up and down the bay coast hold cobia. Along the tunnel itself, anglers catch sheepshead, tautogs, spadefish and stripers – plus all the bottom fish species. Some take their boats out of Oyster on the seaside and battle with big croakers, flounder, specks, puppies and, believe it or not, tarpon. In mid-summer, tuna are within a short ride to the gulf out of Oyster.
Those without boats have two great places to cast a rod – Kiptopeke and Cape Charles. Kiptopeke State Park has a massive pier with deep-water access. There is very good flounder fishing towards the shore, near the grass beds and some excellent opportunities for whiting, croaker and trout on the deep water side in the current.
Cape Charles also has a nice pier with all the normal species in range. Kiptopeke charges a small fee but the Cape Charles pier is free to the public.
Some anglers are now fishing from their kayaks in shallow water. There are still some nice sea grass on the Eastern Shore and those lush beds hold speckled trout and puppy drum. Big croakers also like to poke their snouts in the grass and among the old oyster beds as do striped bass. If you have a kayak, look for grass and there will be bait – and game fish – nearby.
Crabbing is also a popular activity on the Eastern Shore. Not much to it, really. Get a string and a chicken neck, a, crab net and a bucket and give it a try on a moving tide and odds are you’ll scoop up a few nice blue crabs. Clamming is another possibility.
Sightseeing and exploring the back country is also a most pleasant activity. Nancy and I did a lot of that last weekend. There is truly some beautiful country and lots of secluded spots on the bay and seaside to explore.
Most of the shopping can be done at Cape Charles or along the many establishments up and down Rt. 13, the main highway along the Eastern Shore. Chincoteague is a shoppers paradise if you make that trip. Also, the ocean is available for sun bathers and pony watchers at Assateague Island, but the cost is $20 to just ride over there. A little steep, I thought.
One of our favorite activities comes each evening around 8:30. Sunsets on the Eastern Shore. There are none finer and it doesn’t cost a dime.