Hampton Monsters

by Kimberly Koelsch

Are there really “monsters” swimming under boats off Hampton? Anglers believe this to be true, and dramatic stories of “monsters” in the Chesapeake Bay are recalled every fishing season. On June 10, 2006, Joseph Berberich II of Hayes, VA saw one of those monsters first-hand. What is all the excitement about? While anchored at York Spit on his boat Sea Berb, Berberich, his wife Jennifer, and friends John Johnson and Derek Kenyon chummed the waters with Atlantic menhaden to see what they could attract. After a twenty minute struggle, the anglers had their answer to what was on the end of the fishing line. A “monster” cobia had taken the bait and the team helped Berberich boat the 109 lb. behemoth. Berberich not only won the Hampton Creek Cobia Tournament that year but also set the new Virginia record at 69.5 inches in length and 33.25 inches in girth.

This sort of story is what brings repeat visitors and locals to Hampton each year in search of their own “trophy” fish. As local fishermen and regular visitors know, Hampton offers more than just cobia to anglers. Many other species here are “super-sized” and waiting for the angler with the right combination of bait and patience mixed with a bit of good luck.

The waters off Hampton (the Bay, Hampton River, Back River, James River, and smaller tributaries) provide distinct recreational opportunities to residents and weekend tourists. Locals in Hampton want visitors to know what they have known for years – that Hampton has excellent off-shore as well as inland fishing. In deep waters, novice and professional fishermen can attempt to land deep water fish such as wahoo, amberjack, mackerel, tuna, dolphin, bluefish and marlin. For spots closer to shore, anglers can put their lines in the water at any of Hampton’s rivers, beaches, and piers. Whether trolling, casting, jigging, or baiting, Hampton is an angler’s paradise.

Quick access to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay is another reason why anglers choose Hampton. Jud Black, Vice President at Bluewater Yachts on the Hampton River, knows why Hampton is so popular with fishermen, “We are just minutes from the Bay but have the safety of a deep and protected harbor.” Adjacent to the Hampton City Boat Ramp, Bluewater Yachts has been a Hampton tradition for over 30 years. A state of the art facility was completed in 2002 and is just minutes from downtown Hampton and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Although most visitors consider summer to be the most favorable time for fishing, locals and experienced anglers wait each year for the “hot” fall and winter fishing seasons. Fall fishing season brings abundant flounder, stripers, gray trout, bluefish, king mackerel, sea bass, tautog, and speckled trout to the Bay’s waters. Fall is also known as a great tournament season for anglers.

Winter fishing season in Hampton brings more “big” stripers, tautog, and mackerel. Even though it is cold out there on the water, there are still big fish to be caught. Extending the fishing season into winter is what excites local boat captains like Bob Simelaro of Black Magic Sport Fishing. He has been running charters for seven years from the Old Point Comfort Marina in Fort Monroe. As a retired Army officer, Bob chose Hampton as the location for his business. He explains, “Unlike most areas up north, fishing season in Hampton Roads is continuous and extraordinary. There is a different catch for every time of the year.” The Bay’s abundance of fish and Hampton’s superb location are the keys to his charter boating success.

In spring, tautog season continues and flounder fishing takes off. Species return in May to Bay waters such as black drum, bluefish, flounder, gray trout, red drum, sea bass, and speckled trout. Although the season starts out slow, it ends with an explosion of fish for any level of angler to enjoy.

By summer, anglers find as many as 20 species peaking in the Bay. Summer highlights include outstanding cobia fishing and off shore wreck fishing for spadefish and sheepshead. Dandy Haven Marina on the Back River has been operated and owned by the Gurkin family for over 40 years. This popular base for cobia fishing is one of the best on the East Coast. Because of the quality and quantity of cobia during summer months, two local fishermen created the Hampton Creek Cobia Tournament in 1995.

With its beginnings as a small event started by Jimmy Rodgers and the late Bernie Gregory, this tournament has expanded to over twenty sponsors. A favorite with regional anglers, the one day tournament culminates with a cookout for participants. Proceeds of the tournament are donated to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. Anglers participating in the tournament also assist the cobia species by allowing a sampling team from Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to examine their cobia catch and collect vital information on the species. These tournament fishermen enjoy a day of competitive fishing for “monster” cobia while helping others and their favorite species to flourish.

The best year round fishing spot in the area is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel which acts as a large artificial reef. Anglers come from every city in the region to fish the Bridge span with its 17.6 miles of pilings, rocks, and channels. These conditions are perfect for inshore fishing and fly fishing. Other inshore reefs in the Bay also provide top notch access to quite a large variety of fish including spot, croaker, and bluefish. All of these locations are just a quick jaunt from Hampton’s waterfront.

At any time of the year, Hampton’s downtown area invites boaters to enjoy its hospitality and exceptional location at the end of their long day of fishing. Anchoring east of the channel on the Hampton River close to the public piers provides access to amenities designed especially for boating guests. The channel at this location is 150 feet wide and 12 feet deep at low tide. Boat haul-out facilities at marinas and boat yards on the river are capable of servicing any size yacht.

Tourists and anglers come each year to enjoy Hampton’s unique combination of outdoor recreation opportunities, historic sites, science and technology centers, museums, waterfront dining, eclectic shopping and vibrant downtown festivals. Hampton is rich in history providing visitors with a multitude of options for excursions around town when not on the water.

Other short excursions that deserve investigating in and around Hampton include Buckroe Beach, Fort Wool, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Grandview Beach, and the quaint town of Phoebus. Each is just a brief drive and definitely worth the trip.

Whatever your passion or favorite fishing season whether it’s science, history, boating, or fishing for “monster” cobia, Hampton has a wide selection of excursions for making memorable adventures.