The Virginia Beach Fishing Center is the hub of the Rudee Inlet scene. It sells tackle, food and clothing, takes charter reservations and operates two marinas on either side of the Rudee Inlet Bridge. The one outside the bridge “has no height restrictions, so the biggest boats can get in,” says Crowling, who has been working at the fishing center for 17 years. Virginia Beach is a good stopping point for boats heading from Florida to the northeast for the summer, he adds, “so we get a tremendous amount of transient traffic.” Owners of big boats especially like this way station because of its easy access. “We’re right off the ocean—easy to get in and easy to get out. Most boaters will rent a slip, get hooked up to water and electricity, fuel up, and then leave at daylight.”
Crowling says that the recession has pinched the offshore business the last couple of years, “but half-day inshore trips actually have increased because they are more affordable. We’re seeing charters pick up some this year over last. People have readjusted.” And, he adds, “We don’t have many weather cancellations, because we don’t get much wind. We’ve got some boats that will run every day for 35 or 40 days.”
No charter captain could complain about that. Romeo says that one year to the day after he landed the record blue marlin, another client hooked one that was even larger—but “he took all my line and got away.” The biggest ones always do, leaving the fishermen with only the story.
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Tangier
Posted by Ailsa Long September 10, 2010 15:06:41