Anyone done BTB on AI?

[sega]

I think I'm gonna aim for a 4 day trip to AI here in August. How's the surf down there this time of year? I've been checking the reports and its fluctuating between 1-2'-3-4' waves this week. 3-4 is okay if I'm paddling baits out, but I wouldn't try to break through waves like that if my kayak had all my gear on it. Not after what happened to me in the OBX last year . I'd hate to drag the kayak all the way down there in my Taco's tiny bed only to find id be shore bound the whole time. Thanks fellers.

[Slobber Bob]

What is BTB?

The surf all depends on the wind and weather. Just keep checking the NOAA marine forecast before you go. Like you said, one day it can 2' and the next an offshore storm has swells coming in that are 6'+. It changes everyday, but a typical day of light winds and no storms will usually be 2-3'.

OC Surf Webcams will give an idea too.

The beach just opened back up to the state line if you have an OSV pass. Mosquitoes are HORRIBLE after dark if you're there on any wind with west in it.

Even if you can't paddle baits out you can still catch plenty of big sharks casting baits. They'll get very close!

[JAR]

BTB = Beyond The Breakers

[chimo]

I've launched in the surf off AI but it all just depends on the day. I'd still bring the yak regardless, if the surfs to rough just pop over to the intercoastal or head up to the inlet.

[Slobber Bob]

BTB = Beyond The Breakers

Ahhh... I never would have figured that one out.

[buzz]

I've launched in the surf off AI but it all just depends on the day. I'd still bring the yak regardless, if the surfs to rough just pop over to the intercoastal or head up to the inlet.

FYI, at that latitude the Intracoastal Waterway runs up the Chesapeake Bay. I'm guessing you're talking about the Chincoteague Bay. A friend of mine who just got back says he was catching croaker and flounder in the northern end known as the Sinepuxent Bay near the mussel beds although he said there were a lot of recreational boaters there too.

[rob-kayak]

Assateague breaks differently than Ocean City... it's known for waves breaking further out. That is most likely you are going to have to paddle further to get "outside" . Generally you will have an inside zone, and an outside zone of waves breaking. Genereally surfers will surf there on a low tide... because at a high(er) tides the waves washout and don't break. Which means high tides is best for trying to paddle out (fewer breaking waves... just 'rollers'). A good idea, would be to sit up on the dune, and study where the waves are breaking and look for rips. Rips occuring in channels where it's deeper and less likely to have breaking waves. Also the rip will get you "outside" faster. Good surfers know where the waves break, either by studying the area or just local knowledge. Although, shifting sandbars occur daily... changing where the waves break.
Watch out for what surfers call "sneaker" swells... or sets that come through unexpectantly larger than the average of the day.
If you paddle out in higher tide with ease (at Assateague) when the tide drops expect the waves to break more fiercy at low tide.... where they didn't break when you paddled out.

I don't know you experience in the ocean... so I kind of gave you the beginners synopsis... and well... I've surfed for 40 years and know Assategue well, at least as far as the surf is concerned.

There are lots of surf reports available... but just like our vigilance of wind conditions for kayak fishing... it always changes the further in time the projection.
My favorite :-) .. I mean the one I have provided for a very long time (close to 20 years) is

http://atlanticbreezes.com/surfing you'll see just about everything on there including hurricane maps and reports.

I think you are a little familiar with the area... so the bayside as mentioned would provide options, and maybe even better fishing.
There are a number of bayside launches close to many of the campsites.

I think you would kick yourself in the pants when you get down there and didn't have your kayak.
Goodness... I never leave home without it !

Also.. you didn't mention if you would be at the State Park or the southern end National Park.

I always tell people to stock up on supplies at the Food Lion on Rt 611 just off Rt 50,
before you get to the Park. The trip from camp, back to the grocery store, tends to be a lot longer than
you might imagine, especially as the Park road can be congested and slow.

One last note. I believe the fees for the park have gone up from $15 to $20 (weekly)... or similar across the board.

Here's a couple of pics of my old truck from about 16 years ago on the beach head.

[sega]

Assateague breaks differently than Ocean City... it's known for waves breaking further out. That is most likely you are going to have to paddle further to get "outside" . Generally you will have an inside zone, and an outside zone of waves breaking. Genereally surfers will surf there on a low tide... because at a high(er) tides the waves washout and don't break. Which means high tides is best for trying to paddle out (fewer breaking waves... just 'rollers'). A good idea, would be to sit up on the dune, and study where the waves are breaking and look for rips. Rips occuring in channels where it's deeper and less likely to have breaking waves. Also the rip will get you "outside" faster. Good surfers know where the waves break, either by studying the area or just local knowledge. Although, shifting sandbars occur daily... changing where the waves break.
Watch out for what surfers call "sneaker" swells... or sets that come through unexpectantly larger than the average of the day.
If you paddle out in higher tide with ease (at Assateague) when the tide drops expect the waves to break more fiercy at low tide.... where they didn't break when you paddled out.

I don't know you experience in the ocean... so I kind of gave you the beginners synopsis... and well... I've surfed for 40 years and know Assategue well, at least as far as the surf is concerned.

There are lots of surf reports available... but just like our vigilance of wind conditions for kayak fishing... it always changes the further in time the projection.
My favorite :-) .. I mean the one I have provided for a very long time (close to 20 years) is

http://atlanticbreezes.com/surfing you'll see just about everything on there including hurricane maps and reports.

I think you are a little familiar with the area... so the bayside as mentioned would provide options, and maybe even better fishing.
There are a number of bayside launches close to many of the campsites.

I think you would kick yourself in the pants when you get down there and didn't have your kayak.
Goodness... I never leave home without it !

Also.. you didn't mention if you would be at the State Park or the southern end National Park.

I always tell people to stock up on supplies at the Food Lion on Rt 611 just off Rt 50,
before you get to the Park. The trip from camp, back to the grocery store, tends to be a lot longer than
you might imagine, especially as the Park road can be congested and slow.

One last note. I believe the fees for the park have gone up from $15 to $20 (weekly)... or similar across the board.

Here's a couple of pics of my old truck from about 16 years ago on the beach head.

Thank you! Lots of good info there. Curiously enough I checked both the state and national park and neither have ANY vacant camp sites for like the next 3 weeks. I was blown away. I'm trying to figure out an alternative to staying down there as I want to keep it cheap. If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears. I'm to the point where my best bet is to get a cheap hotel. From what I've gathered I'm definitely bringing the kayak if I have the room. If I don't have the room I'm not gonna fret as I'm sure the Sharks will give me plenty of entertainment from the beach. Reports are saying they've been spotting big hammerheads cruising right past the breakers frequently :-)

[kuljc]

the camp sites get booked QUICK in AI. Probably bc OC is WAY overpriced. But I'm hoping somebody else replies with a good campsite near OC besides assateague.

I usually end up going to CHSP in DE.

[buzz]

Back in my young shoe string budget days we used to stay at Frontier Town. About half way between 50 and the Verrazano bridge. They have water access with boat ramps too. Drops you in the Sinepuxent Bay 2.8 miles north of the bridge. Not sure what they charge but probably a lot more than AI.

[crbshooter]

I hit Frontier Town every year. The primitive sites are an easy walk to the boat launch, but you will want to pack a cart because it's about a quarter mile. It is paved except when you get to the launch area, then it's gravel. This time of year if the water temps are up, the back side of Assateague may hold some puppy drum and speckled trout. All reports have said this is a banner year for flounder in the whole area.

Sent from my Galaxy S6 Active using Tapatalk

[sega]

I got lucky and picked up a camp site someone cancelled on in the state park. I'll be down there sharking from the 10th-13th. If anyone wants to stop by just shoot me a message and I'll give you my digits