New to VA, looking for advice

[Yakbum]

Hello all,
I will be moving to the FT Lee area in mid May, coming from Washington State. I am in no way new to kayak fishing, and very active in the Northwest Kayak Anglers forum, as well as the Heroes on the Water NWest Chapter. last year I placed top 10 in 2 tournaments including a 6th place finish in NWKA's AOTY with the largest salmon caught in the tournament as well, logging over 180 days on the water in all conditions from lakes to running coastal rivers up to class 2 for steelhead to fishing the coast for Lingcod Rockfish and Halibut. I will be at FT. Lee for about 6 months in class, hopefully finding lots of time to sample the local piscatorial pursuits. currently looking to find housing in the Hopewell area, close to the James and Appomattox. Last time I was in VA I got the Striper fever and plan to continue looking for the cure with weekend trips to the Chesapeake. Hoping to find a Kayak fishing community as inviting as NWKA and some people willing to show me the ropes for the local area as well as volunteer with the local HOW chapter.
couple questions,

If you had to chose three rods and reels to fish with, what would they be? specifically 3 rods that would be able to successfully target multiple species. and why?

What would be the perfect kayak for the area? Hobie or something else?

what kind of tackle can be used to target the widest variety of fish

I fully realize these are the never ending debate topics that come down to personal preference, just looking for a starting point to building fishing kits.
thanks!
-Fil

[canoe515]

Fil,

Personally I think you answered all of your questions- personal preference. If you are going to spend time fishing at the Chesapeake, you'll want a SOT. It can easily get snotty real quick. There is a wide variety of water to fish in the Richmond area so it is really going depend on what you like doing. Fishing the Chesapeake or the Lakes and streams, in my opinion would require different equipment for it to be fun. I enjoy ultralight fishing in the fresh and tidal water around where I am in Northern VA, so I can;t help you with tackle recommendations.

The good news for you is that you are moving to an area with two very active HOW chapters. Roy Hutchinson runs teh Central VA chapter and they have about 2 events a month planned for this year. The fishing there is freshwater, all about within an hour, hour and half from Ft. Lee. A couple hours down the road will get you to the the Tidewater Chapter. Tom runs both salt and fresh water events down there. I am working to start a chapter and both the Chapters near you have been extremely helpful and I hope to return the favor those guys someday. I am sure they will welcome your help. Their respective email addreses are on chapter facebook pages.

Your also in range of the Appomattox River Company which is my favorite kayak shop. I am sure they will set you up right.

Have fun.

Karl

[Yakbum]

how big is an average day on the salt? over here a good day in open water is right around 4ft swells, 10 second intervals, doable up to around 6ft at 12, usually keeps trips limited to the summer. in the Puget sound its generally flat, though it whips up quick, sometimes up to 6 ft wind waves. I have a hobie adventure I use for covering ground and trolling and an emotion grand slam angler which is great for sight casting, gets a lot of use during the chum salmon runs, fly fishing, and occasionally for river running.