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TKAA Forum Discussions Safety and Inst... HRBT Rule of Thumb - By Kent Dorfman

3/7/2007 9:05 AM

	Cosign
709 posts

HRBT Rule of Thumb - By Kent Dorfman

There have been lots of questions about what is safe and not safe to venture out to HRBT. Take this for what it's worth but this is what I have found.

1) N or NE wind: 5-10 probably ok. 10-15 can get nasty. 15-20 or over, don't even think about it.

2) NW, W, or SW wind: You are probably fishing the E side of the bridge. Up to 10-15 you should be ok. 15-20 will be snotty, especially on the ride over from the ramp. I have launched from 13th St. and fished in these conditions but I wouldn't recommend it, especially for someone new.

3) S or SE: wind: The best situation. If it is 15-20 you can stay in close to shore and be ok but you might have to launch from 13th St.

4) I wouldn't recommend fishing in open water in anything over 20 kt wind, EVER. If you really want to fish, go somewhere sheltered.

5) Remember that the current rips through there at times and if you have the current going against the wind, you get waves stacked up like river rapids.

6) Don't go just because Forrest is going.

Have fun!

Tom

Will Yak for food.

3/7/2007 9:48 AM

	Kent Dorfman
1788 posts
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Re: HRBT Rule of Thumb - By Kent Dorfman

DISCLAIMER:

I AM NOT AN EXPERT OR PROFESSIONAL, JUST ANOTHER TOOL THAT SITS ON A SMALL CHUNK OF PLASTIC AT HRBT.........ALOT. USE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT BASED ON YOUR SKILL AND FITNESS LEVEL.

I hope all of those new to kayak fishing get a chance to get out there this spring. If you do, you will be hooked if you aren't already!

TOM

TOM - Hobie Revolution (orange), Wilderness Systems Ride 135 (orange), Heritage Redfish 12 (yellow), Mad River Canoe Explorer 14 (yellow)........FOUNDER, BOTTOM 10% CLUB............... Life's tough........it's even tougher when you're stupid. -John Wayne

4/10/2007 2:06 AM

	wolfva
30 posts

Re: HRBT Rule of Thumb - By Kent Dorfman

I used to paddle a 12' rowboat out there as a kid; now 20 years later I've finaly taken out my 'yak. Question I have is about the swells. The other week I paddled out to the east side of the bridge, nice calm day. Started to cast when a series of 2' or so swells rushed up and shot me back through the bridge towards the navy base a whole heck of a lot faster then I've ever gone on a 'yak. Are these swells normal? They weren't the normal tidal swells, so I'm thinking maybe caused by the big freighters going by, or maybe it was just weather conditions. I stuck to the west side of the bridge after that, the pylons acted as a nice break and I had a much more leisurely fishing experience.

4/10/2007 9:54 AM

	Kent Dorfman
1788 posts
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Re: HRBT Rule of Thumb - By Kent Dorfman

There are alot more fish on the outside (east) or bay side. There is a bar that runs at least half the length of the bridge that is right out from the bridge on the bay side. There are other shoals out there too. Even 3/4 of the way out at low tide there is only like 3' of water in some places. You have to be aware of what is going through that shipping channel. Sometimes ships don't slow down until they hit Ft. Wool. I have seen some HUGE waves come through there. One time I had to punch through 6' breakers over top of the tube (jagged rocks) off of Ft. Wool. A guy in a boat just barely made it off his anchorage. He would have been toast for sure! If you are on a bar and you see some long ups and downs in the water i.e. swells, get to some deeper water, and fast. The water under the bridge is generally deeper.

Bottom line is that kayaking in general and especially at night requires you to be on your toes all the time. You have to be aware of your surroundings constantly or you might get into trouble.

Tom

4/16/2007 12:14 PM

	Trevor
1750 posts

Re: HRBT Rule of Thumb - By Kent Dorfman

It is no fun being under the bridge when the ship wake comes through. Some of those swells can get you mighty close to the bottom of the structure. You might not hit your head but your rods could suffer. You can't keep an eye out for ships passing all of the time but if you are on one of the bars be ready to move out quick.

Sand Hobie Adventure , DFKAA member , ........ DWELLING AMONG THE BOTTOM 10%

11/2/2007 6:20 PM

	dksj
486 posts

Re: HRBT Rule of Thumb - By Kent Dorfman

Modified By dksj on 11/2/2007 5:21:09 PM)

BUMP.

Kent Dorfman brought this thread up recently and thought it worth bumping for reference.

Just a reminder that winter is approaching and with it more severe weather. Just remember that with the increase in wind the tides will be higher as well. For example this weekend the tides will be 2'-3' above normal, thus if fishing the HRBT you will be 2'-3' closer to the bottom of the span. I bring this up in that last year I broke the tip off of a rod when a rogue wave came through while under the bridge.

Wayne,
Can we somehow move this to the General section and place a sticky on it for the winter months?

dksj

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160i Mango, Ride 135 Yellow. "Life is a garden, dig it" -Dr. Joseph Dirte

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