Treasures of the Chesapeake Bay

[Bad Obsession]

During my years cruising the Chesapeake Bay I have been to a lot of places. Two of the more unique places on the bay are Smith Island and Tangier Island. These places are so unique that I would consider them a must see on the Chesapeake Bay.

A few years ago I went back to Tangier Island. It was my wife's first experience there. We had a great time but our time on the island was cut short because I had a deadline to get home and the weather that was approaching dictated that I cross the Bay back in the Potomac River before the weather moved in. I plan to take her back there soon.

About 6 years ago I went to Smith Island. It is a very unique place. I also found some amazing striper fishing on the flyrod while I was visiting there.

This summer I would like to go back to Smith Island. I am curious about the current conditions of the channels into Smith Island and that has caused me to bypass there a few times in the past few years. I know that Smith tends to get a lot of shoaling in the channels.

Has anyone visited Smith Island recently? How are the channels? Anyone else discovered the fishing there?

 

[thinwater]

I saw 7-feet at low water there last summer... and also watched a waterman spend 2 hours waiting for the tide to float him off; he missed a turn. After that, as cruiser missed at the same turn. The thing to bear in mind is that the channel moves and the markers aren't shiffted. However, I can generally see the shallows with polarizing glasses. The problem areas are inside (where you turn south) so you can go very slowly.

Tangier is straightforward, either aproach. I've never seen trouble.

 

[Bad Obsession]

That is why I usually go to Tangier Island. That being said, I haven't been to Smith in a while so I was concerned about the channel. I draw about 4' so I usually do okay.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Benny17441]

Jim, sail to Tangier and ride the ferry over to Smiths.

 

[Jimm]

During my years cruising the Chesapeake Bay I have been to a lot of places. Two of the more unique places on the bay are Smith Island and Tangier Island. These places are so unique that I would consider them a must see on the Chesapeake Bay.

Has anyone visited Smith Island recently? How are the channels? Anyone else discovered the fishing there?

One of my favorite places with lots of memories - including a soft grounding (with my 3'10" draft) - not this year. I'd call the marina to be sure of the current 'informal' channel marks
Pauli Eades 443-735-9051
paulizk@verizon.net

 

[Bad Obsession]

The stripers on Smith tend to bight towards the evening and they like the current moving through there. It reminds me of fishing the flats. I have great memories of this!

Where did you do the soft grounding?

I am guessing that going inside Smith Island it is best to back down on the RPM and slowly roll in. It would be nice to follow behind the fairy because they can't be much shallower a draft than I.

Last I went through Smith I drew very little in my Hunter 22. I am probably the only sailboat to go through the back of the island.

 

[thinwater]

It would be nice to follow behind the fairy...

Be careful. The fairy might follow you home.They bight.

 

[RichH]

The easiest and fastest way to get to Smith Is. is to go to Chrisfield and anchor or take a slip ... and then take the mail packet (ferry) over to Smith. There's not much left of Smith Is. these days as its 'sinking' into the bay.

 

[thinwater]

Last I went through Smith I drew very little in my Hunter 22. I am probably the only sailboat to go through the back of the island.

Probably not; my Stiletto 27 drew 13 inches. More than once--I did the eastern shore inner passage a number of times--I was asked by locals if I was lost. That was, needless to say, when I selected my "Thinwater" pseudonym. I miss that boat; it would go where ever I pointed it. Now I draw a ridiculous 3.7 feet and have to use a depth sounder, some days.

 

[Jimm]

Where did you do the soft grounding?
.

If you enlarge the map(pic) where the arrow shows three marks - was supposed to know to go between the first two and leave the third to starboard. Instead I assumed they marked a shoal and went (almost) around, leaving all to starboard. These marks get moved by the local crabbers - thus the advise to call the marina for guidance. Otherwise no problem going in slooowly....