First Landing — Broad Bay

Grass flats inside the bay — good early-morning kayak water for trout and small drum.

ShorelineKayak launchSaltwaterEstuarineBrackish

36.902° N 76.062° WNOAA tide station for this water

This entry describes a general area and has not been verified against current agency access information.

Getting there

Virginia State Parks parking fee applies — check the current rate.

Verify current access, hours, fees, closures, and regulations with official sources before you go.

Paved park roads; the grass-flat launch itself is unimproved.

Tide stage for this kind of water

Rising water on the shallow flats

Flooding water lets fish spread onto shallow flats and grass to feed; open-Bay structure fishes on any moving tide.

Exposure

Broad Bay is largely protected by the surrounding shoreline; the open Bay front nearby is far more exposed.

NOAA's predicted tide at Broad Bay Canal East over today's light, with the hours where the planning factors overlap.

Noted for this spot

General to shoreline and kayak launch access

Riprap and oyster shell are sharp, slick, and uneven; wear footwear with grip and keep hands out of the shell. Casting safely
Boat and ship wake arrives without warning on the rivers and the Bay front — stand back from the edge when traffic passes. Kayak and boating safety basics
Wear the life jacket from launch to landing; most fatal incidents involve one that was aboard but not worn. Kayak and boating safety basics
Local water is cold enough to cause immediate breathing and grip loss for much of the year — dress for the water temperature. Kayak and boating safety basics
Wind across open marsh and a falling tide can turn the paddle back into hard work; plan the return before you launch. Weather awareness for coastal anglers

Seasons are each species' own typical presence, from the field guide — in-season first, not a report of what is biting.

Approach reflects the rigs this spot's own record lists — not a report of what is biting.

Plotting chart…

Where it is

The pin marks the NOAA tide station that represents this water, not the exact access point.

Predicted tide, daylight, and forecast weather for First Landing — Broad Bay.

Popping cork rig
Cast out, let it settle, then give the cork a sharp upward pop every 10–15 seconds
Jig head and soft plastic
One of the single most versatile inshore presentations in this whole guide
Slip-float rig
A quieter alternative to a popping cork

Creek and kayak
Launch on a rising tide, fish the creek mouths as it falls, and be back before the drains empty.
Fall speckled trout
September into December, on a moving tide, with the best hours at dawn and dusk.